Recently, there has been a little buzz about a newly rediscovered destination spot within Ontario that has left people intrigued — once populated by the earliest United Empire Loyalists, Picton is emerging as an important historical and architectural, not to mention cultural hotspot, and a popular location for a local destination wedding.

By Stephanie Sturino

Couples and planners are discovering the beauty and charm of the small town feeling and intimate splendor of Prince Edward County. Situated at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, this island county has plenty to offer vacationers and wedding guests alike, including 800 kilometers of shoreline and a variety of heritage sites. The County is becoming better known for their culinary advances, wineries and breweries that all offer a treat for the senses, as well as their list of festivals that include a Jazz festival and Art festival during the summer months.

Picton, the county’s main town, has become a place to be and becoming a great local destination spot for couples who want to venture out of the city and experience the intimate charm of the county life, where the likes of Chef Jamie Kennedy have taken up residence for its local flavour and rural appeal.

For those couples who want to create a weekend celebration with their guests, Picton and its surrounding towns offer a great selection of activities. A great idea to introduce wedding guests to any destination location is a welcome bag full of information and treats from local companies, ours includes locally-made County Crackers and County Cider to tide guests over between meals or when they arrive and give them a flavour of what’s to come throughout a weekend in the county. It allows guests to become acquainted with the location and help them find and enjoy things they like, especially when you insert maps, local magazines and tourist booklets.

For our bag, I’ve also created a Weekend Itinerary*, detailing what’s happening when. Even though all the events taking place during a destination wedding are probably outlined in the invitation, it’s always nice to provide guests with additional copies and further details once they arrive.

Sample Weekend Itinerary

Friday

Rehearsal Dinner at The Claramount Inn 7:00pm
97 Bridge Street
—

Prince Edward County Jazz Festival at The Regent Theatre 9:00pm
224 Main Street

Saturday

Spa Treatments at The Claramount Spa 11:00am – 1:00pm
97 Bridge Street
OR
Beer Tasting & Tour at Barley Days Brewery 11:30am – 1:30pm
13730 Loyalist Parkway
—

Wedding Ceremony & Reception at Huff Estates 3:30pm
2274 County Rd #1
*Coach bus to be at the hotel for pick-up to wedding site 3:15pm

Sunday

Brunch at The Waring House 11:00am
221 Main Street
–

Antique Shopping along Main Street

*Note: if putting together your own itinerary or timeline of events proves tough, consider Ottawa-based Tagz, a stationery company which has a great collection of timeline products from day-of to week-long