Wedding Venue Guide Lindsay Coulter | Wedding Photographer Waterloo, ON, Canada

Over the years, I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings across Ontario and am proud to be a preferred vendor at many of the venues I return to most often - including Pearle Hospitality venues such as Elora Mill, Cambridge Mill, Whistle Bear Golf Club, Ancaster Mill, The Pearle Hotel & Spa, and Spencer’s at the Waterfront, as well as Langdon Hall, Tapestry Hall, and Stella properties including Elle by Stella, Timber Barn, and Wren House.

These are spaces I know well - not just visually, but in how the day flows, how the light changes throughout the seasons, and how to create natural, relaxed images within each unique setting.

This Wedding Venue Guide is designed as a resource for couples planning their weddings at these locations. Here, you’ll find helpful insights to compare venues, choose meaningful photo locations, think through getting-ready spaces, understand ideal portrait timing, and see inspiration from real weddings I’ve photographed in each space. My refined documentary approach works beautifully in venues that value thoughtful design and a seamless guest experience - and this guide is here to help you make the most of whichever setting you choose.

Elora Mill

With its stone charm, river views, and beautiful variety of landscapes in every season, Elora Mill is one of the most dynamic and visually rich wedding venues in Ontario. As a preferred vendor who has photographed dozens of weddings here, I specialize in Elora Mill celebrations and understand not just how the space looks, but how the day flows between each location. Ceremonies take place across the river at The Foundry, while receptions are held in the warm, character-filled Granary building - and each space comes with its own lighting and timing considerations that I plan for in advance.

For portraits, couples can adventure down into the Elora Gorge for iconic, dramatic scenery, or stay closer to the venue along the paved trails in Victoria Park for something equally beautiful and more relaxed.

I’ve also mapped out the perfect time of day to step into the street in front of the Mill and hotel for sunset photos - a quiet, effortless moment that feels natural but looks cinematic.

For getting ready, I recommend booking the Solarium Suite at the Elora Mill Hotel or choosing one of the thoughtfully designed Airbnbs in town for clean light and space to breathe.

Because I know this venue so well, I’m able to guide timing naturally and create refined documentary images that feel easy, polished, and completely true to your day - without ever pulling you away from the experience.

Whistle Bear Golf Club

With its sweeping golf course views and classic clubhouse architecture, Whistle Bear Golf Club has a natural, timeless quality that works beautifully for refined documentary wedding photography. As a preferred vendor who has photographed many weddings at Whistle Bear, I know how to move seamlessly through the property, anticipate the best light, and create natural portraits without interrupting the flow of the day.

Ceremonies are typically held in the Garden Chapel, which gives guests the feeling of being outdoors while still offering protection from the elements. The property offers incredible variety for portraits - from forest paths and winding cart trails to the scenic waterfalls and the terraces outside the Rose, Grandview, and Forestview Rooms. Each location feels distinct, yet cohesive, allowing your gallery to have depth without ever leaving the venue grounds.

One of my favourite parts of photographing weddings at Whistle Bear is the sunset. The way the light settles across the course creates a warm, effortless glow, and the abundance of greenery pairs beautifully with my true-to-life editing style - keeping colours soft, clean, and timeless. Many couples choose to get ready at nearby Airbnbs in Blair for a relaxed start to the day, or at Langdon Hall for a slightly more elevated morning experience before celebrating at Whistle Bear.

Because I specialize in Whistle Bear weddings, I understand how to structure the timeline, when to step away for portraits, and how to use the property’s natural beauty to create images that feel relaxed, polished, and completely authentic to the day.

Cambridge Mill

Set along the Grand River with historic stone architecture and expansive water views, Cambridge Mill is one of the most consistently beautiful and well-designed wedding venues in Ontario. As a preferred vendor who has photographed many weddings at Cambridge Mill, I specialize in working within this space - understanding how the light moves through the building, how the timeline naturally flows, and how to create refined documentary images without pulling you away from your guests.

Ceremonies are often held in The Pavilion, the Mill’s glass-enclosed ceremony space overlooking the river. The natural light inside the Pavilion is clean and flattering throughout most of the day, and I plan positioning carefully to make the most of it. For portraits, the iconic Juliette balcony offers sweeping river views and beautiful movement in your images, while the stone exterior and riverside pathways create timeless backdrops just steps from the reception spaces.

For couples who want a little more variety, we can walk across the river to Mill Race Park (a permit is required through the City of Cambridge), where the water and greenery add depth and texture to your gallery. I’ve also personally scouted a few quieter access points nearby that allow couples to get right down to the river for intimate, reflective portraits without feeling crowded or rushed.

Many couples choose to get ready on-site at the Mill or at nearby boutique hotels and thoughtfully designed Airbnbs in Cambridge, depending on the atmosphere they’re envisioning. Because I regularly photograph Cambridge Mill weddings, I know when the river reflects the best light for sunset portraits, how to move efficiently between locations, and how to build portrait time into the schedule so everything feels effortless.

The result is a gallery that feels natural, polished, and completely true to your day - with all the charm and character that makes Cambridge Mill such a special place to get married.