With such a huge list of venues on EventSource, people often ask me if I can suggest something “different”, something “ultra-unique” within Toronto or the GTA. Absolutely, I can!
I’m not ashamed to say that we Torontonians are pretty spoiled in this regard – we’ve got such an eclectic mix of stunning wedding places scattered all throughout! Of course, some you hear about more frequently, while others require just that extra touch of effort to uncover. To help in this regard, we’ve done all the legwork for you and have compiled a list of “hidden gem” wedding and event venues all within the GTA.
…they probably won’t stay hidden for long.
The Burroughes Building
639 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
Photo Courtesy of Mango Studios
Located inside an iconic building on Queen St. West, The Burroughes has been renovated to preserve the heritage of the building. The original elevator, wood floors and exposed brick in the Burroughes Top Floor highlight a spectacular loft-style blank canvas for your event. With 6,000 sq ft. of event space which includes access to the Rooftop Terrace (with a stunning 360-degree view of the city skyline), this is a space that can truly be customized to fit your style and needs.
Parkwood Estate
Located in Oshawa, Parkwood Estate is a national historic site. Once home to Robert Samuel McLaughlin (the first president of General Motors Canada), the estate has been lovingly preserved to continue to showcase the original architecture and landscaping. For weddings and events, there are outdoor options for ceremonies including the Sunken Garden (125ppl), the Italian Garden (40ppl) as well as tented receptions. Indoor options are available from September through the end of June. The estate also offers mansion tours to your guests while they wait for the reception or take a break from a corporate meeting.
Campbell House
160 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
Located right in the heart of the city, the Campbell House Museum is the oldest building remaining from the Town of York. The house, now a museum, is available for all types of private functions, offering a beautiful Ballroom (80 guests) and dining room (60 guests) along with gorgeous, lush gardens for photography. In the summer months, you can host events outdoors in the gardens; the winter months allow for cozy wood-burning fires in the hearths.
Bram & Bluma Appel Salon
Toronto Reference Library, 2nd Floor 789 Yonge Street, Toronto ON
Photo Courtesy of 424u
You would never guess it, but did you know that the Toronto Reference Library at Yonge and Bloor is home to this incredibly modern event space? The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon offers guests a choice of three rooms: Epic Hall, Prologue and Novella, each of which provides private access. The iconic main floor atrium is also available for private ceremonies!
St. Joseph’s Banquet Hall & Conference Centre
300 River Oaks Blvd. East, Oakville, ON
A new and modern facility, the St. Joseph's Banquet & Conference Centre boasts a 6000 sq ft main hall with 24ft high ceilings and elegant chandeliers. Soaring windows offering natural light and neutral decor, this is a space that can be transformed to fit your vision. The venue provides onsite catering to accommodate many different cultural cuisine requirements.
Island Yacht Club
2 Muggs Island Park, Toronto, ON
Just a short ferry ride away from the city, Island Yacht Club is your cottage in the city. The clubhouse features an open floor concept complete with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the lake and city skyline. If a tented wedding is more your style, the grounds offer many locations (with lake views) where tents can be erected.
Special thanks Christine March of Imprint Weddings for sending us this suggestion!
De La Salle Heritage House
131 Farnham Avenue, Toronto, ON
Situated on the campus of De La Salle College “Oaklands”, the De La Salle Heritage House is available for private functions throughout the school year. The exterior features stunning Gothic architecture, making for a gorgeous photography backdrop. The charming and historic ambiance makes this the perfect setting for your wedding, special event or corporate meeting.
Special thanks Laura Scott of Tula Events for sending us this suggestion!
Chase
10 Temperance Street, Toronto, ON
Offering stunning decor and views of the city from their rooftop terrace, The Chase restaurant is simply gorgeous! With cuisine from their in-house catering team (with a focus on “casual elegance”), this space is perfect for those looking for something casual yet refined.
Did we miss a hidden gem? Let us know in the comments below and you just might find them in Part 2!
These are lovely event spaces and I think you should add the Herongate Barn Theatre to your list of unique and interesting wedding venues look through our website at weddings and I’m sure that you’ll agree
[…] extraordinaire Melissa Andre. Bride and groom, Priscilla and Andrew chose one of Toronto’s hidden gem venues, The Burroughes Building to celebrate their wedding reception and with the help of Melissa, […]
[…] extraordinaire Melissa Andre. Bride and groom, Priscilla and Andrew chose one of Toronto’s hidden gem venues, The Burroughes Building to celebrate their wedding reception and with the help of Melissa, […]
[…] the way, in case you missed it, here’s a link to our previous article hidden gems – part I article. Happy […]
[…] night, one of downtown Toronto’s most acclaimed hidden gem venues, The Burroughes pulled out all the stops and opened up their doors to host an Open House Client […]
[…] extraordinaire Melissa Andre. Bride and groom, Priscilla and Andrew chose one of Toronto’s hidden gem venues, The Burroughes Building to celebrate their wedding reception and with the help of Melissa, […]
Amy, great article. With over 1,000 venues in Toronto alone finding the perfect wedding venue can be a challenge! Another venue I’ve just discovered is the St. James Cathedral Centre. OMG. It’s a stunning modern glass space and features a number of rooms, depending on the size of the event. I’m doing a styled shoot there in January and am so excited to give this amazing venue some exposure.