Toronto has no shortage of beautiful places to get married, from a castle and a converted brick factory to rooftop restaurants, historic ballrooms and gardens on the Scarborough Bluffs. This guide covers 17 of the city's best-known wedding venues, grouped by style, with what makes each one special and a few notes from a photographer's point of view. Where I've photographed a wedding at a venue, I've linked to it.
I haven't included prices or guest capacities because they change often. Please check those with each venue directly. Photos are the venues' own Instagram posts, plus my own from weddings I've photographed.
Historic and landmark venues
Casa Loma
Midtown Toronto
Toronto's castle was completed in 1914 and sits in about five acres of gardens with fountains and sculptures. Daytime ceremonies can take place in the Conservatory under its stained-glass dome, receptions in the original Library, and the Great Hall has a 60-foot ceiling.
Photographer's note: the terrace looks out over the downtown skyline, which makes it one of the best evening portrait spots in the city. Build time for it into your timeline.
View this post from @casalomatoronto on Instagram
Liberty Grand
Exhibition Place, Toronto
A 1926 heritage building, originally the CNE's Ontario Government Building. Its European-style courtyard, with domes and columns, is used for ceremonies, and the named rooms (the Governor's Room, the Artifacts Room, and the Renaissance and Centennial Rooms) give you options for cocktails and dinner.
Photographer's note: the columns and courtyard give you classic, symmetrical backdrops without leaving the venue.
View this post from @libertygrandto on Instagram
Old Mill Toronto
Humber Valley, Etobicoke
The Old Mill opened as a tea garden in 1914 beside the ruins of a 19th-century mill and is a designated heritage property. It has a private chapel with stained glass, built inside the restored mill ruins, plus outdoor ceremony spaces and gardens in the Humber River valley.
Photographer's note: having the chapel, gardens and reception on one property keeps the day calm, with no travel between locations.
View this post from @oldmilltoronto on Instagram
Arcadian Court
Yonge & Queen, downtown Toronto
Opened in 1929 as the Simpson's department store restaurant, this Art Deco room was restored and reopened as an event venue in 2012, with chandeliers inspired by the original Lalique crystal pieces. The separate Arcadian Loft has concrete ceilings, a brick wall and views of Old and New City Hall.
Photographer's note: Old City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square are a short walk away for city portraits.
View this post from @arcadianvenues on Instagram
Royal Ontario Museum
Bloor-Yorkville, Toronto
High vaulted ceilings, detailed stonework, a four-storey atrium, a Venetian glass mosaic dome and the angular Michael Lee-Chin Crystal by Daniel Libeskind. Events at the ROM are run by Oliver & Bonacini.
Photographer's note: the mix of old stone and the modern Crystal means you can get two very different looks in one place.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Grange Park, Toronto
Walker Court, with its sculptural wooden spiral staircase under a glass ceiling, is a favourite for ceremonies. Galleria Italia, the long timber-and-glass gallery above Dundas Street, works for cocktails and portraits, and Baillie Court hosts receptions.
Photographer's note: Galleria Italia's wall of glass gives soft, even light for portraits, even on grey days.
Trinity College Chapel
University of Toronto, St. George campus
A Gothic chapel by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, his last work, consecrated in 1955. Indiana limestone, a travertine floor, stained glass and a 1,400-pipe organ make it one of the most beautiful ceremony spaces in the city. Receptions can be held nearby at Seeley Hall or Strachan Hall.
Photographer's note: interior photos are allowed only in the rooms you've booked, and photos on the grounds need a (free) permit, so sort that out early. I photographed Kendrell and Liana's wedding here. Watch their film.
Industrial
Evergreen Brick Works
Don Valley, Toronto
A historic brick factory turned community space. The CRH Gallery has century-old kilns, raw steel, skylights and sliding glass walls that open to the Koerner Gardens. The BMO Atrium has brick and graffiti walls, and the Price Terrace overlooks the ponds and quarry garden.
Photographer's note: the gardens aren't available from December to March, so for a winter date plan on the industrial spaces for portraits.
View this post from @evergreen_brick_works on Instagram
Gardens and estates
Graydon Hall Manor
North York, Toronto
A manor built in 1936, with formal gardens and cascading fountains designed by Dunington-Grubb & Stensson. Ceremonies take place on a 160-foot stone terrace overlooking the gardens.
Photographer's note: the terrace and fountains are made for portraits, especially in the warm light before sunset.
