A rustic wedding at Sucrerie de la Montagne
Imagine tying the knot amidst the rustic charm of Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud. Stefanie and Joe travelled all the way from Alberta to do just that. Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Quebec countryside, just 45 minutes from downtown Montreal, this quaint sugar shack offers an idyllic setting for couples seeking a unique and authentic wedding experience. The couple said, “I do,” surrounded by towering maple trees in front of their closest friends and family, many of whom had also travelled long distances to be there.
Planning a Sucrerie de la Montagne wedding from afar can be challenging, to say the least, but, as you’ll see, this wedding was truly unique. Relaxed, fun and filled with emotion, surrounded by the rustic elegance of their wedding venue.
Stefanie took some time to tell us more about the wedding.
Tell us about Sucrerie de la Montagne and why you chose that wedding venue.
Sucrerie de la Montagne is a family-owned and run sugar shack located in the midst of a 120-acre forest of century-old maples atop Mont Rigaud, west of Montréal. The buildings and cabins are rustic-looking and built with old barnwood. It is absolutely stunning and has a charm you just can’t find anywhere else. We wanted to get married outdoors, in nature, surrounded by trees, and it needed to be within driving distance of Joe’s family, who live in Quebec. I stumbled upon this location on Google while searching for possible wedding venues, and I knew instantly that this was where we needed to get married. The bonus was the staff and family who run everything there – they are so friendly, and our whole experience there was absolutely perfect.
Did you hire an event planner?
No! Our wedding was to be very small, simple, and on a tight budget, so an event planner was not needed.
How did you two meet, how did you become engaged and for how long had you been engaged before your wedding day?
We met at work, and each of us was part of the same “dinner” crowd at camp. Later on, I (Stefanie) ended up having to move to Alberta for work, and we ended up reconnecting. The rest is history. We were engaged for 2 years before getting married (due to COVID).
Who designed your dress, and where did you purchase it?
My dress is by Justin Alexander, and I got it at “The Wedding Gallery & Bridal Plus Boutique” in Edmonton, Alberta.
What made you choose this dress? What did you love about it?
Funny enough, the dress is the complete opposite in every way from what I wanted to have as a wedding dress! I wanted a lace boho dress with long sleeves. I ended up with a satin dress with straps and a ‘puffy’ skirt.
I had a full day planned with appointments at multiple stores. This was the third dress I tried on, and it was one my sister pulled out for me to try on. But when I tried on the dress, it felt right, and I just knew. I cancelled all the other appointments that day.
Sucrerie de la Montagne wedding photography
Tell us about your wedding photographer.
Our photographer was Steve Gerrard. Joe and I, and our entire family, have nothing but amazing things to say about him. We were all so impressed – he was like a photo ninja, all over the place, capturing every moment. He was subtle, never in the way but always there, capturing every moment.
We found Steve searching Google for photographers in the Montreal area. In addition to weddings and families, Steve also shoots a lot of music—something we are both very interested in and that fits with our lifestyle. We figured he was a perfect fit, and he absolutely was.
I highly recommend Steve as a photographer for all things. It would be great for us to have him shoot some family photos again at the same location, sort of as a follow-up to our wedding.
How about a hair and make-up artist?
We didn’t hire anyone, and my sister did my hair and makeup for the wedding. We did have to do the hair and makeup outside, though, as the lighting was too dark in the cabins to see properly! It turned out for the best, though, as it was abnormally hot and humid that day, so it was comfortable sitting on the deck in the shade getting ready.
Where did Joe buy his suit?
Purchased as Moore’s. Our only criteria was ‘not black’, so that was pretty simple!
What did you choose when it came to flowers?
Surprisingly, this was the biggest hurdle for the wedding. I called and emailed everyone I could find in the Montreal and Rigaud area – nobody would make my flowers. I just wanted two bouquets and two boutonnieres; how was this such a struggle? Was it because I was trying to arrange this from Alberta? I had pretty much given up finding anyone, which was pretty upsetting. While most brides dream about the dress, I dreamed about the flowers (in addition to an outdoor venue). Joe was the one who ended up finding someone to do our flowers. And that’s one of the many reasons why I love him so much.
The flowers we received – while they were beautiful, they were not what I had wanted and about 1/3rd of the size they were supposed to be. While it was disappointing, there wasn’t anything I could do and accepted it as is. At the end of the day, we were getting married and we were surrounded by friends and family and that’s all that mattered.
The flower fiasco, though, really got me interested (or obsessed) with flowers, and I have since started a flower farm business (Fox and Fable Flower Farm). So maybe it was all meant to be?
We love your choice of cake. Tell us about that.
Sonia at La Maison du Délice, Lacolle QC, made our gluten-free wedding cake. I wanted a simple and rustic-looking cake to match the feel at Sucrerie de la Montagne, so we did a basic naked cake design. The cupcakes (which contained gluten) were done by Yasmin at Wicked Bakehouse. Her icing skills are next-level, and the cupcakes each looked like flowers. Everything tasted amazing, so that was perfect!
What did you do for entertainment?
We made a playlist ahead of time with some of our favourite songs and played those on speakers throughout the events. Of course, there was dancing and a couple of games organized by the Bridesmaid.
What can you tell us about the stationery?
