Jess + Clarke Downtown Calgary Restaurant Wedding

August 4th, 2023
A chic mexican restaurant wedding

If there is one thing we love, it’s a restaurant wedding. Add to this - some of the best Mexican food Calgary has to offer, served family style at the iconic Fonda Fora restaurant. The beautiful architecture and design, mixed with candlelight and boisterous laughter made this an evening to remember. Jess + Clarke had the perfect day because they chose the perfect venue - one that they loved from entrance to exit. We are spilling the tea on restaurant weddings - the good, the tough and the truth!

Vendor Team:

Planning & Coordination: Lovebirds Wedding Experiences

Venue: Fonda Fora // Florals: Meadow & Vine // Photographer: Blair Marie // Backdrop & Plints: Steff Forward Events

HMUA: Studio Haven // Dress: Blush & Raven // Suit: Atelier by Ensemble // Photobooth: Flash Co. Booth

So, whats to drink?

Cocktail Hour started with margaritas, plattered and passed through out the space. Through out the evening, guests were invited to try a series of curated cocktails and fine wines through out the evening. Restaurants often have a highly curated beverage list - this means PREMIUM PRODUCT, served to perfection but has a higher price point.

Mexican food - did you have tacos for dinner?

Try again. Fonda Fora fused authentic Mexican cuisine into a 4 course family style event. Salsa tastings hit the table first, followed by a play on Caesar Salad & Aguachile seafood ceviche. Guests indulged in Trucha Frita & Carne Asada and feasted on churros for dessert. This adventurous and inspired meal was talk of the town. Restaurant weddings can mean a more adventurous menu. Keep in mind, wherever you choose - you aren’t necessarily going to have total control over your options. Pros - you can always test out the food before committing, just make that dinner reso babe!

WHat makes a restaurant wedding so…perfect?

The curated vibes. When you choose a restaurant - you are choosing a CONCEPT. The aesthetic is built out around the cuisine style, location and a guest experience. Often times, the linens, tableware and seating are all upgraded and paired together by an interior designer. Your decor focus can be on the details - menus, florals, candles - rather than having to overhaul a space. Restaurants are also usually in a prime location - urban, waterfront, rooftop - some of the best real estate is reserved for fine dining.

why wouldn’t i choose a restaurant for my wedding?

Often the main concern is capacity & floor plans. Restaurants tend to have limitations on seating configurations, so if you’re worried about the space set up and how to place your guests - you might have less flexibility here. Restaurants often require a flip - which means changing over the space from ceremony to dinner. This can mean chairs or tables in the background, or an extended cocktail hour to accommodate. Also - food is everything - so make sure you actually LOVE what they serve before committing.

If restaurants are so curated, why do i need you?

While restaurant weddings certainly bring a structure and format - they can also bring an extra dose of chaos. Shorter set up times, flipping a space and serving dinner to 100 guests at once is no easy feat, so having a planning team by your side to manage is integral. We always encourage our clients to let restaurants do what they do best - food & beverage experiences. Working in tandem with seasoned wedding experts can ensure a timely schedule, an elevated space that doesn’t feel like Friday night dinner rush and a stress free staff that can focus on each assigned task.