SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society

There are wedding venues with history, and then there is the S.S. Sicamous. Permanently moored on the Penticton waterfront, the great sternwheeler offers couples the chance to hold both ceremony and reception aboard one of Canada's largest surviving vessels, surrounded by breathtaking lake views and the character of another era.

Ceremonies can take place on the bow or around the grand staircase, with those spaces comfortably accommodating roughly 30 to 60 guests and additional standing room available. The celebration can then continue through the ship, with access to the Dining Hall, exterior decks and other areas included with wedding rentals. Tables, chairs, a signing table, sound system and catering equipment are among the venue inclusions.

Couples retain flexibility over many of the pieces that make the day their own. The venue provides recommended vendors but allows couples to choose their own caterers and other wedding professionals. Bar arrangements are also flexible, and nearby hotels, the beach, pier, rose garden and surrounding wine country add options for guests and photographs.

A wedding here already has a story before the first invitation is sent. Imagine walking a grand staircase toward your ceremony, stepping onto the deck as the serene lake catches the soft, golden evening light, and dancing aboard a ship that has watched generations come and go. For one night, its next chapter belongs to you, leaving the kind of warm, romantic memory that feels almost storybook long after the last dance.

• Vineyard and wines of their own
• A historic setting
• Live music welcome
• Sparklers or fireworks send-offs