Bull River Guest Ranch offers a secluded paradise for you and your closest friends and family to celebrate the unity of marriage. We host weddings, every season, all year round. Our galleries provide proof that there are almost limitless opportunities to create a breathtaking event. We have taken the time to properly plan our ranch ceremony and reception areas for the perfect wedding. We can host weddings up to 150 guests. Please contact us through the form or call us to learn more about our wedding packages.
Bull River Guest Ranch is currently booking for the 2023 wedding season. We look forward to hearing from you if you would like to discuss dates. Below, we’ve selected a few vendors that we have relationships with and will help make your special day even more memorable.
What about the rehearsal dinner and breakfast the next day?
If you choose our outdoor reception area wedding package, we open the outdoor reception area for rehearsal dinners on the evening before the wedding and breakfast the day after the event. Guests are responsible for all food and beverage, cutlery, glass and plateware, service, and cleanup. If you would like to cater this event, we are happy to connect you with vendors. If you choose our Lodge wedding package, we open the Lodge for rehearsal dinners on the evening before the wedding. Guests are responsible for all food and beverage, cutlery, glass and plateware, service, and cleanup. If you would like to cater this event, we are happy to connect you with vendors.
Where is the ceremony and what is provided?
Our ceremony area backs onto a beautiful pond and water feature with a wooden altar. We provide the altar, chairs, a signing table, speakers, power cables, white umbrellas, and chilled water for guests. We will manage all the setup and takedown of this equipment. Guests are responsible for all decorating and for providing a DJ if music is desired at the ceremony.
What is provided for a outdoor reception?
Our picturesque log outdoor area is an indoor/outdoor area with 2 large barbecues, an indoor bar, an outdoor bar, and full access to fridges and deep freezers. We provide a podium and speaker system for music, 8 ft rectangular banquet tables that each seat 10 guests, 8 ft rectangular banquet tables for food presentation, gifts, and dessert, and white plastic chairs. We also provide white buffet dinner plates, cutlery, and wine and water glassware that will be delivered clean and wrapped for you or your vendors to set up. Once used, they will need to be cleaned and loaded back into their crates by you or your caterers. We take care of the setup and takedown of the tables and chairs. Guests are responsible for decorating, food preparation, servicing, and cleaning. We are happy to connect you with vendors to have the reception bar tended and catered. For the outdoor reception area, you are responsible for obtaining a Special Event Permit, which can be applied for online. This permit allows for the serving of liquor at the event.
What is provided for a lodge reception?
Our stunning log lodge features a fully-equipped professional kitchen, vaulted ceilings, and a large outdoor terrace for a picturesque rustic wedding reception. We provide a podium and speaker system for music, 8 ft rectangular banquet tables that each seat 10 guests, 8 ft rectangular banquet tables for food presentation, gifts, and dessert, and white plastic chairs. We also provide white buffet dinner plates, cutlery, and wine and water glassware that will be delivered clean and wrapped for you or your vendors to set up. Once used, they will need to be cleaned and loaded into the kitchen by you or your caterers. We take care of the setup and takedown of the tables and chairs. Guests are responsible for decorating, food preparation, servicing, and cleaning. We are happy to connect you with vendors to have the reception bar tended and catered. The Lodge bar is supplied and operated by the ranch and is a fully licensed facility. Accordingly, no outside liquor is permitted in the lodge at any time.
So, what is everything we need to bring for the wedding?
All ceremony and reception wedding décor (this includes wedding decorations, flowers, signs, all table decorations, and linens) If choosing the outdoor reception area, one bartender for 50 people is required. The bar set up is the clients responsibility, or have it arranged with vendors. The client is in charge of supplying all bar items such as the float, cups, shooter glasses, straws, wine openers, lemons and limes. BRGR will supply the ice. If the client is choosing to do meals in the outdoor reception area other than the reception meal, the client is responsible for bringing all cups, utensils, plates, napkins, and all food and beverage services. Also - we highly recommend bringing a wedding emergency kit with safety pins, tide pens, needle & thread, and a lint roller!
Which vendors do we have access to?
Wedding Planner, Marriage Commissioner, Catering, Cake Makers, Licensed Bartenders, Florist, Hair & Makeup, DJ & Music, Photography, Videography, Taxi & Shuttle Services
Can we use candles in the lodge or outdoor reception area?
