Carmens Event Center Wedding in Hamilton Ontario | Emily & Ryan
The first time I met Emily was when she was Maid of Honour for her (soon to be) sister-in-law’s wedding, which I was the photographer for. We hit it off during the getting ready, she was my go-to gal the whole day, and by the end of the night she was asking for my business card – someone might say it was fate!
The one thing that really stood out to me from E&R’s special day was all of the traditions! With Ryan’s family being Greek & Emily’s family from Newfoundland, the evening was FULL of shenanigans and fun family traditions. From money dances to getting screeched to yelling “OPA” while smashing a glass – this day will live rent free in my mind forever. E&R were also fortunate to have all eight grandparents present at their wedding, so capturing & involving them in every part of the day was crucial to them - as you’ll see in the rest of the gallery. I’m getting emotional just thinking about it!
Also if you are reading this and still wondering “Newfoundland has their own traditions?” – heck yeah and they know how to have a good time!
Your Ultimate Guide To Planning Your Carmens Event Center Wedding
From the outside, Carmens Event Center may not seem like much, but once you walk inside you will begin to understand why this Hamilton wedding venue has become a desired space for many couples. If you’re planning your wedding celebration at Carmens Event Center, don’t go anywhere before we delve into my first hand knowledge on everything from ceremony spaces to my fave photo spots!
Carmens Italian Inspired Ballrooms
Carmens Event Center is home to three Italian inspired grand ballrooms: The Venetian,The Milano & The Mercanti-Napoli.
The Milano: A Milan inspired space that can accommodate up to 240 guests. Includes 2 foyer bars and two private indoor balconies.
The Venetian: A Veneto inspired space that can accommodate up to 150 guests. Includes a private garden terrace that can be used as an outdoor ceremony location, an exclusive lounge space, and a private indoor balcony.
The Mercanti-Napoli: A Naples inspired space named after the Mercanti Family. Can accommodate up to 210 guests and features exposed brick walls, large windows and a private indoor balcony.
BONUS - The Milano Venetian: A combination of both ballrooms into one GRAND ballroom that can accommodate up to 450 guests. This space also has access to the garden terrace for extra space or as an optional ceremony location.
For those wanting the convenience of hosting both the ceremony & reception under one roof, Carmens is all over it! You can have your selected ballroom transformed during cocktail hour so your guests don’t have to travel between locations. NOTE: Ceremonies in The Garden Terrace are exclusive to the Milano & Milano Venetian ballrooms.
Make It An “All Inclusive” Experience At Carmens Event Center
If you don’t like making a ton of decisions (because let’s be real, planning a wedding is FULL of decisions to be made) Carmens Event Center prides itself on being an all-inclusive wedding destination. From in house catering to decor to a well stocked bar, all you have to do is show up and have the best day ever. As a bonus, the newlywed couple gets a honeymoon suite included with their all inclusive package!
Stunning Photo Locations Within Walking Distance of Carmens
If you’re up for a little venture away from the venue for some fun couples or wedding party photos, I’ve done all the heavy lifting for you and found some stunning spots that are all walking distance (or a quick car ride) away from the Event Center! Check out all the images below to see for yourself!
Brown Highway Bridge: Just a short walk across the street from Carmens, you will follow Arbour Rd. to the end and find the bridge. Aside from all the fun wedding party photos, we also got some adorable pics with the couple waving to all the cars honking their congratulations on the highway.
Mt. Albion Trail: This trail has two entrances. You can either walk down Stone Church Rd. E until you reach the trail head. Or if your feet are suffering a bit and don’t mind a quick drive, you can hop in the car and head to the other end of the trail on Anchor Rd. We got some STUNNING sunset shots on this trail & we didn’t have to walk too far along it - highly recommend!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there overnight accommodations available for guests?
A: Yes! Guests are welcome to book a room at the C Hotel, Carmens boutique hotel, conveniently located right next to the Event Center.
Q: What is the average catering price per plate?
A: The cost for Carmen’s included catering/bar services range from $60-$125 per guest. Depending on the package, this could include different menu options, an all inclusive bar or wedding cake.
Q: Is there parking available on site?
A: Yes there is plenty of free parking available on site at both the Event Center and the C hotel for those staying the night.
Venue: Carmens Event Center // Makeup: MUA Christen // Hair: Emerald Beauty // Dress: Michelle My Belle
