As a wedding photographer who has captured countless love stories across Calgary, I can confidently say that Mickelson National Golf Club is a hidden wedding venue treasure. If you’re searching for a location that combines natural beauty, sophisticated elegance, and incredible flexibility, this is the place you need to explore!
TLDR;
Located just minutes west of Calgary in the upscale community of Harmony, this stunning new venue offers a sophisticated clubhouse that seats up to 180 guests and exceptional culinary options ranging from elegant plated dinners to comprehensive all-inclusive packages. What makes it truly special for photography is that every single inch of this venue and surrounding landscape is photo worthy. The included amenities (like dance floors and AV equipment), attentive staff, and flexibility to customize your celebration make this wedding venue a photographer’s dream and a couple’s perfect canvas for creating unforgettable wedding memories.
Why Mickelson National Stands Out
The property spans an impressive 240 acres, offering couples a truly spectacular wedding environment. What sets this venue apart is its ability to provide both accessibility and escape – you’re close enough to Calgary for convenience, but far enough to feel like you’ve found the perfect retreat for your wedding celebration.
The brand new clubhouse is a masterpiece of modern design. With high-vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, and a neutral color palette, it provides a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere that can be transformed to match any wedding style. Whether you’re dreaming of a classic elegant affair, a rustic celebration, or a modern minimalist event, this space becomes your perfect canvas.
Reasons I Love This Venue
– Seats up to 180 guests comfortably
– Stunning indoor and outdoor ceremony options
– Exceptional culinary packages with diverse menu choices (scroll down to see!)
– Flexible event spaces that adapt to your vision
– Dramatic natural lighting throughout the property
– Proximity to Calgary (just minutes west)
– Accommodating and professional staff
– Comprehensive wedding packages
– Multiple photo location options
– Spectacular year-round beauty
Spots I Love to Photograph
– Elegant clubhouse entrance and patio featuring stone pillars and large chandeliers
– Manicured golf greens, charming bridges and natural pathways
– Outdoor ceremony spaces with views of the golf course and big Alberta skies
– Sunset landscapes that paint the perfect wedding day scene
– Sophisticated interior spaces with neutral color palettes and high ceilings
Ceremony Spaces
Indoor Ceremony Option: The stunning Foyer provides a sophisticated indoor ceremony space with natural light flooding through expansive windows, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere regardless of weather conditions. The neutral palette and architectural details offer a timeless backdrop for your vows.
Outdoor Ceremony Option: The Event Lawn on the east side of the building presents a breathtaking outdoor ceremony location. With panoramic views of the rolling golf course and the majestic Rocky Mountains in the distance, this space creates an unforgettable setting for exchanging vows under the vast Alberta sky.
Reception & Cocktail Spaces
The main reception space features those gorgeous high-vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows I mentioned earlier, accommodating up to 180 guests in sophisticated comfort. The neutral color palette serves as the perfect canvas for any wedding theme or color scheme.
Weather permitting, your guests can enjoy cocktail hour on the patio (75% of the space is included), offering a seamless indoor-outdoor experience with spectacular views. This transitional space is perfect for mingling and capturing candid moments between ceremony and reception.
Culinary Highlights
Their wedding packages are a dream for food lovers, offering something for every taste and budget including features including:
– Sparkling wine toast for all guests
– Five gourmet hors d’oeuvres
– Unlimited wine with dinner
– Cake cutting service
– Late-night fruit and cheese board
– Seamless catering experience
Plated Dinner Options to Impress
– Roasted Pork Loin with Merlot reduction
– Beef Tenderloin with Brandy Peppercorn sauce *Can confirm this is DELICIOUS!*
– Hunter Chicken with black truffle cream sauce
– Charbroiled Atlantic Salmon with lemon dill cream sauce *Also DELICIOUS!*
– Halibut Fillet with lemon beurre blanc
2026 Pricing Guide
For couples planning ahead, Mickelson National has released their 2026 rental rates:
Ceremony Space (Year-Round) – $1,750.00
Reception Space – Saturdays – Spring/Summer (Apr to Oct): $7,000.00, Fall/Winter (Nov to Mar): $5,000.00
Reception Space – Fridays, Sundays and Mid-Week – Spring/Summer (Apr to Oct): $6,000.00 (No Fridays Available), Fall/Winter (Nov to Mar): $4,000.00
Food and Beverage Minimum Spend – Saturdays – Spring/Summer (Apr to Oct): $16,000.00, Fall/Winter (Nov to Mar): $14,000.00
Food and Beverage Minimum Spend – Friday, Sunday and Mid-Week – Spring/Summer (Apr to Oct): $10,000.00, Fall/Winter (Nov to Mar): $7,000.00
Included Amenities (at no extra cost!)
– TV screens perfect for slideshows
– Wireless microphone
– Professional podium
– Spacious dance floor
– Banquet tables and chairs
– Standard black and white linens
– Complete tableware
– Decoration access starting at 10 am
– Flexibility for custom setups
Photo Opportunities
The property offers an incredible variety of backdrops that allow us to create a wedding gallery telling your unique love story. From manicured greens to open sky views, from the elegant clubhouse interior and stunning exterior design, every location on the property offers a perfect photographic moment.
The quality of light is particularly magical. Late afternoon brings a golden sunshine that sweeps across the landscape, creating warm, romantic glows that make every photograph feel like a work of art. As evening approaches, the ambient lighting provides dramatic twilight portrait opportunities.
Best Seasons
While beautiful year-round, late spring through early fall offers the most stunning landscape:
– May: Fresh greenery and blooming flowers
– June & July: Lush landscapes and long summer evenings
– September: Warm autumn colors with comfortable temperatures
Check out some more of my favorite venues:
CanGolf Canmore
The Gathered
The Calgary Zoo
Carriage House
Glen Erin Inn
Mickelson National Golf Club
Interested in learning more about how Mickelson National could be the perfect backdrop for your wedding day? I’d be thrilled to discuss the possibilities and help you envision your dream celebration!
