Best Places to Get Ready on Your Wedding Day in Southern Ontario
If your venue doesn’t have a bright, spacious place to get ready (and a lot don’t), I always recommend booking a nearby hotel suite or Airbnb.
Where you get ready matters more than most people think. It affects your mood, your timeline, and a lot of how your photos turn out.
Hotels can be a great option, but you do need to be selective. Some still have outdated interiors, and others are just designed that way. Unless you’re fully committing to a moody, old-mansion vibe, look for bright, neutral spaces with plenty of natural light.
After photographing weddings across Hamilton, Cambridge/Kitchener, Norfolk County, London, and Toronto, I’ve seen a wide range of getting-ready setups, some great, some not so much. This guide breaks down the best options by location so you can choose a space that actually works.
HAMILTON area: Best Getting-Ready Locations
Hotels with large suites:
→The Pearl Hotel & Spa, Burlington:
The James Suite is a great option if you’re looking for space and light. It features a separate living area, king bedroom, and a large bathroom so there’s room for everyone to spread out without it feeling chaotic.
The floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Lake Ontario, which gives you beautiful natural light throughout the morning. There’s also a private terrace with lounge seating, which is perfect for a quiet moment (and really nice for photos too).
→Sheraton Hamilton:
Both the Hamilton Suite and the Prime Minister Suite offer separate living areas and king bedrooms, which makes a big difference when you have hair, makeup, and a full group getting ready at the same time.
One suite faces the city and the other looks toward the lake, so you’ll get nice natural light either way-just slightly different vibes depending on what you prefer.
→ The Barracks Inn, Ancaster:
A 19th-century stone inn with more traditional, moody decor. The Royal Suite is the largest option, with a king bed and a small sitting area. It features exposed stone walls and deeper tones, so it leans more into that classic, old-world feel. The windows aren’t huge, but the space is still surprisingly bright.
This is a good fit if you like a bit of mood and character, rather than a bright, modern look. This is the perfect hotel to stay at if you are getting married at Ancaster Mill, and it is minutes away.
AirBNB’s
→Horse Ranch Farm House, Flamborough:
A bungalow set on a large property with actual horses (which is very fun if you’re into a rustic vibe). It sleeps 5 and works well if you want something quiet, a bit more private, and slightly outside the city.
→The Noble Nest, Hamilton:
A more elevated option with beautiful neutral tones throughout, lots of natural light, and plenty of space to spread out. It sleeps 8, so it’s ideal for larger groups, and it’s conveniently located near several Hamilton-area venues.
This is the kind of space that photographs clean and calm which makes a big difference in the morning.
Cambridge/Kitchener area: Best Getting-Ready Locations
Hotels with large suites
→ Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa, Cambridge:
Easily one of the best getting-ready locations in Ontario. The rooms are bright, spacious, and calm—which makes a huge difference in how your morning feels and how your photos turn out.
This country estate hotel has multiple suite options, but the two largest are the Stable Suites and the Pine & Orchard Suite. Both have separate living areas and bedrooms, which gives your bridal party plenty of room to spread out, get ready, and perfect morning.
→ The Walper Hotel, Kitchener:
A boutique option with more modern, design-forward interiors. The Historic King Suite is the best choice here, it has a separate living area and an oversized window that brings in nice natural light.
AIRBNB’S
→ Under the Whispering Pines, Cambrige:
A house and coach house designed with wedding mornings and small events in mind. It sleeps 8 and includes 2 full bathrooms, a pool, and cozy, well-thought-out interiors.
This is a great option if you want everything in one place, with enough space for your group to spread out and a really nice backdrop for getting ready.
https://www.underthewhisperingpines.com
→ Luxurious 5 Bedroom Estate on 2 Acres, Cambridge:
This is more of a full weekend property, perfect if you want to stay with your entire wedding party. It sleeps 12 and includes 5 ensuite bedrooms, which makes getting ready way more seamless (no bathroom bottlenecks).
The standout here is the grand staircase This is the kind of place you book if you want space, ease, and a bit of a “this feels like an experience” weekend.
