35 Best and Most Romantic Engagement and Wedding Photography Locations in Toronto and GTA
Choosing the perfect spot for your engagement or wedding photos can be challenging. You want the setting to be just right, with the ideal lighting and a background that will compliment you and your fiancé in the best way. If you’re looking for that intimate, romantic setting for your engagement or wedding photoshoot in Toronto, the best locations in the GTA are here.
Are you looking for the best spots for your wedding or engagement pictures west of Toronto, in Burlington and Hamilton area? Check out my blog post, 15 Best and Most Romantic Engagement and Wedding Photo Locations in Hamilton and Burlington.
1. Humber Bay Park | Toronto
If you’re looking for a space with various backdrops for your photos, this is the perfect area! There’s a bridge for pictures with water in the background, or from the other side, you can capture part of the beautiful Toronto skyline. Located right off of Lakeshore Boulevard West, this green space is a little bit quiet amid the noise of the city. You can capture incredibly intimate and romantic pictures on the water or within the trails and paths of this park.
style: natural, rustic, romantic, earthy
elements: natural paths, Toronto skyline, city view, beach, bridges
the best time to take pictures: mornings
2. Edwards Gardens | Toronto
Located next to Toronto’s Botanical Garden, this area is filled with perennials and roses to set up the perfect backdrop for your pictures. Imagine you and your fiancé standing in front of a wall of flowers, all perfectly in bloom, and your photographer capturing the perfect picture that shows the love you and your fiancé have for each other. This area also features green spaces and paths for walking around and many options for capturing all the shots you want.
style: natural, classy, romantic
elements: botanical garden, bridge, creek, flowers, kept lawns, waterfall, wooden stairs
the best time to take pictures: weekdays, mornings on the weekend
3. Centennial Park | Toronto
I love this park for how universal it is. You can take plants, including pictures there, even in the wintertime! The 12,00 sqft Centennial Park Conservatory Greenhouse includes a cactus house, a tropical house, and a show house.
Do you think about some fall engagement photos? The trees in this park turn vibrant shades of reds, oranges and yellows during the fall, setting the scene for gorgeous engagement photos. Whether you’re looking for something a little more playful and fun – like running around in the leaves – or something more serious and romantic with your partner, Centennial Park offers a backdrop for engagement photos you’ll be proud to show off for years.
And in the summertime: you will not find a greener place. We will hide behind massive weeping willows trees and take some most intimate and rustic photos.
style: natural, classy, romantic
elements: a Japanese garden, greenhouse, bridges, creek, kept lawns, ski hill, sports facilities, weeping willows
the best time to take pictures: all week, watch out for events
4. Humber Arboretum | Toronto
Are you looking for a bit of oasis in the middle of the city? The Humber Arboretum is the perfect spot for you! What’s impressive about this location is that, while the photos are stunning, you can also have your wedding in this exact spot. It’s quaint and romantic, surrounded by beautiful and mature trees. There are many options here for perfect pictures, and you won’t regret sharing those intimate, romantic moments with your partner here and having them captured forever.
style: romantic, airy, fresh
elements: gazebos, gardens, lake, bridges, hard surface trails, a massive variation of flowers and trees
the best time to take pictures: early mornings, Sunday’s evenings, getting very busy during the day especially on Saturdays. Watch out for weddings and other events
5. Scarborough Bluffs | Toronto
Standing above the shoreline of Lake Ontario, the Scarborough Bluffs are a major part of the Toronto waterfront. There are a number of parks that are located among the bluffs, so if one park has amenities you prefer over another you can select the spot that is just right for you. You can get the perfect shot of standing over the bluffs, at sunset with the water in the background. If you and your fiancé are adventurous and enjoy the outdoors this location will mix you love of being outdoors with romantic engagement photos. Combine shots of you hiking along the paths with pictures on the edge of the bluffs with Lake Ontario in the background for the perfect mixture of fun and intimate engagement pictures.
style: airy, romantic, earthy
elements: lakeview, cliffs, spectacular views of the bluffs, marina, beach
the best time to take pictures: early mornings, weekdays
6. Trillium Park & Ontario Place | Toronto
Toronto is home to many parks and green spaces, but Trillium Park is one of the best waterfront parks in the city – maybe even in Ontario. This park has over 7 acres of gorgeous green space on one of the most fantastic parts of Toronto’s waterfront. Here you’ll see joggers, families taking a stroll on the weekends, cyclists pedalling through and many other residents of the city.
