Question 1

How many guests can I invite?

Accepted Answer

We will host up to 150 person events for ceremonies and receptions.   Having a classic sit down dinner?   Due to the size of our standard harvest tables, we only permit 136 guests for a classic sit down dining experience (whether plated or buffet style), or up to a total of 150 guests for all other food service styles for your reception (standing food stations or passed hors d'oeuvres).   For 2023-24, our intimate wedding allows up to 50 guests for ceremony + dining, and our "hybrid" events permit yourselves + 48 guests for ceremony, cocktail period, dining following, with up to 150 total invitees permitted for anytime after 8 pm for a larger evening reception.  ​

Question 2

Is there a minimum # of guests to book a Saturday or long weekend Sunday wedding?

Accepted Answer

For 2023-24, we have no guest minimums for Friday, Saturday or long weekend Sunday events.   Our venue rental fees are flat rates, up to our 150 person capacity.    Smaller scale weddings of 50 people or fewer on Fridays receive special intimate event pricing, as do our "hybrid" events, and reception only events on Fridays, Saturdays, and long weekend Sundays.

Question 3

Can I invite guests to the reception only?

Accepted Answer

Yes!   The maximum of 150 guests permitted on site applies for 2023-24, and of course will be subject to government restrictions at the time of your event, should this be applicable due to any ongoing pandemic policies.   Reception only guests do not cost any sort of extra fee at our venue.   Please keep in mind this may be a great way to have a little bit of a more affordable event, with a larger indoor-outdoor party following, and keeping some costs such as place settings, food and server costs lower.    Intimate ceremonies + dining of 50 people or fewer, with a larger party reception following are becoming very popular at our venue!

Question 4

Do I have to have my wedding ceremony on site?

Accepted Answer

No! You are free to have your ceremony off site should you wish, and just visit us with your guests for your reception anytime after 4:30 pm on your wedding day. Special reception only pricing does apply for Fridays, Saturdays and long weekend Sundays.

Question 5

How does the bar operate at Bleeks and Bergamot?

Accepted Answer

At Bleeks and Bergamot we permit couples to bring in their own alcoholic beverages for their event!   Couples are permitted to offer an open bar for their guests, or charge for the beverages as they see fit, or do a combination of the two (open bar during cocktail hour, open wines from the dinner tables, and cash bar after dinner etc.)    Couples are required to get a Special Occasion Permit through the Alcohol and Gaming's Commission of Ontario the month before their wedding ( straight forward online application), along with one day Special Event Insurance through their provider of choice, with host liquor liability ( online through DUO, PAL insurance etc.).    These two above costs amount to an average of $250 + HST for your day.    Couples are required to select bartenders contracted to work your event, who know our venue and how to properly manage the bar, or they must book their bartending service through Ottawa Mobile Bartending.   Costs avg. $250 per bartender for the duration of your event if simply working with contracted staff through the venue ( 2 needed for events of 60 people or more, 3 bartenders needed to work for events of 120 people or more). The venue will ensure bar staff are booked for your event. These wages are simply paid via EMT directly to the bar team approximately 7 days before your wedding.    Ottawa Mobile Bar is another great staffing option! Cost averages about $860 + HST for events up to 110 people, or about $1,160 + HST for events in excess of 110 people. Ottawa Mobile Bartenders owner however does offer some menu planning and assistance with determining quantities of alcohol to purchase etc. Couples working with OMB for their bar will work directly with the owner, Amanda, and sign her service contract. OMB invoices will be billed directly to the couple and due at the company's set schedule.    What makes this system so unique and great? Many things!    1. Couples get to fully customize what drinks are served on their wedding day bar menu.   2. Couples are able to purchase drinks at an affordable rate through the LCBO, Beer Store, or other licensed micro brewery / winery, and offer a fully open bar to their guests without breaking the bank. Or, they can collect all money expended on beverages and bar staffing back through the sale of their beverages on their wedding day ( and then some!)    3. Any leftover alcohol is yours to take home with you the day after your wedding. We will securely store all of your beverages in our venues walk in fridge from drop off on your wedding rehearsal date, till yourselves/a family member or friend pick up all of your remaining product the day after your wedding. This includes any mixes, and drink garnishes as well. Everything you bring in for your event bar is all yours to take back home with you the next day. Any product purchased in Ontario that is unopened - i.e.: bottles of wine/liquor, cases of coolers/beers etc., are returnable for a refund as well.    4. Couples can select whatever drink price they want when selling beverages to their guests! We just ask that couples have a nice legible menu for placing in front of the bar or on the bar top. Our bar offers debit and credit, for ease of payment for your guests. Debit and credit transactions are paid out to the couple via EMT or via check, regardless of the staffing choice you use. Tips for the bartenders will be removed and the processing fees for these transactions ( typically 3% of sales), but the balance will be issued to the couple immediately following their wedding, along with a receipt of sales, tips, processing fees. All cash sales will be remitted to the couple in cash at the end of the event as well, in full.

Question 6

What time can we start our day at Bleeks and Bergamot?

Accepted Answer

Use of new dressing spaces being made for our 2023 season can begin anytime after 10 am in 2023-2024.  Guest arrivals can begin anytime after 3 pm, with ceremonies to begin as early as 3:30 pm if you wish, or anytime after that for both our full scale and intimate weddings in 2023-24.   We will permit first looks at our riverside property for yourselves, parents and wedding parties starting at 1 pm on your event day, should you wish to do a large amount of your photographs before your ceremony.    Reception only events can begin with guest arrivals starting anytime after 4:30 pm.

