If you’re thinking of a destination wedding, why not get married in Canada? If mountains and pristine lakes are your thing, you can head west to the Rockies. If you prefer quaint fishing villages and rocky seascapes, why not tie the knot in eastern Canada? Maybe you love the cosmopolitan charm of an urban centre, such as Montreal.

When it comes to destination weddings, there are countless options within Canada. If you’re adventurous, there’s the BC interior or the Queen Charlotte Islands. If you love luxury, there are numerous first class resorts and hotels throughout the Great White North.

Here are just a few dazzling destinations to consider: (They are also great spots to honeymoon!)

Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Victoria, located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island, is the province’s capital and one of the most popular destinations in Canada. Referred to as the “California of Canada”, it’s famous for the Empress Hotel (namely its ‘high tea’), its beautiful downtown harbour, parliament buildings and magnificent gardens. It also has a bustling downtown, with plenty of shopping. A truly romantic destination!

Venues

Abigail’s Hotel – Intimately housed in a 1930’s heritage Tudor mansion, Abigail’s blends the romance and charm of the past with all the comforts and conveniences of the present.  Each of the 23 beautifully appointed guestrooms has its own characteristic and flair.Offering a balance between luxury and adventure, Abigail’s is walking distance to Victoria’s must-see ocean or city tours, classic horse-drawn carriage rides, galleries, museums, and fine dining establishments for your choice of global cuisine.

Fairmont Empress Hotel – This hotel, which is a turn of the century landmark located on the banks of Victoria’s inner harbour, is perfect for couples who want a wedding in a luxurious setting. If it’s just the two of you, why not tie the knot in the hotel’s lounge and celebrate with a gourmet meal? For a larger wedding, book the hotel’s historic Crystal Ballroom.

Swans Suite Hotel – Located in historic Old Towne Victoria, the Swans Suite Hotel, a 1913 heritage building and landmark, has a penthouse suite that is perfect for weddings. The luxurious setting is filled with antiques and original artwork. It features a rooftop arbour and 10-person hot tub with a panoramic view of the city and inner harbour. Can accommodate up to 30 people for buffet lunch or dinner or 80 people for cocktail reception.

Wedding Planners

Royal Victorian Weddings – These wedding consultants offer several wedding packages to suit your own style. You can exchange your vows in a historic church, garden, a Victorian inn or numerous other locations in the region.

Tofino and Galiano Island, British Columbia

This picturesque region offers more than just a wild and mysterious landscape. Along with its ancient rainforests, its vast stretches of sandy beach, its rolling surf and its misty salt air,  there are luxurious spas, resorts, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and stores.

Whether you prefer a guest-free wedding on the sand, or a larger gathering inside an elegant dining room, there are wedding venues to suit your style.

Note: If you don’t like rain, don’t consider this destination. It’s the wettest place in Canada!

Venues

The Wickaninnish Inn’s Pointe Restaurant has a private room, The Salai Room for large parties. The Wickaninnish Restaurant at Long Beach can also accommodate large private parties. The restaurant, with its world-renowned cuisine, has a 240-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and glorious view of Chesterman Beach.

Eagle’s Nest Retreat - The very private estate includes the southern tip of Galiano Island and is an enclave in a newly created Provincial Park.  Starting as a B&B in 1990, Featured in “Northwest Best Places” Eagles Nest soon gained notoriety for its exceptional location and architectural excellence. By 1998, it had transformed into a retreat where groups would come for art and health workshops, executive retreats, family reunions and particularly weddings.

Wedding Planners

Coastal Inspirations - If getting married on the beach, on a secluded island off the Tofino coastline, or in the rainforest is more your style, check out this wedding planning service. Coastal Inspirations offers wedding packages, and will help you with as many – or as few – details as you require.

A stormy wedding

People from across the world head to Tofino during the winter months to watch storms over the Pacific Ocean. If storms thrill you, why not head to the Middle Beach Lodge in Tofino, which offers a Stormwatch Special wedding from November to February.

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Kelowna is the hub of the Okanagan Valley’s wine making industry. Other areas in the valley, such as Vernon, Penticton and Naramata are also worth checking out. The mountains, vineyards, orchards and crystal blue lakes make them idyllic settings for tying the knot.

Venues

Watermark Beach Resort -Superbly located in the heart of Osoyoos, a jewel at the southern tip of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and spread out along 1,000 feet of pristine sandy beach on Osoyoos Lake, Canada’s warmest body of fresh water lies Watermark Beach Resort.Built with Spanish Mission influence and hip urban design, Watermark Beach Resort is the signature icon in the South Okanagan.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery – This Kelowna winery, which is Canada’s most visited winery and largest organic vineyard, is just one of many in the region that offers vineyard weddings. Wedding receptions take place at Forster’s at the Summerhill Sunset Bistro, which offers high quality local and organic sourced meals. The bistro has 100 seats inside overlooking Lake Okanagan, 100 seats on the outdoor veranda, and picnic tables in the vineyard.

Wedding Planners

Lavender Fields Forever

Want a great place to take your wedding photographs in Okanagan Valley? Try the Okanagan Lavender Herb Farm which has eight acres and 41 varieties of lavender. The farm has a perfect view of the Okanagan Lake, as well as nearby vineyards and orchards, which makes it a popular spot for wedding photographers.

Banff, Alberta

The Canadian Rockies are undoubtedly one of Canada’s starring attractions – and there’s no better place to witness their majestic presence than Banff.

