Sims Lake Retreat

At Sims Lake Retreat, a wedding weekend comes with a private Muskoka lake, a sandy beach and 400 acres of forest shared only with the people a couple has invited.

The retreat lies in Huntsville, roughly a two-hour drive north of the GTA. Its 45-acre lake, fed by three streams, belongs entirely to the property, and deer, moose and wild birds are often seen around the shore.

Weddings are held in a newly built barn created for private events, with room for 140 guests. Tables and chairs are provided, so there is no need to rent them separately.

The wedding party has the run of the entire property for two days and two nights. The 3,000 square foot cottage is a comfortable place to get ready before the ceremony.

The lakeside adds its own romance: a swing on the beach, hammocks among the trees and a swan boat for a memorable entrance across the water. Forest trails wind through the land and are suited to horseback riding.

Between celebrations, guests can fish, canoe, kayak, swim, paddle board, take out a paddle boat, hike the trails, play beach volleyball or gather around a bonfire.

The cottage is open from late June until late October, and wedding bookings are taken all year.

For couples who picture a barn full of friends, a quiet lake at sunset and a whole weekend in the woods, Sims Lake Retreat offers a Muskoka wedding that feels completely their own.