Grapevine Studio
GTA Locations & Permits
Suggestions on booking a park/photography location for your Wedding Day
# Call the department of Parks and Recreation of the City in which the park is located. For instance, if you chose to book Sunny Side Pavilion located in the City of Toronto, you need to phone the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation department. 416-392-8188
# In some cases, you must be a resident of the city in which the park is located in order to book the park. If you do not reside in the city in which the park is located, your friend or relative who lives there can book it for you.
# You should book as soon as possible since most parks become booked up fairly quickly and well ahead of time.
# Prices for booking parks vary depending on the park and the city it's in;
they range from $40 for 2hrs and up to $100 per hour. Usually, it costs $100 for 2 hrs., which is exactly what's needed for photography and video on the Wedding Day.
# Remember to bring your park permit(s) on the Wedding Day. You might not be allowed in without one.
GTA Wedding Photography Locations & Permits
Here is a list of the most popular Wedding photography locations in the Toronto Area.
Note: you DO NOT have to book any park for Engagement photos or Video
Look at Suggestions at the top of this page for booking tips
City of Toronto Website City.Toronto.on.ca
City of Mississauga Mississauga.ca
Wedding Venues Hallz.com
National Parks Canada ParksCanada.pch.gc.ca
Wedding Locations WeddingLocation.com
Ceremony & Reception Venues Ontario
Miller Lash House, University of Toronto, Scarborough
La Primavera LaPrimaveraHall.ca
Toronto Downtown Bed and Breakfast -www.tdbab.com
Delta Pinestone Resort – www.deltapinestone.com
North Country Getaway – www.northcountrygetaway.com
Pavilion Royale – pavilionroyale.com
Angus Glen Golf & Country Club
Eaton Hall – www.eatonhall.ca
The Old Mill – www.oldmilltoronto.com
The Great Hall – www.greathall.net
Casa Loma – www.casaloma.org
Gananoque Inn – www.gananoqueinn.com
Graydon Hall Manor – www.graydonhall.com
GlenErin Inn – www.glenerininn.com
Edwards Gardens – www.city.toronto.on.ca/parks/parks_gardens/edwardsgdns.htm
Windsor Arms Hotel – www.windsorarmshotel.com
Oak View Terrace – www.oakviewterrace.com
Michelangelos (Hamilton) – www.michelangelos.com
Ontario Heritage Centre – www.heritagefdn.on.ca/Eng/Conference-Theatres/conference-ohf.shtml
Oakville Golf Club – www.banquethallsontario.com/OAKgolfclub.htm
Cedarbrook Country Inn – www.cedarbrookcountryinn.com
Gage Park (Brampton) – www.bridalspace.com/gagepark/more.htm
Estates of Sunnybrook – www.estatesofsunnybrook.com
Rockwood Conservation Area – www.rockwoodheaven.com/conservation.html
Fairmont Royal York Hotel (Toronto) – www.fairmont.com
Chinguacousy Wedding Chapel (Brampton)
The Boulevard Club – www.boulevardclub.com
Mississauga Wedding Chapel – www.mississauga.ca
Inn on the Park – www.innontheparktoronto.com
Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant – www.mrsmitchells.net
Morrisburg Meeting Centre – www.morrisburgmeetingcentre.oetio.com
Southbrook Farms – www.southbrook.com
Hockley Valley Resort – www.hockley.com
The Nottawasaga Inn – www.nottawasagaresort.com
The Millcroft Inn – www.millcroft.com/attract2.html
Oakview Terrace – www.oakviewterrace.com
FindABanquetHall.com – www.FindABanquetHall.com
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Parks and Gardens in the GTA
Humber Bridge & Park, Etobicoke
Features: Situated on Lake Ontario (West end of Toronto), featuring sandy beach, parkland & trees, and walkways
Location: Lakeshore Rd. and South Kingsway
Permit: None required
360˚ panoramic view of the Humber Bridge
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Features: A stunning 1800’s historic building, with colourful manicured gardens, cobblestone pathways and ornate iron fencing.
