By Jen O’Brien
There’s plenty to love about getting out of town for your big day. Escaping the everyday and hosting a mini vacation for your nearest and dearest is a great way to turn a one-day event into an extended celebration with your favourite folks in new wedding locations you can discover together.
With that said, travel to some popular destination wedding spots abroad packs a little more baggage these days so it probably comes as no surprise that domestic travel is on the rise. When it comes to future vacation plans, 25% of Canadians say they’ll be staying closer to home, according to a 2025 study by Blue Cross. Statistics Canada also reports a 35% drop in cross-border trips compared to last year.
Destination brides, however, need not stress. From intimate oceanside celebrations to elaborate vineyard vows, there is no shortage of exotic wedding locales in our own backyard. We’ve sourced some of the best places to host a destination wedding across Canada. The best part? There’s no need to pack your passport.
The pinnacle of privacy outside Field, British Columbia
Elevate outdoorsy-chic nuptials with a magical forest wedding framed by the Rocky Mountains. Yoho National Park in eastern British Columbia not only offers jaw-dropping snow-capped summits, lush forests and towering waterfalls, but also some of the most striking emerald waters you’ve ever laid eyes on.
Serenity is a given in this secluded year-round wedding location, which boasts vibrant wildflowers in summer and a sparkling blanket of snow in winter. Guests will adore the opportunity to disconnect, whether while canoeing on Emerald Lake, visiting Takakkaw Falls (one of Canada’s highest waterfalls), cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in winter, or simply kicking back in nature with a glass of wine and a good book.
Host your celebration at Emerald Lake Lodge, originally built in 1902 by the Canadian Pacific Railway. This 85-room rustic-chic resort – a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Calgary International Airport – offers a one-of-a-kind scenic ceremony spot: the View Point, a clearing overlooking the lake and backed by the Rockies, which can accommodate 20 seats or more if guests are standing.
For your reception, move indoors to one of several function spaces: Cilantro on the Lake can host up to 64 guests for dinner and dancing while the President’s Room is perfect for more intimate parties. What makes Emerald Lake Lodge particularly unique is that the property has a destination wedding offering typically reserved exclusively for celebrities and billionaires – the opportunity to “rent your own island.” The resort is actually located on its own island and choosing this option – a total buy-out to gain access to every function room, guestroom and amenity – means the property becomes your own private paradise.
Cultural immersion in Whitecap, Saskatchewan
Treat your guests to a full-service resort wedding unlike anything they’ve ever experienced by hosting your celebration on traditional Indigenous territory just 20 minutes from Saskatoon. Nestled in the South Saskatchewan River Valley Basin with a landscape marked by stretches of sand and prairie grasses, you’ll find Dakota Dunes Resort.
This 155-room property on traditional Whitecap Dakota Territory pairs world-class hospitality with authentic Indigenous experiences.
The resort ticks all the boxes with an indoor rooftop pool, restaurant, 18-hole championship golf course and casino next door, as well as a new thermal spa opening in 2026 and several different venues for your celebration. In summer, gather with up to 200 guests in Dakota Dunes Garden, a natural outdoor amphitheatre with sweeping sand dunes and open prairie as your backdrop or, for a smaller party, opt for the property’s rooftop patio with panoramic golf course and golden sunset views. Dakota Dunes can accommodate receptions up to 450 people in its Tatanka Ballroom or smaller receptions of up to 100 people in its Wildhorse Room.
What makes this all-season wedding destination particularly special are the opportunities to connect to the spirit and culture of the land and its people.
Open your celebration with a traditional blessing or smudge ceremony for spiritual cleansing and protection then treat guests to a menu featuring elevated Indigenous cuisine followed by a live performance by traditional singers, a drum group or traditional dancers from the community – all highlighting the Dakota way of life, which emphasizes respect for others and the environment.
Pastoral charm near Baie Saint-Paul, Quebec
Dreaming of a farm-to-table gathering in a stunning rural setting? Set your sights on the Charlevoix region, a four-season destination roughly an hour north of Quebec City, where farmland contrasts the wild beauty of the St. Lawrence River framed by distant rocky peaks. The unique – some say magnetic – terroir of the area, shaped by a meteorite strike 400 million years ago, makes it ideal for adventure and gastronomy alike. Outdoorsy types will love summer hiking and whale-watching or skiing in winter at Le Massif while foodies will flock to Charlevoix’s award-winning cheesemakers and distilleries.
Plan your celebration at Hotel & Spa Le Germain Charlevoix, outside of Baie Saint-Paul, to experience the best the region has to offer – including an on-site farm. For your summer ceremony book The Wedding Field, a magical open-air space amidst gently swaying crop fields, which seats up to 200. Leave room on the guest list for the property’s highland cattle, alpacas, ducks, goats and chickens.
For your reception, move indoors to The Multi Room, a modern space with natural accents that can be easily personalized to suit your style. True to the gastronomic reputation of the region, the hotel prides itself on its culinary offerings, working with surrounding farms and suppliers to source the freshest ingredients available. Sixty-five varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown on-property as well as 20 varieties of flowers – ask about using them for your bouquet!
Beachside bliss in St. Martins, New Brunswick
You don’t need to head south for a wedding day complete with laid-back beach vibes and fresh ocean breezes. Instead, consider an intimate summer soiree in the quaint fishing village of St. Martins, New Brunswick, just 20 minutes outside of Saint John. Situated on the Bay of Fundy, the area is known for its jaw-dropping cliffs, sea caves, covered bridges and nearby lighthouses so you’ll have no shortage of unique photo wedding locations. Your guests will adore the rugged beauty and tranquility of St. Martins, with lots of opportunities to hike, kayak and explore the region’s shipbuilding history.
Book your party at the Beach Street Inn, a charming, family-owned boutique hotel steps from the ocean with 14 recently renovated rooms and venues that can host up to 75 guests. You can exchange vows on the waterfront lawn of the Victorian Captain’s House, where the Bay of Fundy provides a breathtaking backdrop, then gather on the front lawn of the inn for cocktails while enjoying uninterrupted ocean views and the relaxed rhythm of the village. A tent erected on the inn’s patio and decked out with twinkle lights provides the perfect spot for a reception featuring fresh Maritime fare and plenty of dancing. Book roughly a year in advance and have the place entirely to yourselves.
Vineyard vows in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Planning a winery wedding that will have guests buzzing doesn’t have to come with exorbitant costs and jetlag – especially considering Canada is home to several world-class wine regions. Niagara-on-the-Lake, roughly 90 minutes by car from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, is a charming town surrounded by orchards and producers of top-shelf cool-climate varietals such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
In addition to tasting tours and gorgeous lakeside views, guests can take in some theatre before or after your big day with the Shaw Festival, running annually from April through December.
124 on Queen Hotel and Spa provides the perfect home base for your celebration, no matter the season, with 76 guestrooms, two on-site restaurants, function spaces that can host up to 130 guests and a 12,000-square-foot spa. Choose from the property’s historic Gate House featuring floor-to-ceiling windows or the contemporary NOTL Bar & Restaurant, which hosts ceremonies in a covered patio courtyard setting overlooking a water feature.
You can also plan your party at a nearby winery like Stratus, which offers a vineyard ceremony setting and two indoor reception spaces. Stratus specializes in wine-focused events, and its family of sommeliers can help you craft the perfect pairings to complement your union.
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