Canadian brides have an interesting dilemma: with the weather only really being warm enough to wear a sleeveless dress in the gazebo from May to September – peak wedding season – what can you do if you want to get married sometime during the other seven months of the year? If you long for a unique winter wedding, be it a Christmas extravaganza or a romantic Valentine’s Day to remember, rest assured that you have plenty of options. From snowy mountains to beautiful woodland settings, Canada has much to offer for couples looking to make the most of winter.
Go West
PerfectOutdoorWeddings.com lists not one but two of the top five winter wedding destinations in Canada as being in Alberta. First it names the Fairmont Chateau in Lake Louise, nestled in the heart of Banff National Park (which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It’s the best of Banff – breathtaking mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests – but rather than taking it all in from a rugged campsite, the hotel features luxurious guest rooms and beautiful facilities for your ceremony, reception and dinner. There is even wedding planning assistance, making the Fairmont Chateau a true one-stop shop.
The Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre is another option for nature-loving couples. Located in the heart of Jasper National Park, you can say ‘I do’ at the foot of the Rockies or beside a clear blue lake, then retire with your guests to one of the Sawridge’s several luxury themed ballrooms for an evening of fantastic food, dancing and celebration.
Keep going west…a little further
If the thought of reciting your vows in temperatures that turn your heartfelt words into frosty clouds leaves you, well, a little cold, why not consider BC: with a relatively warm winter climate and gorgeous natural beauty, the province has something for everyone. There’s more to a winter wedding in B.C. than hitting the slopes at Whistler-Blackcomb; the iconic Waterfall Building in Vancouver is guaranteed to provide a breathtaking backdrop to your wedding photos, while the Cecil Green Park House on the UBC campus offers incredible scenic views, stunning architecture, and was a 2013 finalist in the BC Wedding Awards.
Or just stay indoors.
On the other hand…getting married in winter need not incorporate nature and snow. After all, isn’t cozying up indoors what winter is all about? Canada’s cities are consistently featured on cultural ‘best-of’ lists, so there is certainly no shame in making for Toronto or Montreal and choosing a classy hotel rich in amenities, or a charming bed-and-breakfast for a small, intimate winter wedding.
To make your event interesting for guests who won’t be leaving their home city, include a ‘staycation’ calendar in your wedding invitations, featuring local events and attractions your friends and family might not have visited – giving them a chance to be tourists in their own backyard. Not sure where to hold the big event? Check out the Toronto Life style guide to top Toronto wedding venues. It’s sure to provide some inspiration for your indoor winter wedding.