Sanctuary Gardens immediately caught our attention with its picturesque setting, featuring views of lush greenery, and more prominently, Okanagan Lake. What’s more impressive is that it’s only a 20-minute drive away from Downtown Kelowna.

Its setting provides a stunning backdrop for wedding ceremonies and pictorials. Plus, the gazebos are naturally beautiful, requiring little to no decorations to make the event extra special.

We also appreciate how they offer ceremonies for both professional and boutique-style weddings.

Couples who were wed here also said the coordinators deserved some love, too. They added that these pros provided a hassle-free experience due to their accessibility and also their hands-on approach.

Adding to their accessibility, booking reservations via their website is a breeze! 

On the downside, they only offer ceremonies and do not have a venue for receptions. Furthermore, we would’ve liked to see more flexibility regarding their seating capacity, as they can only accommodate up to 50 pax.

Can’t think of a more perfect place

“A local gem! We were married here six years ago when they first began doing weddings. Feeling nostalgic, we asked if we could stop by yesterday on our anniversary. Another wedding was booked later that day, but the owner said, “Sure, come over a few hours before”.

The place is even nicer now than when we got married, as a beautiful enclosed section with bathroom facilities has been added.

The landscaping and natural beauty of the area have been carefully thought through to create a magical, memorable setting. Uninterrupted views of the lake and mountains. So magical!

We enjoyed some wine and cheese we had brought, and although it was very windy outside, we enjoyed a beautiful walk down memory lane. I can’t think of a more perfect place to celebrate our love”

Kim Rhindress, Google Review

There really is nothing like it

“Sanctuary Gardens is a venue like no other. You cannot walk the property and not feel every ounce of love and care that was put into every detail. The owner, Kirstin, puts her heart and soul into her business and home. 

Not only is it the most picturesque venue I have ever seen (and as a professional wedding photographer, I have seen A LOT), but you truly feel different as soon as you enter the gates; blessed, clear, captivated and just plain “in awe”. There really is nothing like it. 

Kirstin is extremely organised, making sure everything is perfect before every wedding. She is easy to get in touch with and takes time with each and every one of her couples. 

We highly recommend Sanctuary Gardens to any couple looking for an intimate wedding venue; it is impossible not to fall in love with it”

Cassandra & Brad Heinzman, Google Review

Guisachan House Restaurant became one of our top picks because of its in-depth wedding package. Although they only offer a single package, it’s arguably the only one couples need, featuring everything from decorations, sound systems, cakes, change rooms, and more.

We were also impressed by how they included stuff not usually found in wedding packages, including private security and ice sculptures.

Also, since this venue is a restaurant through and through, it’s no surprise that one of the major things highlighted during our interviews was the food. The venue offers a gourmet four-course meal, included in the package and customisable to the couple’s liking.

Wedded couples also shared their appreciation towards their wedding coordinators. They highlighted how these pros were attentive to every detail they wanted and provided an overall stress-free experience.

The venue is also extremely accessible, as it’s easy to book via their website and phone lines, and it’s located near the city centre.

Made sure the day went perfectly

“We got married at Guisachan house a couple of months ago. It was such a great experience. I don’t think I can say enough good things about George and his staff, who run the events. They are so lovely, and they made sure the day went perfectly.

In the weeks leading up to the wedding, there was tons of communication from George about all the little details that even I had not thought of. He was with us every step of the way in the planning process and felt he really cared. 

He was just a phone call away when we had questions or needed to make changes. He was very accommodating and considerate of all our ideas, helping us make our vision come to life. I highly recommend going with Guisachan House for your special day. You won’t regret it. 

The hall is beautiful, and the garden is unreal! I can’t even explain how lovely it all was! The food was absolutely delicious!!!”

Shaina, Google Review

It was perfect!

“Finally getting around to writing a review. My husband and I got married on April 27, 2024, at Guisachan, and it was perfect! George and his staff were friendly, organised and helped make our vision come to life, even allowing us to make some changes from their regular weddings (brought our own wine and bison, two custom cocktails). 

