Does your perfect getaway include a crackling fire, the smell of pine, the call of loons at dawn, and a cozy hideaway in the woods?
If you answered yes like me, then an Ontario cabin in cottage country may be the perfect choice for your intimate elopement! With cozy interiors and gorgeous woodland settings, eloping in an Ontario cabin comes with some of the most gorgeous landscapes year round. Ontario has a plethora of activities and experiences to enjoy together on your elopement day!
From classic A-frames to cabins up in the trees, Ontario boasts some of the most magical cabin rentals in Canada. I’ve compiled a list of my favourite Ontario cabins for eloping couples. Providing epic views, gourmet dining, and unique experiences, anyone can find their dream location for their rustic Northern Ontario elopement.
1. Muskoka A-Frame
The Muskoka A-Frame is a classic 1970’s cabin reimagined for the 21st century nature lover. Located near Hunstville, it’s crisp, minimalist interior puts the focus on the gorgeous views and modern comforts. With it’s back deck overlooking their outdoor fire pit, you can relax and enjoy the view of the quiet woods. A 25 minute drive away will bring you to the western gate of Algonquin PP., 15 minutes away is Arrowhead PP. And for winter lovers, you are 2 minutes from Ski Hidden Valley.
This Ontario cabin is great for couples who love a clean, minimalist aesthetic and winter sports lovers. (There is a ski access point at the end of the street!). A short distance away you will find beach access, golf courses, a spa resort, and treetop trekking, making this A-Frame great all year round.
This Ontario cabin is great for couples who:
- Enjoy the all-white-everything aesthetic (especially in winter!) and minimalist decor
- Classic a-frame cabins with epic views
- Want to be close enough to towns, amenities, and luxuries but still have that ‘secluded’ feeling.
- Want to say their vows in Algonquin or Arrowhead, or want to include their love for winter sports on their wedding day
2. Trott Cottage
Trott Cottage is one of those spots that is jaw-dropping both inside and outside. The cozy cottage interior is filled with light all day long, and it is nestled up against the lake with water access for those that want to dip their toes. They’ve revamped their landscaping with event space in mind, perfect for eloping couples having an intimate wedding. If you’re dreaming of a dramatic walk down the ‘aisle’, the grand back staircase leading to the lakefront dock set against the lush pines and rocky shoreline is all the drama you could possibly want for your first look or grand entrance.
Imagine walking to the end of the dock, your partner there waiting, and saying your vows in the middle of the calm waters, with your guests (if you have any!) watching from along the dock. Or have them up above on the cabin’s deck for a more private exchange of vows.
This Ontario cabin is great for couples who:
- Want the quintessential Muskoka cabin experience, with room to have an intimate shindig to celebrate their nuptials with a few important guests.
- Enjoy quiet mornings on the lake and want a peaceful, relaxed wedding day.
- Who aren’t into big parties, and want to spend their wedding day/weekend connecting with each other in their own intimate bubble, and escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
3. The Birchwood Cottage – Kennisis Lake
Instagram: @thebirchwoodcottageco
There are a lot of great things I could say about The Birchwood Kennisis Lake (not to be confused with her equally stunning sister rental The Birchwood – Redstone Lake). Like how the creamy neutral interior mixes rustic Ontario cabin charm with Scandinavian style. Or how lovers of well stocked, full feature rentals will find everything they could need and then some in this space where the hosts have thought of and provided everything you could need.
But where the Birchwood really shines is in their magnificent, multi-level decks and staircases. View the incredible lake and island vista from four different levels, complete with hot tub and seating for everyone. As a larger Ontario cabin that sleeps 6, I can’t picture a more magnificent spot to bring your nearest and dearest for a wedding day or weekend that will be remembered by everyone for being a stunning, one of a kind wedding experience.
This Ontario cabin is great for couples who:
- Want to include guests on their elopement day in a cabin with many spots to mingle
- Are social and enjoy spending one on one time with loved ones, and want to include friends/family on their elopement day.
- Enjoy entertaining and want to take full advantage of lake life at it’s finest.
4. Glen Oro Farm
This glamping eco retreat is one of the most unique experiences on this list! Star gazing domes? Check! Glamping tents? Check! Sauna and horses? Check check! With 15 glamping sites and wedding planning services with a venue that accommodates up to a 230 person wedding, Glen Oro Farm doesn’t limit itself to just elopements. With a farm-to-table philosophy and sustainable food menu plucked right from their own gardens, their reception and dining services are great for health conscious couples.