Banff, located in Western Alberta, is a nature lover’s paradise. Not only is the scenery spectacular, it’s home to numerous boutiques, cafes and activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Venues

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Canada’s ‘Castle in the Rockies’ has the stunning backdrop of the magnificent Rocky Mountains. The resort, which was designed after a Scottish Baronial Castle, has numerous meeting rooms, halls, ballrooms and even a terrace that host weddings from large to small, from simple to elaborate.

Storm Mountain Lodge and Cabins – If you want a small wedding in a beautiful and secluded setting, check out this venue, which is located in the Banff National Park 25 minutes outside of the town of Banff. The venue offers exclusive use of the lodge and all cabins for weddings, and will handle all your wedding details. Maximum 40 persons.

Pensión Tannenhof Bed and Breakfast Inn - If you’re looking for a bed and breakfast wedding in the Rocky Mountains, check out the Pensión Tannenhof Bed and Breakfast Inn (“Lodge in the Pine Trees,”). The mountain lodge, which is set in a spruce grove on the foot of Sulphur Mountain, hosts weddings and will help you with your wedding plans.

Wedding Planners

Simplicity Wedding Planners – This company’s goal is to match its clients with the best venues and services to suit their budget.  Plans destination weddings for two all the way up to groups of 400. From the outlandish to the traditional.

Niagara Falls/ Niagara on the Lake

Niagara Falls is the honeymoon capital of the world and is also quickly becoming Canada’s wedding capital. The Niagara Falls, the area’s main attraction, is one of the wonders of the world, but there’s a lot more to this region than this awesome site.

There are historic parks, countless entertainment venues, a casino and a technicolour downtown that is both kitschy and captivating.

Just minutes outside of Niagara Falls, is Niagara-on-the-Lake, a splendid town known for its orchards, vineyards and theatre. Countless charming inns and bed and breakfasts are located in the area.

Whether you love the neon energy of busy Niagara Falls or the beauty of its nearby wine region, there’s no doubt it’s a great place to tie the knot!

Venues

Embassy Suites Hotel – This hotel, located in Niagara Falls, gives you the chance to get married 40-storeys above the Niagara Falls, with a spectacular view of the famous natural wonder. The hotel has numerous wedding packages to choose from and has wedding specialists on staff to help plan your wedding.

Fairbanks House Bed and Breakfast – If you fancy tying the knot at a bed and breakfast close to the falls, there’s the Fairbanks House Bed and Breakfast, a restored Victorian inn built in 1877. The venue, which is filled with antiques, is located on the Niagara River overlooking the Niagara Gorge, just minutes downstream from the falls.

Vineland Estates – This vineyard, which is located in pastoral Jordan just outside of Niagara-on-the-Lake, is a gorgeous setting to say your “I do’s.” Acres of grapevines on rolling hills make this a sight to behold. The winery has a gourmet restaurant, as well as a beautiful stone building called the Carriage House that can be rented for intimate weddings. The Carriage House offers a stunning, panoramic view of the vineyard.

Wedding Planners

Royal Niagara Weddings – These wedding planning specialists offer a huge variety of wedding services for your big day. Whether you want a winery wedding, or a wedding in a helicopter above Niagara Falls, these coordinators can help create your ideal wedding.

Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City is one of the most romantic cities in North America. With its winding cobblestone streets, its 17th and 18th century stone houses, churches, cafes, bistros, galleries and boutiques, the provincial capital, which is perched high above the St. Lawrence River, is charmingly European. In fact its European roots run back 1,000 years!

Named a UNESCO World Heritage site, Quebec City, which is the only walled city in North America, is rich in history and culture.

One cannot mention Quebec City without mentioning the cuisine. If you’re a “foodie”, you’ll be in heaven! The city has oodles of great restaurants where you can sample local culinary delights.

Although the city is almost entirely Francophone, many of its residents speak English – especially those who work in the tourism industry.

Great for summer weddings – and winter weddings too!

Venues

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac – No wonder this hotel is the most photographed hotel in the world. Set on a bluff high above the St. Laurence River, the century old castle, with its spires and turrets is an impressive site.

Le Château Frontenac hosts several weddings a week. The Rose Room, which has panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River, is ideal for intimate weddings of up to 30 people. For larger groups, the hotel has numerous ballrooms. The hotel has wedding coordinators on staff.

Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada – Want to add some adventure to your nuptials? The Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada, located 30 minutes from downtown Quebec City, offers adventurous brides and grooms a chance to say “I do” within its elaborate ice and snow structure.

A wedding package for two at the hotel, includes a civil ceremony in the ice chapel, a bottle of champagne, two ice-sculpted champagne goblets and a wedding planner. Transportation, photography, entertainment and other wedding related services can be arranged by the hotel. The hotel is open from January to April.

Au Petit Chateau – You can’t get much more romantic than a turn of the century brick mansion overlooking the St. Lawrence River and tucked away in a quiet location close to Old Quebec.

Weddings are held on the grounds of the bed and breakfast, which include a lovely garden and veranda.

Wedding Planners

Karinian Event Planners – This company will assist you with your wedding day details. Offers a variety of services. karinian@consultant.com

Montreal

Hip and utterly charming, Montreal offers an interesting blend of French and English culture. Framed by the St.Lawrence River and Mont Royal, the city is not only picturesque with plenty of open green spaces for nature lovers, its cultural scene is thriving with countless nightclubs, cafes, restaurants, galleries, and museums.   A great wedding destination for couples who want to experience old world with a modern twist in one of Canada’s most romantic cities!

