The Off Grid Ark

A wedding people remember — without the debt

The #1 comment from guests here is "this was the BEST WEDDING EVER"

You don't need to spend $30k or sacrifice your dreams to make it happen.

Your wedding - Your Way

One Wedding Per weekend

one price - no hidden fees

Bring your own bar

Warm, Hand-Built Indoor Space

your wedding, your way

The Off Grid Ark

A wedding people remember — without the debt

The #1 comment from guests here is "this was the BEST WEDDING EVER"

You don't need to spend $30k or sacrifice your dreams to make it happen.

Your wedding - Your Way

Wedding ceremony at The Off Grid Ark showing a private, single event

One Wedding Per weekend

Couple celebrating at their wedding with guests gathered around

one price - no hidden fees

The Ark's famous beer-filled canoe for weddings.

Bring your own bar

Indoor wedding gathering inside a hand-built wood-framed space

Warm, Hand-Built Indoor Space

Unique weddings are welcome at the Off Grid Ark.

your wedding, your way

What is the "Off Grid Ark"?

The Off Grid Ark is a private, nature-based wedding venue in Western Quebec, about 40 minutes from Ottawa. We host one wedding per weekend and offer couples the freedom to choose their own food, bar, and vendors — without the cost or constraints of traditional wedding venues.

This Venue Is for You If…

You’ll feel at home here if:

  • You care more about people, connection, and shared moments than chair coverings or edible flowers

  • You want guests relaxed, laughing, and saying “that was the best wedding ever” on their way home

  • You like the idea of filling a canoe with beer, gathering around the bonfire, and letting the party unfold naturally

  • You want incredible photo opportunities everywhere — without waiting in line or being rushed through them

  • You appreciate having a loose plan, but the freedom to change it on the fly

  • You want to set up the day before, clean up the day after, and actually enjoy your wedding day

  • You’re drawn to being immersed in nature — trees, water, light, and open space — not walls and hallways

  • You value honest pricing and don’t want to sacrifice a house down payment for a single day.

In short, this is for couples who want a meaningful, memorable wedding — not a high-stress production.

Outdoor wedding ceremony at The Off Grid Ark with guests seated among trees
Wedding celebration moment with the groom surrounded by close family and friends

This Venue Is NOT for You If…

This likely isn’t the right fit if:

  • You’re looking for a luxury resort or hotel-style venue with polished finishes and full staff on hand

  • You want full-service planning, décor packages, or on-site coordination included

  • You need everything to look perfectly staged or Pinterest-ready at all times

  • You’re uncomfortable with a rural setting — including a gravel road and being about 40 minutes from the city

  • You expect to modify the buildings, install fixtures, or redesign the space

  • You’re hoping for a late-night party venue with amplified sound and no boundaries

We’re thoughtful about the weddings we host — not because we’re exclusive, but because the right fit makes for a better day for everyone.

Bride standing beside a horse at The Off Grid Ark during a wedding day photo
Evening wedding celebration with guests gathered outdoors around a bonfire and music"

A Quick Reality Check (By Design)

  • We host one wedding per weekend, so there’s no turnover pressure or time clock

  • Families arrive the day before to set up, decorate, and settle in — together

  • Friday feels more like a house party than a rehearsal: music on, drinks out, kids running around, stories starting to form

  • Because everything is already set, the wedding day itself is calm, present, and unrushed

  • Cleanup can happen the following day, so there’s no pressure to pack up or rush out once the celebration ends

  • The space is simple, warm, and lived-in — designed for people, not perfection

  • The property is off-grid, forested, and real — more like a gathering place than a traditional venue

If this sounds relaxing, you’re probably in the right place.
If you’re looking for a tightly scheduled, staff-directed experience, there are many beautiful venues designed exactly for that.

Wedding couple posing playfully on a gravel road while a photographer captures the moment
Live band performing during an indoor wedding celebration with guests dancing

Guy and I sincerely thank you for helping us of host an amazing wedding at The Ark. You were very accommodating at every step of the process, and didn’t shy away from any request that we had. From helping to set up and tear down, making an emergency trip for more drinks, and even caring for one of our guests who was sick, nothing was a problem for you. The ceremony that you officiated was light-hearted, like I wanted, and touching, like Guy wanted. All of our guests had a great time, and nobody minded the 40 minute drive. The Ark was the perfect venue for our day, and we certainly recommend it to others.

