Planning your wedding is no easy feat. And it’s more than just the big day you’re worried about.
There are rehearsal dinners and bridal showers and bachelor and bachelorette parties and groom’s dinners and… it can be a lot to process.
But at Canterbury Park, we make planning those wedding moments easy–we have the spaces, expertise and unique setting to make each wedding event sparkle.
“We can do basically anything the couple wants, in terms of décor, activities, special requests,” said Kelley Mahowald, catering and events sales manager at Canterbury Park. “We want to make your special day just that — special.”
She noted that many couples look to Canterbury Park for themed events that could pair perfectly with a number of wedding moments from bachelor/bachelorette parties to bridal showers:
- Casino night
- Dual bachelor and bachelorette parties
- Derby Themed
- Country night
- ’80s night with a live band
For events for the ladies, we have plenty of options. Try a “sip and paint,” an artistic project combined with food and drink, Mahowald said. Or maybe a fancy English tea — a brunch-inspired event that lends an air of sophistication.
For the gents, you might want to try a cigar party out in one of our cabanas on a live racing day. Guys can also reserve a private poker table in our card room and have their own professional dealer to ensure everyone can relax and have a good time.
For rehearsal dinners, you could try a backyard barbecue theme with lawn games. And, of course, live racing is an awesome backdrop for any affair.
“Anything that would be fun for a bachelor party or rehearsal dinner to bring the event to the next level, we are willing to try and make it happen,” she said.
The versatile spaces at Canterbury Park allow for couples to choose the right setting for them, whether that’s a large gathering area or having a smaller space for the bride and her friends.
And the staff works to create spaces that pop.
“We can supply linens and help with decorations the bridal party brings in themselves. We really want to create the right atmosphere for the moment,” Mahowald said. “We want these events to be exactly as the couple imagines them and have very few restrictions in order to make their vision come to life.”
Live Horse Racing
For a couple that enjoys horse racing or is looking for a Derby-themed party, Canterbury Park can provide tours of the grounds, as well as naming a race after the duo, which includes getting their picture taken in the Winner’s Circle and a special shout-out from track announcer Paul Allen.
“It’s kind of a ‘race to the finish’ for the couple to commemorate the day,” Mahowald said.
With our outdoor cabanas on the finish line, balcony suites and the classy Triple Crown Club, Canterbury Park is the perfect spot to hold any wedding event.
Food and Drink
Another highlight of holding a groom’s dinner, rehearsal party or wedding at Canterbury Park is the availability of on-site catering.
“We have an amazing staff that will work with them to create the perfect menu,” Mahowald said. “From high end plated dinners to a more casual buffet, we totally take the ‘blah’ out of wedding and event meals.”
And, of course, private bars are available in most spaces, as well.
The Canterbury Way
Canterbury Park is committed to doing everything we can to make sure guests have fun, enjoy their experience and have all of their needs met.
“It’s always humbling to be asked to help with someone’s wedding. And those moments leading up to the actual wedding day really do mean a lot to people,” Mahowald said. “It’s a pleasure for us to make couples feel well taken care of and at ease during such a wonderful time for them and their guests.”
If you want something different, something unique, something that you and your guests will remember forever then check out what Canterbury Park offers to host all your special moments before the big day.
