For all outdoor ceremony events that wish to add an indoor hall option for their reception, we offer special discounted rates. For Heron Lake or Great Lawn events, we offer 40% off of the indoor hall rental portion when booking a full day.
This is a great option to ensure you have rain back-up during your ceremony, and ample time for reception set-up as well. For Heron Lake or Great Lawn events that book an indoor hall for a partial day booking (8am to 4pm, or 5pm to midnight only), we offer a 25% discount on the hall fee.
For Meadow Pond events we offer a 10% discount on all hall rental options.
On weekends (Saturday and Sunday) only from April to October, if you would like to rent the Visitor Centre Halls, you must book all three rooms combined (BMO Great Hall, Peggy Gunn Woodland Hall A and B).
Masks are no longer mandatory in all indoor public spaces in alignment with updates to the public health orders issued by the Provincial government. You are welcome to keep wearing masks, depending on your level of comfort. Please be respectful of each other.
Booking confirmation - A $500 reservation fee for ceremonies and a $1,000 deposit for Great Lawn receptions is required to confirm the booking. A SOCAN fee of $10 is charged if music is played.
Set up and take down - Renters are responsible for set up and take down within their booking time frame. All garbage must be placed into the provided receptacles on site or taken off site by the renter. No dumping of garbage waste or other materials in garden beds (additional charges will apply if any refuse is found in the beds)
Tenting - Any tenting over 20 feet × 30 feet (60m²) must have a building permit from City of Vancouver Planning and Development Services
Timing - The earliest site access is at 7am for set up. Should a move in or move out day be required, additional rental and staffing fees will apply.
Liability insurance - All events require liability insurance with the “City of Vancouver and its Board of Parks & Recreation” named as additional insured. If alcohol is being served, $5 million in liability coverage is required. If alcohol is not being served, $2 million in liability coverage is required.
Staffing - Liaison and security staff are required for the full duration of the event including set up, event, and take down. For all reception events, an event planner is required due to the complexities of outdoor receptions.
Drone and animal policy - Drone photography and videography is not permitted on site. Ensure that your photographer is aware prior to your event. Pets are not permitted. Working guide and service dogs are welcome.
Wedding rehearsals - For booked events that would like to arrange a rehearsal, further discussion is required with the VanDusen rental department. A 30-45 minute rehearsal may be booked depending on availability. Rehearsal requests outside of office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am- 3:30pm) cannot be accommodated at this time.
Site amenities - Our unique garden setting is wheelchair accessible and has ample free parking. We also have a lovely Garden Shop, Truffles Fine Foods café, and catering located on site. Shaughnessy Restaurant is also a short walk away at the northwest side of the parking lot.