→ Insta-Worthy 4BR Downtown Getaway, Cambridge
Walking distance to Cambridge Mill and a short drive to Tapestry Hall, this 4-bedroom home sleeps up to 8 people and is a really solid option for getting ready.
It’s bright, clean, and neutral throughout, with a loft space that works especially well for hair and makeup to set up, so you’re not all crammed into one room. Exactly the kind of layout that makes the morning feel organized instead of chaotic.
NORFOLK COUNTY: Best Getting-Ready Locations
I live in Norfolk, and a lot of the most popular venues here have beautiful on-site houses where you can stay the night before and get ready the morning of, which is the best-case scenario.
A lot of brides also choose to get ready at home, which can be amazing… or very dark. It really depends on the space.
If you’re looking for another option that prioritizes light, space, and a more relaxed morning, here are a few options I’ve found that work really well.
AIRBNB’S
→ The Sandpiper, turkey point
A set of four recently updated cottages, each with its own private entrance and yard. This setup works really well if you want both sides of the wedding party getting ready separately, but still close by.
Nothing is shared, so everyone has their own space,but you’re still together on one property, which makes the morning feel connected without being chaotic.
It’s also perfect for an easy first look right in the backyard
→Beach House on the Dunes, Long POint Beach
A cottage right on the beach with huge windows that bring in tons of natural light. I’ve photographed a wedding here before, and it’s an ideal setup if you want to do a first look or even family photos right on the beach.
There’s a large deck, and enough space for a smaller wedding party to get ready comfortably. It’s been nicely renovated with clean, updated decor, making it a really beautiful backdrop for getting dressed.
→ Lakeview Retreat, POrt Rowan
A large, modern home with views of Lake Erie and a spacious deck that gets great light. It’s bright, open, and has plenty of room for a full wedding party to stay the night before and get ready comfortably.
It sleeps up to 12, so it’s a great option if you want everyone together in one place. There’s even a games room, which makes it feel more like a full weekend experience rather than just a place to get ready.
It’s also just down the road from Burning Kiln Winery and while that venue does have on-site accommodations, this gives you a lot more space. Also, I live 5 minutes away!
LONDON: Best Getting-Ready Locations
HOtels with large suites
→The Park Hotel London
The Park Suite is the largest option here and works really well for getting ready. It has a separate living area with plenty of seating, a small kitchen, fireplace, and a table setup that’s ideal for hair and makeup.
Bonus: there are already bar stools in the space so your hair and makeup team won’t have to haul theirs up 12 floors (they will appreciate that more than you know).
It’s modern, bright, and has enough room for everyone to get ready without it feeling crowded.
→ Hard Rock Hotel, London
If you’re going for more of a bold, modern vibe, the Rock Star Suite is the one to book. It’s newer, a bit edgier, and has that cool, design-forward feel.
The space is spread across two areas, with a kitchen, high bar, and stools, so there’s room for hair and makeup to set up without taking over everything.
The decor leans more dramatic, which makes for really fun, slightly different getting-ready photos compared to the typical light and airy look.
→ Unmistakably you, London
A curated space run by a team of planners who offer micro weddings, planning services, and event rentals. You can also book it specifically for your getting-ready time.
It has a few flexible rooms, cute pink furniture, and a huge mirror (which is always a win for getting ready). There’s also a small kitchenette, and they include snacks and drinks with their getting-ready package, which is a really nice touch.
This is a great option if you want something a bit more styled and intentional, rather than a typical hotel or house.
https://www.unmistakablyyou.com
Airbnb’s
→ Spacious and Family-Friendly House
Close to Bellamere Winery, this house even has a playroom, which is especially handy if you have little kids in your wedding party or family. It sleeps 10 people and has plenty of room to get ready, including an open office that can be used for hair and makeup.
The decor is neutral throughout, so nothing will distract in photos. It is a simple, functional house that works really well for the morning of your wedding day.
Where you get ready might seem like a small decision, but it does have an impact on how your photos look. A bright, spacious environment makes everything run smoother and lets you actually enjoy the morning and being with your closest people
If you’re not sure what makes the most sense for your wedding, this is something I help my couples with all the time. Choosing the right space is one of the easiest ways to set your day up well from the start.