Reasons to Choose the SS Sicamous for Your Wedding

The SS Sicamous is offered for the entire day (for the ceremony and reception). This means you do not have to worry about logistics, or transporting guests from one location to another.

1. This is a truly unique venue (the largest Stern Wheeler in Canada) with awesome photo opportunities at every turn.

2. Bar Service is entirely at your discretion (your choice of wine and beverages, with no corkage fee! ) This helps the budget, and gives you complete control over what is served.

3. A selection of hotels and motels are within easy walking distance from the venue. This makes it easy for you and your guests on the Wedding day.

4. Guests are free to wander the main decks of this popular tourist attraction. They are not confined to the same room, and can have fun exploring and mingling in the different areas that the ship has to offer.

5. Vineyards are a short drive away, and the Rose Garden and beach are just outside. This means you have lots of options for the ceremony and for family photos.

6. The interior is stunning already, so few decorations are needed. (This helps the budget, and allows you to focus on other aspects).

7. Funds from your Wedding go directly to a local charity (the S.S Sicamous Society) to protect Okanagan heritage.

8. Tables, white wedding chairs and sound equipment are included, and will be set up for you by the SS Sicamous Crew.

9. Every booking automatically includes a luxury Wedding Planning Service. This is included in the quoted price, and means that you have help and support every step of the way.

Questions about Weddings

How do I book a tour?
We would be happy to set time aside to invite you for a personal tour of the SS Sicamous. Just send a quick email, or give us a call at 250-462-8466. We are flexible, and can accommodate most busy schedules.

What happens on the day of the Wedding?
We close the doors to the public, so you and your guests will have private use of the ship for the entire day of the wedding! Guest can roam the decks, relax with a glass of wine, or admire the displays and model railway. Because you have the ship for the entire day, we are able to host your wedding ceremony and reception. The ship also provides many unique and magical opportunities for photographs, so you can make the memories last.

Will there be other Weddings on the same day?
That’s a good question. We only ever hold one wedding per week (on Saturdays). The entire ship is reserved for you, and your guests, so you will have the entire space, and all of our attention 

What is a Wedding Planner?
A wedding planner is your personal guide through the entire wedding planning process. They can be as involved as you like, and can help with everything, including:

✔Recommending local vendors
✔Booking Hair and Makeup
✔Organizing a Rehearsal Dinner
✔Helping you to choose the best Okanagan Wines
✔Sizing the Rings
✔Finding the Dress & Suits
✔Answering questions about wedding etiquette
✔Keeping track of RSVP’s
✔Helping you find the perfect photographer, flowers, wedding cake and more…

Your wedding planner will also be with you from start to finish on the day of the Wedding. They will look after timelines and vendors so that everything goes smoothly. This means you can focus on enjoying the moment, and spending time with friends and loved ones.

Why is the Wedding Planning Service included here, and not at other venues?
For many, the venue is the first big item that you will book when planning your wedding. By including this service automatically with every booking, it means they can help you from the very beginning, so you are off to the best start. Our planner has worked many weddings on board, and know the ins and outs of the ship. They are on call, and can answer any question you have. In addition, you will find that several of the other venues require wedding planners as a condition of booking, but it isn’t included in the price. (Please bear this in mind when comparing the costs of other venue rentals).

 Have you visited the SS Sicamous Pinterest Page? Click below to see all the pretty photos ♥

Questions about the Wedding Ceremony

Can we hold the wedding ceremony on the ship?
Yes, the ship is yours for the entire day, so the ceremony and reception can be held on board. The vows can be said inside on the Grand Stair Case or outside on the bow of the ship. The Penticton Rose Garden is also just around the corner. It all depends on the number of guests and your vision for the day!

Can we hold the wedding ceremony in the Rose Garden?
You can, and it is a lovely location for a wedding. This needs to be booked through the City of Penticton. Click here for details: City Parks Wedding Ceremony Booking Form.

Questions about the Wedding Reception

How many guests can I invite?
The SS Sicamous can comfortably seat up to 85 guests for a formal dinner, and up to 100 guests for a cocktail-style wedding reception.

Where do we hold the wedding reception?
The wedding reception is held in the dining saloon, on the second level of the ship. This level is now accessible by elevator, so guests with mobility concerns can attend the reception. We provide the tables, chairs, and sound equipment, and will set them up for you. To learn more please click here. You can also see sample table set-ups and diagrams, and examples of real weddings.

Where is the dance floor?
The dance floor is usually in the dining saloon, where the Reception is held. The head table will be at one end, with the music and dance area at the opposite end. If more room is needed, the crew will simply push a few tables against the wall or fold them away for you after dinner is finished.