Location: Queen and University Streets
Permit: No permit required, however, be sure there are no events or filming scheduled.
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University of Toronto
Features: Charming old architecture on a beautifully landscaped campus. Use is limited to certain areas, but those areas are great.
Location: College and University
Permit: $120 for non-alumni / $60 for alumni
Phone: 416.978.2187
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Features: Incredible gardens and a wonderful pond.
Location: Bloor and Parkside (west, just north of the QEW)
Permit: Permission may be required, as events may be planned.
Phone: 416.392.8188
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Features: This famous castle provides a spectacular setting. Access to the conservatory, terrace and gardens are all available.
Location: 1 Austin Terrace (near Bathurst and Dupont)
Permit: $200 to $300 depending on time of day
Phone: 416.923.1171
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Japanese garden in the heart of Mississauga. All group photography occurring between Friday and Sunday afternoons must reserve and pay a fee of $70 to obtain a park permit. A permit reserves a 90 minute block of time.
Kariya Drive just south of Burnhamthorpe Road, Mississauga, Ontario
[[PASTING TABLES IS NOT SUPPORTED]]
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James Gardens
Features: Traditional park; lots of trees, flowers, bridges, some water.
Location: Edenbridge Drive (east off Royal York Road)
Permit: $50 to$100 per hour
Phone: 416.392.8188
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Distillery District
Features: historic distillery built in 1832. Cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, and old brick buildings make a unique background for interesting photos
Location: Mill St. (Between Parliament St. and Cherry St.)
Permit: $150.00
Phone: 416.364.4793
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Centennial Park Conservatory, Etobicoke
Features: Three glass houses with interesting plant collections.
Location: 15 Elmcrest Road (west off Renforth Road, just north of Rathburn Avenue)
Phone: 416-394-8543
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Features: Historic building with a beautiful waterfall and landscaped gardens.
Location: 21 Old Mill Road
Permit: Permission normally required.
Phone: 416-236-2641
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Features: One of the largest and most opulent train stations in Canada, with fascinating old architecture, both inside and out.
Location: 65 Front Street West (at Bay Street)
Permit: $100
Phone: 416-392-8188
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Edwards Gardens Conservatory, Toronto
Features: Similar to James Gardens, but larger with a fountain and a staircase. Edwards Gardens website
Location: 777 Lawrence Ave E , Toronto
Permit: $50-$100 per hour
Phone: 416-392-8188
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Cherry Beach, Toronto
Features: Situated on Lake Ontario (East end of Toronto), featuring Sandy beach, wooded areas and a boardwalk.
Location: at the south end of Cherry St.
Permit: None required
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Alexander Muir Gardens, Toronto
Features: Situated next to a ravine, beautiful sunken gardens, treed walkways, benches, stone wall & stairs
Location: Yonge St. & Lawrence Ave.
Permit: $80.00
Phone: 416-392-8188
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Features: Urban environment, tall skyscrapers, concrete walls, and small greenspace
Location: Bay St. & Wellington St. W.
Permit: None if venue is canoe restaurant
Phone: 416-869–2277
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Front Street/Esplanade area, Toronto
Features: Nice architecture, shops and outdoor cafes, greenspace with flowers and water fountain.
Location: Front St. & Market St.
Permit: None required.
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St. Lawrence Market, Toronto
Features: City architectural landmark, farmers’ market, indoor food market.
Location: Front St. & Jarvis St.
Permit: Call for permit information
Phone: 416-392-7219
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Ashbridges Bay, Toronto
Features: Situated on Lake Ontario, features expansive beaches, a harbour & marina, and boardwalk cafe
Location: Lakeshore Blvd. E. & Coxwell Ave.
Permit: Call for permit information
Phone: 416-392-8188
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Hart House, U of T, University of Toronto
Features: Beautiful courtyard, grounds and Gothic style architecture
Location: 7 Hart House Circle (U of T Campus)
Permit: No permit required if wedding is held at Hart House.