The 200 acre Ontario property has many different landscapes to say your vows, plus did I mention the horseback trail rides? They have wedding specific vendors, but also accommodate glamp-and-ride packages and a fireside chef who can provide delicious food for you and any guests staying with you.
This Ontario cabin is great for couples who:
- Are equestrians or love horses
- Want to provide a fun, nature focused retreat for guests to stay and enjoy more than just your wedding day, but an entire experience.
- Want wedding vendors and planning services available on site and part of the package for stress free elopement planning
5. The Nook
The Nook is a self proclaimed “heritage barn turned zen-den!” with warm wood paneling and exposed beams giving a boho meets mid-century modern aesthetic. This cabin was also featured on HGTV, and is the perfect “stay indoors” cabin getaway. The Nook regularly hosts yoga retreats, so it is the perfect getaway for eloping couples who want to spend the weekend connecting with each other’s mind, body, and spirit. Located on Katchewanooka Lake, The Nook is the perfect place for a meditative relaxing weekend for the couple that values connection.
Imagine an elopement day with a sunrise yoga practice, where you both prepare a fresh and healthy breakfast, getting ready and take photos together in your adorable Ontario cabin. Pick a scenic spot on the lake to get married before enjoying relaxing activities like a canoe paddle, picnic in front of one of the local locks, fishing or berry picking, then heading back for a delicious dinner and dip in the hot tub under the stars.
This Ontario cabin is great for couples who:
- Want a restorative, meditative retreat centered on connection
- Plan on having a “just us” experience that incorporates their mental, spiritual, and physical health and value an unplugged experience where true bonding and discovery is possible.
- Enjoys the boho aesthetic or wants to incorporate indoor lifestyle photography of their yoga/spiritual practice for their wedding day photos.
6. Fort Treehouse
Instagram: @fort_treehouse_co
This modern off-grid, sustainably built hotel in the sky features an insane wrap around porch and floor to ceiling windows on almost every wall. This is literally the treehouse of your childhood dreams manifested in a sleek, upscale cabin that is a truly unique escape into the forests of the Haliburton Highlands. In the heart of cottage country, the eloping couple who is looking for a boutique experience while maintaining their value of a private, secluded experience need to look no further! For the adventure seekers, there are lots of great outdoors locations within an hours drive including Algonquin PP and The Screaming Heads in Dorset, as well as all the cottage life activities Canadians love.
This Ontario cabin is great for couples who:
- Value seclusion and want to hear nothing but the wind in the trees and birdsong
- Want a unique cabin stay that offers views of the world from new heights that doesn’t skip out on the a luxury boutique experience.
- Value sustainability and all things natural, and want to incorporate their love of nature as much into the accommodations as their elopement activities.
7. Serenity Cottage
Website: https://lakefrontcottage.ca/
Serenity Cottage in Owen Sound is the perfect bridge between those who want the intimacy of an elopement, but also want to include their nearest and dearest on their wedding day. Serenity Cottage is a stately Ontario cabin that boasts 8 bedrooms that can sleep 19+ guests. Have fun on the provided canoe, kayak, or 2 stand up paddle boards to explore the surrounding waters. Explore on the variety of mountain bikes, and snowshoes, or jetski along with the wakeboard, waterskis, tube, water trampoline, swim raft, and outdoor ping pong table. There is also a separate rustic cabin with its own sitting area and wood burning sauna, a partially covered spacious deck, a hot tub for soaking under the stars in any season and a waterfront beach patio for sunbathing.
Have your intimate wedding right on the waterfront with your guests, and utilize the immense kitchen and double dining room to cater your wedding meal with a local chef. Turn your elopement into a weekend getaway with your favourite people to celebrate your nuptials and have an unforgettable wedding everyone will be talking about for years!
This Ontario cabin is great for couples who:
- Believe having their family and loved ones present is a top priority, while valuing an intimate celebration.
- Want more than just a wedding day, but a weekend adventure with both families coming together to get to know each other and celebrate.
- Want an inclusive luxury cottage getaway experience with all possible ammenities and activities provided, for a fun, adventurous weekend for every guest of every age.
Ontario is such a beautiful and diverse place to elope, and there is a never ending supply of amazing views, adventurous hikes, lake life activities, and stunning accommodations that can make up your truly unique and amazing elopement experience. And while this list is by no means comprehensive, I hope it gets your imagination firing to see the possibilities that are available for unique and memorable lodgings for your Ontario Elopement!
Need help figuring out how to plan for your elopement? Check out my Complete Elopement Planning Guide to get you from day dream, to dream elopement!
xxx Hailey
