Nestled in the beautiful Kawartha Lakes, Viamede Resort sits on Stoney Lake. A landmark of the area since 1885, Viamede Resort is the perfect weekend getaway. Just north of Peterborough, and a reasonable drive from Toronto, Viamede is a beautiful location to consider as a wedding venue, a mini-moon destination, or even for a rustic bachelor(ette) party.
With private trails, indoor and outdoor pools, a sandy beach, a historic wedding chapel, and a fine dining restaurant that can’t be missed, Viamede is the perfect place to come and relax.
Last summer I had the opportunity to spend a weekend at this beautiful resort with my fiancé, and the warmth and character of this place blew us away. Whether it was asking if we could go tubing, only to be whipped around the lake on the back of the owner’s boat, or sitting down for dinner only to be presented with 9 courses of local, farm to table, goodness, everything was not just done well, it was done right. We took some time to go kayaking, and for hikes, we stayed up late playing scrabble (the resort has a collection of board games to use!), and tried all of the amazing food, and of course, I asked some big questions about hosting a wedding on the gorgeous property.
WEDDING VENUE Maximum guests: 100 Viamede only hosts one wedding per weekend, so you won’t have to worry about sharing space or unexpected guests. Your (invited) guests tend to pay for their own accommodations at the resort, and make a weekend out of it. Ceremony options include a historic chapel, a gazebo overlooking the lake, and under a 100 year oak tree! They boast that they have hosted everything from an intimate dinner wedding for 6 on a candle lit island to a wedding of 90 guests in “formal swimwear”. When we visited for the weekend, the food was one of our biggest highlights. Some wedding options they offer include family style service, a cocktail reception, and even a pig roast. They were remarkable accommodation while we visited, and they assure me that they bring the same great service to their wedding clients. Viamede is not available for weddings between Canada Day and Labour Day, or on long weekends. I can only imagine how beautiful a fall wedding would be as the leaves change colour! I think October would be a stunning time for this venue. Or even June, when things are still in bloom, and the lake is warm enough for your guests to swim in!
MINI-MOON Many couples choose to have their dream honeymoon a few months (or longer) after the big day. With busy work schedules, and dreamy destinations that are best visited at certain times of the year, a weekend getaway can be the perfect way to start your marriage. We very much enjoyed our weekend at Viamede. To help create the once-in-a-lifetime experience that you crave, consider booking in for the 9 course (with wine pairing!) dinner at their exclusive Mount Julian restaurant. For those who enjoy adventure, there is hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and more. The rooms were bright and airy, with a bit of a rustic flair. For added privacy you may want to book a private cottage in the woods!
RUSTIC BACHELOR(ETTE) PAD Speaking of private cottages…I can’t think of a better use for one than for a bachelor(ette) party! My fiancé is still trying to figure out what he wants to do for his bachelor party, but one idea that his friends are loving is simply booking a cottage at Viamede for a weekend. Cottages can be studios all the way up to three bedrooms. With a kitchen, a patio with a barbecue, some even have firepalces! As a bachelor or bachelorette party getaway, it would be the perfect place for some low key quality time just hanging out and enjoying everything the resort has to offer. Website: viamede.com.