Hart House sits right on Deer Lake in Burnaby, and honestly, the tent is what gets you first. It’s all white, with a chandelier hanging in the middle, and unlike most tents, one side is completely clear, so it lets a lot of light in.
I’m Tommy, a Vancouver wedding photographer, and I photographed a Hart House Burnaby wedding at the end of summer. So here’s everything I’d want you to know: what it really costs, who it’s a great fit for, the rules worth knowing early, and where I’d take you for photos.
What It Costs and Who It Fits
If you’re planning a 100 guest Saturday in the tent, budget about $31,300. That covers the venue, dinner and drinks up to the minimum, the ceremony, gratuity and GST. Prices change, so always follow up with Hart House directly for the latest pricing.
If you want to be surrounded by nature, with the lake right in front of you and views of Burnaby, this is a stunning choice. If you need somewhere fully private, just read my heads-up further down first.
Key Takeaways
- How much is a Hart House Burnaby wedding? A 100 guest Saturday in the tent comes to about $31,300 with gratuity and GST. Check with Hart House for current pricing.
- How many guests fit? Up to 200 in the summer tent. Indoors, the Main Restaurant seats 80.
- Can you bring your own food or drinks? No. Everything comes from Hart House, and outside alcohol isn’t allowed.
- What if it rains? The ceremony moves into the tent.
- Is it good for photos? Yes. Deer Lake is right in front of the venue, so there are lots of great spots for a first look and for sunset photos by the water.
Is Hart House Right for You?
Book it if: you want an outdoor wedding surrounded by nature, with your ceremony in front of the lake and views of Burnaby.
Skip it if: you want total privacy. It’s a public park, so people walk by, and the washrooms are in a separate wooden building outside the tent.
At a Glance
Capacity: up to 200 in the tent, 80 in the Main Restaurant
Investment: $4,000 to $6,500 to rent the tent, plus a food and drink minimum of $8,000 to $19,000
Vibe: an all-white tent with a chandelier and string lights, right on Deer Lake
Best Season: summer, for the outdoor ceremony and sunset by the lake. The one I photographed was at the end of summer
Indoor Backup: the ceremony moves into the tent if it rains
What Is Hart House Like for Wedding Photos?
Tommy’s Thoughts: Honestly, the inside of the tent is stunning. It’s all white, there’s a beautiful chandelier in the middle, and the clear side lets the light pour in. Even the entrance into the venue is lined with string lights.
The venue is surrounded by Deer Lake Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Burnaby, and it sits right in front of the water. That gives you a lot of great options for photos and a first look. At sunset, I love taking couples down to the lake. Once it gets dark, the string lights inside the tent add so much to the atmosphere.
There’s a bride’s room upstairs too, so you can stay hidden away before the ceremony.
Heads-up: it’s a public park, so there are people walking by. The ceremony spot itself feels private, but expect a few walkers in the background around the lake. The washrooms also aren’t inside the tent. They’re in a small wooden building outside, which is worth telling your guests.
How Much Does a Hart House Burnaby Wedding Cost?
Here’s how Hart House prices a tented wedding. There’s a rental fee, then a food and drink minimum you need to hit, then gratuity and GST on top. A ceremony on the lawn is another $500, which covers the white chairs and a signing table. Prices change, so always follow up with Hart House directly for the latest pricing.
Rental fee and minimum by day
- Saturdays and long weekend Sundays, 5pm to midnight: $6,500 rental, plus $19,000 or $150 per guest in food and drinks, whichever is more
- Fridays and Sundays, 5pm to midnight: $5,500 rental, plus $12,000 or $140 per guest
- Tuesday to Thursday, 3pm to 10pm: $4,000 rental, plus $8,000 or $100 per guest
On top of that, there’s 20% gratuity on food and drinks, 5% GST on everything, and 10% liquor tax on alcohol. And if you don’t spend the full minimum, Hart House bills the difference as rental, so it’s worth planning your menu around it.
What that looks like in real numbers
Here’s a rough total for a few wedding sizes, with a ceremony on the lawn and spending just the minimum:
- 80 guests, weeknight: about $14,800
- 120 guests, Friday: about $27,500
- 100 guests, Saturday: about $31,300
- 150 guests, Saturday: about $35,700
These include gratuity and GST. Liquor tax is extra.
