It might not be on par with Nevada quite yet, but casino weddings in Ontario are becoming increasingly popular. You might be surprised to hear that there are multiple venues for you to choose from. To help you out, we’ve picked out the five top places to get married in ON this year, so read on below to find out.
Not only is Ontario Canada’s most populated province, but it is also home to the most land-based casino resorts, with 28 licensed outlets. Most of these 28 casino resorts have at least one venue where love-struck couples can tie the knot.
As a result, ON is consistently rated as the best province to get married in, with locals and tourists alike choosing to get hitched here. With that in mind, we have taken the time to rate and review the five best casinos for Ontario weddings.
How We Assessed Our Humble Recommendations
The day you get married is supposed to be the best day of your life, so choosing the right location is paramount. The five venues on our list have been rated in terms of natural beauty, entertainment, and the unique touches that each one can bring to make your big day a little bit more special.
Our Top 5 Ontario Casino Wedding Destinations
Weddings at casinos aren’t all drunken strangers getting hitched in Las Vegas by a cheesy has-been Elvis impersonator. As you can see from the list below, Ontario is home to some of the classiest and most beautiful casino-based wedding venues in Canada, if not the world.
Venue 1: Caesars Windsor
Max wedding capacity: 1500 people
Getting married at Caesars Windsor
Caesars Windsor ticks all of the boxes when it comes to casino weddings in Ontario. Their main reception venue is the elegant Augustus Ballroom, which can cater to up to 1,500 guests, making it ideal for larger weddings. The floor-to-ceiling windows give you a breathtaking view of the Detroit River and the Detroit City skyline.
Alternatively, you can choose to hold your reception in the 200-capacity Augustus 27, which offers the same style and flare on a smaller scale. Judging by the glowing testimonials and reviews from multiple happy couples, both of these ballrooms are perfect for your special day.
When it comes to organizing your wedding Caesars Windsor offers a personalized service, and if you like, they’ll cover everything. From high-end catering to your audio-visual coverage and entertainment, they’ll do it all. Additionally, there are plenty of rooms so that you and your guests can sleep on-site, with discounts sometimes available for wedding parties.
Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron are all within a stone’s throw of the venue, providing plenty of cute local honeymoon spots. Alternatively, if you’re looking to jet off and honeymoon further afield, there are two international airports on your doorstep – Windsor International and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
Why choose Caesars Windsor?
Two venues to choose from – You can choose the larger 1500-capacity Augustus Ballroom or the Augustus 27 with up to 200 guests.
Get hitched with a view of two city skylines – On one side of the venue, you can look over the river to Detroit, meanwhile, on the other, you can gaze upon the bright lights of Windsor.
Bespoke wedding services – The professional wedding team at Caesars Windsor will go above and beyond to make your big day as personal and special as possible.
Venue 2: Casino Rama
Max wedding capacity: 400 people
Getting married at Casino Rama
There are four banquet rooms where you can host your wedding at this First Nation casino in Ontario. Depending on your room of choice, you can have between 40 and 400 guests at your wedding here. With your wedding package, you can choose to include some of the 292 luxury rooms for your guests and request access to the casino gaming room and spa.
However, where Rama really tops our list of venues for Ontario weddings, is the food. If you go for the professional catering service, you can go for the a-la-carte service, complete with hors d’oeuvres and cold canapes. Alternatively, the buffet option starts at $52 per person and you can add on a pizza and poutine option for later to help your guest soak up the liquor during the reception.
If you are getting married in the summer, late spring, or early fall, we recommend going for the outdoor service. That way you can get hitched in gardens, surrounded by luscious green trees and (hopefully) beneath a bright blue sky with beaming sunshine.
Looking to stay close by after the wedding? There are plenty of great honeymoon spots in and around the Rama area. Our top recommendation is the budget-friendly three-star Fern Resort on the banks of Lake Simcoe.
Why choose Casino Rama?
Luxury or comfort catering – When it comes to feeding your guests you can go for the sophisticated set menu or the comfort food buffet.
Size and scale – There are four banquet rooms available, catering for between 40 and 400 guests.
Luxury rooms – You and your guests can stay in one of the 292 luxury rooms with access to the casino and spa, which includes a saltwater pool.
Venue 3: Elements Casino Grand River
Max wedding capacity: 240 people
Within the property of this casino is The Grand Way Events Centre, a 53-acre outdoor space that sits right next to the race track. Here, you can get married indoors or outdoors in a beautiful setting on the banks of the Grand River. Moreover, the property is situated just outside of the quaint village of Elora.
Starting at just $164 per person, you can host a small and intimate wedding here or a larger-scale event. The GrandWay Hall can host up to 224 guests, meanwhile the smaller River Room holds up to 48. If you go for an outdoor wedding, the patio area is partially covered to mitigate some of the potential risks that Ontario weather can bring.
