Cozy, Intimate, Romantic: 8 Small Wedding Venues In PEI
Planning the big day tends to lead to so many questions, and sometimes knowing where to begin starts with knowing what your ideal wedding looks like. If a small wedding is something you’re thinking about, you’re IN LUCK because I’m here to let you in on some of the top-tier small wedding venues in PEI!
At one point, it felt like over-the-top, opulent weddings that seated hundreds and cost thousands was the trend-du-jour. As time has gone, however, the refreshing trend of smaller, intimate weddings have begun to take over the wedding world!
We’re seeing more people pare down their guest list and build up the experience for their nearest and dearest. Not only does it make it more special — honestly, it makes it more stress-free!
Don’t get me wrong, there’s no shortage of amazing Prince Edward Island wedding venues, but this blog is going to specifically focus on the more intimate wedding venues in PEI. The ones that offer something special to make your wedding day feel all the more perfect.
Throughout my career, I’ve been lucky enough to wander around tons of wedding locations in PEI, and these ones take the (wedding) cake. They offer all the things you need in terms of amenities, they make it easy to work within your budget, and as a PEI wedding photographer, I can tell you that they offer so many freaking places to take epic wedding photos!
Why A Small Wedding?
For all the reasons I listed above, but with so many more added on.
When it comes to small wedding venues in PEI, you actually have a little bit more room to play. Now, that may sound counterintuitive but the reality is the bigger the wedding, the less money you have to put towards making things unique, or special, about your special day. Trying to fill a room of 300 people full of food, flowers, and hours of entertainment can be a far bigger drain on your budget — and your energy — than people give it credit for.
Having a smaller, more intimate wedding allows you the space to truly curate a guest list. Filling a room of 50 people is far easier than the 300 scenario. Plus! With a smaller crowd, you can actually make everything else BIGGER! Bigger centerpieces, bigger entrees, bigger bridesmaids’ dresses!
Okay, maybe don’t make the bridesmaids’ dresses bigger, but my point of course is that a smaller amount of people to account for means that you can add those special touches that make your wedding so specifically catered to your dreams and wants!
And speaking of dreams and wants … that brings me to the reason we’re all here. The perfect venue for your perfect wedding!
Small Wedding Venues In PEI
The Harris Church Cottage
This is one of the spots at the top of my list when it comes to an intimate space on PEI. There’s an old church that they’ve restored to its most pristine self, and it has quaint rooms for getting ready — along with kitchenettes for keeping on hand snacks for those moments when the nerves hit and chocolate and champagne are the only solutions.
It’s a small space, hidden in the woods, located at the end of a long, private driveway. The Harris Church Cottage wedding venue truly gives you the feeling like you’re the only people that exist in the whole world!
Gartney Grove
The Gartney Grove wedding venue is so fresh on the scene, and it offers a similarly fresh and fun way for couples to be able to reconnect with nature and have their wedding outside, no matter the season — or at least as close as you can get to it!
This wonderful wedding venue holds all ceremonies and receptions outdoors with the help of an epic, clear, outdoor tent that they set up for your special day — it even has an outdoor bar area attached. It’s deep in the heart of a wooded grove, and gives you the chance to truly kick your shoes off and dance under the stars as you celebrate your love.
With the bevy of natural light that an all outdoor wedding provides, it’s becoming one of my favorite spaces for PEI wedding photography.
The Thirsty Rose
Located in Belmont PEI, The Thirsty Rose is absolutely one of those places that truly makes you see why something private and exclusive is the way to go! This entire property is pretty much on its own island, and when you rent it, it’s all yours — just make sure to let the owners know that you will be having a small ceremony there!
It’s close to the PEI cliffs which gives us an epic backdrop to rely on, and since there’s no one else around it truly gives you a chance to feel a little less inhibited in your photos.
At first it may seem like an off-kilter idea to have a wedding at an Airbnb, but the more you think about it the more you realize that it provides a way to have a casual, cozy wedding with the people in your life who matter most!
The Grand Victorian
This is another perfect spot for a small wedding set against the backdrop of a gorgeous venue! The Grand Victorian wedding venue is located near Victoria on the Sea which means that it is a prime location for some amazing PEI beach wedding photography!
The venue has a great getting ready area for those candid behind-the-scenes moments, and you can choose to do your ceremony either outside or inside depending on you, and the season. I personally love the gothic-inspired church on the grounds for a ceremony.
The Grand Victorian also sits on a large amount of property, which gives us plenty of room to play with settings and natural lighting for your photos. This boutique wedding venue in PEI has been voted one of the top wedding venues in the region by Wedding Bells.
The Cordial House
Another Airbnb venue that tops my list this year is The Cordial House wedding venue! It’s this fantastic waterfront property that’s equal parts rustic and luxurious.
You immediately feel like you’re home when you come into this space! This is another one of those venues that makes you feel like you are the only ones in the world — ideal for elopement or very small, intimate weddings.
Bleached white walls and dark wood accents mixed with sprawling landscapes and endless views create the perfect kind of place to spend a weekend or a day getting married with those closest to you.
The Rivershed
I don’t like to choose favorites when it comes to my PEI wedding venues, but when it comes to the most romantic? I would definitely have to put The Rivershed wedding venue at the top of my list. It’s really just the ideal sort of space. Not too big, not too small. A wonderful combination of waterfront views, wide-open decks to dance on, and tons of places for the ideal wedding photography captures.
This venue has such AMAZING lighting no matter what kind of weather, and has a little bit over everything when it comes to the landscape — water, rolling hills of grass, wide open skies, and tons of trees on the outskirts. Who wouldn’t want to get married in the middle of an ideal summer home? That’s pretty much what this feels like. Casual. Breezy. Light and simple.
Centre Goeland
Located in the Wellington area of PEI, this space is what you would imagine Hogwarts would become if it decided to give up on magical education and turn into a wedding venue!
Perfect for small intimate weddings, Centre Goeland weddings offer areas to get ready, for ceremonies, and receptions — and your guests can stay the night if needed. It’s whimsical, rustic … and includes a full kitchen that you or caterers can access!
The Fairholm Boutique Inns
Located in Charlottetown, this is an ideal boutique venue if you’re looking to have an intimate wedding in a setting that provides an eclectic style and tons of character!
It’s a family owned and operated space that truly makes you feel like they have a vested interest in making sure your special day is special. They have gorgeous suites on site that give you the chance to get comfy and stay the night before your big day. They decorate for the holidays too, and even have the house turned into a Haunted Mansion during October!
By now you’ve made it through these 8 cozy, romantic and intimate wedding venues in Prince Edward Island, and I’m sure you’re ready to get started on planning your big (but small, and intimate) day. Reach out so we can get started!