The Best Western PLUS St. Jacobs Country Inn is a castle-like, romantic and intimate venue for your wedding ceremony, dinner, reception, and overnight accommodations, making it a convenient one-stop shop for everything on your wedding day. A well-known fixture on the edge of Waterloo for almost 12 years, this location's peaceful environment and surroundings is conveniently located close to the shops of St. Jacobs, local theatres, antique shops and great restaurants to entertain out of towners. The Verandah room, with its high ceilings and picturesque views from the floor to ceiling windows, is a perfect choice for an elegant reception for brides and grooms who want a small wedding with out of town guests.

The Inn is one hour from the Toronto airport, fifteen minutes from downtown Kitchener, and is a wonderful choice for couples who are looking for a venue with unique and cozy country charm. With reasonable prices and amazing personalized service, it's no surprise that many local brides rave about this wonderful location. With their newly renovated guest rooms, updated décor and many amenities, you and your guests are sure to enjoy yourselves even after the party is over. Let us explain...

Personally speaking...

While the St. Jacobs Country Inn isn't truly a castle, its appearance is reminiscent of one. We were told that the Inn was built in July of 1998 in International Second Empire motif.

A part of the helpful staff at the St. Jacobs Country Inn is Sales and Catering Coordinator, Carmen Briggs, who is involved with your wedding from beginning to end. "We think we convey to couples in a special way how well we can plan and execute their wedding day," she told The Ring.

Wonderfully intimate and personalized service…

Carmen says that her experience with and knowledge of weddings grows with each one that she’s a part of. She adds that her biggest achievement this past year was "To see our weddings improve with each and every one." The St. Jacobs Country Inn strives for this goal by trying to more than meet their clients' expectations so that they know they did their absolute best for them – and for their guests.

Such was the case for Jennifer and John Rupnow's intimate eighty people wedding held at the St. Jacobs Country Inn. Jennifer told us that the team was great from the very beginning and that their wedding was easy to plan with the help from "the terrific and very accommodating staff."

The St. Jacobs Country Inn knows that each bride is special, which is why they say they offer flexible and personalized service, which includes not putting constraints on the bride and groom. "They see how much we're willing to do for them to make this the best day of their new lives together," says Carmen. This is something that they both say they love to be a part of. "It is an honour to be asked to help plan and organize someone's wedding... as a person who plays a vital role."

Carmen says that her and her team are able to offer this service every time they meet with prospective clients by continually learning through brides and grooms (plus their families and wedding vendors), doing research on the internet, in wedding books and magazines. They've also established a greater range of contacts, "people who we know are going to provide great service for our guests. We will go out of our way to find the perfect chair covers, sashes, musicians, decorators, photographers and anyone or anything to make something good, something great."

An intimate wedding, a wedding weekend, a lot of options…

Carmen told us that one of the biggest selling points for the St. Jacobs Country Inn (and even more reason for brides to love this venue) is the convenience of being able to have everything in one location. "You can get married, have the reception and when it's time to retire, head up to your room." This is especially convenient if you have guests coming from out of town who are unfamiliar with the area – this way, they don't have to drive between the ceremony and reception because they're already there.

She adds that one of the best features of the St. Jacobs Country Inn is the Verandah Room, which is used for a majority of the receptions held there. "It's perfect for small numbers of people with its high ceiling and large windows." They've noticed that there has been a recent increase in the amount of people who are seeking weddings on a smaller scale – fewer guests and a more intimate setting for friends and family to enjoy, which is just what the St. Jacobs Country Inn offers, along with a peaceful surrounding and relaxed atmosphere.

Jennifer says that the Verandah room was the perfect size for her smaller wedding reception. She told us that the food was great and the ambiance terrific – it was "nicely decorated for the Christmas season... cozy and casual for all and elegant looking when decorated."

Guests can also spend the night in the newly renovated guest rooms, which Carmen told us is the most exciting change that's happened at the Inn. All 118 guest rooms have been redecorated with new carpeting, drapery, furniture, pictures and more. We suggest going to check it out for yourself to see just how fabulous it all looks.

When we visited the Inn we were overwhelmed with a feeling of class and elegance. Standing in front of The Inn you see nine foot windows across, Canadian and American flags flying above the entrance and three story high walls. Inside, the bright and airy foyer holds a comfortable sitting area with high-backed chairs, a customer service area, a stately oak staircase, baby grand piano, hand-crafted quilt artwork (each with a story behind it to add to the country theme) and a large and stunning chandelier. If you added a horse-drawn carriage, you would no doubt have yourself a Cinderella wedding here.

