There likely isn't a bride or wedding vendor in town that would challenge the reputation of the Walper Hotel, or the elegance of a wedding that takes place within it.
To most in the community, the Walper Hotel is both a Kitchener landmark and the epitome of elegance, class, and local history. Within its doors, you'll find six banquet room options, seventy-nine guest rooms, an on-site restaurant, a historical pub, and one hundred and fifteen years of experience in catering to royalty, celebrities, government - and of course many, many brides.
We selected the Walper Hotel for its popularity, competitive rates, downtown location, and of course, for its renowned (and newly renovated) Crystal Ballroom. Let us explain...
Experiencing the Walper Hotel in person...
Interviewing the Walper Hotel meant meeting several members of management and staff - one of whom was Catering & Sales Manager, Chrissy McDonald. Chrissy has 8 years of experience in the hospitality industry, and is most often the first contact for a bride interested in hosting her wedding here.
As Chrissy walked us through the hotel itself (and the options they offer), it became very obvious very quickly that Chrissy loves what she does, and is good at it, telling us that it gives her a chance to assist couples with planning their special day. “It’s a really rewarding experience,” she adds.
Chrissy understands what every bride is going through and looking for – a creativity and knowledge that she brings to her job every day. She also happens to find the love and happiness that she's surrounded by to be infectious.
If there's any advice that Chrissy could give her couples it's, to just take a moment and take it all in. "You only have this day once in your life. It’s really important that you take a moment to just look around and see all of your hard work," she says. "Then just be with your family and friends and enjoy your special day.” When it comes to planning your wedding, Chrissy suggests that you “choose your most important elements and make sure that they have the bulk of your planning time and attention. You can sometimes get lost in the less important details.”
Good reasons to choose the Walper Hotel
Adding the Walper Hotel name to your invitations is something many brides would love to do. They offer facilities for twenty to 200 wedding guests in a variety of different banquet and hotel rooms.
At incredible prices, the Walper Hotel hosts ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, stag parties, Sunday brunches, and of course, accommodations for in and out of town guests - all with the reputation for service and style that gives you the confidence to know that you'll be well taken care of.
If you book a Friday or Sunday wedding, you'll get some pretty cool extras like a complimentary guestroom for the bride and groom's parents, discounted room rates for guests at $89.oo plus tax, a complimentary reception room rental (value is up to $1200!) and several other added bonuses!
Ballrooms, spaces & wedding styles
The Ring's favourite space at the Walper Hotel is easily the Victorian-style Crystal Ballroom. Boasting nearly thirteen foot ceilings and thirteen crystal chandeliers, the Crystal Ballroom can accommodate both ceremonies and receptions, and includes a complimentary Honeymoon Package, treating newlyweds to a guest suite, champagne and breakfast. The ballroom is wall-to-wall with hardwood floors, Victorian fixtures, and many, many windows. It seats up to 200 people. And with a fresh, new look (while keeping the classic elegance that the Walper is known for) that the ballroom recently received, it's bound to be an even bigger hit with brides. The Walper re-did the ceiling, re-painted, changed all of the window coverings, and more.
Another favourite Walper space, because it's so unique, is The Rum Runner Pub. The pub is a great on-site venue that is ideal for a stag event, rehearsal dinner or engagement party. The Rum Runner is reminiscent of days when it was the hub of the Kitchener bootlegging business - hence the name.
The Oak Room lobby is also great for weddings or events, and is most often the first choice for a ceremony. It is typically set-up chapel-style with seating facing towards an altar set against King Street windows. For banquet-style events, the Oak Room can seat up to forty people.
Cocktail hours at the Walper Hotel can be hosted in any of the spaces, the favourite being the Second Floor Lobby with its wall of windows, large Victorian furnishings, and grand piano... and of course the large oak bar. Another new addition for smaller Cocktail receptions would be our newly renovated third floor outdoor patio, with a rod iron bar and bistro style seating, makes a great informal relaxed setting.
The LaFontaine Room, newly renovated June 2011 seats up to 64 people and can also incorporate a variety of wedding styles and colours.
Tying in with the old world charm and Victorian décor our Queen Elizabeth Suite, newly renovated in June 2011 (seats up to 56 people) and the Barrister's Lounge (seats up to 20 people) are great options for smaller, more intimate events that will have the class you expect from the Walper Hotel.
Planning your Walper wedding
Call or email Chrissy to book a meeting with her where she can show you around the Walper (decorated, if possible). After viewing and discussing options, you can either book your date or if you’re seriously interested but not ready to commit, Chrissy will put a two week courtesy hold on your date.
Once you’re ready to commit, you’ll get together to sign the contract, which Chrissy will review and answer any questions that you may have.
About four months before your big day, you can book your complimentary menu tasting (with your two starters, two main courses, two desserts and two wines). This is just for the bride and groom and makes for a lovely evening out together. You can also fill out a feedback form during the tasting. After your tasting, Chrissy will follow up to see if you have any changes to your menu.
