I find myself driving to Cambridge quite often for weddings because there are a lot of wedding venues packed into one city. Between the historic buildings, the Grand River, and the number of venues to choose from, it's a popular spot for couples getting married in southwestern Ontario.

As a photographer, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Cambridge. The old stone architecture gives the city plenty of character, but sometimes it feels like oh man - so much stone! Fortunately, there are enough parks, riverside spots, and venue grounds to add some variety.

If you're planning a wedding in Cambridge, here are some venues I think are the best.

Cambridge Mill

The very popular Cambridge Mill is located right downtown on the river. Their ceremony pavilion is almost entirely windows, so there's lots of natural light and a beautiful view of the water while you're saying your vows.

Across the street is Mill Race Park, where you can get a permit for wedding photos. It's a nice option if you want that old stone look for your photos. Also, they filmed a creepy scene from Handmaids Tale there.

Cambridge Mill has a variety of reception spaces that can accommodate different wedding sizes. One thing to keep in mind is that they often host more than one wedding on the same day. If having exclusive use of your venue is important to you, this might not be your first choice.

One thing I really like about Cambridge Mill is that guests order their meals from a menu rather than being assigned a preset entrée. The food is good too!

Capacity - 200

Whistle Bear Golf Club

Owned by the same company as Cambridge Mill, Whistle Bear has a lot of similarities. Their Garden Pavilion ceremony space features floor-to-ceiling windows, so there's plenty of natural light and views of the surrounding property.

One advantage Whistle Bear has over Cambridge Mill is the grounds. Since it's a golf course, there is much more space for photos, and couples are given access to a golf cart! And even the wedding party and photographer. It’s a wedding day convey!

Whistle Bear offers a variety of reception spaces depending on the size of your wedding, and the food is excellent. All wedding packages include an onsite coordinator, which helps keep the day running smoothly. The interior is modern, polished, making it a good fit for couples who want a bit of fanciness.

Capacity - 350-400

Langdon Hall

A total quintessential wedding venue! If you're after a classic, elegant affair, Langdon Hall checks all the Martha Stewart wedding boxes. The historic mansion gives the property a grand feel, while the reception space has a more modern look. Everywhere you turn, there are magazine-worthy photo opportunities.

Guests can enjoy cocktails on the patio, and there are plenty of beautiful spots around the grounds for photos. Langdon Hall can also accommodate intimate weddings, making it a versatile choice for different celebration sizes.

With 60 guest rooms on site, everything can happen in one location. It makes for a sophisticated wedding weekend. Important to note, if a weekend celebration is what you are looking for.

Capacity - 120

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

Have an outdoor wedding without worrying about the weather at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. Surrounded by tropical plants and hundreds of butterflies, it feels like you're outdoors even though you're protected from the elements.

If a golf course, ballroom, or banquet hall isn't your thing, this venue offers something completely different. The conservatory hosts both ceremonies and receptions, so everything can happen in one place.

After your ceremony, you're able to release a few butterflies together. No, you can't keep one as a pet, but it's a memorable touch that you won't find at many other wedding venues.

Capacity - 100

Tapestry Hall

An industrial gem with two spaces that host weddings. The Grand Hall is absolutely enormous and embraces the building's industrial features with a massive ceiling and the art installation that reacts to sensors placed in the Grand River. The Riverside Room is smaller and better suited to more typical wedding sizes.

Tapestry Hall is one of the most unique wedding venues in Cambridge if not, Ontario. If Langdon Hall is a Martha Stewart wedding, Tapestry Hall is the cool cousin who lives downtown and owns a lot of black clothing. Which I can identify with as a photographer! Important to know, industrial spaces like this make photographers work for it. The dark ceilings and massive spaces can be challenging, so make sure your photog knows their stuff.

Capacity - Grand Room- 600 (woah!), Riverside - 120

Roseville Estate

A traditional estate venue with beautiful grounds and even a pool! Somewhere for the groom and groomsmen to hang out in the morning while getting ready. After all, they take about 20 minutes and us girls have hours of hair and makeup. So, that’s fair.

The bridal suite is spacious and designed specifically for getting ready, complete with makeup stations and sitting area. Roseville Estate offers three ceremony locations and a modern reception space, giving couples lots of options.

There are plenty of photo opportunities throughout the property, from open green spaces to quiet corners tucked around the stone estate. It's a venues where you can have your entire wedding day in one location without feeling limited.

Capacity - 200

Storehouse 408

Storehouse 408 was designed with the idea that couples should have a simple, modern space for their wedding. Thoughtful details and subtle mid-century modern influences make it a popular choice for couples who aren't drawn to traditional wedding venues. The space feels inviting and stylish with clean industrial vibes. And your wedding will be the only one there! No sharing!

It's also conveniently located near hotels and Highway 401, which makes things easy for out-of-town guests.

While I haven't photographed a wedding there yet, family photos can probably be done on site. You'll likely want to head elsewhere for portraits if you're looking for more variety. Fortunately, Storehouse 408 has a blog post with suggested photo locations nearby.

Capacity- 140

Galt Country Club

So if a beautiful golf course is your thing, then Galt Country Club is worth a spot in wedding binder. The golf course provides plenty of room for outdoor ceremonies and wedding photos, with mature trees and well-maintained grounds creating a classic wedding backdrop. I have only photographed one wedding there, and it happened to be during a torrential rainstorm, so I feel like I only saw about 10% of what the property has to offer.

Everything can happen in one place, which makes life easier for both couples and guests.

Capacity- 150

The Slit Barn

This one is for the rustic aesthetic peeps. Slit Barn is a historic barn that has been transformed into a event space while still holding onto its original character.

I have no idea where the name comes from. Every time I hear it, I find myself wondering if there was really no better option available.

The property features an old silo, stone walls, exposed beams, and an outdoor ceremony space. You can do all your wedding photos on site, and golden hour is beautiful here with the surrounding farm like landscape.

I imagine couples who choose this venue enjoy country music and beer, but that's probably just me thinking I know everything after doing this job for 13 years.

Capacity - 125