Multiple guests commented on how well they were taken care of; staff members helped them find their seats quickly, brought everyone their selected plate and were quick to bring beverages around to keep everyone topped up. 

Everyone enjoyed the ice luge, which promptly got everyone on the dance floor.”

Hali Provencher, Google Review

Lindon House offers a unique setting in the form of an Edwardian-style mansion that exudes major old-money vibes. This provides newlyweds and their guests with a unique backdrop for pictorials and the ceremony itself.

The main venue of this house is the sprawling garden, which is always well-maintained and landscaped. It also forces an intimate ceremony due to its small but beautiful setting, which can be a pro or a con, depending on the type of wedding.

Our interviewees also noted the friendly and helpful coordinators of Lindon House. They highlighted their impressive communication skills and attentiveness during the consultation period up to the end of the ceremony itself.

We also appreciate the accessibility of this venue, as it’s located near Downtown Kelowna, and its team is easy to reach through email and phone. The only thing lacking is flexibility, as it only offers one package and can only accommodate up to 50 guests.

It ticked all our boxes

“I had the pleasure of not only getting married at Lindon House, but also getting to know Linda & Don during our year of wedding planning.

We chose this venue as it ticked all our boxes. It’s in a great location, convenient for guests staying in Downtown Kelowna, yet you feel so far removed from the city, surrounded by lush flora and mountain views. 

We had 32 guests in total, and it was the perfect amount of space for a group of that size. Not only is the house beautiful, but the gardens are also exceptional, and there are so many spaces for guests to roam around and mingle.

 Lindon House has a particularly elegant charm about it that feels incredibly special – pictures don’t really do it justice.

Aside from the venue itself, part of the charm comes directly from the owners, Linda & Don themselves. Communication was clear, and they were incredibly helpful in the run-up to the wedding. 

They are very experienced in hosting seamless events, and that really shines through. On our wedding day itself, Linda & Don felt like part of our family. All of our guests thought they were amazing people and enjoyed chatting and getting to know them. 

Everything was set up and coordinated exactly as we imagined, and they are quick to pivot and problem-solve. They really went above and beyond our expectations, and we can’t thank them enough for making our day so flawless.

Lindon House and Linda & Don will always hold a special place in our hearts. I highly recommend considering this venue and seeing the charm for yourself. You will not be disappointed.”

Kim Lishman, Google Review

Extremely accommodating

“We had our reception at Lindon House, and it truly is the perfect hidden gem in Kelowna! Driving down Ethel, you would never know that this house opens up to one of the most beautiful spaces we have seen in the city. 

Not only was it well taken care of and loved for, but Linda and Don (the owners) were also extremely accommodating, helpful in any way that they could be, and just as excited about our big day as we were. 

They were extremely friendly and helped more than we had expected. Would highly recommend this space to anyone looking for a wedding/reception space!”

Ashleigh and Kyle Vallely, Google Review

Summerhill Pyramid Winery was recommended to us for its stunning surroundings, with couples telling us it’s the main reason they chose this venue. Upon doing an ocular, we immediately understood why, with its unobstructed views of Okanagan Lake and its rolling hills.

Although the price is a bit steep, our interviewees also stated that it was worth it, as the natural landscapes made their memories and wedding photos extra beautiful. Furthermore, they shared how they also paid for peace of mind, as the staff members of the venue were hands-on.

For starters, they’re highlighted as highly collaborative, always seeking the clients’ preferences, from decorations to food, etc. Furthermore, they demonstrated strong communication throughout the collaboration, providing updates until the end of the wedding.

The place is flexible as well, featuring multiple venues that can cater to up to 200 people. It consists of the Vineyard Ballroom, the Heritage Lawn, and the titular Summerhill Pyramid.

We only wish that they could showcase the same response time on their official website’s online reservation systems.

Incredible from the ceremony to the food

“Summerhill has always been our favourite winery. We were married here in 2011, and the entire wedding was incredible from the ceremony to the food and, of course, the wine. Years later, we have constantly enjoyed the wine, and occasionally visit while on vacation. 

