Do we need to bring our own officiant and photographer?

Yes — both are your responsibility. Any licensed Ontario officiant can marry you at Fernwood. For photographers, natural-light and forest-comfortable shooters work best here. Fernwood does not supply or recommend specific vendors.

Is food included? Can we use Manna?

Food is not included in the base tier. You can BYO, arrange outside catering, or add Manna (Fernwood's in-house food service) for grazing spreads, family-style lunch, and drinks. Manna is $85/person for weddings. Confirm at least 3 weeks ahead.

What's the rain plan?

The Pavilion is open-air with a roof — it handles light rain. For heavy rain, the Farmhouse can seat up to 10 for an indoor ceremony. If you have 15 guests and heavy rain is your concern, plan accordingly or discuss backup options when you book.

Can we have a DJ or music?

Low-amplification music is fine — a small Bluetooth speaker, a live acoustic musician. High-volume amplified music or DJs are not permitted. The property is residential in character and neighbours are nearby.

How early can getting ready start?

Farmhouse access for getting ready starts at 10 am. The ceremony and post-ceremony gathering are within the 6-hour block, typically ending around 4–5 pm. Property use ends by 10 pm.

What's the deposit and cancellation policy?

A 25% retainer (minimum $400) holds your date and is applied to the total. Contact Fernwood directly for current cancellation terms.

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Micro Wedding · Couples, wedding planners · 6 min read

How to Plan a Micro Wedding at Fernwood Hills

What a forest ceremony for up to 25 guests actually looks like — what's included in the tier, what you'll need to arrange yourself, and how the day typically unfolds. Practical, not promotional.

Guests: Up to 25
Price: From $2,500 (venue only)
With The Evening: $3,300
Ceremony: Forest + Timber Pavilion rain plan
Getting ready: Studio Loft or Farmhouse ($295)
Food: BYO or add Manna at $85/person

Understand what's included

The Micro Wedding ceremony tier ($2,500) covers the property for your ceremony window — the forest ceremony site, Timber Pavilion rain plan, and portrait access across 40 acres. Add The Evening (farm-style shared dinner under the Pavilion) for $3,300 total. Neither option includes vendors: not a photographer, officiant, flowers, catering, or music. Those are yours to arrange. This is a venue booking, not an event planning service.

Book your officiant and photographer

You'll need a licensed Ontario marriage officiant. Any licensed officiant can marry you at Fernwood — there's no house officiant. For photography, the property photographs well in natural light. The Pavilion catches dappled mid-morning light; the forest paths are best late afternoon. Bring someone who's comfortable working in a natural, unstructured setting without a shot list.

Decide on food

Three options: BYO (bring your own food and drinks, which works great for a gathering of 15), arrange your own caterer, or add Manna — Fernwood's in-house seasonal food service. For a micro wedding, Manna typically handles a grazing spread before the ceremony and a family-style lunch after. Manna is $85/person; menus are seasonal and confirmed 3 weeks ahead.

Understand the day structure

10 am: arrive, getting ready at the Farmhouse. 11:30 am–12 pm: guests arrive, forest walk or gathering. 12–12:30 pm: ceremony at the Pavilion. 12:30–3 pm: post-ceremony, lunch, and gathering at the Farmhouse deck or inside. 3–4 pm: photos in the forest. 4 pm: close. You have 6 hours total — it's a paced, intentional day. There is no DJ, no late-night use. The property is quiet and residential by evening.

Have a rain plan

The Pavilion is open-air with a solid roof — it handles light to moderate rain fine. For heavy rain with 15 guests, the Farmhouse can accommodate an indoor ceremony for up to 10. If weather risk is a real concern, discuss backup options when you book. Ontario late spring and early fall are generally reliable; July and August occasionally get afternoon storms.

What Fernwood provides — and what you handle

Fernwood is a private forest property, not a full-service wedding venue. There's no in-house coordinator, no default décor package, no catering that just appears. What Fernwood does well: a setting that photographs beautifully with no effort, a Pavilion and Farmhouse designed for exactly this scale, and a team that answers questions the same day. If you want a venue that handles everything, this probably isn't it. If you want a beautiful place to marry someone you love in front of 15 people you actually want there, it might be.

Common questions

What's included in the Micro Wedding tier?: Ceremony tier ($2,500): forest ceremony, Timber Pavilion rain plan, portrait access across 40 acres. With The Evening ($3,300): adds farm-style shared dinner under the Pavilion. Not included: officiant, photographer, flowers, catering (Manna $85/person is optional), music, decor.
Do we need our own officiant and photographer?: Yes — both are your responsibility. Any licensed Ontario officiant works. Fernwood doesn't supply or recommend specific vendors.
Can we add Manna catering?: Yes — family-style seasonal dinner at $85/person. Manna is always optional and priced separately from the venue fee. Confirm at least 3 weeks ahead.
What's the rain plan?: The Timber Pavilion is your built-in rain plan — an open-air covered structure in the forest that works well in light rain. Studio Loft is the backup for heavy weather.
Can we have a DJ or music?: Low-amplification acoustic music or a Bluetooth speaker, yes. Amplified DJ or PA system, no. Music wraps by 9pm.
What's the deposit?: A 25% retainer (minimum $400) holds your date and is applied to the total. No balance is due until closer to your event.

Ready to enquire?

Fernwood replies the same day. Dates book ahead in wedding season.

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