Venues

The Ritz-Carlton – For a luxurious wedding, there’s the Ritz-Carlton located in the heart of Montreal. The hotel is considered one of the grand hotels of North America. The 18th century style Oval Ballroom and Palm Court, as well as silk-paneled Ritz and Carlton rooms, host weddings from 20 to 250 guests.

The Loews Hotel Vogue – This elegant hotel, located in downtown Montreal, combines neoclassical accents with Late Empire furnishings. A team of on-staff wedding coordinators can help you plan your wedding from start to finish. Weddings take place in the luxurious ballroom, and the Garden Terrace.

Montreal Botanical Garden - If you prefer a garden wedding there’s Montreal’s Botanical Gardens. The Japanese pavilion reflects the artistic ideals of Japanese culture, and is great for small weddings. The Fuji Pavilion is an open air tent ideal for larger weddings.

Wedding Planners

Maddy K Weddings – This full service wedding company, has a wide variety of wedding packages to choose from

Rustico Bay, Prince Edward Island

Whether you’re an Anne of Green Gables die hard or not, you can’t help but fall in love with both Cavendish and Rustico Bay, in the heart of Ann’s country on the northern shore of PEI.Located near Prince Edward Island National Park – with its sandy beaches, cliffs, dunes, marshes and forestlands, Rustico is a utopia for nature lovers.

Just imagine taking a pre-wedding stroll along one of the quiet clay roads, before saying “I do” at an inn overlooking the glittering sea. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

Venues

Barachois Inn – This 15 room inn was built in 1880 as a Victorian Country House for local merchant, Joseph Gallant. The Barachois Inn is close to Cavendish Beach – the home of “Anne of Green Gables”. Ideal for weddings with 30-35 guests.

Dalvay By the Sea Heritage Inn and Dining Room – This luxurious 1895 inn, located in alvay, which is 30 minutes outside of Rustico, is one of the only seaside resorts in PEI. It hosts weddings during the shoulder season in May and early October. The venue can accommodate up to 100 guests.

Wedding Planners

Kindred Spirits Wedding Planners – If you are planning a destination wedding in PEI and you need some assistance, this company, located in Kensington, PEI, can help you with the details.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Lunenburg, located on the Lighthouse Route in Nova Scotia an hour outside of Halifax, is one of the prettiest towns in Canada. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg has long been the heart of Nova Scotia’s fishing and shipbuilding industry (the Bluenose was built there) and more recently is home to a thriving artistic community.

Its charm lies in its beautiful harbour, its exceptional architecture, its museums, quaint shops and galleries. A gorgeous place to say “I do!”

Incidentally, if you’ve seen the movies Simon Birch or Doloris Claiborne, you’ve seen Lunenburg. They were both filmed there.

Venues

The Lunenburg Arms Hotel – This 26-room boutique style hotel, which overlooks the harbour, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bluenose Golf course, hosts weddings with up to 125 guests in its convention centre.

The Old Fish Factory – Although it doesn’t sound like an appealing place to tie the knot, this restaurant, which is located on Lunenburg’s historic waterfront at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, is a popular spot in Lunenburg to say “I do.” The restaurant, a former fish processing plant, specializes in seafood and can accommodate groups of 25-300 for sit down meals.

Arbor View Inn – This country inn, known for its award winning cuisine, is nestled on a wooded estate with quiet garden paths and plenty of privacy. Weddings take place in the dining room of the six-room inn. Great for intimate gatherings.

Wedding Planners

Maritime Wedding Consultants – Based in Halifax, these wedding coordinators will plan your entire wedding, or simply assist you with some of the details.

St. John’s, Newfoundland

Newfoundland is becoming one of the hottest destinations in Canada. Its capital St. John’s, the oldest city in North America, is located on the steep inland side of St. John’s Harbour. With its colourful buildings, rocky shoreline, and ships docked in the harbour, St. John’s is true eye candy. But it’s more than just a pretty face. It’s filled with fun shops, galleries, museums and restaurants.

Venues

The Fairmont Newfoundland – This venue, which is a first class hotel and landmark situated in the heart of St.John’s, offers breathtaking views of the harbour, the historic city centre, and Signal Hill.  Wedding packages include complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom, champagne, breakfast, and more. The hotel has a professional team of wedding planners that can assist you with your wedding.

Leaside Manor – Rated as one of the top Canadian romantic destinations by the Globe and Mail, the Leaside Manor, a Tudor mansion and heritage property located minutes from downtown, is an ideal setting for weddings with less than 60 guests. Numerous wedding packages are available at the inn.

The Waterford Manor – The elegant Waterford Manor, a private inn built in 1901, plays hosts to weddings. The Victorian style heritage inn has seven rooms tastefully decorated with 19th Century local antiques. The Inn was featured on the cover of The Canadian Bed & Breakfast Guide (98/99 edition).

Wedding Planners

The Joy of Weddings - Whether you want an elegant wedding at a hotel or bed and breakfast or a wedding on the rocky shoreline or fishing pier, these wedding planners can make your vision a reality.

History Buffs

If you’re a history nut, why not get married at one of Canada’s historical museums or monuments. Signal Hill and Cabot Hill for instance are just a couple of sites that are available for wedding ceremonies.

