Kitchener officiant shares some of her favourite wedding locations

We often get asked about outdoor wedding locations - where's the best place to have an outdoor ceremony? Where can we host a tent wedding that's not my own backyard? We have our personal favourites in the K-W area, including the Bingemans Pavilion for outdoor ceremonies, and NithRidge Estate Weddings & Events for an outdoor ceremony and reception space all-in-one. Not to mention, The Waterlot Restaurant & Inn in New Hamburg, as well as all of the gorgeously landscaped golf & country clubs in the area that provide beautiful backdrops for outdoor ceremonies and patios for receptions that overlook rivers and rolling hills.

But, we wanted to know about some more locations that we haven't yet experienced. So, we asked Officiant Christina Brighton of Celebrate Love & Life Weddings what some of her favourite outdoor (and a few indoor) wedding locations are, and here's what she told us...

While it's not officially outdoors, Christina loves Wings of Paradise®, the butterfly conservatory in Cambridge (pictured above), for quaint ceremonies in a tropical-like location without the risk of inclement weather getting in the way.

Christina also loves the local parks, including Victoria Park and Waterloo Park. Victoria has a Pavilion that can host receptions with a beautiful rose garden in front. And Waterloo Park can host both outdoor ceremonies in the Victorian Gardens (pictured right) and indoor ones at the Grist Mill, which can be booked for a maximum of three hours.

It's no surprise that backyard and farm weddings are popular, and with the countryside nearby, Christina has seen a lot of tent weddings and ceremonies held in barns. (Oh, and a helpful hint for outdoor weddings - Christina suggests sticking a Bounce sheet up your sleeves to ward off bees).

As for indoor ceremonies and receptions, Christina loves that couples are taking a less traditional approach and doing later evening ceremonies with cocktails afterward, sometimes in more casual settings likes restaurants. One of our favourites in this area is the Charcoal Group of Restaurants. With five restaurants in total (Charcoal Steakhouse, del Dente's, Martini's, Wild Craft and The Bauer Kitchen) there are tons of options for ceremonies and receptions - on patios, in private dining rooms, and lounge areas.

But regardless of where the ceremony and reception are held, it's the meaning behind the day that Christina loves the most. "It is one of the few days that will last forever. It's a celebration of love and life itself."

Celebrate Love & Life Weddings is a Kitchener based company. Christina Brighton is a licensed Officiant and performs ceremonies in and around the K-W area that are personalized to suit the bride and groom.

More wedding locations in K-W, Cambridge & Guelph area