Dinner counts toward the minimum, so it isn’t an extra cost on top. Here’s what it costs per person:
- Plated: $82 for three courses, $98 for four
- Family style: $86
- Buffet: $86, $102 or $138
Drinks are charged on what your guests actually have.
What’s Included?
A lot comes with the tent. You get the 50 by 70 foot tent itself with clear sidewalls, chandeliers, dimmable lighting and heaters, plus a 15 by 12 foot dance floor. Round tables for 8, white folding chairs, white linen napkins, plates, glassware and a cake table are all covered, and so are a full bar with bartenders and an event manager with a service team.
Parking is free. There’s a bride’s room upstairs for the hour before the ceremony. And instead of a menu tasting, Hart House treats the two of you to dinner on the house.
What Rules Catch Couples Off Guard?
- Approved DJs only. Outdoor events have to use a DJ from Hart House’s list, and no subwoofers or amplified live bands.
- Music turns down after 10pm because of the neighbourhood noise bylaws.
- No outside alcohol, and no corkage either.
- No confetti, sparklers or scented candles. Only real flower petals on the lawn, and they have to be picked up before you leave.
- Your vendors set up and take down all the decor. Hart House can’t store anything before or after.
- The bride’s room doesn’t lock, so keep valuables with someone you trust.
How Do the Deposit and Cancellation Work?
- $1,500 deposit to book, non-refundable
- Half the food and drink minimum is due 8 months before the wedding
- The full balance is due one month before
- Cancel at least 240 days out, or you owe the full minimum and rental
Prices change, so always follow up with Hart House directly for the latest pricing.
Hart House Restaurant
6664 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby BC
604-298-4278
[email protected]
harthouserestaurant.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Hart House Weddings in Burnaby
How much does a Hart House Burnaby wedding cost?
A 100 guest Saturday wedding in the tent comes to about $31,300. That’s the $6,500 rental, the $19,000 food and drink minimum, a $500 lawn ceremony, 20% gratuity on food and drinks, and 5% GST. Weeknights cost less: 80 guests on a Tuesday to Thursday comes to about $14,800. Prices change, so always follow up with Hart House directly for the latest pricing.
How many guests can Hart House hold?
The summer tent holds up to 200 guests at round tables of 8. Indoors, the Main Restaurant seats up to 80, the Rosedale Room up to 60, and the Lakeside Cottage up to 32. The indoor rooms take evening weddings on weekends from October to April.
Can we bring our own food or alcohol to Hart House?
No. All food and drinks come from Hart House, and their liquor licence doesn’t allow outside alcohol or corkage. You can bring a wedding cake from a bakery, and Hart House can approve a food truck for a late night snack.
What happens if it rains at Hart House?
Your ceremony moves into the tent. The guest tables stay inside during the ceremony and only get moved aside if your numbers and layout allow it. It’s a great backup, but an outdoor ceremony by the lake is always beautiful.
Where are the best photo spots at Hart House?
Deer Lake is right in front of the venue, so the lakeshore is the big one, especially at sunset. The park around it gives you lots of quiet corners for a first look. After dark, the string lights at the entrance and inside the tent make for warm, glowing photos.
Is there a place to get ready at Hart House?
Yes. For tent and Main Restaurant weddings, the Avalon Room upstairs works as a bride’s room, with a full length mirror and water. It opens one hour before the ceremony and stays available until midnight. It doesn’t lock, so keep valuables with someone you trust.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, that clear wall of the tent is what I keep thinking about. The light pours in all evening, and then the string lights take over once the sun goes down over the lake. If you’re planning a Hart House Burnaby wedding and want someone who’ll catch the real moments without making you pose all day, I’d love to hear about it. Send me a note whenever works for you, no pressure at all.
About the Author
Tommy is the photographer behind Kind Photos YVR, a Vancouver wedding and couples photography studio with dozens of five-star reviews. He has photographed hundreds of weddings, engagements, and elopements across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, including at Hart House, Westwood Plateau and Burnaby Mountain Clubhouse. You can see his work in his portfolio.
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