Destination: Wedding! Celebrating Canada- Niagara-On-the-Lake

Just a short drive from the US/Canadian border lies a small region within Ontario, Canada called Niagara-on-the-Lake. A certain magical quality persists, mile by mile, with beautiful lakeside views, more than 40 wineries and a quaint Old town full of boutiques and restaurants featuring fresh farm-to-table ingredients. The entire area feels curated for a bespoke, Canadian wedding experience. Travelers by the millions visit Niagara Falls (pictured below), not realizing the magic that lies just beyond it.

Niagara-on-the-Lake was originally inhabited by tribes of Indigenous peoples, known as the First Nations,who thrived as farmers in this abundant region for thousands of years. Inter-tribal warfare, European colonization, fur-trade disputes and the American Civil War unsettled the entire region. Originally named Newark, Niagara-on-the-Lake was home to the British military during The War of 1812 and formally served as the capital of Upper Canada from 1792 to 1796. (Source: Memories of Niagara). The communities that make up what is considered to be Niagara-on-the-Lake are Homer, St. Davids, Glendale, Queenston, McNab and Virgil, Ontario. Old Town serves as the centerpiece of it all. This charming region has a numerous choices for wedding venues and hotel stays for your guests, but we found a few gems that we wanted to share.

Riverbend Inn & Vineyard

Riverbend Inn & Vineyard: 16104 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON LOS 1J0 +1 905-468-2270

Built in 1860, this classic Georgian mansion has experienced many lives since it was first built. This current hotel and winery once served as a school to support children with severe Down Syndrome. After 52 years as a school and multi-use living facility, it was transformed into a hotel in 1988. The rooms are cleverly named after wines with red on top (our favorite!) and whites on the bottom level. The art within the property consits of original, classic works that have lived every life with the property through its many transformations. The foyer chandelier is just one of the historic features lovingly maintained for guests to enjoy. 21 guest rooms and 1 wedding suite have received updates to the bedding and overall style to create a modern feeling within the stately confines. Chef Jason Parsons of Peller Estates commands the kitchen and menu for the hotel and all of its events.

The wine grove area is regularly transformed for weddings and celebratory dinners, while the property restaurant, Oaklands, serves seasonal gourmet fare. A refined wedding reception experience awaits at the hotel, where the winery sets the atmosphere for something memorable. Because this property is a member of the Peller Estates family, wedding parties can combine this property with other members to achieve their ultimate wedding experience.

Serenity on the Lake

Serenity on the Lake: 9 Christopher Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON LOS 1J0 +1 905-357-8257

Beautiful things come in small packages. See The Room highly recommends this charming bed and breakfast, centrally located to the wineries, bike trails and the natural beauty of the region. The incredible hosts, Sonia and Guy (top right in photo) truly make you feel like a treasured guests in this fully renovated home. As former managers of the treasured Wildberry Inn in Mont Tremblant, the couple have brought the same level of care and elegance to this experience. Three beautiful bedrooms are available for your stay with a fresh farm-to-table breakfast prepared each day by Sonia, a masterful baker who makes delicious gluten-free treats for her guests.

What really impressed me about this property was that it felt like a beautiful, modern country stay. This is a perfect choice for an adults couples getaway, girls weekend for wedding dress shopping and for the parents of the bride and groom to have their own sanctuary away from the high energy of the wedding. This immaculate home was creates the quiet comfort of a space that feels like a home away from home. Your hosts are available to make your stay comfortable and live in the lower level of the residence, while guests have privacy on the upper level in their bedrooms. The property contains stairs and is best suited for guests with no mobility challenges.

124 on Queen Hotel & Spa

124 On Queen: 124 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON LOS 1J0 +1 905-468-4552

See The Room recommends this beautiful boutique hotel, located in the center of town street (Queen Street) in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The red brick building is an enchanting stand out that provides direct access to everything Old Town has to offer. A 12,000 square foot, award winning spa sits in the foundation of the property. 76 guest rooms and suites are located within the building with villas and other accommodations available in connecting buildings for stays requiring additional space.

The hotel once served as the custom's house for the town and remains a true favorite in the city. The property consists of multiple venues which include The Gate House, an event venue with a capacity of 140 guests. This facility was one of the few surviving buildings in the War of 1812 and was rebuilt in 1849 due to a fire. This historic building is a wonderful canvas to create wedding dreams upon. Refined cuisine options are also available for your 124 On Queen wedding experience.

Pillar and Post Inn & Spa

Pillar and Post Inn & Spa: 48 John Street W, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON LOS 1J0 +1 905-468-2123

See The Room recommends Pillar and Post. This charming 19th century hotel has transformed its rooms for guests to experience boutique country style. 122 guest rooms, a pool, spa, gym and fine dining are available on site for your special guests. What really shines for us is the tremendous number of venue options for weddings at this property. Stunning botanical wedding experiences can be curated in La Roserie, Pont de Monet, Le Petit Pavilion and The Barn- each located across the street from the hotel. Each of these settings feels like their own special world away from it all.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman: 95 Johnson Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON LOS 1J0 +1 905-468-9991

See The Room recommends The Scotsman. Built originally in 1805, war and reconstruction created a home for the town's post office (named the Post House) that would later transform into a Scottish dream within Ontario. The Scotsman is incredibly special and provides a refined 5 star boutique experience from beginning to end. We are enamored by so many things within this property and it begins with the decor. Having had the pleasure of traveling to Scotland and staying at one of the well-known luxury establishments in central Edinburgh, we felt transported right back to all of the wonder and opulence we had once experienced visiting the city, as the decor embodies a richness that we only felt in Edinburgh.

Each room has been lovingly curated by world-renowned designer Lori Morris with a lounge, outdoor patio and seating area as gathering areas for your stay. The five bedroom inn could accommodate 5 individuals/couples (maximum of 10 guests) and the lounge and outdoor patio can accommodate a small party. This is a perfect venue for a bacholor/bacholorette getaway or the central stay for the esteemed guests in a wedding (couple, parents, maid of honor and man of honor). Couples who are having an intimate wedding for just immediate family could share a beautiful celebration utilizing the Lounge area.

Peller Estates

Peller Estates: 290 John St E, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON LOS 1J0 +1 888-673-5537

See The Room recommends Peller Estates. A true story of determination and faith, the original founder arrived in Halifax from Hungary in 1927 with only five dollars in his pocket. He planted vineyards in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley and expanded into further provinces in later years. The estate in Niagara-On-The-Lake consists of multiple wine groves (Peller, Trius, Thirty Bench and Wayne Gretsky), a hotel (Riverbend Inn), dining and wine tasting facilities at each. the vineyard or at Peller Estates awaits in the Wine Library (capacity 64), the lovely Barrel Cellar (capacity 140).

Sources:

Memories of Niagara- https://memoriesofniagara.ca/memories/

Niagara-On-the-Lake Tourism: https://www.notl.com/visit-us