No, we do not allow real burning candles. We only allow battery operated ones.
Is there a checklist you can provide?
Complete cabin allocations sheet - Special Event Permit (Bar requirement if using BBQ reception area. The event can not go ahead without this in place) The bartender must be a licensed bartender. - Event Insurance (the event can not go ahead without this in place) - Marriage license - Reception area seating chart - All speeches printed off and MC speech/notes - Set up crew for wedding decorations ceremony location - Friend/family member who will do ceremony music - Clean up crew for wedding decorations ceremony location - Set up crew for wedding decorations reception area - Set up crew for reception area dinner (this includes decorations, table linens, glassware, cutlery, plates, flowers, etc.) - Friend/family member who will do reception area music - Clean up crew for reception dinner (this includes all decorations, table linens, glassware, cutlery, plates, flowers, and etc.) - Set-up crew for the following day's breakfast (this includes decorations, flowers, table linens, glassware, cutlery, plates, etc.) - Clean up crew following breakfast (we ask you leave the area the way that you found it, and take all decorations and signs with you).
What is the pricing for a wedding at the ranch and what is the deposit?
Our pricing and fees are set to cover facility fees, ceremony fees, and guest accommodations. All rates are provided in CAD.
Do we need insurance?
Yes, your event can not go ahead without you purchasing insurance from a broker of your choice to cover the duration of your event. If you need support with this matter, please contact us for recommended vendors.
Do we need a liquor license?
For a Lodge reception, you do not. The bar is supplied and operated by the ranch and is a fully licensed facility. Accordingly, no outside liquor is permitted in the lodge at any time. For the Barnhouse reception, you are responsible for getting a Special Event Permit, which can be applied for online. This permit allows for the serving of liquor at the event.
What are the policies for decorating and event setup?
We do not permit any article to be fastened onto walls or electrical fixtures. The use of tacks, tape, nails, screws, bolts or any tools that could mark the floors, walls or ceilings, is prohibited. No open fires, fireworks or lanterns are permitted.
What if we damage something by accident?
Unless you provide a full guarantee for guest incidentals, individual guests will be required to provide a credit card upon check in. Children 12 & under must be chaperoned/accompanied by an adult while on premises. All Guest rooms provide an outdoor deck area. Smoking is not allowed in the guest rooms; surcharges will be assessed for additional cleaning if deemed necessary. As the organizers, you assume all responsibility for the actions and conduct of the client and/or the client’s guests.You are responsible for any damage to the premises by their invited guests or independent contractors during the time the premises are under their control.
What are the terms and conditions for guests?
Unless you provide a full guarantee for guest incidentals, individual guests will be required to provide a credit card upon check in. Children 12 & under must be chaperoned/accompanied by an adult while on premises. Smoking is not allowed in the guest rooms or cabins; surcharges will be assessed for additional cleaning if deemed necessary; this is a zero-tolerance policy. There is an outdoor gazebo allocated for smoking. As the organizers, you assume all responsibility for the actions and conduct of the client and/or the client’s guests.
What is the wedding cancellation policy?
Functions cancelled within one hundred eighty (180) days of the booked event date are subject to pay a cancellation fee of fifty (50) percent of the estimate you received. This would be invoiced and due within 15 days of the cancellation date. Functions cancelled within ninety (90) days of the booked event date are subject to pay a cancellation fee of eighty (80) percent of the estimate you received. This would be invoiced and due within 15 days of the cancellation date. All cancellations must be in writing in order to confirm cancellation. Proof of cancellation will be signed and dated by ranch manager Anna of the Bull River Guest Ranch. In the event of a national emergency (including the COVID-19 pandemic) or an act of God, the Rooms & Facility Fee cancellation policies will be null and void.
What about COVID-19 restrictions causing cancellation?
If there are COVID-19 restrictions still in place at the time of your event, we will offer the following options: you can proceed with the current COVID-19 restrictions and numbers that are in place at the date of your event, or you can move your event to the following year based on availability. The event date can only be moved once. If the COVID-19 government-issue restricted guest counts are below 50, you will be required to fill the cabins to the government-issued guest counts. Any remaining cabins that are not allocated will be available to rent to the public.
What are the cabins like?