Phone: 416.978.2187
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Glendon College, York University, Toronto
Features: Beautiful Rose gardens, treed pathways, an old manor, and stone walkways
Location: Bayview Ave.& Lawrence Ave.
Permit: permit required
Phone: 416-487-6798
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Spadina House
Features: Victorian mansion surrounded by restored victorian gardens.
Location: 285 Spadina Rd.
Permit: Call for permit information
Phone: 416-392-6910
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Black Creek Pioneer Village
Features: Fully restored rural ontario 19th century village
Location: Steeles Ave. & Jane St.
Permit: Call for permit information
Phone: (416) 736-1740 ext. 5444
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Don Valley Brick Works, Toronto
Features: Comprised of distinctive industrial buildings, a quarry garden, surrounded by parkland.
Location: Bayview Avenue and Pottery Road
Permit: Permission required.
Phone: 416-392-8188
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Todmorden Mills, Toronto
Features: Adjacent to the Don Valley Brick Works historic site, the Todmorden Mills Museum is a unique industrial settlement built in the 18th century.
Location: Pottery Road, west of Broadview at Mortimer Ave.
Permit: permit required
Phone: 416-396-2819
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Sunnyside Park & Pavillion, Toronto
Features: Situated on Lake Ontario, featuring beaches, Late 1800’s architecture, iron gates, Courtyard with fountain, treed areas and a boardwalk.
Location: Lakeshore Blvd. and Colborne Lodge Drive
Permit: $40 per hour (for up to 20 people)
Phone: 416-392-8188
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Allan Gardens Conservatory, Toronto
Features: Six indoor greenhouses ¬ great for late fall and winter weddings.
Location: 19 Horticultural Avenue (south side of Carlton between Jarvis and Sherbourne Streets)
Permit: $40 per hour (maximum 12 people)
Phone: 416-392-8188
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Harbourfront, Toronto
Features: Toronto’s newest waterfront park.
Location: South side of Queen’s Quay Blvd. West (between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street)
Permit: No permit required for outdoors; please call to inquire about indoor permits.
Phone: 416.392.1111
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North York Rose Garden, Toronto
Features: In the heart of North York, the Rose Garden has winding pathways, mature trees and a lovely array of greenery and flowers.
Location: Northwest corner of Yonge Street and Park Horne Avenue
Permit: $12.25 per hour
Phone: 416-395-6055
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Toronto Music Garden, Toronto
Features: Beautiful outdoor architecture, with spectacular indoor opportunities.
Location: 65 Front Street (between Bay and York Streets)
Permit: Permission may be required, as events may be planned for certain
dates.
Phone: 416-864-3440
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Fantasy Fair, Toronto
Features: Ontario’s only indoor amusement park, complete with rides and attractions!
Location: Woodbine Centre, 500 Rexdale Blvd.
Permit: $60 permit required. Rides can be reserved for 10 minutes @ $60/ride or a 3-ride package of $150
Phone: 416-674-5200
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Other “Alternate” locations
Downtown Streets (candid walking shots)
Fields
Alleyways
Train Tracks
Building Ruins
Train Tracks
Other Locations to Consider
Allen Gardens
George Brown House
Humber Arboretum
Kensington Market (candid walking shots)
Mackenzie House
Old City Hall
Ryerson Campus (Gould Street)
St. James Park (downtown)
Toronto Island
Indoor Locations to Consider
Most indoor locations require permits, although often we are allowed to take just the bride and groom inside for some quick shots, without a permit. However, if the bridal party and/or family members need to join the shoot, then a permit is always needed.
King Edward HotelFour Seasons Hotel
University of Toronto (Victoria College & Hart House)
Toronto City Hall
Old City Hall
Mississauga City Hall
Markham City Hall
The Eaton Centre
The Manulife Centre
Union Station / The Skywalk
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
St. Lawrence Hall
York Event Theatre
BCE Place (they will say “no” if you call in advance, but they have said “yes” many times on the spot if we do some quick shots of just the bride and groom)