Elopement · Couples · 5 min read
How to Plan an Elopement at Fernwood Hills
What a forest elopement actually looks like — ceremony-only vs all-in, how the day runs, and what you'll need to arrange yourself. Practical, not promotional.
- Guests
- Up to 8
- Ceremony-only
- $900
- All-in Package
- $2,200
- Ceremony
- Forest + Timber Pavilion rain plan
- Getting ready
- Studio Loft or Farmhouse ($295)
- Food
- BYO or add Manna at $85/person
Choose your option: ceremony-only or all-in
There are two ways to elope at Fernwood. Ceremony-only ($900) is a private forest ceremony for up to 8 guests — 2–3 hours on-property, with access to the forest clearing, Timber Pavilion, and 40 acres for portraits. Everything you need for the ceremony itself. All-in ($2,200) adds three more things: The Evening for Two (a private farm dinner at dusk prepared by Manna), overnight in the Studio Suite, and farm breakfast the next morning. Mon–Thu rates: $810 ceremony-only or $1,980 all-in. The ceremony-only option works well for couples who want to handle dinner themselves or have a favourite restaurant in mind. The all-in option works well when you want the entire day — from ceremony through breakfast — handled as one thing.
Book your officiant and photographer
Fernwood doesn't have a house officiant. Any licensed Ontario officiant can marry you here — civil, religious, or non-denominational. We can recommend a few if you need a name to start with. For photography, the property shoots well in every season. The forest clearing gives you shade and dappled light in the afternoon; the Timber Pavilion has structure and shade for midday. Bring someone comfortable working in a natural, uncontrolled setting. The property is 40 acres — your portraits won't look like everyone else's.
Decide on The Evening and food
The all-in package includes The Evening for Two — a private dinner for two prepared by Manna, Fernwood's in-house farm-to-table kitchen. Seasonal shared plates and boards at the outdoor table or under the Timber Pavilion, as the light fades. Unhurried, not formal. If you're booking ceremony-only and would like dinner on-property, you can add Manna catering for guests at $85/person — mention this when you inquire. Outside caterers are also welcome; there's no exclusivity requirement. Some ceremony-only couples prefer to head to a restaurant in London after — 10 minutes away, with good options.
Understand how the day runs
A typical elopement: Getting ready in the Studio Loft or Farmhouse ($295 add-on) — 2–3 hours for hair, makeup, first looks. Ceremony in the forest clearing or Timber Pavilion — 30–45 minutes. Portraits across the property — another hour or two. For all-in: dinner for two at the outdoor table as the light softens, overnight in the Studio Suite, breakfast in the morning. The pace is yours. Nothing is rushed.
Have a weather plan — it's already built in
The Timber Pavilion is your primary weather backup — it's covered, open-air, strung with lights, and genuinely beautiful in overcast or light rain. Many elopements prefer it to the open clearing. The Studio Loft is the full indoor option for heavy weather: floor-to-ceiling glass and forest views from inside. Both are included in your booking at no extra fee. Ontario weather is unpredictable; this setup means you never have to choose between the venue you love and a plan that works.
What Fernwood provides — and what you handle
Fernwood provides the property, the ceremony space, the weather plan, and the food (all-in or optional add-on). There's no in-house coordinator, no décor package, no officiant. What Fernwood does well: a setting that works without anything added, a team that answers questions the same day, and a day that moves at your pace. If you want a venue that handles everything, this probably isn't it. If you want a genuine forest ceremony with nothing in the way, it might be.
Common questions
- What's the difference between ceremony-only and all-in?
- Ceremony-only ($900): private forest ceremony for up to 8 guests, 2–3 hours, Timber Pavilion rain plan and weather backup included. All-in ($2,200): adds The Evening for Two (farm dinner at dusk), overnight in the Studio Suite, and farm breakfast. Mon–Thu: $810 or $1,980.
- Do we need our own officiant and photographer?
- Yes — both are your responsibility. Any licensed Ontario officiant works. We can recommend a few. Fernwood doesn't supply or require specific vendors.
- Can we add Manna catering for guests?
- Yes — if you're bringing guests for dinner, Manna catering is available at $85/person. Menus are seasonal and confirmed a few weeks ahead. Outside caterers are also welcome.
- What's the rain plan?
- Timber Pavilion is the covered outdoor backup — included, no extra fee. Studio Loft is the full indoor option for heavy weather.
- Can we stay overnight?
- The all-in package includes overnight in the Studio Suite. Ceremony-only couples can add a cabin night at standard rates — Adler Cabin or Bracken Cabin. No wedding markup.
- What's the deposit?
- A 25% (minimum $400) retainer holds your date, applied to the total. No balance due until closer to your event.
Ready to enquire?
Fernwood replies the same day. Dates book ahead in wedding season.