Photo: Eagle’s Nest, Galiano Island

Beach weddings are ideal because you really can’t get a better backdrop. Is there anything more beautiful than shimmering water and soft, velvety sand?  Oddly enough, finding beach elements that are chic and sophisticated can truly be a challenge, so I’ve taken out some of the grunt work and compiled the most beautiful beach decor for your wedding. Stylish oceanic elements from the invites to the altar.

My favorite thing about this cake is that if it wasn’t at a wedding on the beach you would have to look closely to see that there is wave and pearl detailing on the bottom of each layer.

Invitations seem to be nearly impossible to find without any seashells, coral or waves being present. Here are two that are stylish and modern that just hint at a beach wedding, don’t beat you over the head with it!

These are cute escort card options, as long as this is the only “message in a bottle” themed item you use.

With a wedding at the beach altars are very optional. It’s nice to have something to pull your eye towards, but with a backdrop as pleasing as the ocean it’s best to make your altar big enough for you and your officiant, but don’t feel the need to fill the whole space (which is impossible), because your chairs will also help to direct your guests toward you as well.

And don’t forget the jewelry. Here is a stunning beach glass necklace, perfect for your maids wearing cobalt blue.

Speaking of sea glass, what about sea glass candy wedding favors for your beach wedding?

A successful beach wedding is one that displays the beach theme subtly and still let’s the bride and groom be the focus and most important elements of the big day. All decor should be natural, items found close to the area where you’re getting married and those items will help to influence you colors, little details, etc.

Now a bar has been set and you can use that as a jumping off point! Plus, keeping you and your partner as the focal point of the wedding helps keep any desires to buy hundreds of seashells and a glue gun at bay. Happy planning!

Photo One: stylemepretty.com; Photo Two: stylemepretty.com; Photos Three and Four: Etsy.com; Photo Five: MarthaStewartWeddings.com; Photo Six: greenweddingshoes.com; Photo Seven: weddingsunveiledblog.blogspot.com;

Caryn, 27 & Mark, 28

Blair Atholl, Scotland

Wedding Date: August 12, 2009 (in the U.K., August 12 is called the “glorious twelfth” for the very silly reason that it is the first day of grouse-hunting season. How could we resist?)

Number of Guests: 27

Wedding Cost: $20,000+ vacation expenses

Wedding Ceremony Location: State Dining Room of Blair Castle

Wedding Reception Location: Also in State Dining Room of Blair Castle

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

The thought of standing in front of 200-some odd people didn’t appeal to my husband or me. The exchange of vows is something sacred, and so we only felt comfortable sharing that moment with our very closest family and friends.

It seems like, for us, the question isn’t so much why we chose an intimate wedding as why we chose a destination wedding {the couple lives in D.C}. My husband and I love to travel. More than that, though, the desire to reach out to the evironment around us and to learn about people of different cultures is part of our identity as Unitarians. I won’t claim to speak for my husband, but the divine peace I feel after I’ve climbed a mountain is indescribable. I wanted to share this sort of tranquil feeling with my wedding guests– to give my friends and family a taste of the world my husband and I share together and to give them memories they’d never forget. You just can’t get this experience from your standard hall wedding. To walk across the Scottish heath with my family, the warm summer sun keeping us warm as the moorland wind whistles in your ears? I can’t think of anything more romantic.

The first international vacation my husband and I took (in 2003) was to Scotland (I’m of Scottish ancestry and had always wanted to follow the path of my ancestors in their old homeland). We had the best time; the people were warm and hospitable, the landscape was breathtaking, and it was one of the happiest times of our lives (so far). On that trip, I remember seeing a couple weddings– one was in an old cathedral in Glasgow, the other was in a tiny kirk on the shores of Loch Lomond in Luss– and I lamented that I wouldn’t be able to get married in such a beautiful place. Then, when it came time to make plans for my own wedding, I did some investigating… I could spend $20,000 on a run-of-the-mill 200+ person wedding, which didn’t appeal to me at all, or I could spend that money taking my friends and family somewhere they’d never forget. It was never a choice for us… the answer was too obvious.

We used Matthew 7:21 in our ceremony, and the passage talks about building your marriage upon rock and not sand. This has always meant a great deal to me– it always bothered me that I can’t go back to visit the church my grandparents married in because the church has been bulldozed. What sort of symbol is that? Back home in Metro Detroit, even churches feel ephemeral, not to mention reception halls. Not so in the United Kingdom, where even ruins are lovingly preserved. To be able to get married in a castle– a symbol of a fortress- that has stood since the 13th century emobodied the spirit of the Bible passage. It embodied the values upon which I wanted to build my marriage.

So we knew we wanted a destination wedding in Scotland. It takes a certain personality type, not to mention budget, to make that possible for guests, so the guest list quite quickly sorted itself out to around 30 people. Some people are adverse to travel, not to mention international travel, and some people have a different notion about what constitutes a vacation (“ya mean no palm trees or sand?”), so the guest list was in many ways self-selected. This meant less hurt feelings on the part of the invitees. I regret that a couple people weren’t able to come, but I wouldn’t change a thing, even knowing this.

