The Cutten Club is a private golf and tennis club that has been hosting weddings since 1931 and are proud to be celebrating their 80th anniversary next year. Choosing a club that is recognized as one of the finest in the country means choosing reputation, history and elegance. You can expect high ceilings, natural light, fireplaces, and traditional décor... all combined with the advantages of an indoor ballroom reception for 25 to 250 guests, an outdoor ceremony amidst stunning gardens, and views of both the course and the Guelph cityscape. But what's more, you can expect the service that only a club with this much history could offer you.

Personally speaking...

As much a part of Guelph's heritage as Guelph itself, The Cutten Club has hosted fiftieth anniversaries for couples in the same rooms where they exchanged their vows so many years before. It's this long history of dealing with weddings and consistency in great service that makes the staff at The Cutten Club such experts. In 2011, The Cutten Club is excited to be celebrating their 80th year in business.

The best part about this amazing venue is the personal attention you will receive from the staff. While we were there, each staff member that walked by greeted us personally with a 'hello' and a smile. Of course, the most important staff member to a bride and groom planning their wedding is the on-site planner. It's safe to say that she is just as personable and outgoing as the rest. Food and Beverage Manager, Vanessa Hovius, is devoted to giving each bride and groom exactly what they are looking for. Vanessa is your on-site planner, there to help with each detail of your wedding day plans.

Your wedding day

Your wedding day plans begin when you meet with Vanessa. As you share your ideas and hopes with her, Vanessa takes you on a full tour of the in and outside of the club. You'll pass by countless club staff that never forget to greet you with a smile. You'll have a chance to look at the beautiful view from the Clubhouse of the Guelph cityscape and your views of the rolling greens of the course that your guests will be able to enjoy on your wedding day. The view at The Cutten Club is unbelievable... a definite must-see. Inside, the club has incredible décor with fireplaces and high ceilings... it's hard to know what the best feature of the ballroom is!

The finer points

Currently, The Cutten Club does about thirty-five weddings each year, in addition to the anniversary parties they commonly orchestrate. If needed, they can accommodate up to three weddings each weekend because of the high organization and efficiency of their facilities and staff. Vanessa suggests that you book six months to a year in advance, if possible, but also says it's always worth a call if you have less time. If they can accommodate you, they will.

Since weddings are their specialty, The Cutten Club has also recently started to focus on all aspects of the wedding – not just the day but also the events that take place before and after the day too. In a recent interview with Vanessa, she told us that they’re doing a lot more rehearsal dinners and day after brunches, both of which they also have special menus for. They even have a menu for shower brunches.

When you book an event that is two to three days at The Cutten Club, there is no hall rental fee for the additional days – just the reception.

Outlining your options

The Cutten Club offers not just a fabulous golf course that you can take advantage of for guests and the wedding party, but also space for your ceremony (indoor or outdoor possibilities), a lounge complete with fireplace, a gorgeous reception hall that can be broken into sections for different areas if you choose, and amazing catering to tempt all of your guests' palettes. Plus, they have recently renovated the space and while we still think you should go check it out for yourselves, we think it looks fabulous!

Additionally, The Cutten Club has a selection of preferred vendors that they can suggest to help make your planning easier if you're feeling overwhelmed by all the details to choose from. Vanessa, your on-site planner, will help you with each of the details, decisions and challenges of your big day.

Recently, The Cutten Club added an exclusive DJ to their preferred vendors list – Sounds Samsation, who is used for all of their events unless you hire a band. "He installed a great, permanent sound system for your enjoyment," Vanessa told us. The room rental fee at The Cutten Club includes the cost of the DJ.

The numbers

Room rental prices at The Cutten Club are based on the number of guests you are expecting and therefore amount of room you'll need. The Commonwealth Room, which holds 80 to 120 people costs $1550 to rent and the Trophy Room costs $1750 and holds 200 to 250. If you want to rent both rooms together, the price is $1900. And remember, these fees also include your DJ!

