There really is nothing else like the Idlewyld Inn in London. This intimate gem is the ideal venue for smaller weddings where an incredible meal and exceptional service are must haves for your wedding day.
Whether you're looking for a truly intimate ceremony for two, or want to share your wedding day with fifty close friends, the team at the Inn treats everyone like guests in their home.
Their attention to detail, luxurious accommodations and fabulous food made in-house, makes this a must-see venue for a dream wedding. Here’s more.....
The Inn and its team
When you book your wedding at the Idlewyld Inn, you’ll get to know Marcel Butchey, the Innkeeper and some of the Food & Beverage staff.
The team at the inn takes care of the bride and groom, from the first time you meet, to your wedding day…and everything in between. Marcel told The Ring that the entire team is a big reason why couples love the Inn, “we are entirely hands on from the first meeting to overseeing the brides' walk down the aisle.”
The Inn itself, built in 1878, is traditional and steeped with history. It was built by Charles Hyman, a former Mayor of London who later moved on to federal politics in Sir Wilfred Laurier’s cabinet. The Inn still holds its original structure, but has been renovated for its guests comfort, while still maintaining its historical character
As hosts to over thirty weddings per year for the past twenty-five years, their team has ample experience and knows the ins and outs of the wedding industry.
The atmosphere
Intimate, historic, elegant...this is the kind of venue that doesn't require a lot of extra décor. They do however, offer bouquets and centerpieces in their packages to personalize the venue.
Couples looking for an all in one site will love the Inn. You can truly have everything here- your rehearsal, treatments at the spa, your ceremony, photos, cocktails, reception and hotel rooms for your guests. Couples looking for a whole wedding weekend can come on a Friday for their rehearsal and stay through to Sunday for the wedding brunch.
It's also a great spot for a bridal shower. Guests can enjoy an afternoon tea in the Turret Room or the Parlour. Or, enjoy a martini night with the girls, complete with relaxing treatments at the spa.
The Inn features nineteen unique guest rooms including options with double beds, queen and king beds and Jacuzzi tubs or air jet soaker tubs. Prices range from $129 to $225 so your guests can find something that fits within their budget and party size.
Newlywed Gretchen held her August 2010 reception at the Inn. She loved the feel of the Inn and said she would recommend it to anyone planning a smaller wedding, “my favourite part was the cocktail reception outside on a nice day. We also loved that it offered a boutique hotel/fine B&B where we could host our reception and have guests spend the night. We enjoyed the lovely bed and breakfast with good food.”
Brides love Idlewyld
With its small, intimate setting the Inn can accommodate twenty-four guests at one table in their private dining room. Or, host fifty guests in the wine cellar, for a truly unique reception.
Brides are also attracted to the intimacy of the venue for another reason. The Inn only holds one wedding per day, so they truly cater to you alone on your special day. With full access to the entire venue, including the beautiful garden courtyard, couples tend to feel like they’re in their own private world on their wedding day. Not to mention the fabulous photo opportunities throughout the grounds.
Marcel says another reason couples come to the Inn is the feeling of luxury on your wedding day. “It’s the attention to the details and exquisite cuisine that sets the Inn apart.”
Greg and Nancy Koloff agree. They had their ceremony, photos and reception at the Inn for their April 2011 wedding, "All I can say is that the staff were awesome. Christine was very well organized, professional and accommodating. The staff that took care of us during the meal were just as amazing. They were very pleasant, willing to help out with any request, and were very efficient. Because our wedding was small, the time we had to meet with our guests in advance of the ceremony, combined with the charm of the parlour, made the ceremony so intimate."
A twist on traditional
The Idlewyld Inn is ideal for couples that want something a little bit different on their wedding day. Marcel explains, “since we are a small venue we tend to target the older bride, second marriages and elopements.”
Part of the appeal for couples having a second wedding or a small family event is the dedication to giving each guest an amazing meal at your wedding. All of the catering is down in-house and the smaller setting allows the Inn to cater to your needs. Marcel says wedding here are “more of a culinary experience than a party.”
