restaurant weddings toronto Archives - Toronto Wedding Photographer

October 9, 2024

Best Restaurant Wedding Venues in Toronto Part 2

A while ago I shared a few (actually it was 3+1) of my favourite restaurant wedding venues in Toronto. Archeo was actually also a favourite pick of mine when I first wrote about restaurant wedding venues in Toronto. Today I’m going to share another three that I really like!

4. Archeo

Archeo is a restaurant in the Distillery District that offers Italian comfort food in a rustic urban setting. If you like the exposed brick walls at the Distillery, you will like Archeo.

Why I like the venue:

Both the indoor dinning space and the outdoor patio at Archeo is very nicely sized, and also very private. As such, you can easily have both your ceremony and reception at the venue.
The patio is decorated with string lights, which is also great for having your first dance outside in the warmer months.

Things to consider:

Booking your wedding here may also include a permit for taking photos around the Distillery!

5. Caffino

Caffino is an eclectic restaurant serving Italian fare nestled amongst 18th century buildings in the carpet factory district in Toronto.

Why I like the venue:

The unique decor and atmosphere.
The venue features both indoor and outdoor areas for wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.
The carpet factory area works nicely as a backdrop for some portraits as well.

Things to consider:

The outdoor area for wedding ceremonies is not strictly private, though it is very quiet.

6. Cluny Bistro

Cluny Bistro is another restaurant in the Distillery District, featuring modern French cuisine.

Why I like the venue:

Stylish modern French decor with exposed brick walls.
Also featuring indoor dinning space and a patio.
Can seat up to 80 people but can also be divided into two smaller spaces, each still with access to a part of the patio.

winter wedding photos in Distillery District

Things to consider:

The main dinning area at Cluny is not available for buyout but the event space is at the back of the restaurant and is still private.

That’s it for this round of top restaurant wedding venues in Toronto. I’d love to hear some of yours too!

May 15, 2013April 19, 2016

Denis & Kim // Mildreds Temple Kitchen Wedding

Denis & Kim had a wonderful Mildreds Temple Kitchen wedding last month, where they had a heartfelt celebration with terrific food (best bread pudding I’ve ever had!), amazing company and lots of love.

I’ve been thinking about this blog post for a long time, ever since Denis and Kim first got in touch. Words fail me sometimes, especially when it comes to some of the people I get to meet and the weddings I photograph. Naturally, that is why I’m not a writer. But I will try a little here, and then let the photos tell the story.

I’ve gotten into the habit of sending a Q&A to my couples in an effort to get to know them better. They usually come back to me in the form of snapshots of the couple’s lives, but I was not prepared for the 4.5 pages that Denis & Kim sent back to me (you see, they are both writers). They shared so much of themselves and their story with me, I was deeply moved. As much as what I do on a wedding day is about being an unobtrusive observer and documenting the story as it unfolds, the true magic happens when the people I photograph trust me enough to let me into those stories and moments. Their personalities and sense of humour and love for each other just seeped through the pages, and made a great impression on me. I suspect that’s how everyone they know feel about them (and I think I’m correct in that regard based on what I saw and experienced on their wedding day).

When I met with them in person, they expressed to me how much they loved my work and the photos I took at Greg & Thea’s wedding. They had complete trust in me as a photographer. Whenever something like this happens, I feel two things: 1) absolutely floored; and 2) a bit unnerved. Because I felt that they had more trust in my ability and vision than I did myself. An individual’s personality and their connection with others are so complex, multi-faceted and intangible, that sometimes I think something like a two dimensional photograph will never be able to capture. But I try anyway. And I truly hope I was able to so, even if just a little bit, with the photos I took.

Finally, here’s a snippet from Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, which Kim’s brother, Cade, read at their ceremony:

Often a man wishes to be alone and a girl wishes to be alone too and if they love each other they are jealous of that in each other, but I can truly say we never felt that. We could feel alone when we were together, alone against the others. But we were never lonely and never afraid when we were together.

Thank you Denis & Kim, for entrusting me to tell the story of your wedding day, for being so genuine and kind, and for sharing your story with me.

Greg & Thea, whose wedding I photographed last fall.

Venue: Mildred’s Temple Kitchen

Flowers: Kay & Young Florist

DJ: Floh Back Productions

November 18, 2012March 18, 2014

Greg & Thea {Restaurant Wedding: Earth Bloor West} // Toronto Wedding Photography

Greg & Thea tied the knot a week after Thanksgiving in an intimate event filled with lots of love, laughter and DIY projects. Even though it was raining on and off all day, nothing could have dampened their celebration of love, family and friends. Their wedding was held at the modern yet classic Earth restaurant in Bloor West Village. The setting was romantic and lent to the intimate atmosphere of the wedding, and the food, well the food was fabulous. I felt very honoured to be a part of Greg & Thea’s special day and to be able to document their story. Once again one of my favourite part of the day was the ceremony. Take a look below, and you’ll see why. It involves a DIY backdrop which was filled with their story. They are both readers, so it came at no surprise that words and stories were a big part of their day.

Congratulations Greg & Thea, may your life together continue to be filled with love, and laughter for the years to come!