Kotsy Photography is a Toronto wedding photographer specializing in capturing couple's uniqueness through authentic, compelling & fun images. From large, all-day weddings to elopements & engagement sessions in Toronto, Ontario and the rest of the Greater Toronto Area.
Finding the right wedding venue in Toronto can be a very daunting task. Not only are there literally hundreds of spaces to choose from, but finding one that offers something truly different can be a bit more difficult to track down. That’s why I created this list of my favourite unique wedding venues in Toronto. Whether you’re looking for a rustic barn or an elegant ballroom, this city has something to offer to everyone’s style and make their venue selection much more efficient.
Now on with the list!
1. The Globe and Mail Centre
The Globe and Mail Centre is a unique wedding venue located in the Old Town neighbourhood of downtown Toronto. This contemporary venue offers couples a unique and modern setting for their big day. The Globe and Mail Centre is perfect for couples who want a chic and stylish wedding. With its soaring ceilings and outstanding views of the city’s skyline, this venue is sure to impress your guests.
For the ceremony and supper, they provide elegant and comfortable chairs, as well as cruiser tables, gallery benches, and coffee tables. The elegant dining space, fitted with a polished hardwood floor and comfortable rattan armchairs, is the ideal place to host your cocktail reception. It also offers lounge furniture and firepits for those who want to unwind while watching the city lights come on in the background.
2. Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village is hands-down the top wedding venue in Toronto for country lovers. It offers a unique and rustic setting that is sure to make your wedding day memorable. The village has a variety of different buildings and settings that can be used for your wedding, including a barn, church, and a covered bridge. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces where you can host your reception or take photographs.
The magnificent architecture at Black Creek will make your wedding a truly momentous event for you and your guests. The historic significance and traditions of this prominent venue will provide a wonderful charm during your wedding celebration. Finally, the skilled staff of professionals at Black Creek will take care of every aspect of your special day, from décor to exquisite cuisine.
3. Palais Royale
If you’re looking for a unique wedding venue with some history and waterfront views in Toronto, look no further than Palais Royale. This historic venue offers a stunning and graceful setting for your special day. From the grand ballroom to the beautiful courtyard, you’ll have a variety of settings to choose from for your wedding ceremony and reception, making your photos look outstanding. Certainly this beautiful venue is the perfect choice for couples who want a classic and elegant wedding.
The Palais Royale staff can help you create anything from the menu and bar package to providing design assistance from their team that will put together all the essential elements. Picture yourself as the modern spouse in a beautiful historic location exchanging vows of matrimony in the magnificent ballroom or on the picturesque courtyard patio with the breathtaking lakefront & growing Etobicoke as your backdrop.
4. Royal Ontario Museum
While this list isn’t in presented in a ranked order, the Royal Ontario Museum is a stunning location and really writes the book on what it means to be a unique wedding venue in Toronto. With its imposing architecture and world-class exhibits, the Royal Ontario Museum is sure to make your wedding day unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for an elegant setting for your ceremony or an exciting place to celebrate with friends and family, the ROM will no doubt wow each and everyone in attendance.
This museum has such a wide range of one-of-a-kind exhibits, you and your spouse can use a dinosaur skeleton or the museum’s sculptures as backdrops for your photoshoots. With the amount of striking rooms to choose from when hosting your ceremony and reception here, you’ll be delighted to have chosen a venue as unique as The Royal Ontario Museum.
5. The Royal Canadian Yacht Club
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club offers a beautiful and sophisticated setting for weddings and receptions. The club has been in operation since 1852, making it one of the oldest yacht clubs in North America. It features stunning architecture and a gracious atmosphere, making it the perfect place to celebrate your special day.
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club is a unique and cherished experience for everyone who gets married at this enchanting venue. It is located on the Toronto Islands and offers postcard views of Toronto’s iconic downtown skyline. The beautiful clubhouse, overlooking the picturesque views of Toronto across the serene waters of Lake Ontario would make an unforgettable wedding site for your wedding ceremony and reception.