The GrandWay Hall was built in 2020, so has professional and ultra-modern finishes, but with a classic twist. Its massive 3,800 square-foot hall is adaptable, meaning that you can split the room in two and only rent half if it’s all that you require.
When it comes to catering, you can opt for the three-course plated menu, or put on a buffet for your guests. In between the wedding and the reception events, there is a “Cocktail Style” service available featuring hors d’oeuvres and snacks.
Why choose Elements Casino?
Village and river setting – The quaint village setting on the banks of the Grand River is the most unique and romantic location on our list for Ontario weddings.
Outdoor or indoor – The 53-acre outdoor space is the ideal place to start your love story, however, there is a particularly-covered patio and an indoor alternative if the weather doesn’t play ball.
Racetrack and casino – As well as a casino, this is the only wedding venue on our list that is home to a racetrack.
Venue 4: Great Blue Heron Resort
Max wedding capacity: 800 people
Getting married at Great Blue Heron Resort
At The Great Blue Heron, you can have a budget-friendly wedding but still do things on a large scale. The Banquet Room can host up to 800 guests and comes with a fully-stocked cash bar so that everyone is sure to have a good time.
The room is headed by a stage where your booked entertainment can perform and you can either have an external catering team come in, or take your guests down to the Water’s Edge Restaurant. This restaurant is reasonably priced and sits on the beautiful banks of Lake Scugog, but only caters to a maximum of 75 people.
If you don’t want to fork out for the entertainment for your guests all night, you don’t have to. There is nightly entertainment in the casino and you also have access to a Canadian Sportsbook as well as slots and casino tables.
Of all the venues for weddings at casinos on this list, The Great Blue Heron Resort is the closest to the city of Toronto. However, it still manages to maintain a rural and natural feel overall. When it comes to honeymooning, Lake Ontario is right on your doorstep.
Why choose Great Blue Heron resort?
Large scale but budget-friendly – Host up to 800 guests at a very reasonable price.
Waterfront dining – Cater for up to 75 guests on the banks of Lake Scugog.
Head into the city – The venue is just over a one-hour drive from downtown Toronto.
Venue 5: Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
Max wedding capacity: 350 guests
Getting married at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
We’ve already covered some pretty awesome venues for casino weddings in Ontario so far. That being said, none of them can compare to the backdrop available at Fallsview Casino Resorts. After all, the clue is in their name – you really can get married with a breathtaking view of Niagara Falls in the background.
Like Caesars Windsor, the main selling point here (besides the view) is the bespoke experience on offer. You can choose from a range of venues (up to 350 capacity) and choose every minute detail of the decor and music. Basically, you can turn the Fallsview Hotel, Peninsula Lakes, or The Fallsview Hotel into your special place for the day.
On the other hand, if you don’t want the venue to be too hands-on, you can simply rent the space and give yourself full control. If you like though, you can have your bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, wedding, and honeymoon all in the Fallsview Resort.
In terms of catering, you can choose from four steakhouses or two TGI Fridays venues. Moreover, there are five hotels within the resort, and rooms range from budget-friendly all the way up to bespoke luxury.
Why choose Niagara Fallsview?
Breathtaking views – There probably isn’t a more romantic backdrop in the whole of Canada than this view of Niagara Falls.
Before, during, and after – You can have your bachelorette/bachelor party, wedding, and honeymoon all in the same place.
Accommodation – The five hotels cover small budgets, high-end luxury, and everything in between.
Alternative Options
The five venues listed above might be the best for weddings at casinos in Ontario, but they aren’t your only options. Additionally, there are a few other great spots that have a lot to offer, but that didn’t quite make the cut. Some ON casinos don’t have on-site wedding facilities, but can instead provide you with access to resorts and event spaces nearby.
The Gateway Casino in Thunder Bay has some nearby resorts where you can get married on the colossal Lake Superior. Meanwhile, the Shorelines Casino in Peterborough offers a rare land-locked alternative, though the Otonabee River isn’t far away at all.
In Summary: It’s Your Special Day
Whether you want a small, low-key wedding with just a few loved ones or a grand all-singing, all-dancing affair, there’s a venue listed above to suit you. Moreover, as we have seen, Ontario weddings on a budget are possible at most casino resorts. At the other end of the scale, Fallsview and Caesars Windsor can help you to organize a luxurious special day for you and your betrothed.
While you’re scouting your favorite venue, why not check out these online casinos in Ontario to get a taste of the excitement? Or, if you fancy visiting some of these resorts for real, take a look at the best ON casino restaurants to eat at while you’re there.