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Again, the intimate wedding wasn’t the problem, per se. It was really more challenging to plan a destination wedding– to coordinate everyone’s arrival times, plans, lodging, etc. Not to mention picking a place virtually blind! I relied a great deal on sites like Trip Advisor to makes plans, identify sites of interest, and to select lodging. I had never been to Blair Castle. I had only seen Margaret’s work online. Things could have gone horribly wrong… it took a great deal of faith and poise to proceed. We also used a wedding planner, Highland Country Weddings, to make arrangements for us. I don’t think this is necessarily a requirement for a savvy or experienced traveler, but for someone who is unfamiliar with Scotland, a planner like Highland Country Weddings really takes the edge out of planning a distance wedding. They were able to coordinate the details (flowers, cake, DJ, car, etc), which meant that I was free to focus on travel arrangements. They also helped us with obtaining our marriage visas for the UK. The resources at the castle were also of great use to us– so I would advise brides-to-be not to shy away from utilizing event planners at the location of their wedding (or the proposed location).

I didn’t find the size of my wedding problematic at all– quite opposite. It was a relief to me only to have a couple dozen guests. I think the guests enjoyed themselves more (and were certainly less self-conscious about dancing!).

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No. (See above).

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

No…and I think this was because the wedding was in Scotland. So if you’re looking to avoid hurt feelings….

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

How to begin… Well, I got married in a castle– how do you top that?! The bridal procession was led into the ceremony by a bagpiper. There’s nothing more beautiful than that! We had a harpist, a charming Scottish minister, my husband said “I do” too quickly (and everyone laughed at him), my flower girl buckled under the pressure and had a meltdown (so sad but also so cute).

What were the highlights of the reception?

The food! We ate at one, long table– a beautiful antique table– by candlelight. The food was phenomenal, the atmosphere unparalleled. And we went downstairs to the Banvie Hall for dancing… And everyone danced! I was afraid that a small wedding would mean that our dance floor would be catastrophic, but I found it to be quite the opposite. I’ve been to weddings with 300 people that had fewer people on the dance floor. Plus, all the men were in kilts… which made for hilarious dancing….

Did I mention that we had a rainbow? Because the ceremony and reception were in the same place, my husband and I were able to go with our photographer around the castle grounds to get photos. It had rained for 15 minutes earlier in the day, and we got our portrait taken under a rainbow in front of the castle.

 What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Being able to really enjoy my family and friends without feeling pulled in a million directions. Being able to dance without feeling like I needed to mingle. Being able to eat my dinner! And most importantly, feeling like I could really enjoy the day with my husband.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Go for it! Remember that this day is about the two of you, and no one else. Do it exactly as you want to do it, and then you’ll have no regrets.

Vendors:

Photographer: Margaret McAtier
Reverend: Ian Gough
Venue: Blair Castle
Wedding Planner: Highland Country Weddings (coordinated Rolls Royce, flowers, harpist, DJ, etc.)
Accomodations: Roseburn Bed and Breakfast

 

Reisha 33, & Scott, 33

Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom

Wedding Date:  October 10, 2009

Number of Guests:  28

Wedding Cost:  $22,000

Wedding Ceremony Location:  Balgonie Castle

Wedding Reception Location:  Balgonie Castle

Why did you have an intimate wedding? 

 We wanted to have a destination wedding {the couple is from the U.S.} and the destination we chose immediately limited the number of guests that would be able to attend. We really just wanted our closest friends and family there so that we would be able to enjoy everyone and those in attendance would be able to get to know those people which they didn’t know.

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding? 

The biggest challenge we faced was not impacted by the intimacy of our wedding but rather the fact that we were planning a wedding overseas.  Having control over every minute detail was a bit of a challenge but also made our overall experience more enjoyable!

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list? 

It really wasn’t difficult at all we invited all of our close friends and family, a total of only 55 invitations to begin with and after the RSVP deadline only 28 were able to make it.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them? 

 We did not have any ‘issues’!

What were the highlights of the ceremony? 

There were numerous highlights of our ceremony worth mentioning, the first being that it took place in a candlelit chapel in a 13th century castle.  The ceremony was very much a fairytale as I was piped into the chapel by a bagpiper. We had a string quartet, and an owl as our ring bearer.  After the ceremony we released doves in the castle courtyard and we had our pictures taken in the courtyard and throughout the castle.  The biggest highlight was that all of these things were a surprise to our guests!

 What were the highlights of the reception? 

We had a candlelit dinner in the Great Hall of the castle it was a very intimate setting where we served a 5 course meal (that I personally put together) with some of the traditional Scottish food while we listened to music from the string quartet played from a balcony in the hall.  I was also pleasantly surprised with a toast from my sister as well as a surprise “group” toast from our fathers and a grandfather.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

It was very memorable for everyone especially being a destination wedding to Europe.  Many of the attendees had never been out of the United States and we feel that it was more than “just” a wedding for us but more of an adventure for everyone in attendance.  We were also able to interact intermittently with all of our guests over two full days of activities.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

It is definitely the way to go.  All said and done nothing else would have compared!

Vendors:

Venue:  Balgonie Castle
Wedding Planner: Highland Country Weddings
Cake: Too Good to Eat
Catering: WildTyme
Photographer: Margaret McAtire
Wedding Car: BainCraig
Guest Transportation: Scotland Welcomes
Lodging: The Green Hotel

By Jennifer Cox

Scotland is a country with a picturesque landscape that provides an idyllic setting for exchanging vows. However, before you hop on a plane bound for the Edinburgh, there are certain guidelines you need to follow.