If you’re planning to include menu selections on your invitations, you should have your menu finalized three to four months before your big day.
Fun extras @ the Walper Hotel...
• The Walper Hotel can arrange packages at Yuk Yuk’s for ladies' nights or stag evenings.
• The Walper Hotel as its own style that many brides choose it for; but, they also offer full décor packages, including chair covers, ceiling canopies, linens, and an option of an all inclusive package starting at $89 per person, including all of your needs and much more. You can book this directly with Chrissy.
• All weddings include Complimentary Honeymoon Package (which includes honeymoon suite, and a bottle of champagne), discounted room rates, full table settings and a raised head table.
• Friday and Sunday weddings receive: complimentary room rental, complimentary fruit punch, complimentary champagne toast, 2 complimentary Hors D’Oeuvres per person and complimentary tea lights and holders
• Couples can take advantage of The Walper's great downtown location for fun and romantic photo shoots in the streets, using the beauty of Victoria Park or the edgy allies covered in graffiti.
A taste of the Walper Hotel fare...
To start: canapés & hors d'oeuvres...
Four cheese and prosciutto spring rolls ... Chicken satay with a Thai peanut dipping sauce... Bacon wrapped scallops... Shrimp with scallop moussaline.
Priced by the tray of 60 pieces (select 3 items per tray), from $92.00 to $140.00
A taste of your dinner selection options...
Waldorf Chicken ($35.00 per person): Seasoned breast of chicken filled with apples, walnuts, cream cheese and brie, topped with a honey-sage cream sauce
Pepper Crusted Bacon Wrap Filet of Beef ($40.00 per person): 8 oz. choice cut of beef tenderloin wrapped in a strip of pepper crusted crispy bacon perfectly cooked to medium, served with a Pinot Noir reduction au jus.
White Roughy with Strawberry Chutney ($35.00 per person): Fresh, light and flaky baked white roughy, garnished with a strawberry chutney
All entrees include chef's choice of potatoes and seasonal vegetables, fresh baked rolls and butter, coffee and tea and soup or salad to start
Alternate options: buffet-style...
Walper Classic Cold Buffet: $20.00 per person (minimum 50 guests)
Classic Hot Buffet: $36.00 per person (minimum 50 guests)
Why not try?
Jumbo Tiger Shrimp Pineapple Tree: 'An extraordinary display of shrimp that will elegantly enhance your reception or buffet table'
Flaming Shrimp Station: 'Our Executive Chef grills shrimp to order, sautéed with Pernod and Cognac, served with French bread'
Hot Walnut Pecan French Brie Wheel
Banana Rum Flambé Station: Bananas flambéed in rum, served with crêpes and vanilla ice cream
An entirely custom designed menu or signature drinks that you can work out with Chrissy to add a unique touch to your wedding.
Accommodations...
After sharing the last dance, the bride and groom most often retire to their complimentary honeymoon suite, sleeping on the same floors that royalty such as the Queen Mother and icons such as Eleanor Roosevelt have slept in years and decades before.
Of the seventy-nine rooms, fifty-four are guest rooms and twenty-five are apartment-style suites complete with fridge and microwave. All rooms come with high-speed wireless internet.
Overnight parking is available in the newly built city lot at Charles & Benton (across the street from the hotel). This lot is paid parking, charge for overnight parking is $12.00. Also on-site is a hair salon, barber shop and magazine/tobacco shop.
Giving Back
The Walper Hotel is helping to build a school in Jinja, Uganda, in the heart of East Africa. With the Walper School Program, a dollar from your stay will go towards providing education in a safe and healthy environment. A stay at the Walper Hotel means you'll help raise funds for classrooms, a resource library, desks, chairs, recreational facilities, school uniforms and much more. For more information,checkout http://www.walper.com/walper_school_program.html.
Details, details, details
• To book a Saturday wedding at the Walper Hotel, you’ll need to reserve your date at least a minimum of 1 year in advance. How early you need to book often depends on how popular your day is. If you're looking for a Friday or a Sunday, or if you’re more flexible in your requirements, sometimes 8 to 12 months ahead is sufficient.
• If you are working with a shorter time frame and they aren't already booked, the Walper Hotel staff will do their best to accommodate your event. They’ll hold your date for 2 weeks while you decide what you're going to do.
• A $ 1000 deposit is required upon confirmation. Deposit is non-refundable upon cancellation.
• 85% of the estimated food and beverage cost is due 14 days prior to the wedding, with the remaining amount due 72 hours prior to the wedding
• Guaranteed number of guests must be confirmed 72 hours prior to the event and may not be below the minimum numbers agreed at time of confirmation. Prices are subject to change without notice.
• All menu selections and serving times are to be made a minimum of 14 business days prior to the function.
