Mattawa River Resort

Some weddings are over in an evening. Others become a whole weekend by the water. At Mattawa River Resort, the pristine Mattawa River and a mountainous backdrop set the scene for a celebration that friends and family can settle into.

This family-owned resort on Highway 17 in Mattawa spans 147 acres and is home to the Cardinal Lodge, a rustic lodge and terrace with views over the river.

The resort's venue space can accommodate up to approximately 150 guests. Couples can exchange vows on site, with options such as a wedding arbor and white chairs for guest seating on the dock or beach.

Weddings include exclusive use of the lodge on the day, an on-site manager for planning, preparation and day-of execution, and set-up and tear down of the ceremony and reception.

The resort's Cardinal Restaurant prepares the meals, from rehearsal dinners to the wedding menu, and the team is happy to create a special menu. Wedding cake service is available as well.

Thirteen private cabins keep guests close, and couples who book all of the cabins for a minimum two to three night stay gain exclusivity at the resort. There is also the Cardinal RV Campground on the property.

Between celebrations, guests can enjoy a large sandy beach, a dock, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, a wood-burning sauna and steam room, and a large fire pit. In winter, guests can skate on the river, snowshoe the trails or ski at the hills nearby.

A couple might gather everyone for a rehearsal-night bonfire, then wake to the river on the wedding morning.

For couples who picture a spring, fall or winter wedding in Northern Ontario with everyone staying together by the water, Mattawa River Resort offers a rustic, relaxed setting and a family team devoted to the details.