If a “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”-style affair isn’t your ideal way to say “I do,” Toronto has no shortage of options for smaller, more intimate nuptials.
From celebrated restaurants to urban event spaces, here are the best intimate wedding venues in Toronto.
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1. Canoe
If you’re going to take the restaurant route when it comes to your big day, you may as well do so at one of the city’s best. A wedding at Canoe ensures some of Toronto’s most celebrated cuisine in addition to unmatched views of the city – offering the perfect backdrop for all the pictures. Located on the top of the TD Tower, Canoe provides an experience your guests won’t forget – especially if they’re not from Toronto. You can either rent out one of the private dining rooms (which accommodates seating for 24-64 people and receptions for 40-100), or book the entire space for larger weddings.
Photo – Olive Photography
2. Second Floor Events
King West’s Second Floor Events has played host to some of Toronto’s most coveted and exclusive media events and parties – but the space also makes for a pretty impressive venue for an intimate wedding. The perfect venue for a chic, sophisticated urban affair, the space is open-concept with an industrial feel thanks to exposed brick walls, big windows, and a large bar area that will ensure minimal backlog while guests wait for drinks. As an added bonus, the bridal party can calm their nerves over a few pre-wedding rounds of ping-pong next door at Spin.
Photo – mkphotographics
3. America
If you’re going for glam, nothing invites more of an occasion to go all out than a wedding at Trump Toronto’s America restaurant. If your wedding is small enough, you can hold the whole thing in the restaurant’s loft space (it accommodates 40 seated, or 60 for a reception). Aside from the elegant design, views of the city and purple-washed décor that make for an eye-popping photo backdrop, the best thing about America is the cuisine. The gourmet offerings at America represent Oliver & Bonacini at its finest.
4. Jump Restaurant
At Jump restaurant, you get the best of a variety of worlds when it comes to your wedding – no matter what you’re going for. The restaurant offers a distinctive New York City vibe, complete with sleek décor, a sky-high glass atrium, rich wood interiors, a vintage wraparound bar, and a hidden gem of a courtyard. For more intimate weddings, Jump offers private dining rooms that can accommodate up to 54 seated guests, and 80 for a reception. Of course, your guests won’t leave hungry after they indulge in some of Toronto’s finest Italian-influenced modern North American cuisine.
Photo – Mango Studios
5. Cluny Bistro
There are few better backdrops for wedding photos in Toronto as those offered within the historic Distillery District. Within its confines, Cluny Bistro provides a reliable option for an intimate restaurant wedding that’s filled with both French flair and cuisine. The restaurant’s Parisian-inspired private dining room – complete with floor-to-ceiling windows – can accommodate groups of up to 80, or can be separated for smaller gatherings.
Photo – Girls of TO
6. Camera Bar
For a smaller affair with a distinctively Queen West vibe, Camera
Bar could be your best option. Ideal for edgier winter weddings (there is no patio), Camera Bar offers quality art (it’s located inside the Stephen Bulger Gallery), a raw space, and a cozy lounge area complete with a fireplace. If your wedding is heavy in the audio-visual department (and you really want to see yourself on the big screen), the space also features a 50-seat screening room.
Photo – Camera Bar
7. Sassafraz
Yorkville’s longtime staple, the beloved Sassafraz is a reliable option for both date night and an intimate wedding that cuts no corners when it comes to quality. The restaurant’s second floor offers a private event space that can be divided into two spaces for smaller events. The elegant dining room is also available for buyouts (up to 150 guests) for a sit-down dinner. Conveniently, Sassafraz provides in-house wedding coordination from the first meeting to the big day.
Photo – Meetings Canada
8. Luma
If you’re in the market in for an intimate wedding in the heart of the entertainment district, look no further than Luma. Located in the TIFF Lightbox, the stylish restaurant is a self-proclaimed “international hub for food innovation” – perfect for the foodie couple. The restaurant celebrates Toronto’s diverse cultural pockets with its innovative cuisine, which is among some of the city’s most beloved. When it comes to weddings, one of the most well-received features is the venue’s private terrace, which can accommodate up to 64 guests.
Photo – Sweetheart Empire
9. The Richmond
The Richmond offers an intimate but highly functional event space for a smaller, more intimate wedding. The space is bright and modern, with 18-foot ceilings, an industrial feel, and a loft-style second floor. The eco-conscious couple will appreciate the lengths this venue takes to be as “green” as possible. The space has a seating capacity of 90 and a cocktail capacity of 150. You can either choose from the venue’s set packages of rentals, catering and décor, or build your own.
Photo – Daniel & Daniel
10. Balzac’s Distillery District
For an intimate wedding rich with Toronto history and warm, eclectic décor, an unexpected option for an intimate and cozy wedding is Balzac’s in the Distillery District. The charming, freestanding space offers a welcome alternative to a restaurant for smaller weddings, and allows most outside caterers and event planners. It makes an ideal setting for a cocktail party-type wedding (with a standing capacity of up to 100 people) and is complete with a patio.
Photo – Sophia Banks Photography
11. Mariposa Cruises
If you’re looking for an intimate wedding venue that your guests will remember – and one that takes full advantage of Toronto in all of its summertime glory – take the celebrations to the lake with Mariposa Cruises. The city’s stunning backdrop and ever-changing views offer the perfect addition to your wedding shots. The company can accommodate both a ceremony and a reception for up to 150 guests and has a variety of vessels to choose from.
Photo – Maripona Cruises
12. Hotel Ocho
Moments away from Chinatown and Kensington Market is the beautifully restored Ocho Hotel and Restaurant. The hotel’s upper level event space has hosted some of the city’s most exclusive media events in recent years. The historic space offers an elegant vibe complete with modern elements like glass, marble and steel. As an added bonus, your guests don’t have to travel too far to find a bed for the night.
Photo – Wild Eyed
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