Venue Review: Kortright Centre

About It
The Kortright Centre is “located on 324 hectares of pristine woodlands along the Humber River Valley” and is a great spot if you want a “green wedding” and don’t mind of a bit of a drive (the centre’s located out in Woodbridge).

It features two beautiful, tree-lined ceremony sites and receptions can be held in the charming glass house or even inside the actual centre itself if you need a bit more room (and don’t mind too much about décor). Dancing can take place in either place or outside on the glass house’s patio. The centre supplies plenty of candles, tiki torches and twinkle lights that result in a look that is simple though very stunning and memorable.

Pros
- Great setting that is sure to be remembered by your guests and personally I love the fact that you could dance outside surrounded by tall trees and tiki torches
- If your reception was in the glass house you wouldn't need a lot of flowers or other decorations
- All food and drink is looked after by the Centre and this does simplify things; the Centre also offers some flexibility with the menu, for example, will serve your wedding cake for dessert and then serve the original dessert as a midnight snack
- There is a strong emphasis on organic and local food
- The Centre itself is very “green”
- Only one event per evening
- Comes with tables and chairs
-Your rental includes access to the centre’s theatre; perfect for entertaining kids
- Plenty of free parking


Cons
- Kortright’s primary goal is to educate people about the environment; weddings are just something they do on the side. As a result, the condition of this venue isn’t comparable to say, a hotel ballroom. The centre itself is very ‘70s while the glass house could do with a good power washing
- Bathrooms are exactly what you would expect to find in such a venue; clean but could do with makeover
- Just to re-enforce the obvious but this is a “naturey” venue so that means that things like trees, pollen, bugs, birds and animals will be part of your day
- Not the cheapest place; it'll run you about $110 a head including all food, a four-hour open bar, wine on tables, all staff, table, chairs and and basic rentals including table covers (chair covers are an extra $3 per person)
- You can’t bring your own alcohol
- No AC though the glass house does have doors and windows that can be opened to let in a breeze
- Dancing on the patio is great as long as the weather co-operates. Depending on how you use this venue, you’ll need a back-up weather plan
- Menu is fairly straight-forward so this might not be the best place if you’re a foodie
- No access via TTC and taking a taxi up here won't be cheap; there are also no hotels within walking distance
- No on-site sound or lighting system
- No real bridal room though you can use the theatre to change in

Useful Links

Weddings at the Kortright Centre
Virtual Tour