Klages Mill & Garden

Water has shaped this place for well over a century. At Klages Mill & Garden, the Saugeen River and the quiet mill pond set a gentle scene for a wedding ceremony.

Located at 11 1st Avenue North in Chesley, the mill was first built in 1886 as a grist mill. It burned in 1955, was rebuilt in 1957, and was purchased in 1994 by Ron and Georgina Klages and their three daughters, who have since doubled the building in size and created a reception hall on the main level.

The gardens are the heart of the property. A waterfall, pergola, gazebo and fountain sit among many flower beds, and the dam creates a mill pond that is home to a pair of mute swans and their families, who are known to pose for photographers.

Couples can hold their wedding ceremony outdoors in the gardens, in the refurbished shed, or indoors in the special occasion hall. The venue no longer hosts wedding receptions, so it suits couples planning a ceremony here and celebrating elsewhere afterward.

The air-conditioned hall seats up to 110 people for a meal and also offers theatre-style seating for larger groups, with in-floor heating to keep guests comfortable in cooler months. Tables and cushioned chairs are included, and garden chairs can be rented for outdoor ceremonies.

Catering is available on site from a full-service kitchen, with menus that can be adjusted to suit each event. The hall also hosts luncheons, anniversaries and other family celebrations.

The grounds are also popular for wedding and grad photos, which can be booked by appointment.

For couples who want to say their vows beside flowers, falling water and a quiet mill pond, Klages Mill & Garden offers a ceremony setting with small-town history and plenty of natural beauty.

• Jardins et terrains