Picture this…

• A group rate for traditional rooms, suites and luxury rooms with fireplaces and whirlpool spas, at a cost your guests can afford (thanks to you for reserving them at a discount!).
• A wedding rehearsal (if ceremony is held at The Inn).
• A catered rehearsal dinner in the late evening on Friday, serving cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.
• A Saturday morning of shopping in St. Jacobs Country (you can see and walk to the St. Jacobs Outlet Mall and the Farmer's Market from the front foyer of The Inn). Shopping will give your family and friends a taste of the best part of the area and it will occupy them while you're being prepped for your big day.
• A Saturday afternoon wedding ceremony in one of the banquet rooms, the Verandah room, or around the foyer's grand staircase.
• A Saturday evening wedding reception held in one of the banquet rooms or in the Verandah room with a catered dinner, fully stocked and tended bar, dancing to a DJ or dining to a string quartet...
• Catching up with family and friends over a complimentary hot breakfast, which is included with each stay and served in the Verandah room between 6 and 10 am daily.
• An open concept Honeymoon Suite with a fireplace and whirlpool spa for two, champagne, strawberries and chocolates, a hot breakfast served to the room, a late check-out, and a coupon worth 25% off your next stay (a great idea for your one year anniversary!).

Details, details, details

• Banquet room rentals range in price from $750 to $1000 and seat events with up to 72 people.
• A ceremony and reception is $1000 and the ceremony alone costs $350.
• Great photo opportunities on the beautiful staircase, by the baby grand piano in the foyer, in front of the building or by any one of the many windows.
• Option to marry on the oak staircase in the foyer (just ask General Manager, Sharon Hales, who had her own wedding there in April 2004), with a reception in an alternate room or location to follow.
• Catering that ranges from $26.99 to $34.99 for meals and about $45 and up for hors d'oeuvres, which are usually priced by the tray rather than per person.
• Fully stocked and tended bar serving drinks for $4.95 per drink and up.
• Special rates for any reserved group of 10 guest rooms or more.
• To confirm your reservation a $1000 deposit is required.

The rental fees at The Inn include many extras, adding greater value for what you're paying. And, the staff is very flexible with budget restraints and will try to accommodate whatever it is you desire. Jennifer told us that The Inn's prices were very competitive, affordable and budget oriented, especially considering the location conveniently offered a ceremony, reception and overnight location all-in-one.

In other words...

"The Dinner was a tremendous success, the meal was delicious, and the staff was courteous and attentive... All of the staff members at your Inn were pleasant, helpful, and courteous. The service was outstanding and the facility is First Class. We thank you and your staff for a wonderful weekend; it made the Wedding Celebrations perfect for our guests and us." - Irene & John Taylor

"Shirley and I could never thank you enough the personal approach and attention to our every need, even when we changed our minds on some slight details like the beverage choice then making a change half way through the evening. You guys were the best, thank you thank you again. On top of it all you managed to do all this on such short notice... the decorations, the music, the candles... you made our small wedding a big event. I'm sure we could elaborate more. We will be in touch in the near future... for now, your friends and more than satisfied happily married newlyweds." - Dick & Shirley

"My name is Gillian Wells and I had both my wedding ceremony and reception at your hotel on Saturday, September 23rd. I would have written sooner but we are just settling down after returning from our honeymoon. I wanted you to be aware of the excellent service I received from Breanne considering she took over half way through the planning. Breanne was professional, efficient, paid attention to all the details and replied in a prompt manner to all my questions, queries and even more questions. She surpassed her role in helping to make the day what it was. One example of this is that the week of the wedding I wanted to move the cocktail hour upstairs so that the Verandah room could remain 'untouched' with the decorations prior to the reception. I called Breanne and asked her to help ensure that none of the guests could enter the Verandah room prior to the reception. In all honesty, I thought that my request was a stretch and probably could not happen (how do you stop guests from going into the reception?) On the day of the wedding when I stepped out of the limousine and into the foyer I noticed a young staff person stationed like a guard in front of the closed Verandah room doors! That is attention to detail! Breanne obviously briefed [the staff] thoroughly since the feedback that I received was that [the staff] did a wonderful job on the day of the wedding. The staff on duty that evening were helpful and patient and the St. Jacob's Catering did a wonderful job. I was worried about the 'dropping' of 2 tables in order to make a dance floor but it was smooth and flawless and there was just enough space for everyone to dance past midnight. All the guests commented on the intimacy they enjoyed at your hotel. I would recommend the Best Western to any bride who wants to enjoy an elegant and intimate wedding. Once again thank you to your staff, especially Breanne... and the service your hotel provided. Two years ago I knew that the Best Western would provide the perfect ambiance for my wedding and I was right. Thank you!"