Question 7

Do you have heat and A/C?

Accepted Answer

Our two indoor event buildings for your use are both heated, to ensure comfort during the cooler days or evenings of Spring, later Summer and Fall.    Neither of our buildings however are air conditioned. This is due to the fact that all of our summer events have the many sliding barn door entrances to the structures open entirely, for an open-air, indoor-outdoor event vibe.    We do have 6 large ceiling fans in our main reception hall, and 2 large ceiling fans in our newly added building for 2022 onwards, that keep air moving and the interior cooler than outside temperatures on a warm summer day.   We do also offer stand up electric oscillating fans should you require them - if it is a particularly warm July or August day - however thus far these have not yet been needed by any couple.    Our new dressing quarters for 2023 will both feature air conditioning, so as you and your wedding party's can do your hair, makeup and get primped for your big day without any potential uncomfortable heat, in the warmer summer months of July and August!

Question 8

Do you have a spot for the bride/s & groom/s and their parties to get ready in?

Accepted Answer

Beginning in Spring 2023, we will have two stylish dressing and hangout rooms for couples and their wedding party's to enjoy from 10 am onwards on their big day. The "beauty barn" will be a brand new structure of roughly 700 square feet, with vaulted ceilings, hair and makeup counters, kitchenette and full bathroom and change rooms. Our secondary space is going to be a transformed eclectic 400 square foot loft in the old dairy barn on site, featuring wide plank barn board floors, vaulted ceilings, a mini bar, lounge furniture and change room.   These two new spaces are set to be complete by fall of 2022, for use starting in Spring 2023.

Question 9

Are pets allowed?

Accepted Answer

Yes!   We love cats and dogs ( and frankly all sorts of animals and pets)! Your pet/s are welcome for outdoor ceremonies and photos, as well as in the event buildings, as long as they are respectful and well behaved.   Please be responsible to have your pet/s on a leash if other guests are not comfortable with them freely wandering, &/ if you feel your pet could roam out of your sight.

Question 10

What extra amenities do you offer?

Accepted Answer

washrooms and toiletries blankets and umbrella coffee makers & a variety of complimentary coffee choices  complimentary tea/herbal tea selections + hot water dispensers overnight parking    WiFi in the courtyard   phone charging stations    washer toss game  corn hole game x2 all décor items under "Décor" on-site venue managers for the duration of your event ample other amenities listed in each wedding year information pkg

Question 11

Can we bring our own games and decor?

Accepted Answer

Yes!   While we have washer toss, & two corn hole games for you and your guests to enjoy ( along with many other complimentary indoor games),  you are absolutely welcome to bring any and all other games you may want on your special day, for inside or out.   We love games ourselves, and it is a fun twist on the traditional dancing type of reception.   Same goes for any décor!    We would suggest you bring any of these entertainment/decorative items during your rehearsal window the Wednesday or Thursday before your wedding. We can then help set these up as you wish at no charge the morning or afternoon of your event if you would like.   Please note: affixing of items to the walls of our structures, or to trees on our property is not permitted.

Question 12

Do you have overnight accomodations?

Accepted Answer

No, at this time we do not offer overnight accommodations. In the future we do plan to expand to offer the use of a space for overnight guests, but for now please take a look at the many local hotels and B & B's within ten-twenty minutes from us for yourselves & any travelling guests.

Question 13

How can my guests get home?

Accepted Answer

There are a limited number of local taxis, so please plan ahead.   We suggest hiring a shuttle service to pickup a large portion of your guests from one central spot ( ie; hotel), and return to that location after your event. Or, using Responsible Choice to drive guests home in their own cars is another great option.   Guests vehicles are permitted to stay overnight in the parking field as long as they are picked up by no later than 12 pm the day following your event. We would ALWAYS like to see guests who have been enjoying alcohol at your event get a pre planned ride home safely, so please do reach out if you need assistance booking this for your event.   We do recommend John Barr Bus Lines and Roxborough Bus Lines, just to name a few!

Question 14

Is your venue on an actual farm?

Accepted Answer

Yes and no!   Our venue is in a non-operational region of a much broader working farm surrounding it.   Beyond the venue courtyard space, reception buildings and surrounding vista, we pasture grass-fed beef cattle, raise free range chicken, turkey, pork and eggs, and are just 3/4 of a kilometer down the road from our local organic flower fields.   While it is nice that we can offer you a truly sustainable and locally sourced wedding or event, our venue is entirely "farm-free". So, you can enjoy the vista our farm creates for you, and all the potential farm grown amenities we can supply your event with, while also still feeling like you are in a pristine rural event space on your special day.   Feel free to visit our operational farm website for more information on what goes on there for our customers: www.fourbf.com

Question 15

Are you presently doing tours?

Accepted Answer

We are a seasonal venue and in person tours are not available from January 1st - April 30th each year.    We do offer a really great policy to permit couples wishing to secure one of our remaining 2023 wedding dates in the winter of 2022, with the security that their deposit and hold on the date is 100% refundable, should they not love the venue as much as they hoped for after an in person viewing in the month of May, 2022.    Please dont hesitate to send us an email if you are interested in learning more!

FAQS