The 10 best places for a wedding PREDATOR RIDGE Vernon
Historically, a traditional wedding ceremony in Canada is based around Christianity so, ultimately, the best place to get married is in a church.
However, brides and grooms often prefer to take advantage of the amazing scenic and historic backdrops that the Valley offers, not to mention romantic.
In recognition of Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding, we present our choices for the 10 best places for a wedding in the Okanagan, as chosen by our editorial staff. This list is presented alphabetically.
Where’s Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn when we need them?
BENVOULIN CHURCH Kelowna
Quaint and full of history, Benvoulin Heritage Church is a perfect wedding spot in Kelowna.
Built in 1892, the church features a large steeple, high ceilings and vaulted arches and has room for 90 guests plus the wedding party.
The church is also air conditioned for those hot Okanagan days.
Couples wanting an outdoor wedding can also have their ceremony in the garden outside the church, either in the gazebo or under the Red River Maple tree.
The garden is fully landscaped with a manicured lawn, trees and perennial plants.
Couples can also choose to have all their wedding festivities in one spot, with a reception hall available at the church in Reid Hall.
The hall seats 60 people and features hardwood floors, traditional wood panelling , a vaulted ceiling and arched windows.
For bookings, phone: 250-861-7188
BERTRAM CREEK PARK Kelowna
Here’s what some in-the-know wedding photographers and travel experts have to say about Bertram Creek regional park at Kelowna’s far southern edge.
“The park is situated on the banks of the Okanagan Lake and provides some really stunning views from every angle,” says Barnett Photography.
“The entire park is a photographer’s dream with endless possibilities all around, allowing one to capture those precious and memorable moments in time,” gushes the Go Kelowna travel guide.
The park covers 18 hectares and parts of it were heavily damaged by the 2003 Okanagan Mountain firestorm, but re-vegetation has been industrious.
Some areas have purposely been left as is, to provide park visitors with a fascinating and up-close look at the stark but mesmerizing aftermath of a massive forest fire.
For summertime weddings, there’s a handy clear separation between swimming and boating zones. There’s even an attractive arbour, the perfect place to exchange vows.
For bookings, call 250.469.6139.
GELLATLY NUT FARM West Kelowna
A historic West Kelowna waterfront farm is an extraordinarily sweet spot to get married.
The Gellatly Nut Farm, owned by the Central Okanagan regional district, is a beautiful four hectare property with almost 500 feet of sandy lakeshore.
The appeal isn’t just the waterfront however. As the park’s name suggest, it’s home to hundreds of nut trees and shrubs that make for a dazzling backdrop at anytime, but particularly in fall when the leaves turn colour.
You can even buy walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, butternuts and more to mark your happy day.
The farm’s history dates back to the early 1900s and for a time was the cradle of hardy nut growing and breeding in North America. Jack Gellatly also developed candies and syrups from ground nuts and honey.
To book your wedding ceremony at the Gellatly Nut Farm, call the regional district at 250-469-6139.
THE GRIST MILL Keremeos
If a vintage or rustic wedding is what you have in mind, it’s hard to find a better venue than the Keremeos Grist Mill and Gardens Historic Site in Keremeos.
Set alongside — and powered by — Keremeos Creek, the mill itself dates back to 1877, and still works to this day.
The site has been restored, however, and gives visitors an insight into earlier times in the Similkameen.
The sprawling grounds can accommodate up to 500 people for an outdoor wedding, and rustic dinner options are available on site.
While it’s a little out of the way, the attraction features a campground and will also arrange shuttles to Penticton and Osoyoos. To put it simply — timeless.
To book, phone: 250-499-2888
LINDEN GARDENS Kaleden
In 2007, Ken and Margaret Hayter took their old apple orchard in Kaleden and transformed it into Linden Gardens, a nineacre oasis brimming with flowers, trees, shrubs, ponds and streams. There’s even a view of Okanagan Lake.