Most importantly, you need to fill out all the necessary documents – this includes a Form M10 (Marriage Notice Application) as well as a form with witness details. You will need to contact the local registrar where the marriage will take place – they will help you arrange for a civil or religious ceremony (depending on what you and your partner want), choose a day and time, and find out about necessary fees you’ll have to pay. A list of all local registration officers and approved places in Scotland can be found at the GROSLocate. Filled-out forms need to be submitted 4-6 weeks before the wedding. One of you might be asked to appear in person at the registrar’s office before the marriage. You may also be asked to show a valid passport and you will both need to show them your birth certificate.

The registrar will then create a Marriage Schedule – no wedding in Scotland can proceed without it. You and your spouse will sign the Marriage Schedule (with a black fountain pen, no less) following your wedding and return it to the registrar in no longer than three days after the wedding so that the marriage can be registered.

Other rules of marriage in Scotland include:

- both parties must be at least 16 years old

- you are unmarried

- you are not related

- you are of different sexes (same-sex marriages are not recognized in Scotland)

Once you’ve met all the formal regulations you can book the bagpiper and say your I dos!

Photo: Martin Pettinger Photography

Jennifer Cox is a Montreal based freelance journalist who loves everything from weddings to foodie news, photography & candy!

Love the idea of a castle wedding? You’ll love this week’s blog posts!

Tomorrow we’re going to let you know about a fantastic castle wedding venue located in the southern U.S.

If a castle wedding in Scotland is more your style, make sure you check out Tuesday’s blog post by writer Jennifer Cox. Jenn is going to tell you all about the rules and regs for having a destination wedding in Scotland.

And you won’t want to miss Wednesday and Thursday’s posts; we’ll be highlighting two fantastic real destination weddings in Scotland by Scottish wedding photographer Margaret McAtier.

Photo: Sneak peek of Reisha and Scott’s destination wedding in Scotland shot by Margaret McAtier.

Isabelle, 43 & James, 31

New York City

Wedding Date: October 17, 2008

Number of Guests: 15

Wedding Cost: $25,000 

Wedding Ceremony Location: Central Park – North Garden

Wedding Reception Location: Gilt Restaurant

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

I wanted to elope and have just my husband and I, but James wanted a bigger wedding so we compromised that way. We were also thinking of cost. We were either going to have a regular wedding and invite more people or have a spectacular wedding and go all out and have fewer guests. We also wanted to do it in NY because it is our favorite city and we knew that a lot of people could not afford to come. We would not change a single thing. It was the best day of our lives and all our guests said it was the best wedding they have ever been to. We did everything based on the fact that we wanted our guests to live this moment with us and remember it forever. We wanted this to be as memorable for them as it was for us.

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

I must say that we were quite lucky in all the choices we made and that the planning was quite easy, even though we had to do pretty much everything online. It was a leap of faith. We first started looking into marriage licenses and finding someone to marry us. Being Canadian, it was actually quite simple. My husband went online to find someone to marry us and we were blessed enough to find Chaplin Davis and her wonderful assistant Tahana from Columbia University. We also booked Central Park online. Then in May, we spent 5 days in NY to scout everything else. While we were there, we met with Chaplin Davis and had a rehearsal at Central Park. We also talked to the hotel staff and restaurant to book rooms, breakfasts and the rehearsal dinner for our guests. Shopping was also part of our trip and we were lucky to find the wedding shoes, suits, ties, rings, and everything else we need in that short period of time. Everything was falling into place. I booked a pedicure/manicure at a salon next to the hotel and was lucky enough that my own hairdresser in Toronto is a great friend with Marco Guglielmino, an incredible hair master in Soho who came to the hotel and did my hair for me on the wedding day. What a wonderful talented human being! As for the lounge, James did research online and found the Campbell apartment at Grand Central Station. The drinks, the atmosphere and the food was great. For dinner, we had walked in front of Gilt and had marveled at their courtyard numerous times, so we booked a dinner there and met with Tara Grey who took care of everything and made our life so much easier. This was the best service we ever received. As for the photographer, I found Jen on Craig’s list and fell in love with her work. Within a day, I had booked her. She did an incredible job and we love our wedding pictures. We did not want another cookie-cutter wedding and we got something unique that people will remember forever; that was because of our vision but mostly because of the amazing group of people we worked with!

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Instead of paring it down, we decided to each invite 10 friends and a few family members. We started small so we did not have to pare down. A few people could not make it because of financial or health reasons. We had originally planned for 13 more people. Also, because it was a destination wedding with no kids, some friends did not bring their spouse, who stayed home to look after the kids.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

No, because we did not let it become an issue. We both have very small families and both my mom and his dad were ill so only my close uncle and aunt came. As for our friends and other family members, we explained that because we were paying for everything ourselves we could only invite a small group of people. Nobody was offended. They were simply happy that we were finally getting married We did send a picture to everyone after though. I understand that it might be an issue for some families, but it was not for ours.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Everything. The weather was gorgeous and Central Park was in bloom. I walked down the aisle with my best friend who gave me away (an untraditional decision that I am so happy I made – my best friend is like the sister I never had so she was my only choice). Seeing all our friends, Chaplin Davis and Tahana, my beautiful husband… it was more that I ever hoped for. Chaplin Davis started the ceremony by pointing to our shoes (my hot pink Monolo with black feathers and James’ sliver Puma Black shoes). That set the tone for the rest of the ceremony and it was just fun from then on. We hand-picked the poems and the vows ourselves and had a friend read a beautiful poem about love that blooms in the fall. We then asked all our guest to make a wish for our life together and threw pennies in the fountain. Our photographer then took pictures, and afterwards we went on to the Campbell apartment for drinks and food.

