In this post, you are going to learn all about the details of this awesome wedding venue, and if you might be a good fit.

This guide contains my thoughts on the venue
Wedding day photos to help you get a feel for the place
Some of my insights
Lots more

Certainly one of the prettiest wedding venues around. Ancaster mill, is run by the highly acclaimed Pearle weddings outfit. If you are getting married at any one of their wonderful venues, you can rest assured that your day is going to run smoothly and be stress free. At least the part that they are in charge of. Which to be honest is oftentimes a lot.

I have had the pleasure of photographing any weddings at Ancaster Mill, and I can still remember my first. I don’t think I was prepared for not just the stunning views, but the verticality. The staff here never skip leg day! it is built on the side of a very steep hill, and spans a creek and waterfall. if you are not used to climbing stairs, it might be a good idea to shape up a little bit before the wedding day! I kid, but not really ;-)

The Ancaster mill is nestled just below part of the Niagara escarpment. It harkens back to an older time, and is filled with nostalgia and history. Some of the lower rooms you can read and be informed of their story and colourful history. This place is romantic set atop a waterfall, the window lined rooms provide an absolutely majestic view of the water, As it meanders its way down the rocks.

If you are considering having your wedding at the mill, know that you could do far worse than the spot. the only downside is, as with everything you get what you pay for. And here you get a lot, I will let you figure the rest out. Not the cheapest place area. That said, in speaking with my wedding couples some of whom were on a tighter budget they were able to make it work.

The Ancaster mill offers a lot of flexibility. With a number of different reception halls and locations, and to distinct and different ceremony spots it is likely you will be able to achieve your vision of that perfect wedding.

The Miller’s Chapel

The first ceremony location that comes to mind, is there more recent offering. set high upon the hillside, this absolutely gorgeous chapel has recently been renovated and updated. Featuring a stunning grand fireplace, dead centre this is the focal point right behind your wedding ceremony. With the fire roaring, it provides a wonderful ambience and will truly set both you and your guests in a romantic mood. Contrasting arched timber beams, and very pretty, ornate, and elegant chandeliers overhead serve to give that wonderful chic yet rustic feel. With minimal decorating, this ceremony location can provide a beautiful backdrop for many of the wedding styles that I see these days. From truly intimate and romantic, two more rustic for industrial I believe any wedding decorator worth their salt will be able to make this place stunning. With a seating capacity of about 200 people will be able to fit all of your guests quite comfortably. There are big windows which let in lots of light, but it still has that quaint churchy feel. Your photographer is sure to love this spot. there is also an excellent balcony, that overlooks everything which is an ideal spot for some interesting angles or as I have used it to set up a video camera to capture the whole wedding ceremony. I really can’t say enough wonderful things about the spot. The only potential downside that I can say, is that it is at the top of a huge hill. It is certainly walkable for the fit guests at your wedding, but those who have a bit of a harder time getting around will need a lift. That said the excellent staff at Ancaster Mill can certainly help with that.

Streamside Chapel

The second wedding ceremony location on our list is the streamside chapel, this is a cute grassy open air spot tucked in bordering the stream that runs through the middle of Ancaster Mill. It provides a quaint and airy spot if you are desiring that outdoor wedding feel. With the classic New England style white chairs, they can seat up to 250 guests. in contrast to the bricks and mortar chapel up at the top of the property, this is at the opposite end, on the lower ground. Which is a bit easier to get to as you head downhill. Climbing back up however, can be a bit of a task and again I would recommend if you have guests or wedding party members who are not fond of a hill climb, you might want to bring a shuttle down to them. this spot is sort of tucked away, and feels very exclusive when you're there. In order to access it you go over a nice arched little bridge, of which you can find a few photos below at the bottom of this page. White arches, pale pave stones and green grass serve to make this ceremony spot very attractive and perfect for that summer feeling vibe.

Reception rooms

The Ancaster mill offers five different reception rooms depending on what it is you are after and how many guests you are looking to seat.

Fallsview Room

First up is the iconic Fallsview room. It features floor-to-ceiling windows and has the best view of the awesome waterfall. Throughout the seasons of the year this room delivers big time, whether it is the height of summer the lush green foliage and flowers from the curated grounds will greet your guests or as the leaves turn it is a sight to see. In winter the awesome mill stream cuts a winding attractive path through the snow. It is all on display here, and it's sure to give you warm and fuzzies. no stranger to fireplaces, this room boasts a huge 20' x 20' wood-burning stone fireplace. This room will seat up to 200 of your guests. The shape of this room is long and narrow, and can also be truncated down to fit your vision or smaller guest numbers.

