Top 6 Unique Destination Wedding Locations in Canada

It’s not hard to see why Torontonians brave rush hour traffic every Friday afternoon to make the trek to Muskoka for the weekend. The sparkling lakes and lush forests make it one of Canada’s most picturesque spots for cottages, vacations and weddings. The region offers plenty of resorts to accommodate wedding parties of all sizes and guests will relish the opportunity to take in all that Muskoka has to offer. If you’re ever going to plan a destination wedding over a long weekend, Muskoka is one location guests won’t mind making the sacrifice for.

The region of Port Carling in Muskoka has quickly evolved into a must-visit destination, offering some of the city’s best cuisine with a waterfront backdrop. Frankie’s Surf Club is a kitschy bar with space for a band and dance floor and a killer sunset view. It’s a great spot to kick off a destination wedding weekend with a relaxed welcome dinner.

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Couples can play up the local love with a post-wedding bonfire complete with s’mores (a Muskoka delicacy), bevvies from local breweries like Lake of Bays Brewing, takeaways of seasonal treats (like cherries or peaches) and the most classic of all cottage traditions” a late-night dip in the lake!

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On Canada’s west coast, on the edge of Vancouver Island, sits a laidback beach town that captures the hearts of all who visit. Surfers flock to Tofino for its world-renowned waves, while outdoor adventurists adore it for its lush national park and soothing hot springs. For couples planning their big day, Tofino offers an idyllic setting to exchange their vows, with endless activities for guests to enjoy.

There are so many perks to planning a wedding on Canada’s west coast, but the seafood might just rank highest on the list! From oysters on the half shell to freshly caught fish, the local cuisine will have your guests drooling. No boring banquet meals here!

After the wedding, there’s brunch. And after brunch, there’s surfing! Treat guests to a day catching waves (or napping under a beach umbrella, depending on energy levels). Either way, guests will love the opportunity to turn a wedding weekend into a true beachside vacation. (Plus, what bride wouldn’t love the excuse to ditch painful high heels for a barefoot wedding on the beach?).

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Why not have your wedding in a place where its claim to fame is having some of the world’s best wineries? Although the picturesque Okanagan Valley stretches for over 200 kilometres, narrow your focus to just east of Vernon, British Columbia, at the northern end of Kalamalka Lake.

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Silver Sage Stables is a stunning 50-acre private property that has panoramic views of the valley mountains and Instagram-worthy sunsets to the west. The venue itself is inside a wood barn with exposed rafters and a large dance floor. There’s also industrial string lighting, crystal chandeliers and white curtains at each entrance, which is sure to create a romantic ambience.

With this as your backdrop, what more could you ask for?

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There are few places in Canada that offer the tranquillity of an oceanside farm with a modern aesthetic, which makes Lunenburg County a truly special spot for Canadians to tie the knot. Shobac, a historic troop barn from 1890, provides the rustic-meets-chic look that so many brides are after these days, while the property’s modern cottages make for a getaway that guests will never forget!

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The venue rents by the week and can accommodate up to 42 people on site. For couples planning a small wedding and hoping to spend real, quality time with their family and friends, Shobac would be the pefect venue.

By night, the barn is transformed into a romantic reception hall for dinner and dancing under the moonlight.

For the couple that’s been everywhere and done everything, a wedding in Yellowknife would certainly raise the stakes! It’ll no doubt be a first for everyone on the guest list and the location lends itself for wedding photos on a dog sled. Need we say more?

The Aurora Village Lodge is an incredible spot in Yellowknife for weddings, complete with a magical forest of teepees under the aurora borealis.

It’s no marriage in Mexico, but a walk down the aisle in Prince Edward Island can be just as idyllic (according to Canadians at least). The province is known for its beautiful parks, exceptional beaches and legendary lobster suppers, which all add up to a destination wedding in the Maritimes that guests won’t soon forget.

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Chances are you’ve spotted Dalvay by the Sea before. It was featured in the 1990s Anne of Green Gables film and was visited by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge when they toured Prince Edward Island in 2011. The hotel, which was built in 1985, has been beautifully restored and would make for a relaxing spot for guests to enjoy.

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This view from above shows off the exceptional property and its awesome proximity to the beach! What could be more fun than a post-wedding brunch on the beach?

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