Rouge Restaurant is a gorgeous spot for anyone looking for a Calgary restaurant wedding venue. Rouge, nestled in the heart of historic Inglewood, is consistently rated one of the city’s top restaurants. San Pellegrino even named it one of the 100 best restaurants in the world.
The restaurant was built in the late 1800s as the residence of A.E. Croft, a founding member of the famous Calgary Stampede. Now, the stately Victorian farmhouse and immaculate garden offer a cozy venue for weddings and celebrations. The menu focuses on garden-fresh, seasonally inspired fare that is sure to have all your guests talking.
Below is some key information to know, and some real wedding photos, from this historic Calgary restaurant wedding venue.
Rouge Restaurant Wedding Information
On-Site Venues & Capacities:
The Farmhouse (the entire house, garden and seasonal patio can be booked) – Seats up to 110 guests
The Garden and Patio (outdoor garden and covered patio) – Seats up to 116 guests
The Main Floor (includes the dining room, kitchen bar, parlour, sunroom, and patio if weather permits) – Seats up to 60 guests
The Large Gallery (spacious second-floor room with large bay windows) – Seats up to 40 guests
The Small Gallery (private room overlooking the garden and patio) – Seats up to 16 guests
The Parlour (located on the main floor and includes an open fireplace) – Seats up to 20 guests
The Dining Room (features a fireplace and French doors that open to the garden and patio) – Seats up to 20 guests
The Kitchen Bar – (cozy space by the parlour and bar area) – Seats up to 14 guests
Getting-Ready Space: Rooms on the second floor work well for your wedding party to get ready and vary in size to suit a variety of groups.
Food: Rouge Restaurant is known for its exceptional food. The restaurant was named one of the 100 best in the world, after all. The restaurant creates a tailored menu for each couple and their celebration. No outside food is allowed, with the exception of wedding cakes or ceremonial desserts.
Accommodation: No, but there are Airbnbs in the Inglewood / Ramsay neighbourhoods. Inglewood is also minutes from downtown Calgary, where there are plenty of hotel options, from upscale to family-friendly.
Parking: Street parking is available, but it can be difficult to come by. Your best bet is one of the lots that are just a quick walk from the restaurant.
Transportation: Guests can use taxis and ride-share apps, or transportation can be arranged by the couple.
Pets: Leave your fur babies at home! The venue does not allow pets on-site (except licensed service animals), which is in accordance with Alberta’s Food Regulation.
Website for more information and to contact: Rouge Restaurant
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Rouge Restaurant Wedding Story
In front of their closest family and friends, Nicole and Peter exchanged vows this fall on the beautiful grounds of Rouge Restaurant. I met Nicole and Peter during their engagement session in Kananaskis Country last year, and seeing them again felt like meeting up with friends.
Their wedding day was filled with love, intention, and plenty of laughter. It was incredibly relaxed, beginning with short getting-ready photos on the upper floor of Rouge. Nicole and Peter then met for a private first look before we moved on to wedding party and couples’ portraits. Many couples are opting to take photos prior to their ceremony, and I love this approach. It keeps the day relaxed and allows couples to go straight into cocktail hour so they can spend more time with their guests.
Nicole and Peter’s ceremony was officiated by one of Peter’s groomsmen, who is also a good friend of the couple. This made the ceremony even more heartfelt and personalized. Peter and Nicole chose to walk down the aisle together, and I hope this gains popularity. Their ceremony allowed the natural beauty of the Rouge gardens to shine through, and we couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather.
Nicole and Peter wanted to gift each couple or guest a photo with them in their thank-you cards, so we moved through these post-ceremony. It was a great way for the couple to say hello to everyone in attendance, too! Cocktail hour seamlessly flowed into a charcuterie reception and speeches before the party got underway.
Keep reading to see photos from Nicole and Peter’s beautiful day, including Nicole’s unique engagement pebble. Theirs is one of the most unique proposal stories I’ve ever heard. Nicole and Peter are avid travellers and Peter popped the question on a beach in France. Nicole didn’t want a traditional ring, so Peter got creative. Penguins were Nicole’s favourite animal as a kid, and she loved the movie, The Pebble and the Penguin. Being a “nerdy biology teacher”, Peter knew that penguins mated for life. They found a specific pebble and presented it to their potential mate, so Peter did just that. Nicole, who is also a self-professed nerd, knew exactly what he was doing and said it was perfect.