6. Hart House (University of Toronto)
Another one of my personal favourites for unique venues in Toronto is Hart House. Nestled on the campus of the University of Toronto, this historic building has been hosting weddings for over 100 years. With its grand architecture and stunning views of the city skyline, Hart House is a truly perfect place for the scholar couple to say “I do.”
Hart House stands out from other Toronto sites thanks to its size, grandeur, gorgeous gray sandstone cladding outside, the vast expanse of oak timbers inside. It really is a true work of architectural magnificence and unrivaled craftsmanship. The venue has hosted royalty, heads of state, celebrity galas, conferences, trade shows, performances, dinners, and meetings for nearly a century. TIP: If you are an alumni of University of Toronto then you are even eligible for a 50% discount to host your wedding here!
7. Toronto Reference Library
The Toronto Reference Library is a beautiful venue for a wedding with its grand architecture and stunning views. It’s perfect for couples who identify as bookworms and want an elegant and unique wedding venue. The library has a variety of different spaces that can be used for your ceremony and reception, including the Great Hall, the Rotunda, and the Reading Room.
The Toronto Reference Library is a one-of-a-kind modern cathedral with an amazing atrium above. It has an ideal backdrop for major events which is created by the open layout, a central stage, and adaptable seating.
8. Artscape Wychwood Barns
The Artscape Wychwood Barns is a wedding location that is truly extraordinary and my personal #1 unique venue choice as I’m a certified transit geek. Formerly a streetcar barn, this space was converted to an arts and event center in 2008. Between the years 1913 and 1978 it was actively in use by the Toronto Railways, with streetcars accessing the site from the main lines on St. Clair Avenue. It has lovely exposed beams and its rustic vibe makes it ideal for a country-themed wedding. The area can accommodate up to 250 people, making it ideal for large weddings.
The Artscape Wychwood Barns has established itself as one of Toronto’s most distinctive event spaces. The vast ceilings, exposed masonry walls, plentiful natural light, and industrial-chic architectural accents provide a striking backdrop for any sort of gathering. If you want a unique wedding venue in Toronto, this should, without a shadow of a doubt, be on your personal list.
9. The Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is another one of top 10 unique wedding venues in Toronto for those looking for something different. This venue is perfect for couples who are hockey fans, as it offers a unique and memorable experience. The Hockey Hall of Fame is home to numerous exhibits and artifacts from the history of hockey, making it a one-of-a-kind destination for a wedding celebration.
The Hockey Hall of Fame is a unique experience and being located by Union Station- it is an extremely convenient wedding venue for guests who are coming from out of town. The magnificent and colorful environment can be used for a variety of events, from elegant dinners to cocktail parties to corporate gatherings.
10. The Art Gallery of Ontario
Rounding out my list of 10 unique wedding venues in Toronto, but certainly no slouch by comparison- The Art Gallery of Ontario! Located inside a modernist and neoclassical building in the heart of the city, this venue is sure to feel like home to all the artistic couples out there planning a wedding. Inside there are several galleries with different themes as well as a sculpture garden. Weddings at The Art Gallery of Ontario are unique and memorable because of the stunning architecture and beautiful surroundings, not to mention all the art on the premises!
The AGO is one of the most prominent art galleries in North America. Imagine menu creation that is unique to you, 3D modeling of room design ideas, nearly limitless décor choices, bespoke staging, audio-visual services, vendor recommendations (only the greatest), floral décor services, and art production in the studio.
Toronto has an endless supply of fantastic locations that are unique in their own way and this is really just the tip of the iceberg. For a more comprehensive list of Toronto venues, head on over to my feature page – The Ultimate Guide To Planning A Wedding in Toronto.
I hope this blog post gave you some great ideas to consider as wedding venues for your special day. I’d love to hear from you if you have any questions about these unique wedding venues or if you’re in the process of planning your own ceremony and need a photographer.
Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you in the future 🙂
