It’s funny how often I get asked what my top wedding venues in Ottawa are. As photographers, we have definitely seen them all. From hotel weddings to outdoor weddings in the country, and everything else in between, there’s so much to consider when planning your wedding. Choosing a wedding venue in Ottawa has it’s challenges because there is so much to choose from. And we continue to see new wedding venues pop up each year!

This past season, I was lucky to photograph at a few new wedding venues…new to me, anyways! Some seasons, I shoot at the same places multiple times. This season, I think I only had one repeat venue: Le Belvedere. Which I am NOT complaining. I love Le Belvedere! You can’t beat that view!

But this year was jam packed with unique wedding venues. Everything from a barn wedding to an art gallery wedding to an industrial style wedding. I was so fortunate to shoot at so many different places and work with some amazing teams!

Here are my top 5 wedding venues in Ottawa this season!

The Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park
This one had been on my bucket list since it became a wedding venue in Ottawa. An industrial building, this one comes as a blank canvas, ready to create the wedding of your dreams. It’s a large venue and can accommodate a lot of people, so having the proper layout and design of this space is key.

In fact, I would highly recommend hiring a wedding planner if you decide to go with this wedding venue. Chic Planners did an amazing job executing this one!  There are so many things to consider when it comes to having your wedding at the Horticulture Building. From bringing in caterers, tables, chairs, decor, draping, lights, industrial fans (if you’re having a summer wedding…cause there ain’t no air conditioning in this venue, folks)…you need someone who has been there, done that. Not to mention, someone to transform this space into a wedding venue and not just a big open room.

Aside from this beautiful industrial venue, there are so many cool little spots around Lansdowne Park for photos. The Aberdeen Pavilion is one of the most gorgeous buildings.

2. The Orange Art Gallery

What can I say about this venue…it is different from any other venue of it’s kind. It’s located in the historic CN Railroad Bank building in the trendy City Centre area. Upon first glance, you wonder why this wedding venue is in an industrial park. But it offers such a unique setting for your wedding in Ottawa.

The Orange Art Gallery has many different rooms, but the main one is stunning. Beautiful natural light, and an old metal door. You don’t need much in the way of decor and flowers at this venue, but the bride and groom hired Pollen Nation to add this gorgeous floral garland to hang above the metal door for their ceremony. So stunning!

While the interior of the Orange Art Gallery is beautiful, the exterior and it’s surrounding areas are super intriguing.

3. Stonefields Estate

Oh, Stonefields. You are more beautiful than I imagined. I was waiting for this one for a while and even had a wedding at Stonefields in the books for my 2017 wedding season, but as luck would have it, the wedding was postponed after the couple decided to have a baby. Not that it’s all about me, but I had to wait another year to photograph a wedding at Stonefields. It was worth the wait!

The grounds are beautiful, with so many different backdrops to choose from and the new barn at Stonefields is even more gorgeous than it looks.

4. Experimental Farm

I didn’t even know you could have a wedding at the Experimental Farm until I met with Paul and Jaimie about their wedding day. Turns out, one of the barns onsite has been converted into an event space. And what a unique one it is. Your ceremony can be held outside the barn, on the lawn, overlooking the pastures. During your cocktail hour, the cows are led down a path next to the lawn and into the pasture as you sip your signature cocktail. Finally, the barn is converted into a cozy wedding. But just like the Horticulture Building, this is blank slate. It’s up to you to create a vision for your wedding.

Frid Events was there to put this gorgeous vision together. Simple, yet elegant, everything about this wedding decor was bang on!

5. Saunders Farm

Different from the Experimental Farm, Saunders Farm is out in the country (Munster to be exact) and has a ton of ground to explore. From the mazes to the long dirt roads, there’s lots of inspiration. Not to mention this gorgeous ceremony site overlooking the pond and tall evergreen trees.

The inside of the reception space at Saunders Farm is simple and rustic, with the ability to transform it into anything you would like. Also, these hanging lanterns and twinkle lights are so frigging cute.

I’m so excited to say that I have weddings booked for next season at the Horticulture Building, Stonefields Estates and Saunders Farm. I really enjoyed shooting at these wedding venues this past season. I’m looking forward to doing it all over again!

Want to know what else is on the bucket list? Here it is:
-Evermore
-Adelina
-The Herb Garden
-Le Vignoble de Chelsea

Do you know anyone getting married there? Send them my way!

Best outdoor venues in Ottawa

Earlier this year, I blogged about my favourite outdoor wedding venues in Ottawa and surrounding regions. I still love these venues because they are all so unique.

Le Belvedere

As I mentioned already, I got to photograph twice more at Le Belvedere this season and it never disappoints. I mean, can you really beat this view of the Gatineau Hills?

Strathmere

Rain, shine, snow, or sun, Strathmere is breathtaking any season. I’ve photographed some of my favourite sunset photos at this venue.

Stanley’s Maple Lane Farm

Oh, Stanley’s Maple Lane Farm. You are a beauty all. day. long. All three weddings that I’ve photographed at Stanley’s have been pure perfection. The stone steps, where the ceremony typically takes place, boasts the most beautiful dappled light through the trees. And you can’t beat that old farm house!

Temples Sugar Bush

Since the addition of the ceremony site in the forest, Temples Sugar Bush is just the most perfect outdoor ceremony location. This coming from a girl that could live in the woods, though.

Backyard wedding

I’m all about making your wedding day unique to you. In your own backyard, at the family cottage…no one will ever be able to replicate your day in that same way. Yes, it requires a lot more planning and coordination, but you won’t regret reliving the memories each time you step into your backyard.