Review: Strathmere Country Retreat, Spa and Cafe - A Photographer's Dream Wedding Venue

March 1st, 2025

Just a stone’s throw away from Ottawa, the Strathmere Country Retreat, Spa and Cafe is a beautiful, versatile wedding venue with a charm that's sure to captivate any couple. It's not just a venue, it's a destination with a variety of settings, each with its unique appeal. The venue offers three distinct spaces to choose from: The Farmhouse, The Lodge, and The Garden House.

 

The Farmhouse is a Victorian-style house offering an intimate and romantic setting perfect for smaller weddings. Built in the early 1860s, this farmhouse is filled with romantic details. Imagine making a grand entrance down a sweeping circular staircase, sharing a quiet moment with your betrothed in the upstairs alcove, or exchanging vows under the canopy of majestic 160-year-old walnut trees. As the sun sets, you can steal a moment in the fragrant Heritage Garden filled with roses and wildflowers.

 

The Lodge offers a more rustic appeal with its exposed wood beams. It's a space where you can dance under six iron and crystal orb chandeliers hanging from a 160-year-old beam across the cathedral ceiling. Toasts in your honour will be made against a striking backdrop of a 24-foot-high limestone fireplace. The Lodge offers an outdoor dance floor, where vintage lights and a canopy of trees set the mood. It has space for up to 180 dinner guests and 225 for receptions.

 

Tucked away on its own 10-acre parcel, The Garden House is a serene setting nestled between a grassy hillock and the woods. Sunbeams stream through wraparound windows, sparkling off white-gold chandeliers. A handcrafted limestone fireplace is flanked by French doors that lead outside to a tranquil ceremony site. The Garden House can accommodate 50 - 160 guests for dinner and up to 200 for receptions.

 

Strathmere’s flexibility with multiple venues in one location, ability to accommodate varying guest counts, and their seasonal pricing makes it a versatile choice. The charm of the country setting adds an extra touch of romance to the big day. As a photographer, the multitude of settings, from rustic to romantic, provides endless opportunities for creative and memorable wedding photos. If you're looking for a venue that combines country charm with flexibility, the Strathmere Country Retreat, Spa and Cafe is worth considering for your special day.

Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog
Blog