Stationery for invites and place cards was created by purchasing a template on Etsy with a simple watercolor eucalyptus theme.
Anything you used to style the venue?
Having to plan a wedding in Montreal from Alberta isn’t easy, especially when you’re trying to do it all yourself. The idea was to keep with a simple rustic feel, with eucalyptus garlands on the tables and lace found at various secondhand stores. The potted flowers used as decorations down the aisle were then put on each table. The flowerpots were purchased from Michaels, and the plan was to stop at the grocery store to purchase whatever flower bouquets they would have to fill the flower pots purchased from Michaels. Vanessa (my maid of honour) made up all the flower arrangements the night before the wedding. And an unexpected surprise was finding pumpkins for sale at the local grocery store! I’ve always wanted a pumpkin farm, and being able to incorporate the pumpkins down the aisle was an unplanned added bonus.
Did you have anyone accompany you down the aisle?
The best man (Joe’s brother Eric) and the maid of honour (Stefanie’s sister Vanessa) went down the aisle before my father walked me down.
And was this to any particular track or song?
We loved Kina Grannis’ version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” from the Crazy Rich Asians movie and thought it was the perfect song to walk down the aisle to. Kudos to Rob (my brother-in-law) for handling the music during the ceremony!
Did you use a celebrant to officiate your wedding?
We needed an officiant, as we live in Alberta but were getting married in Quebec, and weren’t sure of all the paperwork needed to make our marriage official. We also wanted someone who was bilingual, as the ceremony was half French and half English. We found Diane Matichak from All Seasons Weddings. She was a perfect fit, easy to get along with, and made everything simple for us. We’re grateful to have found her, and we highly recommend her regardless of whether you need a French, English, or combination language wedding officiant!
What was your very favourite part of the day and why? And, on reflection, is there anything you might have done differently with foresight?
There were so many moments that day that stuck out for us and that we will cherish and remember forever. The whole ceremony—from my dad walking me down the aisle to Joe’s reaction to seeing me for the first time (I saw his mouth say, “Oh my god” as he wiped the tears from his eyes) to me trying not to ‘ugly cry’ as we said our vows—really sticks out to me. And with Joe, from his point of view.
Another favourite part of that day that really sticks out to both Joe and myself (and actually still gives us goosebumps to this day) was after dinner, when everyone was dancing, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” came on, and everyone started singing their parts of the song on key – it was just amazing and so powerful. We so wish someone had pulled out their cell phone and filmed it!
If you could impart any words of wisdom to a couple planning their marriage and wedding day, what would they be?
The moments you will remember and cherish on your wedding day cannot be bought or planned. Don’t spend your life savings on your wedding, and don’t get upset if something doesn’t turn out the way you had imagined it, because it will be better than you had ever imagined it could be.
Huge congrats to Stefanie and Joe on their beautiful wedding at Sucrerie de la Montagne. And thanks to Steve Gerrard for sharing the wedding photographs with us.
Step Back in Time at Sucrerie de la Montagne
Sucrerie de la Montagne is an authentic “sugar shack” with a major difference – it is open year-round. Designated an official “Site du Patrimoine Québécois” (Québec Heritage site), the sugar shack, located in the midst of a 120-acre forest of century-old maples atop Mont Rigaud, west of Montréal, transports its visitors back in time, providing them with a momentary glimpse of life as it truly was for Québec and Canadian pioneers.
Sucrerie de la Montagne founder Pierre Faucher and his son Stefan are devoted to respecting the heritage of their forebears and perpetuating Québec traditions with authenticity. Sucrerie de la Montagne tailors its broad range of cultural and heritage activities to the profiles of its markets and its guests.
Long ago, it was here, a single clapboard building nestled in the heart of a maple grove on Chemin St-Georges. Today, it is still here, in all its splendour, but now part of what has become almost a village, featuring a group of buildings that seem to leap off a page from a Canadian history book. A door squeaks open. You have travelled back in time. Welcome into a world of Québec tradition lived through the timeless experience of “sugaring off.”
Over the past more than three decades, thousands of visitors from around the world have come to enjoy Québec folkloric traditions in this authentic setting.
Open year-round, Sucrerie de la Montagne is known as a place where Québec heritage is respected and relived through fun, traditional activities.
Why get married at Sucrerie de la Montagne?
Unique location: It’s nestled in a forest, which can provide a beautiful and natural backdrop for your wedding ceremony and reception. Imagine exchanging vows under a rustic archway surrounded by maple trees.
Rustic charm: The sugar shack itself has a rustic charm that can be perfect for a country-themed wedding. The venue also has log cabins that can be used for overnight stays for you and your guests.
Delicious food: Sugar shacks are known for their traditional Quebec cuisine, which includes maple syrup, ham, sausages, and other comfort foods. This can be a great way to give your guests a taste of the local culture.
Outdoor space: The venue has a lot of outdoor space, which can be perfect for a summer wedding. You can have your ceremony outdoors and then move indoors for the reception.
Flexibility: The venue can accommodate weddings of all sizes. It has a large reception hall that can seat up to 250 guests and smaller rooms that can be used for more intimate gatherings.
If you’re looking for a unique and beautiful wedding venue with a rustic charm, Sucrerie de la Montagne is a great option. Be sure to contact them to inquire about their availability and pricing.
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