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Best Restaurant Wedding Venues in Toronto

I’ve shot weddings in many different venues in Toronto and across the GTA. From rustic barns to grand halls and everything in between. In the past few years, I think restaurant venues, especially in cities, are increasingly becoming a popular choice for couples. Today I’m going to share some of my top restaurant wedding venues in Toronto that I’ve had the pleasure of shooting at. Whether it’s because of their unique space, great food or amazing views, any of these locations would be a great choice for a smaller and more intimate gathering. 

A restaurant venue is a great wedding option for a few reasons:

  1. The food is usually fantastic! And with food already included, you don’t have to worry about finding a caterer. 
  2. The decor is mostly done for you. You don’t have to do much more to decorate other than some additional table lights like candles, and flowers. 
  3. You can often have both your ceremony and reception in the same location, which can be more cost effective. Some restaurants even have outdoor space for ceremonies. 

  1. Bandit Brewery 

Bandit Brewery is actually a micro-brewery in the heart of the Roncesvalles neighbourhood. The setup was inspired by the experiences and the atmosphere of German beer gardens. 

Why I like the venue: 

  • It really is a unique space. There is an indoor area that can be used for wedding ceremonies, and the patio is used for receptions.
  • The patio can also be covered in cooler months, but the glass walls and roof still provide lots of natural light. Combined with the trees that they keep inside the patio, it’s a very airy and relaxed garden ambience.
  • There is even a small area adjacent to the patio where you can set up a couple of lawn games.
  • The whole venue is yours and very private. 

Things to consider: 

Due to the size of the venue, the bridal party will likely only be able to hide in the back alley behind the brewery before entering for the wedding ceremony. Not ideal for inclement weather but something to plan for. 

 

2. Boehmer 

Boehmer is a modern French restaurant located in the very popular and hip Ossington neighbourhood between Dundas and Queen street. 

Why I like the venue: 

  • The food really is fabulous!
  • The front dining area can the rearranged to accommodate typical wedding ceremony setup and then flipped for reception seating during cocktail hour.
  • A small patio area at the front also provides some outdoor space. 

Things to consider:

  • The main dining area can seat up to 115 guests, with some space towards the back of the restaurant for your vendors and/or musicians. 
  • There is also a smaller private dining room that is great for very intimate weddings with fewer than 16 guests. 

3. Canoe

Canoe is a modern and stylish restaurant located atop TD Tower on the 54th floor with inventive Canadian cuisine.

 

Why I like the venue:

  • The biggest draw is of course the exceptional view of the CN Tower, the lake and the downtown core. On a good day, the sunset views are stunning. 
  • The windows provide lots of natural light in addition to the great view.

Things to consider:

They have a separate room that can be used for a wedding ceremony. The same room is also used for smaller, more intimate weddings. 

Bonus: Propeller Coffee Co.

Though not a restaurant, Propeller Coffee Co. is a unique space for weddings with 80-125 guests. Located near Lansdowne and Bloor, it is regularly a hip and stylish coffee shop. 

Why I like the venue:

  • The building itself is industrial but not cold, and it provides a very clean canvas. 
  • Unlike most restaurants, the space feels airy and open. 
  • Flexible seating setup options for both ceremony and reception (for example, you can have smaller tables or tables put together for two rows of long table for the reception). 

 

Things to consider:

  • The immediate surrounding area of the venue is a mix of urban and residential creating a varied and unique environment that may not suit every taste.
  • Because it is not a restaurant, food is technically not included. But Propeller has a list of trusted caterers that they work with. 

I’d love to hear your favourite restaurant venues, comment below!

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Top Iconic Toronto Photo Locations

As a Toronto wedding photographer who’s been shooting for over 6 years now, I often get asked for recommendations for some truly iconic Toronto photo locations. I personally have many favourite spots (some of which are included in the list below!) but what I love most about our city is simply wandering, and stumbling across somewhere new or unexpected that I’ve never been before. (Maybe I’ll do a post on those spots in the future!).

For now though, after combing through thousands of photos, I’ve selected 8 of my favourites, that I think represent our iconic city. Who knows, the next time you’re near one of these spots, you may catch me behind my lens!

The TTC

Nothing says Toronto and is as instantly recognizable as a red and white Toronto streetcar. The shot below was taken outside of historic Osgoode Hall, just as the 501 Queen car made an appearance.

And speaking of the iconic red & white streetcars, I love taking some photos on the streetcars themselves when possible! With the new vehicles coming in slowly, who knows, these older ones may soon be a thing of the past.

While not quite the streetcar photo, but I stumbled across this with my couple outside Bay station in Yorkville and we thought it was fun.