What were the highlights of the reception?

The service at Gilt; the beauty of the restaurant; the amazing food; the drinks; the tea tasting; the chocolates; the speeches –all impromptu and from the heart. I made our wedding soundtrack and put it on an ipod that they played all night for us – lots of jazz, Frank, Ella mixed with some Sex and the City tracks (we then gave a copy of it to our guests, along with a DVD of SATC). I did not want bouquets everywhere so I left it up to the staff at Gilt who created a beautiful, classic and simple table with lots of candles. The room and the food  spoke for themselves. It was perfect. Everybody had a great time and LOVED the food! I would highly recommend that anyone who goes to NY goes to Gilt.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

We were able to truly spent a lot of time with everyone. Because we went to NY, we basically spent 3 days with our friends. The day after the wedding, we all went for breakfast together at Kitchenette in Soho – then we met up again for dinner and then went skating at Rockefeller Center. Not a single thing went wrong and our friends got to meet people that had never met before and spend enough time with them to make new friendships. I must say that everything was perfect. Nothing went wrong. We were just beast friends enjoying a wonderful time.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Go for it! We would not change a single thing about our wedding. It was the perfect wedding and our guests still talk about it every time we see them. You also surround yourself with your best friends so there is no pressure from anyone. They are there because they love you and they want to share this moment with you. Remember that this is your day and that it should be your decision. You can also afford to go all out since you have less guests, which is what we decided to do.

Vendors:

Photography: Jen Huang Photography – New York

Hair: Marco Guglielmino – Soho

Makeup: Marion Smith – Toronto

Feather bouquet: Emplume

Hotel: Hyatt Regency – Jersey City Vue restaurant for rehearsal dinner

Restaurant: Gilt at the New York Palace Hotel

Cocktails: Campbell Apartment at Grand Central Station

I used to be quite smitten with Richard Gere, which is the sole reason I went to see a movie called Autumn in New York almost ten years ago.

I don’t remember much about the movie. I don’t even remember if I liked it. But I do remember that it filled me with desire; not just for the yummy leading man, but for the Big Apple itself.

 The movie’s breathtaking scenes of New York’s colorful tree lined streets and parks left me pining for it in a big way. 

When I heard about Elope NYC, I had instant flash backs of those gorgeous NY scenes. I got thinking about all of the brides out there who are looking for an inexpensive and romantic way to say ‘I do’ and I couldn’t help but think how incredible it would be to have an intimate, autumn wedding in NYC? One that was big on charm, but small on stress. Heck, any time of year would be fabulous to tie the knot in NY.

Whether you love the idea of having a destination wedding in NY, or you are a New York resident who is keen on a NY small wedding, you’ll want to check out Elope NYC.

Elope NYC is comprised of a husband and wife team (Liam’s a photographer and Judie is an officiant) who specialize in informal, intimate weddings. Most have less than 40 guests – but many have no guests at all.

“Most of our couples select a favorite park, B&B, restaurant, hotel, or private home for their ceremony, wedding portraits, and post-nuptials celebration.  These sites are far more romantic, beautiful, and even quaintly old-fashioned than traditional wedding venues,” explains Judie.

And no matter what type of ceremony you’re after (civil, spiritual, or non-denominational), Judie is your gal. Interested? Check out ElopeNYC.com for more info.

Photo One: Kiamoy.com; Photo Two – Five: ElopeNYC.com

Genesis, 28 & Kevin, 40

Paris, France

Wedding Date: December 31, 2008

Number of Guests: 2

Wedding Ceremony Location: Courtyard of The Plaza Athenée

Wedding Reception Location: The Plaza Athenée – Marie Antoinette Room

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

At the beginning of the wedding-planning process, we agreed that above all, we wanted our wedding day to honor our love.  We wanted to make sure we kept the day about our commitment to each other and about the love that we have for one another.  We wanted the day to be joyous and stress-free!  We wanted to combine both of us into the day and to have each moment of our day build upon the moment before; a blank canvas becoming our own little masterpiece. 

We began by planning a traditional wedding, but it didn’t take long for us to realize that we had lost sight of our above-mentioned goals. It was then that we refocused and decided that it would be best for us to have a private ceremony.

 What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Keeping it a secret! With many family members and friends anticipating an extravagant wedding celebration in the spring of 2009, time was working against us as “save the date” announcements were being asked about regularly.

Choosing to elope in a foreign country, with much different marriage requirements and customs, language barriers and a 9-hour differential posed many challenges while planning our day. Many late night calls and early, early morning emails added to the planning hurdles as well.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Thoughts of the guest list definitely brought feelings of consternation. We are both extremely close to our families.  But the amount of our extended families is quite bountiful.  If we had chosen to invite “family only”, it would have been impossible to have had an “intimate wedding.”  In the end, our witness was a couple with whom we’ve shared a dear friendship.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family?

The overwhelming response to our elopement was excitement and happiness. I was surprised by how many people expressed that they wished they would have had the strength/ courage to make the same decision as we did!

 However, it must be known that many of our family and friends were also disappointed that they were not able to share in that moment with us.

If so, how did you address them?