Ian and Guy

What's included

When you book a wedding at The Off Grid Ark, the following are included in your venue fee:

  • Exclusive use of the property
    One wedding per weekend. No overlapping events. No shared space.

  • Time to set up and take down
    Set up Friday. Celebrate Saturday. Clean up Sunday.

  • Indoor and outdoor ceremony and gathering areas
    Including our warm, wood-framed indoor space.

  • Freedom to choose how you feed your people

    Hire your own caterer, bring in a food truck, plan a pig roast, keep it simple with DIY, or host a relaxed potluck — how you eat is entirely up to you.

  • Indoor tables and chairs
    Available for your reception and indoor gathering.

  • Outdoor bench seating for the ceremony
    Simple, functional, and in keeping with the setting.

  • Indoor and outdoor sound system
    For ceremony music, speeches, and dancing.

  • Bring-your-own bar
    No corkage fees. Homemade wine and beer are welcome. Alcohol choices are entirely up to you, within Quebec regulations.

  • Freedom to choose your own food and vendors
    Catered meals, food trucks, potlucks, or simple grilling — it’s your call.
    (We’re happy to recommend vendors who know the site well, if helpful.)

In short, we provide the space, setting, and flexibility — so you can focus on people, food, music, and celebration.

What's not included

To be clear and upfront, the following are not included in the venue fee:

  • Wedding planning or day-of coordination
    We don’t manage timelines, vendors, or logistics — couples either handle this themselves or bring in support as needed.

  • Décor, rentals, or styling services
    This includes tents, linens, lighting installs, or décor packages.

  • Ceiling modifications or permanent installations
    No drilling, hanging fixtures, or structural alterations.

  • Catering, bar service, or staffing
    You’re free to bring in what you need, but these are not provided by us. (Except the canoe of course... you just need to fill it!)

  • Luxury finishes or resort-style amenities
    This is a real, working, off-grid property — not a hotel or event hall.

  • Late-night party venue expectations
    We prioritize respect for the land, the setting, and the surrounding area.

We keep this simple on purpose.
That simplicity is what allows couples to create their wedding, their way — without unnecessary cost or stress.

Outdoor wedding ceremony with guests gathered in a forest clearing
Wedding meal being prepared outdoors over an open fire with guests nearby

Pricing

We keep pricing simple, transparent, and upfront — no packages, no add-ons, and no hidden fees.

Weekend Wedding Pricing

  • $2,500 — Regular weekend

  • $3,000 — Long weekend

This includes exclusive use of the venue and everything listed in the “What’s Included” section. No "extras". No hidden fees.

Deposit & Payment Schedule

  • A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your date

  • The deposit is applied to your total

  • The remaining balance is due in full two weeks prior to your wedding date

Once a deposit is received, the date is removed from availability (the entire weekend).

Taxes

  • No sales tax is currently applied
    (If this changes in the future, it will be clearly communicated before booking.)

Why Our Pricing Is Structured This Way

We intentionally keep pricing straightforward so couples can focus on the wedding itself — not line items, upgrades, or surprise fees.

Our rates reflect:

  • A private, one-wedding-per-weekend setting

  • A DIY-friendly, flexible approach

  • The ability to bring your own bar and food

  • The reality of being a rural, off-grid venue

  • A desire to offer a beautiful, meaningful wedding without unnecessary cost

Many couples tell us this clarity is what made them feel confident moving forward.

A Quick Note on Fit

We host a small number of weddings each season (only 5 in 2026) and prioritize alignment over volume.

If this pricing feels fair — and the approach described on this page resonates — you’re likely a good fit.

Three months after our wedding we are still hearing friends rave about “The Best Wedding Ever!” Thank you so much for everything! We were able to have our dream wedding and actually afford it thanks to your beautiful and unique venue! Everyone kept asking us how we found such an amazing venue that was “so us”. Mike, you were a wonderful officiant and made our ceremony touching, light-hearted, and personal to us as a couple. We cannot express how great it is to still hear from friends that the canoe full of beer was the “coolest way to serve drinks at a wedding ever.” You made our wedding as stress free as possible with being able to set up the day before and take down the day after. Thank you for making our wedding the best day of our lives and putting up with our crazy friends! We feel kind of bad that every other wedding we ever go to now won’t come close to as awesome and fun and laidback as ours. We cannot recommend the Ark enough!