Evergreen Brickworks

The Brickworks was a former quarry and industrial site and it was in operation for nearly 100 years before its decline. Before its restoration, it was even used as a dumping ground. But now the abandoned buildings have been transformed into a cultural centre with the outdoor area featuring gardens, ponds and trails. There’s always lots going on here with a thriving farmer’s market on summer weekends and a skating rink during the winter. For obvious reasons it’s a popular spot for weddings, but even if you are not holding your wedding here, you can still take photos here (with a paid permit of course). One of my favourite spots at the Brickworks is this wall with the spray painted words “tout est possible” – everything is possible. :)

Queen West Graffiti Alley

I’m not really sure how the alleys of Queen street west got so much attention in the first place, but it’s become even a bit of a tourist attraction. If this is your hood, or you like street art, this is a great place to come wander and take some photos. The colourful and many variety of graffiti art make for great backdrops!

The Toronto Islands

A simple way to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the city, just a stones throw away. The Toronto Islands make for a great day trip for locals and tourists alike, but they also make for some great adventures for outdoor enthusiasts! Grab a kayak, stand up paddleboard, bicycle, or simply get your feet moving – only a 15 minute ferry ride from the mainland. I love the islands because they are so accessible, and so relaxing.

And even if you are not the adventurous or sporty type, the islands are a great place to relax and get some time in with nature. Plus, it’s one of my favourite spots to watch the sunset from.

The Distillery District

The Distillery District has long been a favourite with many of the clients I work with due to its history and architecture. There’s something a little bit edgy about it that gives it a unique vibe, but at the same time it is so distinctly Toronto. Sample a craft brew, sip a delicous coffee or just stroll throught the lanes and alleys exploring. A great way to spend an afternoon in an iconic Toronto district. During the holidays, the Christmas market here has become a hit in recent years as well.

Even though the Distillery can be very busy on the weekends, if you wander a bit, you can still find a few quieter spots. The LOVE locks not being one of them, but if you are patient, it’s still possible to get a photo with no one else in it ;)

Union Station

So maybe I’m a bit of a sucker for train stations because of my love for train travel, but Toronto’s Union Station is still an impressive sight. Once the current renovations are complete, I’m sure this will be even more spectacular than before. Located just across the street from the historic Fairmont Royal York on Front Street, Union Station serves up its fair share of great spots for portraits.

I love the location for the classic and grand architecture, and it doesn’t even feel like you are in a modern city like Toronto anymore.

University of Toronto Campus

The University of Toronto (which I’m a proud alumni of!) was founded as King’s College in 1827, as Upper Canada’s first insitution of higher learning. The architecture around the campus is amazing due to the history and is definitely one of my favourite spots to photograph in the city. A permit is required to shoot here although if you are an alumni, you do receive a discount.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

As the biggest museum in Canada, the ROM is definitely a popular destination. While it’s not typically thought of for wedding photos or portrait photos, I think the angular lines of the Michael Lee-Chin “Crystal” provides an interesting backdrop. As a prominent landmark, it’s just a very Torontonian location.

Have an iconic spot that’s not listed here? Let me know in the comments below!

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Toronto Restaurant Wedding Venues

Toronto Restaurants Perfect for Intimate Weddings

As a couple looking to get married in Toronto, there are lots of options ranging from beautiful grand manors to vineyards in Niagara to rustic farms. But if you are looking to have a wedding in the urban setting of the city, then Toronto restaurant wedding venues are the perfect option!

You might think that buying out a restaurant for a wedding would be very expensive (I used to think that). But in reality, it’s often a lot more economical compared to having your wedding in a more traditional type venue. Not to mention, the restaurant would already be decorated and often you don’t need to do that much more to dress it up. Your fees already include the space, food, and furniture. And the best part? If you are a food lover, having your wedding at a restaurant with food you love can make a big difference compared to food typically served at a more traditional banquet hall.

I always thought that your guests are most likely not going to remember what kind of centre pieces were at your wedding, but they’ll remember things like if the food was good and how the atmosphere of the venue felt. As a photographer, I often remember the food (the really good ones as well as the really bad ones). If you value the food and the experience and less about having a show, then having your wedding at a restaurant could be a very interesting option.

Below are some of my favourite restaurant wedding venues in Toronto:

1. Archeo

Located in the historic Distillery District, Archeo is one of a few venues in the area. It features high ceilings, exposed brick walls and wooden beams. You can use the courtyard for your ceremony during warmer months, or if you just need a reception space, the indoor restaurant area is perfect. It’s an intimate and warm atmosphere.

See more of Peter & Jennifer’s intimate wedding at Archeo here.

2. F’Amelia

Located in historic Cabbagetown, F’Amelia serves up hearty Italian fare. The layout of the restaurant is so fun with big windows and a veranda-style dining area at the front as well. The decor is also charming. The only thing that I think they can perhaps improve on, is to keep the patio area used for ceremonies more clutter-free.

