When arranging a wedding, you have to find the perfect place to celebrate your special day. Many couples venture away from the busy city streets and find wedding venues outside Montreal. These venues provide stunning scenery, unparalleled privacy, and huge event spaces that can fit any number of guests.
From tranquil rural farmhouses to opulent waterfront properties, the nearby areas offer a wide range of choices. This guide covers the top Montreal wedding venues, venue types, and planning tips to help couples discover their perfect match.
Why Should You Consider Locations Beyond the City Center?
Going outside the city limits offers certain benefits for a wedding day. You gain access to expansive vistas and fresh air that an urban area cannot offer.
- Incredible scenery: Experience backgrounds with the rolling mountains, lakes, and lush forests. These natural landscapes offer breathtaking photographs and a quiet ambiance.
- Exclusive privacy: Get away from the noise, traffic and people of the city. Celebrate with only invited guests and enjoy complete privacy at country venues.
- Multiple areas for the ceremony: Great for hosting hundreds of guests in one area. There are plenty of open fields and big estates where you can enjoy dining, dancing, and outdoor games.
- Mini-vacation experience: Make guests feel like they are on a weekend getaway even while staying near home and without the expensive plane tickets.
What Are Some Exceptional Wedding Venues Just Off the Island?
Couples can discover a terrific choice of wedding places in Montreal and also the surrounding countryside. The ambience of the day will be totally different at each venue.
This is a cool, woodsy location just 10 minutes off the island, surrounded by the St. Lawrence River. It was designed for the Expo ’67 games and has modern furnishings and sleek lines.
Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with wonderful natural light. It can accommodate 160-250 people and has a huge area for dancing and socializing.
This sprawling vineyard estate envelops guests in a world of nature. It has 2 rooms for up to 150 persons and a cozy apartment for overnight stays.
Couples can hold their ceremony under a large tent outdoors. The venue offers tailor-made service, with a gastronomic local menu and fine wines from the vineyard.
Which Luxury Estates Provide a Resort Experience?
Opt for an estate if you want classic elegance and sophisticated architecture. They are a great option for adding a touch of elegance to a black-tie wedding.
This luxurious lakeside estate takes inspiration from New England’s countryside mansions. The expansive grounds include landscaped gardens and a clean lakefront.
It’s a top choice for an exclusive celebration, with sophisticated accommodations and gourmet cuisine. Its historic architecture and peaceful atmosphere capture the romance.
Auberge Willow Inn’s Stanstead Hall is a sunny, open room that opens to the Lake of Two Mountains. The dining room is able to seat up to 120 people to host a wonderful event.
There are a total of 10 luxurious rooms available on site, which makes the location ideal for a complete wedding weekend. The venue offers plenty of facilities to make the guests feel comfortable.
Which Waterfront Locations Offer the Best Views?
Say your vows by a quiet lake or a river. Many waterfront venues also include private docks or beach access.
This prestigious club is only twenty minutes from the downtown core and offers a beautiful English Tudor-style home. The spacious backyard has a stunning view of the St. Lawrence River for an outdoor ceremony.
It offers ample room for 150 people or more. During dinner, guests can watch the boats sail by and enjoy the luxury resort feeling right on the water.
Nestled on the water’s edge, this spectacular mill was built in the 1830s, less than an hour from the city. The exclusive property is open and available from May through October. It offers views of the river from three terrace levels.
A pond, waterfalls, and wooded paths provide a wonderful landscape for an intimate event. The vast gardens offer endless opportunities for capturing picturesque photographs.
Important Factors for Selecting Your Perfect Montreal Wedding Venue
The site selection requires a lot of thought and practical planning. During the search, remember these key details:
- Maximum guest limit: Make sure the venue will accommodate all of your guests for dinner and dancing. Provide cozy blankets and warm drinks for crisp fall evenings.
- Open-air or inside function: Ask if they have a solid backup plan in case it rains. Rent a large clear-top tent for outdoor dinners. Guests can dine under the stars while staying protected from the wind.
- Food and beverage: Find out whether the venue has their own caterer or you are permitted to have outside restaurant vendors.
- Space for lodging and vehicle for guests: Search for nearby lodging or on-site rooms to ensure out-of-town guests are comfortable. Make sure elderly guests can move around the space without difficulty and that there is ample parking.
Details You Must Confirm Before Booking a Venue
Do not sign a venue contract without gathering all the facts first. During the tour, ask these important questions to the venue coordinator:
- What services are included in the rental and what services will be charged separately?
- Are there any required or preferred vendor policies?
- What is the specific weather backup plan for an outdoor ceremony?
- How much time do vendors get for setup before the event and cleanup afterward?
- Is parking available, and is there safe parking for guests overnight?
- What is the official cancellation, refund, or postponement policy?
Wedding Timeline and Preparation Advice
When planning a wedding reception in Montreal or the surrounding countryside, it is important to have a wedding timeline. Being prepared ensures a seamless and enjoyable wedding day.
- Reserve early: The best places book up early, especially for popular summer weekend dates.
- Tour the location in person: Photos online can be deceiving. Always walk the space to experience the actual space and its lighting.
- Evaluate people’s feedback: Past couples provide honest feedback about the staff’s helpfulness and food quality.
- Analyze different options: You will need to carefully examine each venue to determine the best value for your money.
- Organize travel: Hire a shuttle bus to safely drive visitors from the venue to their local hotels.
- Check the lodging ahead of time: Book lodging ahead of time, as local festivals or sporting events can fill the town.
Conclusion
Couples who choose Wedding Venues Outside Montreal enjoy unparalleled privacy, larger event spaces, and breathtaking natural settings. Whether it’s a fine meal in a vineyard or a lively rustic barn dance, these venues offer unforgettable experiences and stunning backdrops that every Wedding Photographer dreams of capturing.
Be sure to choose a venue that fits the style you’re looking for, keep your guests in mind, and stick to the budget. Book your venue today, ask the right questions and get the right date early for your dream wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Luxury rooms are available at a number of locations, including Auberge Willow Inn and Manoir Hovey. No room in the venue? Local hotels or bed and breakfasts will likely be within easy reach.
The most popular choices for venues are 45 to 90 minutes away from the city center. This distance offers the excitement of travelling to a destination but is also easily accessible and not expensive for local visitors.
A simple rental will be priced around $2,000 to $5,000. However, luxury properties with everything included can easily cost $15,000 or more.
Yes, absolutely. Most country and estate grounds have their own event areas set aside. Having everything under one roof saves on travel time and simplifies the guest schedule.
Book a venue 12-18 months ahead of time. September and October are the busiest months in Quebec because of the change in colours, so those dates book up the fastest.