While many people visit for lunch at Frog City Cafe, followed by a walk in the gardens (think of a downsized version of Victoria’s Butchart Gardens, but with better food), it’s a hugely popular venue for weddings in the South Okanagan.
“We can offer all of the services you need for a great wedding,” Ken said. “And, I have to say, the garden is looking pretty good right now. We’ve done quite a bit of work on it and it’s really flowered up.”
Linden Gardens accommodates 300 outdoors and 150 indoors.
Couples also use the venue for their photographs, with the rose garden being a favourite with photographers.
Visit lindengardens.ca for a virtual tour or phone 250-497-6600 for bookings.
Located just south of Vernon, Predator Ridge offers stunning views over the Okanagan.
Outdoor weddings are held on a grassy bank not far from the golf course, with the rolling hills as the backdrop.
The resort also offers an elegant indoor ceremony space with large windows.
Opened in 2016, the ballroom features floor to ceiling windows and can seat up to 150 guests.
It also has an adjoining outdoor patio with fireside seating.
For those planning a cozier wedding, there are smaller venues available within Predator Ridge.
The banquet facility at Predator Ridge features a private kitchen used solely to cater private events and weddings.
Couples can work with the culinary team to build their dream wedding feast.
Visit: predatorridge.com or phone 250-542-3436
RED BARN WEDDINGS Vernon
Just as its name indicates, Red Barn Weddings in Vernon features a historic red barn, which is perfect for nuptials, countrystyle cocktail reception and photos.
Owner Dee Cristane and her assistant Lee Ann Kirby can rent you the premises and plan your Red Barn Wedding starting at $1,800.
Red Barn is just off Highway 97 as you head to Predator Ridge Resort.
Such proximity means Red Barn can package with the resort for the wedding dinner and guest overnights with a shuttle between the two venues provided.
Cristane started her hospitality career working for her uncle at Sumac Ridge Golf Course in Summerland and most recently worked with Sandman Hotels and Sparkling Hill Resort.
Check out RedBarnWeddings.ca.
THE ROSE GARDEN Penticton
Just steps from the SS Sicamous lies the Penticton Rose Garden.
When in full bloom, the garden is absolutely stunning. Its flowers are carefully tended by staff from the City of Penticton and their efforts pay off with colourful, fragrant results.
Permits to marry in the garden, which has plenty of space for seating, can be obtained from the city for just $220.
It also makes a fantastic backdrop for wedding photos.
Besides its beautiful setting, the garden boasts a terrific location from which to explore the waterfront and other attractions, plus there is lots of parking nearby.
For bookings, contact Penticton City Hall at: 250-490-2400.
SS SICAMOUS Penticton
Looking for an all-in-one venue with a stunning view of Okanagan Lake and historical significance? Consider getting married aboard the SS Sicamous in Penticton.
The ship was once the height of luxury travel in the Okanagan, and much of its grandeur has been restored.
With all kinds of cool indoor and outdoor spaces, the options are limitless — although most couples choose to say their vows on a grand stairway on the main deck, then move to the reception in the dining hall, which easily seats about 80.
The boat also features a small kitchen and bar areas, plus tons of historic items and a museum on its lower deck to keep guests entertained.
For bookings call: 250-492-0403.
THE WEDDING CAFE Kelowna
The Wedding Cafe in Kelowna, which bills itself as your wedding planning oasis, recommends a myriad of potential wedding venues, including eight wineries.
The thing with wineries is they always seem to be in the most picturesque of places with sweeping vistas over vineyards and often views of Okanagan Lake.
Besides providing the perfect setting for the ceremony, most wineries have restaurants, so they can also host the dinner.
And, of course, the wine for the reception and dinner is close at hand.
On the Wedding Cafe’s winery list is 50th Parallel in Lake Country, CedarCreek in Kelowna, Evolve Cellars in Summerland, Off The Grid in West Kelowna, Sandhill in Kelowna, See Ya Later Ranch in Okanagan Falls, Summerhill Pyramid in Kelowna and Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards in Peachland.
Check out TheWeddingCafe.ca