More photos of Camille & Jeff’s wedding at F’Amelia here.

3. The Harbord Room

I’m including The Harbord Room here even though it is now closed :( Just to give you an idea of what is possible around the city. The Harbord Room was the perfect little space for a really intimate wedding of 30 or less. The courtyard was perfect in the warmer months and feels more like an intimate family gathering than a wedding.

4. Le Select Bistro

Love French food? Love French Bistro style? Le Select is a great space for intimate weddings with two private dining areas and a cute courtyard that can be used for your ceremony.

You can see more of Lianne & Tristan’s Le Select Bistro wedding here.

5. Drake Hotel Café

The Drake has several options for weddings. The Café is a great space for 30 seated or 45+ cocktail style reception. Plus you can stay at the Drake hotel for getting ready (see photo below). As a photographer, the only thing I didn’t like was that having your ceremony on the Café patio might mean that the sidewalk ends up being your background (which can be very distracting in the resulting photos). But you should be able to use the café as the background instead.

You can see more photos of  Chrissy & Gareth’s wedding at the Drake Café here.

6. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen

I’ve shot a couple of weddings at Mildred’s now. The food here is really good! Located in Liberty Village, the space is very modern and features an open kitchen.

You can see more photos of Denis & Kim’s wedding at Mildred’s here.

7. Auberge du Pommier

Of all the O&B restaurants, my favourite for a wedding is Auberge du Pommier. Though it’s located in a bit of a random location (right by York Mills station), the food is excellent and you can use the courtyard for your ceremony. The space is very charming and has lots of natural light.

You can see more photos of Helen & Adam’s wedding at Auberge here.

And just for fun, here’s one a bit further away, but in the beautiful setting of Prince Edward County!

Angeline’s Inn

A historic property, it also features guest rooms that you can stay in to get ready. The ceremony space outdoors is lovely and the food here is delicious!

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Music & Dreams

“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams” – Arthur O’Shaughnessy.

Music is a big part of my life. When I’m working at home, there is music playing constantly. Sometimes in the morning I would wake up with a song stuck in my head, as though I dreamed in it. I played the accordion when I was little. I didn’t really like it, I felt kind of forced into it. I liked music well enough, I just didn’t like playing the accordion, or practicing. I would go to accordion class everything Saturday morning wishing I was in art class instead. Finally after 4 or 5 years of playing and going for exams each year to achieve a level, I stopped. I think by that time, it was more important to focus on school and not spend so much time on extracurriculars. After that, I didn’t touch classical music again until a couple of years ago when my Mom took me to a classical concert at Roy Thompson Hall. I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed it. (I have been told that I have an old soul, so perhaps this shouldn’t have came as a surprise) Then, a few weeks ago I searched on youtube for a song I heard from the movie The Painted Veil, and then spent at least an hour surfing youtube just listening to the rest of the score from the movie, as well as scores from other movies. It was incredible really, how iconic some of them are, a few notes and you know what movie it was from. As a visual person, I can finally fully appreciate the extra dimension that music adds to a visual experience.

As I got older, I found one of the best things about music is listening to it live. There is something about live music that’s even more amazing than simply listening to it on your stereo or iPod/iPhone or your CD player. For me, it’s because the musicians are usually interacting with the audience, so it feels like a collaboration almost. And some artists don’t play their tracks the same way when they play live, they improvise and add something new. But most of all, when they play live, you can really feel their love for what they do through the music.

Below is a photo I took of Dallas Green of City & Colour, in concert at Massey Hall last year. He is incredible live. As a photographer, I’m guilty of being so focused on trying to capture a moment that I forget to put down the camera sometimes and simply enjoy the moment and take it all in. And at this concert, Dallas Green actually asked the audience to do just that. Even though I listened to his advice, I’m still happy I took a few. ;)

I’m glad I was a music maker of a sort once, and who knows, maybe that started the dreams.

P.S. For photographers, this was taken with the Canon 135mm f2 L lens. It’s a pretty great lens. I rented it specifically for this concert.

 

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Your Shop Girl Relaunch {Bobbette & Belle}

Your Shop Girl offers wardrobe consultations and comprehensive personal style and image makeovers, complete with personal shopping. I had the opportunity to be a part of the relaunch event a few weeks ago. If you missed the sneak peek, it’s here, and below are some favourites from the evening. Everyone enjoyed delicious treats from Bobbette & Belle (my favourite was the Cassis macaron of course) as well as hors d’oeuvre from Yorkshire Pudding. chatted amongst friends, enjoyed a 5-minute makeover, and received a colour consultation by Suzanne, who is the creator and owner of Your Shop Girl.

The event was very well put together (no pun intended!) and had a very intimate feel to it, thanks to Amalia from Talen Events.