There’s a sleeper industry here in PEC. It’s been growing quietly, far in the background for most of us, but generating enormous energy. Not only does it offer an ever-increasing source of revenue for accommodators and caterers, it draws in chefs, bakers, planners, designers, photographers and videographers, florists, musicians — artists and stylists of all kinds. It’s another of the County’s creative industries, carried on under the lights of order, proportion, harmony — and fun. 

I am talking, of course, about the subject of this week’s bursting special issue, Weddings in the County. 

It just may be our best kept secret, unknown even to those who live here. That said, it’s hardly a surprise when you hear it: ours is becoming an increasingly desirable wedding destination. As planner Brittiny Blodgett puts it, “this was always a beautiful place to get married, but, you know, people didn’t have to get married here.” 

Everyone we spoke to this week, wedding planners, photographers, florists, caterers, and, especially, hosts — it should be noted that occasionally all of these are the same person — described an active and vibrant and growing wedding scene that got its start about 2017 or 2018. 

Mary and Kevin Wood, of 100 Acre Wood, bought an old farm property outside Picton in 2015, and worked for three years to transform its outbuildings and outdoor spaces into a versatile, dedicated wedding venue. It opened in 2017 and was instantly busy. “There were not a lot of people doing weddings at that time. The Eddie was there from day one, and The Drake did a few, but there were not a lot of people doing what we do,” says Mary. 

100 Acre Wood, like The Eddie Hotel and Farm and The Grange of Prince Edward, offers what has become the signature County wedding: outdoors, surrounded by meadows and forests, with dinner either in a beautiful old barn, or under a huge open tent. Perhaps a bonfire late at night. 

Now, eight years in, this burgeoning County industry is competitive,
but that means two things: first, collaboration is the keynote.
A wedding takes a village, too.
Each one is a carefully orchestrated ensemble production
that draws on myriad areas of expertise. 

It also specializes in farm-to-table dining, a huge draw for well-off, and supermarket-stuck, city dwellers, and a unique offering for large wedding parties; the venue regularly hosts over 100 guests. Kevin and Mary, who met while cooking, are also farmers, and dedicated to local foodways. They book just one wedding a week over the high season so they can devote themselves to preparing a special menu for an eight-hour wedding day filled with flavours. Offerings are seasonal and cooked outdoors or in a wood-burning oven. Up to 20 smaller dishes might be served family-style over a three-course wedding dinner. That’s quite a feat. 

As Tara McMullen, who took the beautiful photograph featured on this week’s cover, puts it, 100 Acre Wood is just one example of the County’s “treasure trove” of gorgeous, unique wedding venues run by experienced hosts who know exactly what they are about. There is something special around every curve in the road here, and at every price point. 100 Acre Wood offers a flat rate of $50,000 for 100 people that includes all food, drink, staff, table settings, everything. 

“We like to keep things simple,” says Mary. “We do everything. A couple really doesn’t have to worry about much else, just the fun parts, the flowers and photographer and music.” 

Now, eight years in, this burgeoning County industry is competitive, but that means two things: first, collaboration is the keynote. A wedding takes a village, too. Each one is a carefully orchestrated ensemble production that draws on myriad areas of expertise. 

Second, there’s a terrific range of options for beautiful wedding parties across the spectrum of possible budgets — from responsible and restrained to right over the top. The sheer range of choices and the expertise on offer combine to make the County a wedding destination for couples from Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal — as well as for those both much further away, and closer to home. 

Ms. McMullen, a professional photographer for 18 years, moved to the County from Toronto about 8 years ago, intending to split her time between clients in the city and home. “It’s been a great transition, but a lot of my client base is in Toronto, so of course I was going back regularly for work.” 

“Now, though, I’m finding I can do much of my work here, which is truly incredible, to shoot here and then just go back to my house. Every year here has been busier than the last.” 

Ms. McMullen’s County bookings now make up more than half of her client base. “I would love to shoot weddings here exclusively.” 

Likewise, Ms. Blodgett started planning weddings with the field pretty much to herself in 2018. Now, she says, there are as many as ten other planners working in the County. But she is still busy, and works on 20 or 25 weddings a year. Her client’s budgets are generally between $75,000 – $150,000 for a bespoke wedding. In that range, the flowers alone start at $10,000. 

Some venues, however, are so good at what they do that, like 100 Acre Wood, they have effectively taken over most of the planning. The Grange and The Eddie offer gorgeous, all-inclusive country weddings for 100 guests for about $25,000. Some venues can also accommodate guests overnight. It’s just another $3000, for example to take over The Eddie’s ten lovely guest rooms and cabins — with breakfast included. 

I could go on and on with all the gems we’ve discovered this week about getting married in the County. For now, I will leave you with perhaps my favourite: the off season. After all, who wants to get married when everybody else is? The Grange  will cater seven weddings this year, across spring, fall, and winter as well as the high season. It boasts a heated barn with a massive 30-foot fieldstone fireplace. 

The most beautiful wedding I ever attended was in February. There was a roaring fire, velvet dresses, red wine, and dancing into the night. Getting married with a lavish party for all of your friends is lovely — and expensive. Fall or winter are both a little unusual, and offer the flair of the unexpected.

Consider a winter wedding at The Royal, for example. You can book all 33 of its stylish bedrooms and suites, settle in with cocktails and canapés by the fire, enjoy a feast for 70 in its legendary dining room, and dance deep into the night — all for about $30-35k. 

It makes me wonder. Does one really need go to all the trouble of getting married to enjoy a grand party?