Tying the knot doesn’t have to mean loosening the purse strings. There are lots of things to think about—and pay for—when you’re planning your big day. Choosing a beautiful but affordable venue for your reception can help keep costs down without sacrificing your dream.
“We’re excited to be able to welcome people back to our venues to help them celebrate special moments,” says Greg Pilling, Manager of Facility Operations, Sales and Customer Service for the Town of Huntsville.
Add some historical glamour to your day
The chapel at Muskoka Heritage Place provides a quaint and historic setting with seating for up to 70 guests and beautiful outdoor photo opportunities throughout the property’s pioneer village.
“The train station, the old general store, the barn, or even just the village’s park-like landscape are all unique photo settings,” says Pilling. “You could even put up a tent for an outdoor reception for up to 300 people.”
Put yourself at centre stage
The happy couple can literally be in the spotlight at the Algonquin Theatre. For a ceremony you and your guests won’t forget, the Algonquin Theatre’s dramatic lighting and backdrops, state-of-the-art sound system, and seating for up to 300 guests in the orchestra section (or 408 in the full theatre) makes for an unforgettable venue.
A room with a view
The Active Living Centre is one of Huntsville’s most versatile indoor spaces, and it’s beautiful, too. “It’s not your typical venue,” says Pilling. “It has a great view of the Muskoka River, a gorgeous fireplace, ample parking, a sound system, a dance floor, and a full catering kitchen and bar area.”
It can hold more than 300 people for a presentation or stand-up cocktail party, up to 200 for a meal at a wedding reception, reunion or meeting, or up to 160 if you want to include a dance floor.
Keep costs down while keeping charm up
Huntsville’s community halls in Utterson and Port Sydney offer some of the most affordable venue options around. Both have full kitchens and include tables and chairs, and both are fully accessible.
Utterson Hall has space for up to 150 people including a stage for a head table, and has kitchen facilities fully stocked with china, glassware, and stemware. There’s even a green space next to the building — available for use at no extra cost — that’s suitable for an outdoor wedding, after which guests can retreat to the cool comfort of the air-conditioned hall for your reception.
Port Sydney Hall, just across the street from Port Sydney Beach, has a 60-foot deck with beautiful lake views, making it the ideal location for a reception following a beach ceremony. It’s also just around the corner from Indian Landing, a popular location for wedding photos.
The heritage hall, built in 1925, will accommodate up to 225 guests and has a full kitchen including dishes and cutlery. It has modern lighting, a current sound system, a bar area, and ample parking.
Take your celebration outdoors
With more than 40 different parks in Huntsville available to rent, there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for your outdoor celebration or event.
Downtown Huntsville’s River Mill Park is a versatile space for an open-air event. Use the bandshell for a live performance to entertain your guests, or place the bride and groom front and centre onstage for a wedding ceremony. There’s even a play area behind the bandshell to keep the kids occupied.
Memorial Park—comprising Camp Kitchen, Lions Lookout and the Lookout Field—is one of Huntsville’s best-kept secrets. Camp Kitchen has a grassy area that’s perfect for sunbathing or playing catch and a shallow, packed-sand entrance to the water to cool off. From there, you can hike up to Lions Lookout above Fairy Lake for one of the most spectacular views in town or over to the Lookout Field for a game of just about anything. With its easy access by road or from the Portage Flyer—your guests could arrive by train!—Camp Kitchen is a convenient and stunning location for everything from a wedding ceremony to a family or company celebration.
There’s also Indian Landing in Port Sydney with its iconic Family Tree, a stunning location any time of year but especially in the fall. Or Orchard Park in full spring bloom provides natural floral décor.
“All of these options are a cost-effective, affordable way to host your ceremony or reception,” says Pilling.
And these venues aren’t just perfect for weddings—they’re ideal for anniversaries, family reunions, milestone birthday parties, celebrations of life, and other special events, too.
If you are planning a wedding or event, visit huntsville.ca for more information or contact Greg Pilling at [email protected]. Venue bookings are now available through 2024.
This is a sponsored story paid for by the featured advertiser
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