Taking pictures here, you can wander along the Bill Davis trail that is surrounded by natural trees and flowers. This trail will lead you to iconic locations in the park like the Romantic Garden – which is an open space that is designed for groups or families to gather and relax or play. This space, with its lush greens and rocks for sitting on, offers a great backdrop for some casual and relaxed pictures of you as a couple.
My favourite parts of this park are extraordinary Toronto skyline views, modern architecture and overall a great mix of everything: beautifully planned landscaping, romantic spots, beach, and the cherry on the top: string lights on the Ontario Place side.
style: airy, romantic, urban, classy
elements: waterfront, Toronto skyline, urban design, wooden pavilion, bridges
the best time to take pictures: early mornings, evenings, weekdays
7. Toronto Music Garden
Located along Toronto’s inner harbour, the Toronto Music Garden is one of the most enchanted locations in the city, and it makes for beautiful pictures. Inspired by Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello, your pictures will have a rich background with all of its greenery. You and your fiancé can walk along the path while I capture the candid shots that always turn out best.
style: urban, romantic, poetic
elements: scenic garden, waterfront, CN Tower, amphitheatre
the best time to take pictures: early mornings
8. Cherry Beach & Polson Pier | Toronto
Located at the end of Cherry Street, south of Unwin Avenue, Cherry Beach is a popular place to enjoy Toronto’s waterfront. This beach doesn’t have a boardwalk, but a rustic lifeguard station gives you a unique, vintage look for your engagement pictures. This beach is pretty calm and is warmer than most other beaches in Toronto, so if you wanted a few pictures of dipping your toes in the water, you’d be met with warm water.
Before heading over to Cherry Beach, we can visit Polson Pier – which gives one of the best views of the Toronto Skyline. This pier is located in Port Lands, a primarily industrial area along the waterfront of Toronto Harbour. Here you can find an amusement area with areas for swimming, beach volleyball and even a driving range. If you and your fiancé enjoy any of these activities, it gives us the perfect opportunity to get some shots of the two of you sharing in something you love.
style: urban, romantic, airy
elements: beach, guard station, Toronto Skyline, natural paths
the best time to take pictures: early mornings, evenings
9. HTO Park & HTO Beach | Toronto
This urban beach, which was created in 2007, has elements of a park, beach and golf course. One of the most notable features of this park is the sandpit that holds the iconic Muskoka chairs and giant, permanent yellow umbrellas. At night, when it’s dark, the park knolls are completely illuminated to make it enjoyable to enjoy evenings outside.
This location makes a great spot for engagement pictures is you can enjoy a beach background right in the middle of the urban centre of Toronto. You and your fiancé can wander along the beach, at sunset, with your feet in the sand. We can also capture some perfect shots of your two splashing around and then just wander right over to the park for pictures with rich greenery in the background.
style: urban, romantic, airy
elements: beach, guard station, Toronto Skyline, natural paths
the best time to take pictures: early mornings, evenings
10. Aga Khan Museum | Toronto
” The design of the Museum is inspired by a vision statement of “Light” by His Highness the Aga Khan. The notion of “Light” has been an inspiration for numerous human faiths and decades of history are referred to as the enlightenment. The Aga Khan had hoped that the building and the spaces around it will be seen as a celebration of light and the mysteries of light that nature and the human soul illustrate at every moment of our lives. ” ArchDaily
style: urban, modern, clean, airy
elements: lavender field, off-white granite slabs, water pools
the best time to take pictures: as there is nowhere to hide from the sun, only sunrise and sunset
11. Osgoode Hall | Downtown Toronto
I have been photographing at Osgoode Hall numerous times, and never got bored with this location. It looks different depends on the time of the year, day and light conditions. I feel like you can’t take the same pictures there twice. If you are into romance, elegance and great architecture, that’s the go-to spot. It’s one of the not that many locations in Toronto, where you don’t need any photography permit to take your pictures.
style: urban, contemporary, classic, chick
elements: neoclassical architecture, arches, garden
the best time to take pictures: anytime
12. Muskoka
There are many public beaches and all-year-round trails to take your wedding and engagement pictures. Just ask me, and I will share with you some of my secret spots.
style: natural, country, adventures
elements: scenic lookouts, lakes, forests, trails, gazebos
the best time to take pictures: anytime
13. Unionville | Markham
Unionville is special all year round, but if you are into Christmas, I can’t think about a better place in GTA where you can feel this European winter market’s feel.
style: contemporary, romantic, cozy
elements: charming street, cute shops, gazebo, parks, mill, old train station
the best time to take pictures: weekdays early mornings
14. Scotsdale Farm | Halton Hills
This hidden gem is just 1-hour drive from Toronto. Scotsdale Farm is a heritage farm located on Niagara Escarpment. The farm’s hills look breathtaking during the golden hour.
