Welcome to Manitoulin Island! The Island has many qualities and quirks that you may not be aware of. Below is a list of a few things to consider: - Manitoulin Island is bigger than you think. The world's largest freshwater island can take several hours to drive across. - Our wedding takes place on Thanksgiving weekend, which is often the weekend that many things on Manitoulin Island close for the season. This includes things like some restaurants, tourist attractions, and the Chi-Cheemaun ferry that connects the Island with Southern Ontario (more on this on the Things to Do page). This varies from year to year based largely on weather. Call ahead if you plan to go somewhere to make sure they are open. - The only road access to the Island is a single-lane swing bridge in the town of Little Current on the north shore of Manitoulin Island. The bridge may swing open for 15 minutes each hour on the hour to allow marine traffic to pass. - There are tons of deer on the Island. Watch out while driving because you will definitely come across some at some point in your travels. - Stores in Gore Bay often close earlier than in the city (5 or 6 PM). Mindemoya and Little Current have grocery stores that are open a little later (7 or 8 PM).
You can let us know of your intended plans by clicking on the RSVP tab of our wedding website. Type in your first and last name and click continue. There you will be able to select from a list of RSVP options for you as well as your party.
Please RSVP by Thursday, September 07 (or before!) so we can finalize numbers with our vendors.
If you are having a problem using the RSVP tab on our website, you can inform us of your intended plans by reaching out to us directly at rob.alisha.2023@gmail.com
Yes! We have blocked off a number of rooms at 3 locations in Gore Bay. Click on the 'Travel' tab on our website to see more details. Let us know if you are having trouble booking accommodations. You can reach out to us at rob.alisha.2023@gmail.com
Though Manitoulin Island is a really big island (over 150km across), it is still an island. The only road on and off the island is HWY 6 which passes over the iconic one-lane swing bridge which may open for 15 minutes each hour on the hour. There is also a scheduled ferry called the Chi-Cheemaun that can take you and your vehicle between Tobermory in Southern Ontario and South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island in about 2 hours. NOTE! - The ferry usually stops service for the season around Thanksgiving, depending on the year, so be sure to watch the schedule to ensure it is running. More information about the Chi-Cheemaun and rates/booking can be found at: https://www.ontarioferries.com/ms-chi-cheemaun/
Here's a link to a Google Maps direction page from the Sudbury Airport to Gore Bay: https://goo.gl/maps/yNG8ZWzreDE4Prse8 Here are some general guidelines: Go West on Hwy 17 until you get to a rest stop area with a McDonalds, Tim Hortons, Esso, etc. This is also the intersection for Hwy 6 South, which will take you through the town of Espanola and onward to the swing bridge onto Manitoulin Island and the town of Little Current. From Little Current, the most direct route is to take Hwy 540 all the way West to Gore Bay, and turn right at the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) detachment onto HWY 540B which will take you into town. This route will take you past some of the places on our Things To Do page, such as the Cup and Saucer trail, and Bridal Veil falls which just might have some salmon running at that time of year.
The church where our ceremony is being held is about 35 minutes from Gore Bay. Here is a Google Maps link to the route from Watersedge Pub & Restaurant in Gore Bay to the ceremony church: https://goo.gl/maps/DSuRViHfRxPUptCT6 Guests who arrived on our airport shuttle will be able to ride the shuttle to the ceremony and back on Oct. 07. The schedule for pick-ups at our 3 accommodation venues will be: Ceremony Shuttle Schedule: Queen's Inn Bed & Breakfast - 12:15 Gore Bay Apartments - 12:25 Inn at Gore Bay - 12:35 Ceremony - 1:15
There is parking at all wedding venues and accommodations.
If you would like to rent a car, there are a number of rental companies in Sudbury. More information on the website linked below (scroll down to Car Rental Information): https://flysudbury.ca/traveller-info#car-rentals
The Greater Sudbury Airport is located outside of the city about 30 mins from downtown Sudbury. The easiest ways to get into Sudbury would be via taxi or rental car. The airport is small. There is one terminal with a few gates in the waiting lounge past security. Be aware that there is no real food at, or near the airport. The terminal has vending machines with snacks, drinks, coffee, etc. The terminal does have free Wifi and charging stations. Boarding and disembarking planes generally requires use of external stairs and a short walk outside on the apron. Relatively few flights arrive and depart Sudbury. It's rare to have two flights arriving or departing at the same time so things usually move fairly quickly. That being said, flights to and from Toronto are often delayed and have been cancelled in the past.