The Guild Inn Estate
Guild Park and Gardens, Scarborough
The original 1914 Bickford residence, restored and reopened in 2017, sits in a park on the Scarborough Bluffs. The grounds are famous for a sculpture garden of facades rescued from demolished downtown buildings and an outdoor Greek Theatre, and the venue's glass wall looks right onto the gardens.
Photographer's note: this is one of my favourite places to photograph in Toronto. The City requires a permit for ceremonies or photos in the park, so book it early. See Nathan and Laarni's wedding at Guild Park.
View this post on Instagram
Toronto Botanical Garden
Leslie & Lawrence, North York
Floral Hall has soaring ceilings, skylights, natural stone and French doors onto a private garden courtyard, and Garden Hall has its own courtyard with a flowing water channel. In summer and fall, the Perennial Border is used for outdoor ceremonies and photos.
Photographer's note: ceremony, reception and portraits can all happen on site, right next to Edwards Gardens.
Hotels and ballrooms
Fairmont Royal York
Front Street, across from Union Station
Opened in 1929, the Royal York's Ballroom has been restored to its original decor, ceiling painting included. The Concert Hall has a coffered ceiling, crystal chandeliers and arched windows, and the Imperial Room, a former supper club, has floor-to-ceiling windows and a stage.
Photographer's note: the hotel's grand spaces mean great portraits even if the weather doesn't cooperate.
View this post from @fairmontroyalyork on Instagram
Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites
Markham
A ten-storey marble atrium with winding staircases (a favourite for first looks), an outdoor Zen Garden with a pond for ceremonies and photos, and two ballrooms. Chinese tea ceremonies can be arranged too.
Photographer's note: with indoor and garden spots on site, there's no travel between the ceremony, portraits and reception. See Earvin and Jessica's wedding here.
Restaurants and intimate weddings
Canoe
TD Bank Tower, Financial District
On the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower, with sweeping views of the city. Canoe's Canadiana interior has antler-style chandeliers, moss wall art and copper accents, and you can book one room, both rooms or the whole restaurant, including an on-site ceremony.
Photographer's note: evening ceremonies here are all candlelight and city lights. I photographed Reagan and Cindy's intimate wedding at Canoe. See their wedding.
Waterfront
Hotel X Toronto
Exhibition Place, on the waterfront
The Victory Ballroom has south-facing floor-to-ceiling windows over Lake Ontario. The High Park Terrace is a garden terrace with a retractable roof, and New Fort Hall is glass-enclosed above an exhibit of the 1840s New Fort York.
Photographer's note: the lake views are at their best for portraits in the hour before sunset.
View this post from @hotelxtoronto on Instagram
The Lakeview by Carmen’s
Confederation Beach Park, Hamilton
Right on the shore of Lake Ontario, with indoor and beachside ceremony options and an upstairs ballroom with vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows over the beach.
Photographer's note: beach ceremonies and professional photos in the park need a booking or permit from the Hamilton Conservation Authority. Plan for wind off the lake: some of the best frames come from it. I filmed George and May's beach wedding here. Watch their film.
View this post from @lakeviewbycarmens on Instagram
Worth the drive
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens
Niagara Parkway, about 10 minutes north of Niagara Falls
Forty acres of perennials, rhododendrons, azaleas and formal gardens, with ceremony sites at the Wedding Arbour and Willow Pond. The Butterfly Conservatory on the grounds can host ceremonies by special permission.
Photographer's note: the outdoor sites have no electricity, so plan an indoor backup and keep the sound setup simple. I filmed Douglas and Gemma's wedding here. Watch their film.
Other venues I've photographed
The Gardens Event Centre (Mississauga), Kikay Events (Scarborough), St. Raphael Parish (Burlington), Welland Civic Square (Welland), Soirée Banquet Hall & Event Space (Mississauga), La Primavera Event Space (Woodbridge), Enchanted Woods (Ajax), Spencer's At The Waterfront (Burlington) and Farmhill Weddings (Peterborough).
What to look for in a venue, from a photographer
- Light. Big windows in the getting-ready rooms and the ceremony space make the biggest difference to your photos. Visit at the time of day your wedding will happen.
- Golden hour. Check the sunset time for your date. The hour before sunset gives the softest light, and many couples step out for 15 minutes during the reception to use it.
- A portrait spot nearby. A garden, terrace or interesting building within a few minutes' walk saves travel time on the day.
- Permits and photo rules. Parks like Guild Park and Confederation Beach Park need permits, and churches and some venues limit where the photographer can stand or ask for no flash. Knowing early lets me plan around it.
- A real rain plan. For outdoor ceremonies, visit the backup space too.
Planning a wedding at one of these venues, or somewhere else? Send me your date and venue and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.
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