You don’t need a photography permit here, but make sure there are no movies production at the time you want to take your photos. This stunning location doesn’t require a permit, but as they are a non-profit organization, donations are always welcome.
style: natural, country, cozy
elements: heritage farm buildings, farm’s rolling hills, tall grass
the best time to take pictures: anytime, but strongly recommend the golden hour on the weekday
15. Kawartha Lakes
What about a fall weekend gateway, paired with your cozy engagement shoot?
style: natural, country, cozy
elements: lakes, forests
the best time to take pictures: anytime
16. Old Mill | Toronto
You can take advantage of the exterior and interior hallways of an elegant Old Mill Toronto.
style: elegant, timeless
elements: walk-out patio, bridge, pond, garden, stone paths
the best time to take pictures: anytime
17. Holland Marsh Wineries | Newmarket
Located in Newmarket, Holland Marsh Wineries is a great location if you are into vineyards, relaxing charm and rustic spirit.
style: rustic, country
elements: barn, gazebo, vineyard, rustic shack, waterfall, carriage
the best time to take pictures: sunset
18. Distillery District | Toronto
The pedestrian-only Distillery District, set in quaint 19th-century buildings that once housed a large whiskey distillery, draws newlyweds and engaged couples to its cobblestone streets lined with hip indie restaurants, bars and boutiques.
style: contemporary
elements: outdoor sculptures, red brick, white stones,
the best time to take pictures: weekdays, early weekend mornings
18. Liberty Village | Toronto
style: industrial
elements: red brick, steel, glass
the best time to take pictures: weekends
19. Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park | Richmond Hill
This huge park has a lot to offer as your wedding or engagement backdrop: the heritage gardens, pond, bridges, and a beautiful wedding garden gazebo. Visit Richmond Hill’s website to request a photography permit.
style: romantic, natural
elements: gardens, waterfall, gazebo, arched bridge
the best time to take pictures: sunrise, sunset
19. University of Toronto – St. George Campus
This location has plenty of photo-worthy backdrops: historical architecture, open green spaces, cute walkways, a fantastic view of the CN Tower, an arched alleyway and vine-covered walls.
style: elegant, romantic, chic
elements: gothic architecture, lush trees, columns, ivy walls, old brick, view of CN Tower
the best time to take pictures: anytime
20. Kariya Park | Mississauaga
Kariya Park is a beautiful, serene green space featuring Japanese-inspired gardens located in the heart of Mississauga. You can find cherry blossoms here during the blooming season.
I like how both small and balanced this park is. It makes an excellent location for people looking for big variations of backdrops with not much walking.
There are almost no parking spots there, but the park is only 2 minutes away from Square One, so I recommend parking there.
style: natural, romantic
elements: duck pond, pavilion, cherry trees, rhododendrons, bridges
the best time to take pictures: anytime
20. Woodbine Beach & the Beaches Park & Queen Street East | Toronto
If you have ever been to Woodbine beach, you know it gest crazy packed during weekends, and I don’t blame Torontonians. With its broad, sandy beach, long boardwalk and green parks giving a lot of shade, it makes it a perfect spot to hang out all day or take engagement pictures.
I suggest my couples spend some of their engagement photoshoot at Beaches Park and Queen Street East. It hooked me up a long time ago with its historic buildings, cute, independent shops, and slower traffic due to narrow streets and streetcars passing by.
style: natural
elements: wide beach, lifeguard station, pavilion, streetcars, historic buildings, cute coffee shops
the best time to take pictures: sunrise and sunset during the weekday, very early morning on the weekends
21. Guild Park & Gardens | Toronto, Scarborough
It’s a great spot for those interested in architecture. Guild Park and Gardens is a historic park formerly known as Guildwood Park offering gardens, wide green spaces, and over 70 architectural facades, columns and statues. The most popular spot is the Greek theatre, which makes the perfect backdrop for your engagement or wedding photos at any time of the year.
As this spot is very popular, make sure to secure your photography permit with the City of Toronto in advance.
style: elegant
elements: formal gardens, open-air theatre, baroque & neoclassical structures
the best time to take pictures: anytime
22. The Riverwood Conservancy | Mississauga
The Riverwood Conservancy is a perfect wedding and engagement spot if you are both into nature and history. You can get various pictures on the natural paths in the woods, in front of heritage buildings, beautiful gardens, and flowers.
