As a wedding photographer in Calgary, I’ve had the privilege of capturing celebrations at many beautiful venues. However, some spaces stand out not just for their aesthetic appeal, but for the complete experience they create. The Gathered, located just outside Calgary, is one venue that consistently delivers an exceptional wedding experience through their thoughtful approach to hosting celebrations.  After working multiple weddings here, I sat down with the owners and discussed the venue’s history, details, and what sets their service apart.

TL;DR

The Gathered is ideal for couples who:

Love the outdoors and stunning sunsets
Appreciate garden-fresh cuisine
Want a private venue where they’re the only event of the day
Desire a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere
Value keeping all parts of their celebration at one location
Appreciate personal attention and custom details

A Venue Born from Experience

What strikes me most about The Gathered is how its creation stemmed from personal experience. Alysa, one of the owners, shared with me that although her own “backyard wedding” was beautiful, it came with significant logistics challenges. This personal experience from her wedding showed them what couples needed: the beauty of an outdoor celebration without the stress of managing all the details.

Alysa explained: “We want to take away all the stress of creating a “backyard wedding experience”… our vision was to create a space that had all the features – the tent, the catering, the lawn, gardens, firepits and more – the blueprint for an outdoor wedding that each couple could personalize for their own wedding day.”

The Garden-to-Table Experience

What started as a beautiful outdoor venue has evolved to become known for its exceptional culinary offerings. One of the most unique aspects of The Gathered is their commitment to fresh, local food. As Alysa describes it, they’re “a garden tented venue that specializes in garden to table catering.” With two acres of gardens growing both flowers and vegetables, they create a seamless connection between the setting and the dining experience. Elaine, who serves as the venue’s chef, brings decades of culinary expertise to create memorable dining experiences for each couple.

Add on food options include: Custom menus, gorgeous cocktail hour displays, a charming DONUT BAR, and late night snacks that keep the party going!

Professional Planning Support

One thing I particularly appreciate as a photographer is the inclusion of FIORE FINE EVENTS for month-of coordination. Having worked alongside their team numerous times, I can tell you that their attention to detail ensures your day flows seamlessly – which means more time for those dreamy sunset photos and less stress about logistics. They handle:

Complete timeline planning
Decor setup and tear down
Professional wedding day management
All those little details you shouldn’t have to worry about

A Dedicated Space for Each Part of Your Wedding Day

What sets The Gathered apart is how the space naturally flows throughout the day. As Ashley from Fiore Fine Events, their partner wedding coordinator, explains: “You get to utilize every part of the property… I personally think that you get tremendous value when you book the space.”

The progression includes:
A private bridal cottage for final preparations
A dedicated ceremony space
Open areas for cocktail hour with lawn games
A stunning clear-span tent for reception
Multiple outdoor spaces for photos

The Bridal Cottage

Such a lovely space for those intimate getting-ready photos, including: Private preparation area, bathroom, and beautiful natural light for detail shots.

Meadow Ceremony Space

The natural backdrop here is absolutely breathtaking. I love how they’ve included: Ceremony chairs, a wooden arch (perfect for framing those “I do” moments), professional sound system, wine barrel accents at the entrance to the isle for displaying florals and welcoming details for your guests.

Cocktail Hour Area

This space is perfect for capturing those candid moments between formal photos: Comfortable lounge areas, lawn games (which make for such fun guest photos!) and plenty of space for mingling.

The Clear Tent

This is honestly one of my favorite features to photograph. The transparent ceiling creates the most beautiful, natural light for your reception, and the evening lights create such a romantic atmosphere for those dance floor moments. Includes:

Tables and chairs
Built-in dance floor
Ambient lighting
Bar setup

The Packages

The Full Wedding Experience

Signature Package Starting at $10,500

Access to the full property
Month-of coordination and planning support by FIORE FINE EVENTS
Up to 150 guest seated Reception
Minimum food spend of $6,500

Included Amenities:

Tables and chairs for both ceremony and reception
Complete place settings
Sound system
Dance floor
Fire pits
Lawn games
First bartender included
Bring your own alcohol with no corkage fee

Elopements & Intimate Weddings

5 Hour Property Rental Starting at $2,000

Access to the cottage for preparations
A beautiful outdoor ceremony space with chairs, arch, and sound system
A cocktail-style reception area surrounded by gardens (perfect for those candid shots!)
A stunning grazing table that always photographs beautifully

Note: This package doesn’t include the tent or coordination services, but it’s perfect for smaller, more casual celebrations

FAQ’s: Additional Details

Weather Considerations & Backup Plans

As someone who photographs outdoor weddings regularly, I know weather is often the biggest concern for couples considering an outdoor venue. The Gathered has thoughtfully addressed this with their clear-span tent, which Elaine describes as offering the best of both worlds: “We can protect our people, they can still have an enjoyable time but still feel that outside vibe of it.”

Their track record speaks for itself – out of over 200 weddings, they’ve only had two completely rained out. The team makes weather-related decisions on the day of, rather than trying to predict days in advance, allowing for the best possible outcome for each couple.

Location and Transportation

Located approximately 25 minutes from the Calgary airport and 40 minutes from downtown Calgary, The Gathered recommends shuttle services for guests. As Alysa explains, this recommendation comes from experience and prioritizes guest safety and timing: “Since our venue is outside of Calgary, this ensures guests arrive on time and don’t get lost on their way. After the bar closes and it’s time to go, you know your guests will get back to the city safely.”

Why I Love Photographing Intimate Weddings Here

The more relaxed timeline and smaller guest count mean we can really take our time with photos, exploring all the beautiful corners of the property. The natural setting and casual atmosphere create such authentic moments to capture.

A Team That Truly Cares

What resonates most with me as a wedding vendor is the genuine care this team has for their couples. As Ashley from Fiore Fine Events beautifully expressed: “We have a heart of servanthood… That’s ultimately my heart and I know that’s where their heart is… every single wedding that we show up for, even when we’re dealing with sometimes stressed out couples, we always revert back to know we’re here to serve them.”

With a relatively short season running from mid-June to mid-September, and bookings available up to two years in advance, The Gathered offers a unique blend of natural beauty, exceptional service, and memorable experiences that make it one of Calgary’s most sought-after wedding venues. Let’s discuss your wedding!