The Greenhouse on Strawberry Lane

Some celebrations are meant to feel quiet, close and surrounded by growing things. The Greenhouse on Strawberry Lane was built by its owners as a sanctuary, a place to feel the peace that comes with nature.

The Greenhouse sits on the back acre of the owners' private residence in Somerset, Nova Scotia, placed among flower gardens with a forest behind it and horses grazing in the pastures nearby. The owners describe it as a place where you only hear birds singing and bees buzzing.

Intimate wedding ceremonies are one of the ways the space is used. The greenhouse arrives fully decorated with lush greenery and string lights, and bookings include private use of the greenhouse along with the surrounding forest, meadow and garden.

The 16 by 20 foot structure can seat up to 24 people inside, around an antique table that adjusts from four to seven feet with an eclectic mix of 24 antique chairs. The venue lists a maximum occupancy of 75 for weddings, and couples are welcome to bring additional chairs.

The setting changes with the seasons. In May, a tulip meadow of more than 700 tulips blooms beyond the greenhouse, while rows of zinnias, cosmos and dahlias hit their stride in late summer. Autumn brings dried flowers and pumpkins, and from November 11 the greenhouse is filled with evergreen garlands, wreaths and natural holiday decor.

Beyond the greenhouse, a trail through the woods offers another place for photographs. The property is currently off grid, with a portable washroom tucked into the trees, and couples may bring a rented portable power source if they wish. There is ample parking beside the greenhouse.

The Greenhouse is run by a mother and daughter trio who handle coordination, the grounds and the flowers, and it was built by Mi'kmaw carpenter Jeremiah Lewis. Visits are by appointment only, and the property is private, so events are not interrupted by drop-ins.

For couples who picture exchanging vows among flowers, forest and string lights with only their closest people nearby, The Greenhouse on Strawberry Lane offers a small, deeply personal setting in the Annapolis Valley.