Ceremonies are approximately $375, indoor or out, with one of our favourite spots on the premises being the garden that is set aside primarily for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Even though you're on the course, The Cutten Club has designed the outdoor garden to give the feeling of seclusion, with bushes and trees surrounding you. A trellis completes the look and offers further privacy. All the while, you're close enough to every amenity needed to make your day run smoothly. For that extra touch, inquire about reserving The Cutten Club piano.

Just a few of the items included in the price of your wedding rental package here are...
• standard table linens and napkins
• the in-house DJ – Sounds Samsation
• a microphone and podium
• a black wrought iron easel
• candles and tea lights
• mirrored tiles
• all china and silverware
• your service staff and the bartender
• wedding tasting

Off season affairs

Not even snow can stop The Cutten Club from offering their couples fabulous spaces and top notch service. In fact, Vanessa told us that recently they've been doing more winter and off-day weddings. "Not everyone wants to get married on a Friday or Saturday," she says.

It seems that not everyone wants to get married in the summer either, and The Cutten Club's grounds still look amazing in the winter with fantastic views and great photo opportunities among the winter wonderland. "We will even shovel off the patio for your use and for photos," says Vanessa.

The Club offers a 10% discount, along with a ton of other bonuses, for couples who want to get married in January, February, March and any day of the week other than Friday or Saturday.

Catering

When you look at the menu, you can't help but get a taste of what's to come. Each option created by Executive Chef, Mathew Brook, sounds luxuriously delicious – including mascarpone cheese and maple syrup covered walnuts, cornish hen stuffed with cranberries and pine nuts garnished with a Mandarin ginger demi glaze, Atlantic salmon filet with lemon and maple marinade and a fresh apple onion relish, or penne arrabiatta. And the desserts are to die for – seasonal fruit in a brandy snap, vanilla crème brûlée tart, and cheesecakes are just a few of the options available. Not to mention the midnight buffet selections that range from sweet trays to cheese plates and seasonal fruit displays to sandwiches and wraps.

Dinner costs depend on your selections; however, the average price is $45 per plate. Vanessa told us, "Custom menus are very popular, and we are able to work with the bride and groom to create your perfect wedding banquet - we are flexible!"

All couples who book with The Cutten Club, not only work closely with Vanessa and her team, but also with the Executive Chef when it comes to planning their wedding. "The chef personally attends most tastings in order to make sure that the couple gets what they want for their wedding," says Vanessa.

Details, details, details

• While it is a private club, no membership or sponsor is required to book your wedding.
• On top of the quoted prices, you should budget for service gratuities and HST.
• A $1500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your wedding date.
• 25% of the anticipated bill is due 30 days before the event, an additional 50% is due 2 weeks before the event and the balance is due the Monday following the event.
• The Cutten Club is also available to host wedding showers, rehearsal dinners, day after brunches and recently, baby showers for their past brides!

In other words...

"... Just a little note to say thank you for everything! You were great to deal with - everyone at The Cutten Club treated us so well, and we greatly appreciate it!" - Brandie & Chris

"Thank you for all of your advice, help and patience. Because of you, our reception was everything we had hoped for and more." - Laura & Andrew

"Thank you to you and all of the team at The Cutten Club who made our wedding day so enjoyable. The food, the room, the experience - everything was perfect." - Maggie and John

"The rehearsal evening was great. When we saw you go into action we realized how very organized you are. We were able to relax, knowing that you had everything under control for the next day. Saturday was wonderful. Thank You." - Yvon & Eunice Lachance

"... thank you again for doing such an amazing job coordinating our wedding reception on June 18th. Everything at the club was just perfect and it made our wedding day that much more special to us." - Laurie & Mark

"I had many comments from our guests about the excellent meal, how polite and helpful the staff was, and how nice the atmosphere was. It was great to have a patio on such a beautiful night." - Heather

Contacting The Cutten Club

To contact Vanessa Hovius, Food and Beverage Manager at The Cutten Club, email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or give her a call at 519-824-2650, extension 223. The Cutten Club is located at 190 College Avenue East in Guelph. For a map and directions, click here. More information is also available online at www.cuttenclub.com including their full banquet package and menu items.