On the stunning grounds of Pondview Estates wedding venue, families and friends come together to celebrate the commitment of the ultimate partnership. But, beside the river and beneath the canopy of trees, the Norwood venue is also creating lasting partnerships within the local business community.
On a 110-acre property complete with farm fields, forest, a small river, and a charming brick farmhouse, the Italian-inspired Pondview Estates offers a picturesque spot to tie the knot in the Township of Asphodel-Norwood, one of eight townships in Peterborough County.
The Belsey family purchased the property 28 years ago and, after years spent rejuvenating it, has partnered with Samantha Ann & Co. to turn it into an elevated do-it-yourself wedding venue available from May through October.
Clients of Pondview Estates will get access to a coordinator for the day of the wedding through Samantha Ann & Co., but will have entire freedom on details like chairs, tables, and dishware. From giving referrals to offering affordable rentals on high-end décor to organizing day-of rentals, Pondview Estates and Samantha Ann & Co. are there every step of the way down the aisle.
“You’re very taken care of, but your wedding is absolutely unique to you and you can make it what you want,” says Samantha Perry, owner and operator of Pondview Estates and founder of Samantha Ann & Co.
With a majority of Pondview Estate’s clients being local to the region, the venue makes it a priority to work with local vendors. The spacious tent is maintained by Create Shade Tent Rentals in Warsaw, who also provide clients with a large selection of tables and chairs for rent in different designs and styles. Other local businesses regularly supported by the venue include Jesse’s Tap & Grill and TP Toilets in Ennismore, Katherine’s Flower Shop in Bridgenorth, Pasquino Productions in Kawartha Lakes, and Sweet Bee Floral, Personal Touch Catering, and Shannon FC Photography in Peterborough.
These are only a few of the local businesses that Pondview Estates works with to give clients the wedding of their dreams.
To promote Pondview Estates and spotlight their partnerships with local businesses, Samantha Ann & Co. also uses its growing social media presence — including nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram. After every wedding, all the participating vendors are listed and tagged for thousands of people to see, reshare, and learn about other local businesses.
“Sometimes when I see some of my favourite vendors post things, I’ll share it just for fun because I love what they’re doing and want others to see it,” says Perry. “With the strong role that social media has in marketing now, especially when it comes to service-based businesses, I really make sure that’s a top priority.”
With her goal of cultivating a community of local businesses working in the wedding space, Perry also hosts an annual open house and wedding vendor market, where vendors can participate free of charge and connect with clients and each other.
From food and beverage providers and photographers to hair and makeup artists and beyond, this year’s event saw 42 vendors and 200 guests participating — double the amount from last year’s inaugural event. In addition to the opportunity to promote their businesses to potential clients, vendors receive professional photos of their booths and of them interacting with guests that they can use, entirely free of charge.
Despite all that Pondview Estates is already doing to connect and promote the local business community in Peterborough County, Perry says it’s only the beginning.
“I’m so excited and honoured to be a part of the Peterborough wedding industry and just can’t wait to keep building it for everybody,” she says.
For more information on Pondview Estates, visit www.samanthaannandco.com/pondviewestates.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.
Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