The ranch hosts 8 separate cabins that offer spectacular mountain views right from the privacy of your own deck. Beautifully appointed with river rock fireplaces, comfortable bedding, cottage style decorations and fully equipped kitchens with modern appliances. Cabins vary in how many guests they can sleep: one queen bed, a king size bed with bunk beds, a king size bed alone, or 2 queen beds and a bunk bed.
What is Douglas Lake Cottage?
Douglas Lake Cottage is located a few minutes down the road from the ranch and accommodates large groups with 1 king bed, 2 queen beds and 3 twin beds in four bedrooms. If you have an extra guest, no problem, the cottage also hosts a pull-out couch.
What are the suites?
On the ranch there is a beautiful log building with 4 separate-entrance guest suites on the upper level that accommodate 2 people each. These suites share a communal deck from their backdoor. Each room hosts 1 king bed and a fully-equipped bathroom. Our upper-level suites are named after western legends: Clint Eastwood, Gene Autry, John Wayne, and Roy Rogers. Each suite is equipped with a mini fridge, microwave, coffee station, and two place settings. The lower-level of this building hosts 9 separate suites, each with a double bed, that share 2 communal bathrooms. Guests in the lower-level suites do not have a kitchen, but do have access to laundry and a coffee station.
Can we camp at the ranch?
Our ranch accommodates 67 guests in the cabins, suites, and communal rooms. For events with a greater number of guests, we offer overflow camping in our stunning fields. Our camping area is not equipped with power or hookups; there are no specified lots. For weddings, we provide 4 portable bathrooms for guests to use. Additionally, campers are welcome to use the showers and coffee station located in the hottub building.
How many guests can you accommodate?
Between the cabins, the suites, and Douglas Lake Cottage, we can accommodate up to 67 guests; once all buildings have been accommodated, we open up the camping area for overflow. The amount of guests allotted for camping is dependent on cabin vacancy; please contact the ranch for more details.
How many nights do we get to stay?
Our wedding packages and cabin rentals require that all accommodations be booked for a minimum of 2 nights. If your wedding takes place over a weekend, it is typically Friday and Saturday night reservations. Additional nights can be booked at an additional cost.
What are the check-in and check-out policies?
Standard check-in time is 4 pm and check-out time is 11 am. Extended times can be requested, and we endeavour to accommodate requests depending on ranch occupancy. Half day charges may apply and an extension would be granted on the discretion of the ranch management.
How do we allocate guest accommodations?
Once your wedding has been booked, we will provide a guest and allocation sheet with a list of the options and their capacities. We ask that you determine which of your guests will stay in which accommodations and provide it to us at your earliest convenience. Once you or your guests have confirmed their reservation and paid the $100 deposit for their accommodations, their accommodation fees will be removed from the event invoice. Please note that the deposits for each accommodation are non-refundable if the event is cancelled. Please note that you will be invoiced for any of the cabins, suites, lower bunk-house rooms, and the Douglas Lake Cottage if they are not allocated and paid for by guests.
How do our guests pay for their accommodations?
On our guest and accommodation allocation sheet that you fill out upon booking, the cost of each accommodation is listed. The three most common methods of managing the guest payments are: The wedding couple provides the cost of each guest’s accommodation and has each guest contact the ranch to place their $100 deposit and reserve their space. Once the guest has confirmed their booking with their deposit, the fees for their accommodations will be removed from the event invoice. Final payments will be taken at check in. The wedding couple pays the cost of accommodations, and then has their guests pay them directly for the specified price of their room (per the accommodation list). The wedding couple pays for guest accommodations upfront.
What do we tell our guests to pack?
We recommend that guests pack whatever food and drinks are required for the weekend outside of what the wedding couple is providing the group. Depending on the season, we recommend that guests check the weather and pack clothing accordingly. Mirror Lake is a 4 km hike out and back (totalling 8 km) and is great for swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking; we recommend guests pack their swimsuits and any aquatic equipment they may want to use. Other items that may improve guest experiences are: portable speakers, outdoor-games, camping chairs for additional seating outside their accommodations, hiking or running shoes, and propane-fire pits, cards, and board games.
2975 Bull River Rd, BC
info@bullriverguestranch.com
(250) 429 – 3760
Reception: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday-Friday
Facility tours are available by appointment only, please call in to book your appointment!
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