Highland fling: A dreamy country cottage destination wedding

By Vivian Vassos

“Our brides, grooms and guests who celebrate at the Post House relish the relaxed lakeside setting as they savour the fine dining and rustic luxury of our private setting,” says Heather Milstein who, with her partner in life and business, Joel Baker, own and operate Post House in the Haliburton Highlands in cottage country near Minden, Ont.

“From the first point of contact to the final goodbye, our staff strive to make the wedding a joyous and stress-free wedding experience,” adds Baker. Post House is a chic retreat that hugs the water’s edge along Kashagawigamog Lake. The two-acre property, with its cozy yet modern log cabins, evokes memories that so many of us have: summers by the lake, jumping into chilly, clear waters off the dock, campfires and toasting marshmallows, and starry skies.

The main lodge sets the rustic luxe tone. Made from golden logs, it houses the Great Room, the dining room, as well as five bedrooms, two full bathrooms (one that’s completely accessible) and two powder rooms. Just off the main lodge are three standalone cottages – Eagle, Salerno and Maple – all with three bedrooms, full kitchens, living/dining spaces and more. 

The lawn slopes gently down to the expansive dock, past the fire pit, and gives prime views of the lake, a perfectly romantic place to say “I do.” On the overall design, Milstein says: “The idea was to keep it simple, uncluttered, ‘cottagey/rustic’ but upscale. The use of lots of blues and greens, to bring the outside in, and to use colours in nature.”

Although the property has served as a family cottage for more than 100 years, it wasn’t until 2018, when Milstein and Baker bought it, that it was restored and reimagined to become Post House. The couple had spent summers in the region and knew its history; their goal was to maintain the spot as a gathering place but add an element of low-key luxury with modern amenities, a state-of-the-art fitness studio and gourmet dining. 

Post House has already gained a reputation for stellar chef-driven cuisine, cooked up by executive chef Dan Sanders and chef de cuisine Amber Husband, a husband-and-wife culinary duo. Cottage country visitors and local residents keep the fine-dining restaurant booked through the busy season. Sanders and Husband focus on seasonal and local farm-fresh ingredients to create their modern take on classic Canadian cuisine for a memorable, bespoke wedding menu.

“We work with couples to put their dreams into action,” says Baker, “From menu planning with our executive chef to curating a beverage list with our beverage director Justine Dart, attention is brought to all aspects of their celebration and the details that are important to them.” The whole of Post House can be booked and can accommodate up to 32 guests for an intimate, cottage wedding weekend. www.haliburtonposthouse.ca/weddings

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in the Spring/Summer issue of Today’s Bride. It incorrectly stated the owners of Post House also own Langdon Hall; Post House has a good working relationship and partnership with Langdon Hall but does not own it.