Here are a list of outdoor wedding venues in close proximity to GTA which I have had the pleasure making photographs in and been since in love with.
Garden of New Eden Farm
This is actually a private farm of the bride's. The idea is we can be creative when it comes to a wedding location. It doesn't have to be the fanciest place and in fact a private space often means more to the couple and their families. Don't hesitate to ask if a nearby farm that you adore would be interested in renting their space for your special day. Throwing a DIY farm wedding of your choice of decorations and catering can be cool and very intimate.
Say yes to a cottage wedding! This is another one of my absolute favours. Similar idea to a private farm wedding - it's perfect for a very intimate experience and very Canadian I find. We're blessed with beautiful farms and cottages in Ontario. Most can be reached within 30 to 90 minutes drive from the city core and are very accessible from all directions. Lulu's Repose is in Magnetawan, North of Muskoka. It's a beautiful, luxury cottage with a cool, rustic looking interior and a outdoor ceremony space overseeing the lake. They have featured some of my images on their newly renovated website and I won't hesitate to travel to this lovely place for more weddings and intimate events. Click here to see the last wedding I shot there.
Graydon Hall Manor is a hidden germ located in North York, just 20 minutes drive from downtown Toronto and right off highway 401 and highway 404. It's a extremely convenient location for wedding guests coming from all directions and a very private space for intimate weddings. Unlike other intimate wedding venues, Graydon Hall can fit a relatively large party. It's a mini version of Casa Loma. It's a grand, castle wedding venue but small enough that you can have the space all to yourself on a wedding day. I love all the features this space has to offer, from the tasteful interior design to the grand architecture to the well maintained garden. It's one of the best wedding venues in Toronto that offers both privacy and splendidness. Graydon Hall Manor is very photogenic which can only make your wedding photos extraordinary. I'm shooting another wedding here soon at this amazing venue. Click here to see the last wedding I shot there.
Holcim Waterfront Estate (update - Harding Waterfront Estate as of 2018)
Holcim Waterfront Estate is a nice alternative wedding venues on the west end of the city. Located by the waterfront in Mississauga, this venue is very modern and private. It has spacious outdoor spaces both in the front and back of the beautiful building.
If you don't care for absolute privacy and rather throw in some randomness and urban elements to your wedding day, multiple locations on the Toronto Islands can be an unique experience. I have a wedding coming up next year in Ward's Island Association. This one in the picture was a outdoor wedding ceremony also on Ward's Island, overseeing the CN Tower and Toronto cityscape. I love the casualness to this alternative wedding venue. It's perfect for urban couples, hipster brides and grooms and a perfect laid back, artistic, bohemian wedding. Click here to see the last wedding ceremony I shot on the Islands.
This is just one example of the many beautiful winery we have in Ontario. Willow Springs is located in Newmarket, an alternative to Niagara-on-the-Lake and Prince Edward County. There are more options in Prince Edward County and more so in Niagara-on-the-Lake but Newmarket is closer to the city and has its location advantage. Winery weddings offer a large outdoor space for photos and to host a fun party yet high level of privacy if you have the venue to yourself.
Click to see a list of small wedding venues in Toronto for your intimate wedding.