The Governor’s room

This well restored room offers a very historic character. With dark wood ceilings, and exposed beams complemented by cool light fixtures overhead hanging from 12 foot ceilings. It is elegant and formal and again features an ever present stone fireplace. There is plenty of light provided by the large windows, this is a very inspiring room. With a seating capacity of 130 people, it will fit most weddings. It is a more boxy shape, and can provide a number of differing configurations.

The 1812 room

This is at their most historic room, and perhaps the most intimate. Named after the war of 1812 (that's the one where we burned down the White House) this place is for the history buffs at your wedding. with artifacts and plaques explaining some of the unique tales, and the reasons for the mill to exist at all. This comfortable room is perfect for slightly smaller weddings, having a capacity to seat 70 people. You can still have a full reception dinner, and it has space for a dance floor also. With a view into the mill mechanics themselves, this room is at the heart of the Ancaster mill. It also empties out onto a large private covered terrace, which is likely the best cocktail reception area at the old Mill. This room is located at the bottom of the property, and you walk past the terrace on your way to the streamside chapel.

The Millview room

Just like those who are fortunate enough to have a corner office, this spot screams very high and. Very scenic yet cozy and tranquil, the millview room has a conservatory style feel with windows everywhere you look. That said, it is not blindingly bright as the sun doesn't seem to hit it directly. This room is however uniquely Ancaster mill in its feel, as it feels you are part of the escarpment itself. This is a location that changes quite a bit from season to season, and gives a beautiful view of the original mill structure itself. Architecture lovers will be pleased. the seating capacity for this room, is around 100.

The Solarium

Beautiful and intimate, this space was designed to fully embrace the glory of the mills setting. The solarium itself is tucked away in a picturesque Overlook giving your guests their own private lounge and view of the waterfall and streams below. With a three sided fireplace, this again helps the wonderful ambience and provides a beautiful and atmospheric backdrop any season of the year. It's a shame you can't have your wedding more than once! This is for smaller engagement parties or intimate weddings, and features a seating capacity of 32 people.

No matter what it is you are trying to achieve your fine day, the planning staff at the Ancaster mill is simply second to none. They will be able to give you a tour and guide you through the rooms helping you with your selection.

In terms of your wedding ceremony, they can accommodate multiple places seating from 10 to 250 guests. Whether you are looking to get married outside in the streamside chapel, indoors at the Millers Chapel or elsewhere they will be able to help you out.

Ancaster Mill CAN be just a ceremony site, you don’t have to have a reception there.

It is worth note saying that you do not have to have your reception with the Ancaster mill, in order to book a ceremony at one of the chapels. If you are just interested in a ceremony location don't hesitate to get in touch with their events team and let them know you just want a ceremony location. They do a lot of weddings here, so you may have to be flexible as they try to slot you in.

Wedding suites / Bridal Prep Rooms

One added bonus, while perhaps more than a bonus as it's sort of a big deal, if you are having your wedding here they will provide you with a wedding suite in one of the main houses that is exclusively yours throughout the day. Beautifully and elegantly decorated, these provide an elevated personal space where you can get dressed refresh and prepare for the ceremony or reception. They have cute cottage style windows that overlook the grounds and also provide beautiful spots for photos.

Wedding food

The Ancaster mill provides a fabulous selection of all kinds of different offerings. Their menus change seasonally to reflect what is currently fresh and tasty. From stone fruits at the end of summer and perennials in the spring, every meal I have had here has been fresh and satisfying. They will work with you to make sure your menu is off the hook.

How smoothly do weddings run?

To make sure things run smoothly and on time, you will be provided with a maître d' for the day. They will be with you every step of the way, and will make sure things are running on time. As a bit of a loose cannon myself, sometimes I wish they could be a little bit more flexible but I understand that such a busy and practised place they want to keep everything running like a well oiled machine. You would be hard-pressed to find a wedding venue that is run more smoothly than this place.

What about wedding photos?

There beautiful and inspiring grounds are available for photography on the day of your wedding. From award winning gardens, two bridges the iconic waterfall, lots of stone and unique architecture, the creek, covered bridges, inside or outside the chapel there is no shortage of places to take photos. Up higher on the property there is also a gazebo which serves as an excellent backdrop for family photos and larger group shots. Again keep in mind the verticality of this place, if you are up for a bit of a hike then there is no shortage of cool little nooks and crannies to take photos in. There is also a super sneaky spot tucked away that I discovered one cool and faithful afternoon… if I'm your photographer, I'll be sure to lead you there. Check out some of the wedding photos on this page for a hint.

What is the planning process like?

The special events team of consultants at the mill take care of every last detail. They are available seven days a week, and are willing to answer questions whenever they arise. They will help plan necessary appointments, give wedding vendor recommendations, schedule you a menu tasting and of course your ceremony rehearsal so you know things will run smoothly on the big day.

Well, I’ve been able to give you a few insights, and help with the wedding planning!

Ancaster Mill Wedding