Cheers,

Dave and Jess

Wedding couple walking together through a field at sunset
Wedding guests posing together during a playful outdoor celebration

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Off Grid Ark an all-inclusive wedding venue?

No. We provide the venue, setting, and flexibility. Couples bring their own vendors, food, bar, décor, and coordination. This approach keeps costs down and allows you to host your wedding, your wedding. We can always provide you with a list of trusted providers.

Do you have any availability for 2026?

I'll post a red "no 2026 availability" message at the top of this page once we "sell out". So if you don't see that message, we still have weekends available.

How many guests can you accommodate?

Our maximum guest count is 80, with 50–60 guests being the sweet spot for the space and overall flow of the day.

We do not have a minimum guest count.


Many venues require minimums because they rely on bar or package revenue — we don’t. Smaller weddings are just as welcome here as larger ones.

This venue works well for couples who want:

An intimate gathering

A mid-size celebration

Or something in between — without being pushed into a higher guest count

Is alcohol allowed?

Yes. We allow a bring-your-own bar, with no corkage fees.

Under Quebec regulations, couples are required to obtain a Quebec alcohol permit (permis de réunion) for events where alcohol is served.
This permit is straightforward to obtain and typically costs under $40.

Homemade wine and beer are welcome, as well as purchased alcohol, provided all provincial regulations are followed.

We’re happy to point you to the correct permit information if helpful.

Can we choose our own caterer?

Yes. You’re free to choose any caterer, food truck, or food plan you like — including potlucks or simple grilling. We can recommend vendors who know the site well if helpful, but nothing is required. Bytown Catering has been our #1 favourite for over 20 years.

Do you host same-sex weddings?

Yes. We welcome all couples and are happy to host weddings of all genders and identities.

Can we bring our dog?

We're HUGE dog lovers here at the Ark and currently have 4 rescues living with us.

We keep them upstairs chewing on some fresh beef bones. They may bark a little in the afternoon, but once everyone settles in, you won't hear them.

So yes, you're welcome to bring your pooch. I've lost track of how many doggie ring-bearers we've had here.

Can the ceremony be held indoors in case of bad weather?

Yes. While ceremonies are typically held outdoors, the indoor space can be used for the ceremony if weather conditions require it.

Dining, the buffet, dancing, and music all take place indoors, including use of the sound system and dance floor. An outdoor bonfire pit is also available for guests to enjoy throughout the evening.

Couples who choose The Off Grid Ark should be comfortable with a flexible, common-sense approach to weather — with a clear indoor backup option available when needed.

Can we decorate the space?

You’re welcome to decorate using freestanding décor. Permanent installations, ceiling modifications, drilling, or structural changes are not permitted. Guests are welcome to come up the day before their wedding to decorate, leaving their wedding day free to relax and enjoy the experience.

How late can the event go?

The wedding venue itself has a hard close at 1:00 a.m.
This applies to music, dancing, and bar service, and everyone must be clear of the venue space by that time.

For couples who want to continue the celebration in a quieter, more informal way, our on-site campground can be used afterward for a truly off-grid, late-night gathering.

This keeps the main venue calm and respectful, while still allowing space for those who want to keep the evening going in a different setting.

Can we visit the venue before booking?

Yes. Visits are typically scheduled after an initial conversation to confirm that the venue is a good fit.

Wedding guests seated at tables during an indoor reception in a wood-framed space
Wedding couple standing with guests gathered outdoors for a group photo

Location & Access

The Off Grid Ark is located in Western Quebec, approximately 40–45 minutes from Ottawa and Gatineau, on a private, forested, off-grid property.

285 Chem. de Farrellton, Denholm, QC J0X 2C0, Canada

Getting Here

  • We're 40 minutes from the Champlain Bridge. Traffic is never an issue.

  • Several regional shuttle companies are familiar with the property

  • We recommend contacting a few companies and checking different days of the week to find the best pricing and availability

  • The final 7 km is a gravel road

  • The setting is rural, quiet, and surrounded by forest

  • Guest parking is along the road

This setup is typical for rural properties and works well when guests arrive relaxed, prepared, and on a shared schedule.

Send Us Your Request

Have a dream wedding in mind? Share your ideas and vision with me and I'll do my best to make it a reality..