“Fair fresh leaves, and buds—and buds—tiny at first but swelling and working Magic until they burst and uncurled into cups of scent delicately spilling themselves over their brims and filling the garden air.”
The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911
You want every aspect of your wedding to be magical, from the venue to your guest list to the flowers and music. If you want your stay in Kingston to be as personal and special as the ceremony, the Secret Garden Inn is the perfect spot. Tucked away in historic Sydenham Ward, steps away from downtown, the Secret Garden Inn offers an intimate, welcoming experience to help you celebrate your special day.
When you first step into the Secret Garden Inn, you notice all the fine details of the original home created by its builder in 1888 – the stained-glass panels in the doors in the entranceway, the warm hardwood floors, and magnificent carved bannister of the sweeping staircase. As you are welcomed into the inn, you’ll appreciate all the modern amenities that integrate seamlessly into the historic charm. The house’s original wood-burning fireplaces have been converted to gas. There are comfortable reading nooks in the library and living room and high-speed Wifi available throughout the property, inside and out. The guest rooms feature both antique furniture and smart TVs.
Select your room for your perfect stay
The inn offers seven guest rooms on the second and third floors, each one with its own charm and special features. The McKay room features a large sunny alcove overlooking the gardens and the koi pond. Magnificently carved wood is on display here, in the four-poster king-sized bed, matching armoire, and the majestic mantel of the original fireplace.
The Coverdale room has a lovely view of St. Mary’s Cathedral and Sydenham Street United Church, and it boasts a large corner gas fireplace. Like the McKay room, it has an en suite bathroom with large walk-in shower.
The Limestone Room has its own private patio where you can sit with a cup of tea in the morning and plan your day. The LaSalle Room has its own private spa bathroom with rainhead shower.
The Brant Room features a carved four-poster queen bed and a sitting area (with gas stove) with a beautiful view of the neighbourhood. The Bader Room also has a carved four-poster queen bed, as well as an elegant clawfoot slipper tub with brass features. It also has a lovely writer’s alcove.
The Martello room has a roomy seating area in the building’s turret surround, with a view of the gardens and koi pond below. This is one of many nooks at the inn that is perfect for pre-wedding photos. Explore the rooms and their amenities further.
Each room contains all you need to relax and unwind. Slip on a monogrammed bathrobe and take a luxurious bath, using the inn’s own line of soaps and lotions, handcrafted locally by 1000 Islands Soap Company. The “Secret” line of toiletries, with its hints of mint and patchouli, evokes the earthy scents of the inn’s gardens.
Stock up the mini-fridge in your room with treats from the local farmers’ market or a bottle of wine from nearby Prince Edward County. In wintertime, you can turn on the gas fireplace and watch the snow fall outside your window. (There are fire features in six of the seven rooms.)
Gourmet delights
Prepared to be pampered by the Secret Garden menu. Greet the morning with a cup of French Press coffee on the veranda, then choose from a selection of European-inspired entrées for breakfast. If you want to explore Kingston, be sure to ask the staff about their “picnic and paddle” and “picnic and pedal” packages, combining kayaking or biking opportunities with a special Secret Garden picnic basket. You’re just a few blocks away from the lake, parks, and historic sites (not to mention the vibrant downtown Kingston shopping district). If you need an afternoon pick-me-up from your day’s adventures, return to the inn for high tea, featuring an assortment of sweet and savoury treats. The inn’s table d’hote three-course dinner menu changes weekly to take advantage of fresh, in-season local produce.
Your wedding ceremony
There are a number of venues in Kingston for wedding ceremonies, both civil and religious. These include Sydenham Street United Church, which is literally across the street from the Secret Garden Inn. But the inn itself has hosted a number of beautiful, intimate ceremonies, both inside and outside in its eponymous garden. The entire inn can be booked fully by one wedding party, turning it into the perfect private escape.
The outside courtyard can host a private gathering of 25 to 30 people. Picture your special ceremony in the perennial garden, with your guests sit comfortably beneath the gentle shade of a maple tree. The air is delicately scented by blooming hydrangeas all around you, and you hear the quiet murmur of the waterfall in the background as you exchange your vows.
The complete package
Imagine having your favourite people here with you for the weekend, relaxing in luxurious accommodations, being pampered with sumptuous food, exploring the city together, and then celebrating your wedding vows, creating lasting memories in your own secret garden.
Contact the Secret Garden Inn to get started.
Are you still in search of the ideal venue for your special day? Discover a comprehensive list of wedding venue resources to assist you in planning your perfect celebration.
