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Elmhirst’s Resort

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Last reviewed: August 10, 2026 | Keene | Hotel Weddings |

Business status: Active.

Last reviewed: August 10, 2026. Business status: Active.

Elmhirst's Resort is a Rice Lake wedding venue in Keene, Ontario, offering all-season celebrations from elopements and micro weddings to larger family-and-friends gatherings. Its official wedding information describes waterfront ceremony options, private reception rooms and a choice of indoor and outdoor spaces.

The resort combines a wedding setting with on-site guest cottages, dining, a spa and resort activities. For couples planning a multi-day occasion, the published information also outlines rehearsal dinners, welcome gatherings, farewell brunches and group stays, subject to discussion with the events team.

Venue overview

Elmhirst's Resort is a family-owned cottage resort and conference facility on the north shore of Rice Lake. The official site identifies it as a waterfront wedding venue in the Kawarthas, Ontario, and says it is about 90 minutes from Toronto.

Wedding options are presented for every season. Published packages range from an elopement for two to micro weddings and fuller celebrations, so the venue may be relevant to couples looking for either an intimate stay-based wedding or a resort setting for a larger guest group.

Services and specialization

The wedding page documents multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, private reception rooms, on-site dining and catering, and a day-of on-site event coordinator. It also lists tables, chairs and linens as included in the Micro Wedding package, while the Effortless, Classic and Elegant packages include service items such as linens, glassware and cutlery.

Published reception formats include family-style barbecue dishes, a three-course plated dinner and a four-course plated service with a sparkling toast. The site says couples can choose cash, host or hybrid bar arrangements. Custom wedding menus are also described, but menu choices and dietary details should be confirmed directly with the venue.

Ceremony locations indoors and outdoors
Private reception and dinner space
On-site dining room and wedding catering
Day-of on-site event coordination
Elopement, micro wedding and larger celebration package formats

Service area and who it may suit

The property is in Keene, Ontario, on Rice Lake in the Kawarthas. Its stated proximity to Toronto may be useful for couples bringing guests from the Greater Toronto Area while planning a destination-style weekend in the region.

It may suit couples seeking a waterfront setting with overnight accommodation on the same property. The official site says 30 waterfront cottages are available for wedding groups, although July and August availability is limited because of peak-season demand. Couples looking for a single-day event without accommodation should ask how the available spaces and package options apply to their date.

Confirmed strengths and practical limitations

A documented strength is the resort's combination of waterfront ceremony possibilities, reception rooms, on-site catering and 30 guest cottages. The official wedding page also lists a spa, wine-cellar tastings, pontoon boat excursions and optional enhancements such as a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh ride and float-plane arrival or departure.

The official FAQ lists the Enterprise Room for up to 130 guests and the Heritage Room for up to 120 guests, with the Conservatory and Boardroom for more intimate gatherings. The website does not publish minimum spends, complete seasonal space availability or a full wedding price list, so those details need to be confirmed for a specific event.

Pricing

Current pricing is not explicitly published. The official wedding page names several package types but does not provide package totals, per-person dining prices, bar pricing, taxes, gratuities or accommodation rates for wedding groups.

A few optional enhancement prices are published: a horse-and-carriage ride during cocktail hour is listed at $625 plus tax and gratuity; float-plane ceremony arrival or departure at $250 plus tax and gratuity; and fireworks at $800. Reconfirm these amounts, along with any restrictions and associated charges, when requesting a proposal.

Contact and booking

For wedding information or a property visit, use the official website's wedding enquiry route. The resort lists its telephone number as 1-800-461-1940 and its email as elmr@elmhirst.ca.

The official site does not publish a live wedding-date availability calendar. Contact the events team with the preferred date, estimated guest count and accommodation needs to discuss suitable rooms, cottages and package options.

What couples should confirm

Before booking, ask for a written proposal that aligns the ceremony, reception, food and beverage, accommodation and optional enhancements with your preferred date. This is particularly important for summer dates, when the site notes cottage availability may be limited.

Couples should also confirm the selected room's applicable guest-count range, which ceremony locations are available in the desired season, accessibility needs, vendor policies, alcohol arrangements, weather contingencies and the final cost including HST, gratuities and any service charges.

Whether the preferred package is available on the requested date
Guest-count range and selected-space capacity
Cottage block, stay length and July or August availability
Menu, bar, dietary and late-night-food options
Weather plan and seasonal ceremony-location options
All taxes, gratuities, enhancement fees and payment terms

Continue planning

Frequently asked questions

Does Elmhirst's Resort offer wedding packages?

Yes. The official wedding page lists Effortless, Classic, Elegant, Micro Wedding and Elopement package options. Package totals are not published, so request a current proposal for the preferred format and date.

Can wedding guests stay at Elmhirst's Resort?

The resort says it has 30 waterfront cottages available for wedding groups. It notes that July and August availability is limited, so accommodation should be discussed early.

Are ceremonies available outdoors?

Yes. The official site lists multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony locations. Its Micro Wedding and Elopement descriptions specifically mention an outdoor boardwalk pergola overlooking Rice Lake.

Is there an on-site wedding coordinator?

The published wedding packages include an on-site event coordinator on the day of the wedding. Ask the venue what planning support is included before the event day.

What wedding-event capacities does Elmhirst's Resort publish?

Its official FAQ lists the Enterprise Room for up to 130 guests and the Heritage Room for up to 120 guests. It also identifies the Conservatory and Boardroom as smaller spaces; confirm the appropriate room and current capacity for your event.