Backyard on Aberdeen expands services

A Brandon event venue that began as a personal wedding project has continued to grow, with new services and spaces added as demand increases for all-in-one event options in the wheat city.

Backyard on Aberdeen has evolved significantly since opening in 2021, owner Aida Harrison told the Sun, as she’s built on years of experience through her earlier catering business.

Recent additions include a boardroom space that can host up to 30 people, depending on setup, a dedicated bridal room where wedding parties can prepare for events and a freezer meal program that allows customers to pick up prepared meals daily.

“The business has also expanded into event décor after acquiring the assets of Blacktie Event, a previously established decoration company,” Harrison said in an interview.

She said the addition allows her team to offer full-service event packages beyond the venue itself.

“We do decoration and catering, not just at the Backyard on Aberdeen,” she said, “We do it all over Manitoba. Anybody who wants us to go anywhere they have a wedding in their backyard, we can do that wedding there, from décor to food to everything.”

Harrison said the expansion was largely shaped by customer feedback over the past four years.

“I follow my customers,” she said. “People said the main room is big, but they needed a smaller one for board meetings or birthday parties. Brides asked for a space to change or do makeup. So I listened to what they asked from us and extended the space based on that.”

The most recent round of renovations, including flooring, ceilings and interior upgrades, represents an investment of more than $100,000, she said.

Harrison described how the business grew out of her and her husband’s own wedding.

“We opened a venue for our wedding, and from there, the Backyard on Aberdeen, with Aida’s Catering, started growing.”

Harrison said her catering work began in 2015 at a previous location on Princess Avenue before moving operations to the Aberdeen site. Since then, the venue has expanded both outdoors and indoors, to meet customer requests and broaden services.

While the business continues to grow, Harrison noted that awareness remains a challenge as the venue builds its reputation in Brandon. She said repeat customers have helped sustain gradual growth, especially during a time when rising costs are influencing how people plan events.

“With the economic situation, people look for where they can save,” Harrison said. “When they come here, everything is provided — décor, plates, cutlery — so they don’t have to pay third parties. It helps people stay within their budget.”

The expansion has not come without challenges. Harrison said meeting city requirements, including completing the parking lot and landscaping before receiving a full license, added unexpected costs and delayed operations.

Despite those hurdles, Harrison said she is optimistic about the future and hopes more residents will discover the venue and its services.

“I would love everybody in Brandon to call us,” she said. “We love to answer any questions for anybody in Brandon.”

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