We recently returned for a vacation, and spent the evening at the bistro eating and drinking wine. The staff is incredible, the food is incredible, and the wine is phenomenal.

The location, the view, and the processes that make everything so special are essential to why this is one of the best wineries in the country. Anyone in the area, I highly recommend that you visit. 

If possible, visit the tasting room and reserve a table for a meal. If you can only visit one winery in your life, I hope it would be this one.”

Cory Mo, Google Review

Absolutely unreal

“One year ago today, my husband & I had our elopement at Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Not only is Summerhill one of the most beautiful venues for a wedding, but the staff were absolutely unreal at taking care of us and making sure our elopement was perfect! 

Nicole was so kind and helpful right from the first email, making it easy to postpone due to COVID-19 restrictions, calming our nerves about the weather forecast, rolling with it when we were an hour late for our ceremony, helping me before walking down the aisle, helping with our sabrage, and even accommodating us with a late bistro seating!

Our wedding was more than we even hoped for, and it may not have been if it wasn’t for Nicole & the other staff! From the bottom of our hearts. Thank you!

Also, the bistro staff were amazing! So kind and helpful and even held our food so we could sneak away from the table for a few more pics between ordering and eating! The food was absolutely incredible, and the dessert was a wonderful and delicious surprise!

So, again… thank you to Nicole and everyone at Summerhill for making our day so perfect!! We can’t recommend them enough!!!”

Tammy Webb, Google Review

We wanted to include The Cove Lakeside Resort because it ticked the majority of our boxes. For starters, it offers in-depth wedding packages that include necessities for before the wedding, during the ceremony, the after-party, and the dinner.

They also offered DJ tables, chairs, linens, and sound and lighting systems. Also, our interviewees said that their food comes directly from their in-house gourmet restaurant, and that the menu can be arranged with their coordinators.

Speaking of, the coordinators were also praised for their professionalism during our interviews, with the majority stating that their weddings were stress-free because of these pros. Moreover, they shared how great they were at communicating everything from plan Bs to updates, etc.

The venue is also flexible, offering different spots that cater to different numbers of attendees and overall vibe. For instance, the beach is great for picturesque ceremonies that can accommodate up to 100 guests, while the Gellatly room is perfect for intimate weddings.

Our only gripe is the expensive rates, but one could easily argue that it offers great value for money.

Had the best experience!

“We got married at the Cove recently and had the best experience! Our friends and family came from out of town, and we all stayed at the cove for the weekend! The rooms are large and beautiful! 

Everyone loved the view and swimming in the pool! The water slide was a huge hit with the kids! Our wedding was held in the garden, and then we had the reception in the reception room! Everything was perfect! 

The food was amazing, and we loved that the buffet could be set up on the terrace outside to give us just a little more room! Terry was very communicative and answered all my emails/ questions in a timely manner! 

Our guests were very complimentary of the whole event! Thank you so much for everything you did to make our day so special!”

Jessica Henwood, Google Review

Everything went smoothly and as planned

“I was recently married at The Cove on June 28th 2018. It was an amazing place to have our wedding! From the beginning, the coordinator we talked to, Terry, was very efficient; he always made sure to get back to me right away with any question or request. 

On the day of our wedding, everything went smoothly and as planned. Our bridal party stayed in 2 rooms the night before the wedding, and the rooms were fantastic! Lots of space to get ready for your wedding or finish up last-minute prep. 

We had 4 of us girls, a makeup artist, a hairdresser and family coming in and out of the room, and there was plenty of space. 

The staff were amazing, they called our room to make sure everything was good and also held doors for us while I entered the garden to get married, and I heard many words of congratulations from the staff as well. 

The food was out of this world, local, and so fresh! All our guests were raving about the food the next day and about the whole experience! I would recommend The Cove to anyone looking for a great venue where you can have your ceremony, reception and a place for your guests to stay!”

Alicia, Google Review