Details of the schedule can be found on the 'Schedule' tab on our webpage. A brief overview of Oct. 07 is below: 1:30PM - Ceremony @ St. Andrew's United Church in Silver Water (about 35 minutes from Gore Bay). Address for Google Maps found on the Schedule page. 3:00PM - Refreshments @ Watersedge Pub & Restaurant 4:30PM - Cocktails @ Watersedge Pub & Restaurant 5:30PM - Dinner @ Watersedge Pub & Restaurant
For those who would like an idea of what to expect for weather, here is some historical data (last 5 years) about the first 2 weeks of October in Gore Bay: Average Daily High: 15ºC (59ºF) Average Daily Low: 7ºC (45ºF) Maximum Temperature: 23ºC (74ºF) Minimum Temperature: 0ºC (32ºF) % of days with any rain: 45% % of days with rain exceeding 2mm: 24% % of days with rain exceeding 5mm: 15%
Both the ceremony and reception will be indoors. The reception venue will have some outdoor covered seating available.
You should wear what you are comfortable wearing, but a suggestion for the day would be cocktail attire.
Most accommodations are up a set of stairs. The Inn at Gore Bay has a small number of rooms on the ground floor. Our reception venue has a ramp to the entrance and washrooms on the main floor. The church where the ceremony will be held is one floor with washrooms on the same level.
None of our accommodations or venues allow pets on-site.
We will have a photographer capturing the day so we ask that guests enjoy the ceremony and leave it to her.
There's gas at various points along the route from Sudbury to the island, including the town of Espanola, the biggest town on the way. Keep an eye out for Route 6 Gas just south of Birch Island on Hwy 6 for a good price (https://goo.gl/maps/8JAfDBk2Cc5VMPYy7). If you need gas on the Island, there are gas pumps in all of the major towns, including Gore Bay (though they often open on a limited schedule). The best price is usually Finn's Gas Bar (https://goo.gl/maps/6c9YkVCr1U555uLp8) in M'Chigeeng First Nation just off of 540 HWY.
There are a number of restaurants in the big towns on the island (Little Current, Gore Bay, Mindemoya). A list of some of our favourites can be found on the Things To Do page. Many of the restaurants have limited hours or are closed on certain days of the week. Also, many businesses close for the winter, often closing up around Thanksgiving, so keep an eye out for that while making your plans. Little Current (45 mins from Gore Bay) at the road entry point of the island is the biggest town and has the most variety and consistent restaurants on the island (including a Tim Hortons). There are grocery stores in the larger towns as well (including Gore Bay) where you can pick up some food items for the road or if you plan to stay on. Again, keep an eye on opening hours and days where they will be closed for Thanksgiving.
If you plan to get something from the bar at the reception, you may be required to show valid ID, as at any licensed event.
Our wedding reception will have a selection of beverages including, soft drinks, wine, beer, and mixed drinks provided for our guests at no charge.
1. Come to the reception venue before the reception for refreshments. Starting at 3:00PM there will be coffee, tea, soft drinks and charcuterie at Watersedge Pub and Restaurant. Cocktail hour to begin at 4:30PM until dinner begins at 5:30PM. 2. Go for a stroll around Gore Bay and check out the boardwalk around the bay overlooking Lake Huron. Take in the Fall colours and if you're up for a longer walk (or have a vehicle) head up to the East Bluff lookout for a great view of the town and harbour (https://goo.gl/maps/PqGrzDGDUVBJCnxr8). 3. Check out our Things To Do page for a list of other places you might like to visit. Be sure to check that they are open! (see: FAQ "What should I know about Manitoulin Island?")
You can reach out to us directly at rob.alisha.2023@gmail.com with any questions you may have.