Once we had a moment to share the background to our decision, I think most people were able to understand.

We’ve had incredible feedback all around (especially after sharing photos and our video)!  I think it’s just hard for some people to think outside of the traditional wedding thoughts. At first, it was for us as well.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Saying “I Do,” of course!!! 

I have always loved the harp and wanted to have a harpist at my wedding.  Kevin had secretly coordinated to have a harpist play for the ceremony and reception.  It was so touching to open the doors to our ceremony site and to have the stunning sound of a harp’s melodies creating a soft layer for our vows.

 The backdrop of our wedding was a very intimate and picturesque scene of the holiday season – draped lighting and grand, bountiful Christmas trees abundantly enveloping a petite ice skating rink (think 20 people at most able to skate on this rink)

What were the highlights of the reception?

The first dance was remarkable and serene.  It was then, swaying in Kevin’s arms as Today by Joshua Radin played, that I felt like Mrs. Dee.  I was thrilled that our life together as a family had truly begun.  We were in bliss.

After the first dance, the most delicious cake was presented to us having been passionately prepared by Chef Christophe Michalak.  My only requirement was that it had to include chocolate….lots of chocolate…, and the 2005-07 World Pastry Champion did not disappoint.

Ice skating in my wedding dress, gliding around Kevin as he stood in the middle of the ice rink was another highlight. And our Parisian, wedding-photo tour! Our photographers had flown over three days ahead of our wedding and specifically scouted out fabulous locations for our photos.  We had an SUV limousine/tour guide chauffeur us all around the city to take our photos at some of the most stunning sites the City of Lights has  to offer. All along we had people cheering on our love, offering congratulations (in almost every language) and asking to take pictures along with us! We kissed in front of the Eiffel Tower.  We became dizzy in love as we rode an antique carousel.  We strolled in Les Jardins.  We explored the grounds of Napoleon’s Military Academy and reveled in the glory of  the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral.   To top it all off, we ended the evening with a carriage ride down the Champs-Elysees on New Year’s Eve surrounded by thousands of citizens from all over the world singing and dancing amongst the festive lights decorating literally hundreds of trees aligning the Champs.…Incroyable!!!

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The wedding was our dream come true.  All of our energy and focus was on one another. There were no distractions and no last minute seat juggling or family politics.  We were able to determine our schedule as we went along and we never felt rushed through the day.  We began our life together having created tremendous memories filled with laughter, a few tears of joy and anticipation-all wrapped in pure love.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Follow your heart and listen to your intuition. And have a good answer prepared for the mothers!

You’ll know if you are meant to have an intimate wedding.  If it is you, make the day yours.  Stretch your imagination to make the day exactly how you envision it to be.  The memories you make that day will be with you forever.

A few fun stories:

Pink peonies are my favorite flower – I just love their romantic quality.  Naturally, I dreamed of having my wedding day donned in pink peonies.  When we chose to elope in the middle of winter in Paris, I thought I would have to sacrifice my desire for a peony bouquet. With no time to order specific flowers, I took a chance and left my bouquet to be chosen after we landed in France.  As we perused various florists, it became quickly known that the abundant flower to choose from was the orchid.  But it just wasn’t fitting for the day that was to be our wedding day.  One day when we were out taking in the sights, we stumbled upon a florist.  The moment I stepped inside, my eyes went straight to a tepid bunch of pink peonies.  Although they were in need of much attention, I told Kevin that “I had to have them!”  He was doubtful as I spoke to the owner, using what French I could remember from past studies.  We left hoping that my vision was both accurately conveyed to the owner and that it would be possible to execute.  We placed all our faith into Miss Veronique, and she did not disappoint!

My mom sent a package to me “just in case” we chose to elope.  In it, she surprised me with a veil that she had made for me to wear.  (She also included “just married” flip-flops thinking that if we did choose to elope, we’d be headed to somewhere warm…I was glad we still had some surprising elements!)  When preparing for our trip, the veil was initially packed, however, somewhere in the whirlwind of it all, the veil was inadvertently removed from the luggage. It was the evening before the wedding when I was laying out all my bridal items that I discovered that the veil that my mom had made was missing —-12 hours before my wedding!!!  Somehow that night, Kevin “went for a quick walk” and snuck away, found a wedding boutique in Paris and convinced the designer to stay late and create a new veil for me!  It was the most touching surprise that he coordinated it all.  And the veil he had made turned out absolutely perfect for the day!

 Vendors:

Photographer: Amy and Stuart Photography

Ceremony site: The Plaza Athenée : Courtyard adjacent to Ice Skating Rink

Reception venue: The Plaza Athenée , Marie Antoinette Room

Flowers: Miss Veronique

Cake: Chocolate Blessing Cake prepared by Christophe Michalak (2005-07 World Pastry Champion)

Videographer: Fifty Foot Films

Wedding dress: Amsale

Bridal accessories:  Fuchsia Valentino shoes, Diamond earrings which Kevin gifted to me on the wedding day

Groom and groomsmen’s apparel and accessories: Valentino, father’s four leaf clover cufflinks, Allen Edmonds shoes

Transportation: Horse & Carriage

Officiant: Reverend Allan F. Miller

Favors: A letter written to each of us by each of us delivered the morning of the big day.

Hair and make-up: Jean Michel Henry (stylist for the late Richard Avedon)

Dance instruction: N/A

Rings: Custom

Photos: Amy and Stuart Photography