It’s a great spot for larger wedding parties.
style: natural, rustic, romantic
elements: woodlands, ravines, perennial gardens, creeks, ponds, meadows, MacEwan Barn built-in 1850, Chappell House (heritage building)
the best time to take pictures: anytime, but make sure there are no schools classes at the same time as your slot
23. Harding Waterfront Estate | Mississauga
Harding Waterfront Estate is the perfect location for your wedding or engagement photoshoot.
From its gorgeous landscaped Estate grounds to the historic Mansion and waterfront views, Harding Waterfront Estate provides a beautiful backdrop for your photos.
Contact them to book a time slot for your pictures.
style: elegant, chic, historic
elements: historic Mansion, waterfront views
the best time to take pictures: any time is gorgeous there
24. Old Seed House Garden/Dominion Seed House | Georgetown
Contact the town of Halton Hills to book your session.
style: natural, earthy
elements: gazebo, gardens, paths
the best time to take pictures: it gest busy on the summer nights, the best time is sunrise or weekdays
25. The Ruby Manor | Brampton
The Ruby Manor is an indoor photography studio with 4 beautiful spaces and a lot of parking, located on the border of Brampton and Mississauga.
style: elegant, lots of natural light, you can create pictures within any style you want
elements: fireplaces, white walls, black walls, many different backdrops
the best time to take pictures: anytime
26. Mint Room Studios | Toronto
Mint Room Studios is located in the Junction area and offers nine studio rooms full of natural light and high ceilings. It’s a perfect space for any kind of photoshoot: wedding, engagement, family. Mint Room Studios collaborates with many designers, florists and planners, and redecorates their areas many times during the year, creating gorgeous backdrops for Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
Mint Rooms allow only 10 participants simultaneously, so it may not be suitable for larger wedding parties.
style: elegant, lots of natural light, you can create pictures within any style you want
elements: fireplaces, white walls, black walls, many different backdrops
the best time to take pictures: anytime
27. Marie Curtis Park | Toronto
This not-too-big park is located in Etobicoke and is home to the Etobicoke Creek Trail, which flows to Lake Ontario. It offers a sandy beach, green areas with many trees, lawns, and willow trees.
It gets busy with families, so the best time to take your engagement photos is early in the morning or closer to the sunset on the weekday.
style: natural, romantic, earthy
elements: natural paths, Toronto skyline, city view, beach, bridges, old trees
the best time to take pictures: early mornings
28. Colonel Samuel Smith Park | Toronto
When I was living back in Etobicoke, there was not a week I wouldn’t visit this park. It’s home to many animals, birds and butterflies. It offers beautiful wildlife, trees, wildflowers and high grass. Harbour, downtown skyline and small beaches are also great backdrops for your wedding and engagement photoshoot.
style: natural, rustic, romantic, earthy
elements: natural paths, Toronto skyline, city view, beach, bridges
the best time to take pictures: sunrise and sunset
29. Graffiti Valley | Toronto
If you are a city couple, loving to have fun together and are looking for a unique place in the city core, Graffiti Valley may be perfect for you to get vibrant, urban engagement pictures full of colour.
style: urban, casual, vibrant
elements: graffiti, long alleys
the best time to take pictures: anytime
30. The Esplanade + Gooderham Building called Flatiron Building | Downtown Toronto
This section of Toronto is a street that runs east-west along the central waterfront of Toronto. This street is really unique in that there are various sections making up this street and it almost looks like they aren’t even the same street. On the blocks between Jarvis and Parliament, it’s fairly residential with many low-rise and mid-rise buildings complete with David Crombie park on the south side of the street. On the blocks between Scott and Market Street, there are lots of restaurants. What’s really great about this location is that you can take a variety of photographs all with different backdrops without having to go to a bunch of different places in the city.