We have elderly relatives that can’t climb stairs. Is there an elevator?
Yes, we have an elevator! It allows access to the second level of the ship and can be used by guests with wheelchairs or mobility concerns.

Can I choose an “Outside” Caterer?
You can have your pick of the vendors and caterers that the South Okanagan has to offer. There is a small kitchen on board that the Caterers use, and we will provide a list of recommended caterers to get you started. We are flexible, and you do not have to choose from this list. (As long as you have a licensed caterer for the Reception Dinner we are happy!) Take a peek at the vendor’s list: Popular Wedding Caterers

Is there a bar for serving drinks?
There is an antique bar in the gentleman’s saloon, where you can serve beer, wine, and cocktails to your guests.

Is there a Corkage Fee?
Nope. At the SS Sicamous, you will have complete freedom to decide the wine, drinks, and cocktails that your guests enjoy.

Can my guests go outside on the decks with their drinks?
Guests are free to explore the decks with their drinks. After the start of the wedding reception, we ask that guests stay on the second level of the ship, so recommend they explore the cargo deck and model railway before the party gets in full swing.

Are there any hotels nearby for my guests?
There are lots of hotels and motels along the lake shore, all within easy walking distance of the ship. Click here to see a map: Hotels Close to the SS Sicamous

What about parking for my guests?
There is free parking all along Lakeshore and just across the road at the Loco landing parking lot  Parking is very busy during the summer months. Suggested solution: There are hotels and motels all along Lakeshore, and your guests are likely to be staying nearby. We recommend that they park at the hotel, and simply walk over to the ship. This also saves any potential worry at the end of the night. We also have a special discount with Coconut Express, so you can arrange a shuttle for your guests if they are coming from further afield.

Questions about Timing

How long do we have the ship for?
The ship is yours from 12noon to 12midnight on the wedding day, with an extra hour for clean up (until 1 am). With the Early Bird Option, you are also able to board the ship ahead of the wedding day, decorate, bring supplies, and ensure everything is perfect. Plus you will have additional time the morning after the wedding (from 9 am to 11 am) so you can collect any left-over supplies and decorations.

What time does the bar close?
Drink service stops at 12 midnight. Last call is 30 minutes before this, to allow plenty of time for your guests to drink up. The last guest should exit the ship by 1 am.

What happens at the end of the evening?
Please click here for details: After Midnight – The Pumpkin Hour

Questions for your budget

What is the price of a Wedding?
Wedding packages vary dependent on the group. The rate covers the entire day and includes our exclusive Wedding Planner Service, taxes, and fees. Extended access for decorating is available too. Contact us for more details! We do also require a $1000 Damage Deposit, which will be returned in full or in part, dependent on the Ship being returned to the condition it was at the start of the rental contract.

What does this price include?
Included in this price, you will have the venue for the entire day (for the Wedding Ceremony and Reception). Tables, white wedding chairs, and sound equipment are also included and will be set up for you by the SS Sicamous Crew. The luxury Wedding Planning Service is also already included in this price. We don’t charge any surprise fees, and all of the quoted prices are inclusive of tax.

Are there any extra charges or fees that I should be aware of?
The only extra charges to consider are the liquor license ($25) and the event insurance (expect to pay between $225 and $300). Items such as linens and plates will need to be rented separately. We don’t charge a corkage fee for the bar. After booking our wedding planning experts will help you put together a full budget for the wedding. This means there are no surprises down the road, and you can have accurate costs from the very beginning.

What are the wedding fees used for?
The SS Sicamous is operated by a registered non-profit organization called the SS Sicamous Society. We are dedicated to preserving the marine heritage of the Okanagan. The price of your wedding will go directly to helping us preserve and protect the ships for the future.

Questions about booking

How do I book a tour?
We would be happy to set time aside to invite you for a personal tour of the SS Sicamous, to show you the ship and discuss your vision for your big day. Just send us a quick email, or give us a call at 250-492-0403.

I’m in the very early stages of planning, how far in advance should I book my date?
This depends on the season of your wedding. The wedding season in the Okanagan is from May through to October. Weekends in June, July and August are the first to book (closely followed by September). Many venues will start booking up 18months to a year in advance. So if you are planning for a weekend wedding in the summer, the answer is the sooner the better 

How do I book a date?

• Step 1: Simply click the link below and someone from the team at Vines and Vows Wedding Planning Services will be in contact with you shortly. They can assist you with any questions or plans that you have. We will then let you know about the availability for choosing your wedding date. We can also arrange a tour, so you and your family can see the venue in person!

• Step 2: Read through and sign the Rental Agreement and return the Agreement to Vines and Vows.

• Step 3: Once your Agreement has been accepted, and your deposit received, the SS Sicamous will then officially be reserved for your wedding