Where History Holds Your Story
the beginning of
your next chapter
For more than a century, these stone walls have witnessed life's milestones. Moments of learning, laughter, and renewal. Today, as one of Ottawa's most distinctive wedding venues, their purpose remains unchanged: to bring people together in celebration.
When you choose Ashlar as your wedding venue, you become part of that story. Every toast, every dance, every fleeting glance becomes woven into the history of this place. We've reimagined a heritage building to host today's most meaningful weddings – intimate celebrations for couples who value quality over quantity, meaning over spectacle.
Ashlar isn't just a venue for weddings in Ottawa; it's a living legacy. As a heritage wedding venue, every stone in our walls has witnessed a century of moments – learning, laughter, resilience, and renewal. That enduring spirit is what inspired its rebirth: to create an intimate wedding space where modern celebrations meet historic elegance.
Our vision is to preserve the soul of the original 1890 schoolhouse while reimagining it through a premium, heritage-inspired lens. A wedding venue in Ottawa where design, service, and storytelling align seamlessly. Here, small weddings are elevated to something extraordinary: thoughtful, timeless, and deeply personal.
The soul of ashlar
c. 1890
Nestled in the heart of Munster, Ashlar stands as Ottawa's premier heritage wedding venue – a piece of local history reimagined for modern celebrations. Our intimate wedding venue is housed in a restored 1890 stone schoolhouse, offering couples a unique alternative to traditional wedding venues in Ottawa.
Built on land once owned by William Shillington, this historic wedding venue became a cornerstone of the community, a place of learning, gathering, and connection. For more than seventy-five years, lessons and laughter filled its walls before it transitioned into a community meeting hall and, eventually, a fine-dining restaurant.
In 2001, a fire destroyed much of the interior, but the two-foot-thick stone walls endured. Unmoved and unbroken. It was a reminder of the strength and character built into every ashlar block.
Years later, after careful restoration, the building once again became a place of gathering. And now, in 2025, it begins a new chapter as Ashlar Weddings & Events, a wedding venue in Ottawa reborn to celebrate love, connection, and the art of meaningful celebration.
Heritage Wedding Venue in a Restored 1890 Ottawa Schoolhouse
- Intimate Capacity: Perfect space for micro weddings and events of 30-60 guests.
- Heritage Architecture: Authentic 1890s schoolhouse with original stone walls.
- Complete Privacy: Exclusive-use wedding venue – your celebration, your way.
- Scenic Outdoor Spaces: Manicured gardens and string-lit courtyard for ceremony and reception.
- All-Inclusive Service: Dedicated venue coordination and exceptional in-house dining.
- Convenient Location: Proximity to Ottawa, Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven, and Carleton Place.
Why Couples Choose Ashlar
For more than a century, these stone walls have witnessed life's milestones. Moments of learning, laughter, and renewal. Today, as one of Ottawa's most distinctive wedding venues, their purpose remains unchanged: to bring people together in celebration.
When you choose Ashlar as your wedding venue, you become part of that story. Every toast, every dance, every fleeting glance becomes woven into the history of this place. We've reimagined a heritage building to host today's most meaningful weddings – intimate celebrations for couples who value quality over quantity, meaning over spectacle.
c. 1890