What I truly love about making wedding pictures at Front & Church street area is the authentic feeling of busy Toronto. Walking down the Front Street you can feel the dynamic and energy of this incredible city. And just a corner away I know a hidden, quiet spot where we can take some engagement pictures with CN Tower in the background.
style: urban, chic, classy
elements: CN Tower view, stoned arches, city vibe
the best time to take pictures: sunrise and sunsets
31. Sunflower Farm
Canadians are getting a little crazy every year with perfect sunflower Instagram photos, and I don’t blame them! Numerous farms outside Toronto allow for an adventurous engagement session in sunflower fields. My top three are Sunrise Sunflower Farm, The Apple Orchard, and Dixie Orchards. Make sure to contact them first, asking for a permit, and the best time for your photos, when sunflowers are in full bloom.
style: airy, romantic, natural
elements: cliffs, lake, beach, meadows
the best time to take pictures: weekdays only, weekends are too packed for quality pictures
32. Alpaca Farm
Ok, we mentioned some unique spots above, but if you are looking for a truly special and memorable engagement photoshoot, that’s the one. Alpaca’s are such hilarious and kind animals that your entire photoshoot will feel like a birthday party. The owners of S.A.M.Y.’s Alpaca Farm & Fibre Studio are very accommodating, so just let them know your plans, and they will be happy to support your vision.
style: airy, romantic, natural
elements: cliffs, lake, beach, meadows
the best time to take pictures: weekdays or early in the morning on weekends
33. Forks of the Credit Provincial Park | Caledon
When I feel like mountains are calling, Fork of the Credit Provincial Park is my place to go to feed the hiking hunger. It’s the most spectacular and beautiful provincial park at a reasonable distance from Toronto for summer and fall pictures. If you are into hiking, we can make a longer loop and chat for 2-3 hours, or we can make just a 1-hour short loop around the lake. Both options include phenomenal views and fun adventures.
style: airy, romantic, natural, adventures
elements: cliffs, lake, beach, meadows
the best time to take pictures: weekdays or early in the morning on weekends
34. R.C Harris Water Treatment Plant | Toronto East
One of the best things about this engagement photo location is that it’s kind of a hidden gem – not many people think of it as a place to take pictures at. Additionally, it doesn’t require a permit to capture pictures so we could head there any time and take a number of shots of the two of you.
This location features beautiful, breathtaking architecture to act as a backdrop for your pictures. You could also do pictures on the beach, with the waves in the background and overlooking Lake Ontario. The clean, sharp architecture provides a great contrast to cozy, romantic pictures and there is a lot of green space to walk through so you can capture many different views and angles.
style: urban, classy, airy, elegant
elements: unique architecture, beach, open green space
the best time to take pictures: weekdays or early in the morning on weekends
35. Rockwood Conservation Area | Guelph
style: outdoorsy, natural, adventures
elements: lookout points, river, bridges, old ruins, beach, trails in the woods
the best time to take pictures: anytime, avoid weekends in the middle of the day during summertime
36. Gairloch Gardens | Oakville
These gardens are located on Lakeshore Rd in Oakville. A stone pathway weaves its way through these lush gardens, bursting with the colours of various plants and flowers. Additionally, the Gairloch Gardens have a pond on the grounds with a lake view. These landmarks give a unique opportunity to have a variety of backgrounds for your photos, and gardens will provide the most romantic feeling to your photos. The only difficulty with this location is limited parking.
37. The Philosopher’s Walk | Toronto
This gorgeous and historical walking path is located on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto. It is surrounded by a few popular Toronto landmarks, including The Royal Ontario Museum, Trinity College and the Royal Conservatory of Music. There are decorative statues and monuments along the walkway, making it a unique setting in the city’s heart. The old architecture of the university adds an exceptionally romantic feel to pictures taken here.
38. Parkwood Estate and gardens | Oshawa
This estate, located in Oshawa, Ontario, was designed in the early 1900s with landscaping and interior designs reflective of the 1920s. It was designated as a historical landmark in 1989. The McLaughlin family loved gardening and landscape, meaning the grounds of the estate were beautifully kept, with over 20 gardens on the property. To this day, some of the greenhouses are used to grow period and specialty plants and flowers. This is great for couples who want flowers in their photos that may be uncommon for others also to have. Plus, pictures on the grounds of a historic manor give a soft, romantic feel to the photos.
39. Amos Wright Park | Richmond Hill
Visit Richmond Hill’s website to request a photography permit.
40. David Dunlap Observatory Park | Richmond Hill
Visit Richmond Hill’s website to request a photography permit.
41. Mill Pond Park | Richmond Hill
Visit Richmond Hill’s website to request a photography permit.
42. Phyllis Rawlinson Park | Richmond Hill
Visit Richmond Hill’s website to request a photography permit.
43. Unity Park | Richmond Hill
Visit Richmond Hill’s website to request a photography permit.
… what about a bit west of Toronto?
Are you looking for the best spots for your wedding or engagement pictures west of Toronto, in the Burlington and Hamilton area? Check out my blog post, 25 Best and Most Romantic Engagement and Wedding Photo Locations in Hamilton and Burlington.
