Take a step back in time...

Yes, I took this picture. That's how beautiful it actually is.

After spending the last 2 days in my favourite place in the world, I had the urge to write about it. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a wonderfully beautiful place. It is located in southern Ontario just 20 minutes from the world famous Niagara Falls. It's my personal favourite because it is a historic, quaint little town that resembles one you would have found in Britain over a hundred years ago. Not only that, it was also named "Canada's Prettiest Town" and holds the "best Sunday afternoon drive" as named by Winston Churchill in 1944.

Queenston Heights Battlefield and Brock's Monument

It is steeped with rich history, as it holds a long list of firsts for Canada. It was the country's first capital, it holds the country's first museum and masonic lodge, it was home to Canada's first newspaper and among many other things, the main site of the War of 1812. Walking down the main street you feel as though you've stepped back in time as the church bells ring, horse and carriage's clip clop down the road and all of the buildings are circa 1800s.

What does all this have to do with weddings? A lot. Niagara-on-the-Lake is a premier wedding destination for thousands of people every year. However, this does not come cheap. Having lived in the town for 4 years, over the next little while I am going to show you ways you can have a magical Niagara-on-the-Lake wedding for much less than you would expect.

NOTL Historical Society and Museum

To start I am going to reinforce the date. Prices drop dramatically in the town's off-season, as the tourists have all gone home and the local seniors find it too cold to step outside. Local businesses are desperate for revenue, and thus will strive to make your dream wedding in your budget. This holds especially true for the hotels, bed and breakfasts (which there are over 200 of), and the many, many wineries.

Famous artist, Trisha Romance's art gallery

While those locations are what you normally would think of for a wedding in town, have you ever thought where else a wedding could be held? There's a wonderful museum with a large space, old mansions that can be rented out, a gazebo on the waterfront and beach, two War of 1812 forts that have hosted weddings, an old apothecary, open vineyards, Niagara College's beautiful campus on the escarpment with a gourmet restaurant and winery on site, and while this town's library is quite modern, other similar towns may have a historic one perfect for weddings.