In fact, Marcel told us that most Idlewyld couples don’t place much importance on the dance. Here, there’s a focus on the wedding itself and the chance to be with family and close friends and share good food and wine.
Packages at the Inn
Idlewyld Inn has four packages for couples to choose from, ranging from romantic ceremonies for two to intimate dinners with fifty close friends and family.
Here’s a breakdown of packages at the Inn:
The first package, aptly titled Elopement, is for an intimate celebration between the bride and the groom. You’ll start with an intimate ceremony for just the two of you in the Formal Parlour or choose a garden courtyard ceremony during the summer months (May thru September).
This package costs $1450 and also includes:
Wedding Officiate and Two Witnesses
Non-professional photos, taken with your camera
Hand-tied Bouquet of Roses with Matching Groom Boutonniere
Candlelight Dinner for two
Wedding Cake designed for two
Bottle of Wine for arrival in Guest room
Two Night Stay in a Double Jacuzzi Room
Breakfast each morning
You can also choose a Renewal of Wedding Vows for a celebration with four to ten guests. Hold a stand-up ceremony in the Formal Parlour with a Fireplace
This package costs $690 and includes:
Hand-tied Bouquet of Roses with Matching Groom Boutonniere
Floral Centrepieces for Reception Table
Champagne for Toasting after the Ceremony
Drawing Room Rental (up to 10 guests)
Wedding Night Guest Room with double Jacuzzi
Breakfast in Bed
Choose the Intimate Wedding package and celebrate with eleven to twenty-four guests.
You’ll have a stand-up ceremony in the Formal Parlour and access to Inn’s grounds for your wedding photos.
This package is $800 and includes:
Hand-tied Bouquet of Roses with Matching Groom Boutonniere
Three Floral Centrepieces for Reception Tables
Complimentary non-alcoholic Punch served after the ceremony
Inn's Grounds for Wedding Photography
Drawing Room Rental (up to 24 guests)
Wedding Night Guest Room with double Jacuzzi
Breakfast in Bed
The Wedding Celebration is perfect for couples with twenty-five to fifty guests. With breakfast in bed, wedding photos throughout the grounds and a romantic ceremony in the Formal Parlour, this is the perfect option for a celebration with family and friends.
This package costs $1,225 and includes:
White Chair rentals for the Ceremony
Hand-tied Bouquet of Roses with Matching Groom Boutonniere
Six Floral Centrepieces for Reception Tables
Complimentary non-alcoholic Punch served after the ceremony
Wine Cellar Rental (up to 50 guests)
Wedding Night Guest Room with double Jacuzzi
Your meals and alcohol costs will range, but to give you an idea, lunch at the Inn starts at $30 and dinner starts at $50.
Booking the inn….
If you’d like to take a site tour of the Inn, you can send them an email or give them a call to set up an appointment.
During your initial meeting, you’ll discuss your vision for your wedding. The team will show you around the Inn and let you see how your vision can come to life. You’ll also go over their packages and menu options so that you can pick the best fit for you.
On your wedding day, the team is there to ensure that everything runs smoothly, so that you don’t have to worry about anything…except enjoying your wedding day!
Geraldine Peters from Jim Anderson Flowers has worked with the Inn on several occasions. She told The Ring, “I would hire them in a micro second. I have held staff parties there when the place was booked solid and didn't feel for a second that I wasn't top priority. They are always professional. I belong to two networking groups that meet at the Idlewyld monthly. They always have top quality food and I have never been disappointed. It is always clean and looking ready for a party or dinner no matter what time of the day or night. I have been working with them for 6 years now and have never been disappointed.”
Details, details, details
•The average bride spends $75, per guest.
•Taxes and gratuities apply
•There is a $500 deposit required to secure your wedding day at the inn.
•Full payment is due one month prior to your wedding
•It’s best to book your wedding six months to a year ahead of your preferred wedding date.
