Wedding FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How much does it cost to rent your venue?

The average price for an Ark wedding is $2000. This includes the seating and outdoor venue for the wedding ceremony, tables and chairs for the reception, and audio equipment (for speeches and/or dancing). If you choose, it could also cover half the price of the wedding officiant (All Season's Weddings charges $300 per ceremony - $150 to All Season's and $150 to the officiant - I'll waive my fee if you are married here). And that's it. We don't believe in any "hidden" fees here. We don't charge any additional corkage, cleanup, parking, or decorating fees. Our quotes are all-inclusive.

Our research shows we have the lowest outdoor wedding venue price in the region. But where you are really going to save your money is at the bar. We ask that you bring your own liquor license and your own liquor. We've estimated that you can easily serve up to 100 people for as little as $400. This includes wine with dinner and beer and spirits at the bar. Compare that to some venues that charge $5-7 per drink and $30-40 for every opened bottle of wine. A Quebec liquor license can be obtained for $35. Click here for the Quebec liquor license application.

Do you have any more pictures

Most of the best pictures we have are already on the pages of this site. Our other pictures are simply different angles and different people. But to give you the best look of the place, we have just added a video tour. Click here for a link to watch that video.

Do you have a menu we could see?

No, all formal sit down meals will need to be catered by a third party. We recommend Bytown Catering. Their food and service are excellent and their prices are completely reasonable.

However, if you would like a less formal meal we'd be happy to work with you in regard to a BBQ or cold meal buffet.

How many people can your site accomodate?

For a formal sit-down dining experience, our optimum number is somewhere around 100 but we can accomodate 120 people comfortably for indoor dining. If you are looking for a more casual affair with guests mingling both indoors and out, we can accomodate considerably more.

How far are you from Ottawa?

We are 45 minutes from the Byward Market. In the past we have arranged for a shuttle bus to meet at 1 or 2 locations within the city to bring people up for the ceremony. The bus then returns to city again at 11pm for those who like to get to bed early, but returns to the Ark for another 1am shuttle. However, there is plenty of parking available for those who wish to drive themselves.

Do you provide the shuttle service?

No we don't provide a shuttle service. In the past we have used Thom Transport. Here is an example of their service and pricing:

They can arrange to pick people up in Ottawa at a central location at 3pm (for example). They will then drive to the wedding, potentially stopping in Wakefield to pick up guests there. They can then return to the city at 10pm with your guests who like to get to bed early and then return to the Ark to return the remainder of your guests to Ottawa at 1am. A bus with 48 seats will cost APPROXIMATELY $625 for this service (this is the quote I just received from Thom Transport. You may be charged more or less when you call - that's completly up to them. Or you could contact another shuttle service for another quote).

Thom Transport can be reached at 819 663-7253.

May we supply the minister or officiant?

Of course, you are welcome to have whoever you choose perform your ceremony. I only offer to perform the ceremony to help streamline your planning and reduce your workload. There are certainly no additional fees if you bring your own officiant. That's just one less thing I have to worry about!

What people have trouble understanding about our weddings here is that this is YOUR DAY! We don't dictate how it should unfold. Regardless of what your request is, if we can accomodate you, we will. It's really that simple.

If we don't choose to camp onsite, are there any other nearby accomodations?

Yes there are a few options 20 minutes south of here in the quaint little town of Wakefield. I've just added a page listing a few of the options for accomodations there. Click here to check those out.

We think that all the venues in the Ottawa area have beautiful locations for their ceremonies and receptions. We're quite proud of our site here as well. But what makes us different is our approach. Although we encourage formal weddings here, we like to throw in some homegrown flavour. A wedding at the Ark is not a stuffy affair. It may be formal, but people will feel like they're visiting a friend and not a sterile conference center. We don't push a prepackaged system on you. We ask how you envision your day and we do whatever we can to make that vision a reality.

We also try to do whatever we can to work within your budget and make sure every dollar you part with is well spent.

Did we miss any questions? If so, send them in and I'll post the answers right here.

This concludes our list of Wedding FAQ. Did we miss anything? If so, simply click here to ask your question.