Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre Weddings | Whistler Wedding Venues | Tara Lilly Photography

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) celebrates the marriage of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations, whose unceded ancestral territory Whistler resides upon. The partnership between the two nations created an architectural masterpiece that is perfect for hosting all of your guests for Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre weddings.

Updated: February 2024.

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre weddings are very popular because of the versatility of the venue. The layout and design work really well to have separate venue spaces for your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, including outdoor options. The flow through the building is very natural and allows your guests to peruse some of the amazing exhibits on display. The SLCC has four distinct areas where you can host your guests, all of which are very different visually and in the numbers of guests they can accommodate.

The SLCC was created to share cultural knowledge and inspire understanding and respect amongst all people as well as nature. Designed to resemble a traditional Squamish longhouse, as well as an Istken (earth pit house) of the Lil’wat Nation, the site for the building was chosen so that most of the forest could be preserved. The SLCC is a testament to the proud heritage of both Nations, and their cooperation and commitment to land stewardship, economic development, and sharing their cultures. As part of the SLCC experience, Ambassadors of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations can share their culture with you and your guests with traditional welcomes, processionals, blessings before dinner. As an additional bonus, the SLCC is located straight across the street from The Fairmont Chateau Whistler as well as The Four Seasons, ideal for guests to stay and for the morning of your wedding day.

Catering – The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre has its own on-site catering team that specializes in sea-food and free-range game meat. They also utilize elements of their traditional ingredients to create a modern menu to provide a fantastic west-coast inspired feast. However, the option of hiring an off-site caterer from their list of preferred vendors is available. The list includes, in my opinion, the best options in Whistler – The Bearfoot Bistro, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, The Four Seasons Resort Whistler and Whistler Cooks. Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre weddings are guaranteed to have the best culinary options available.

Wedding Planner – As the SLCC is also a museum, a professional wedding planner is required to host a wedding. Your wedding planner will also be required to do a pre-wedding day walkthrough of the venue to become familiar with the logistics and policies in place to protect the cultural artifacts housed there.

Ceremony and Reception Room Options

The Great Hall – Located on the main floor of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and surrounded by floor to ceiling windows on two-sides, the Grand Hall is the largest space available for ceremonies and receptions. During operating hours, the Grand Hall houses a number of displays and a traditionally carved canoe. To create space for your guests, all of the displays are hoisted on cables up into the rafters. Removing the displays means that there will be space for 150 guests to sit down and enjoy dinner (more for a ceremony). In my opinion, the Great Hall looks amazing with long harvest tables. Banquet Capacity – 150, cocktail reception capacity – 300.

Istken Hall + Cafe – Istken Hall and the Cafe are on the lower level of the SLCC. Styled after the interior of a traditional Lil’wat nation Istken earthen pit-house, Istken Hall is a round room with wrap-around windows and views of the forest and mountains. Entirely crafted out of wood, with 8 large pillars creating a concentric ring in the center, this space is amazing for unique ceremonies where your guests can sit in a circle and witness your vows. Alternately, Istken Hall creates a cozy reception space, with tables around the windows, and the pillars naturally creating a dance floor in the middle.

Mezzanine Level – A beautiful outdoor option, the Mezzanine and Long House are located out the backside of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Being away from the street by the building on one side and the Interpretive Forest Walk on the other side, the Mezzanine is a quiet secluded area that feels miles away from civilization, and yet is only a 5-minute walk from two five-star hotels. This outdoor area has retractable awnings for amazing weather-resistant ceremonies, with giant rocks and forest as a backdrop, or on a nice-day, an outdoor dinner with space for 200 seated guests (Great Hall as back-up).

Long House – The Long House is a beautiful wood-clad intimate venue just off of the Mezzanine Level. It is a nice square room this is a blank slate for you and your planner to create any atmosphere you would like. With seating for 50 guests, it can be used as an excellent reception room for smaller weddings and pairs excellent with the outdoor Mezzanine in nice weather.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is such a great, versatile space that no two weddings will ever look the same. Check out a few photos below and check out Kat and Brett’s SLCC wedding on our blog!

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre Weddings | Whistler Wedding Venues | Tara Lilly Photography

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