Toronto and GTA Engagement Shoot Location Guide
Whether you're looking for romantic, urban, or pet-friendly settings, this guide will help you find the perfect backdrop for your engagement session!
Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming wedding and engagement shoot! We've curated a list of places that we hope you can use as a helpful reference to select your perfect engagement shoot spot. Also, know that this isn't a complete guide - if you have any ideas of your own or places that you love, let's explore those as well!
THE SPOTS
Toronto Chinatown
Liberty Village
Edwards Gardens
Royal Botanical Gardens
RC Harris Water Treatment Plant
​Hart House
Knox College
Evergreen Brickworks
Financial District
Cherry Beach
Osgoode Hall
Scarborough Bluffs
Spadina Museum
St. Lawrence Market
Aga Khan Museum
Parkwood Estates
Toronto Island
Mainstreet Unionville
Humber Bay Park
The Well
High Park
Glendon Campus
Kortright Centre
Toronto Music Garden
Gairloch Gardens
Alexander Muir Gardens
TORONTO CHINATOWN
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Description: For those not afraid of shooting in the city. we can use the fun lights and have a stroll around the city!
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Downtown
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LIBERTY VILLAGE
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Description: A rustic, industrial look for a city vibe. There are some cafes and graffiti walls, and beautiful red brick walls and industrial elements.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Downtown
EDWARDS GARDENS
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Description: We can go for a hike in the city, in this beautiful park with lots of greenery eleemnts!
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Midtown/North York
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ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
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Description: Lush gardens, scenic trails, and beautifully landscaped grounds make this a dreamy spot for romantic, nature-filled portraits.
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Permit required: Yes – photography permit is required and must be booked in advance through RBG.
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Region: Burlington / Hamilton
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Caveats: Permit comes with specific time slots and location access. May be busy on weekends and during peak bloom seasons
RC HARRIS WATER TREATMENT PLANT
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Description: An architecturally unique area with building elements and also water and grassy spots!
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Permit required: No
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Region: East End Toronto/Scarborough
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Caveats: Depending on timing, might be a bit busy! Opt for weekdays for this one.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: HART HOUSE
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Description: A beautiful U of T location with beautiful architecture, historical and grand windows, gothic staircases with high ceilings. A courtyard in the middle for greenery.
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Permit required: Yes
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Region: Toronto Downtown
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Caveats: Some construction is going on at UofT's King Circle, so the exterior isn't available for use. Parking is difficult to find at UofT.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: KNOX COLLEGE
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Description: The grand, gothic, and beautiful interior of Knox College is stunning. The architecture of beautiful staircases and walkway arches are gorgeous. There is also a garden outside for some greenery. Due to permits, there is a great deal of privacy as it is not open to the public.
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Permit required: Yes
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Region: Toronto Downtown
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Caveats: Parking is difficult to find at UofT.
EVERGREEN BRICKWORKS
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Description: Beautiful foliage and sunny fields for your nature-inspired shoot. Small boardwalks and brick walls in the Brickworks. Bring a blanket for a picnic-inspired theme!
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Downtown/Midtown
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Caveats: Very busy, especially in the summer. Opt for a weekday afternoon for more privacy.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
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Description: A concrete jungle shoot! Play with the building and the streetcar settings, and the varying architecture around the financial district for a fun shoot.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Downtown
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Caveats: TD building with the classic CN tower shot is being covered (also, depending on the kindness of security guard)
CHERRY BEACH
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Description: A lovely beachy feel that gives you the look of being away from the city. A cute house by the beach, and nearby greenery for both beach and nature shots.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Downtown
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Caveats: The beach tends to be busy, so just wary if people are around enjoying a beach day.
OSGOODE HALL
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Description: Cobblestones in the city - you'll get the beautiful arches and nearby park. Bring a picnic blanket for some picnic-themed shots!
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Downtown
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Caveats: Lots of weddings on weekends, best on a weekday. Near the Toronto city hall and downtown core so leave ample time to find parking.
SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS
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Description: A beautiful rocky cliff, a lake view, and a perfect place to have a picnic. Gorgeous natural elements that we can use for a stunning outdoor shoot.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Scarborough
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Caveats: Parking, and can get busy sometimes.
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SPADINA MUSEUM
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Description: One of the most stunning parks in Toronto, with a beautiful outdoor park.
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Permit required: Yes
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Region: Toronto Downtown
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ST. LAWRENCE MARKET
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Description: Red brick walls, and an old-city New-York flatiron building feel. Make a date of it and grab a coffee, wander the market, and maybe visit the nearby arches.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Downtown
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Caveats: Very busy, lots of cars, so opt for off-peak hours.
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AGA KHAN MUSEUM
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Description: A stunning architectural space featuring clean modern lines, manicured gardens, and elegant stonework — perfect for timeless, sophisticated portraits.
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Permit required: Yes – photography permit is required and must be arranged in advance through the museum.
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Region: North York, Toronto
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Caveats: Permit fees apply and time slots may be limited. No indoor photography without special permission
PARKWOOD ESTATES
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Description: A gorgeous estate grounds with a formal garden with clipped hedges and manicured lawns surrounding a stunning pool .
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Permit required: Yes
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Region: North York
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Caveats: A little on the pricey side, but guaranteed stunning backdrop for your engagement photos.
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MAIN STREET UNIONVILLE
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Description: A small-town charming and vintage vibe. Use the boba shop (the Alley) or coffee shops in the area. Head over to Toogood pond for some nature shots as well.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Markham
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Caveats: Dodging human traffic in Unionville.
HUMBER BAY PARK
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Description: A modern, outdoor park by the water. Get a mix of skylines, a lake view, and greenery.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Toronto Downtown West
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Caveats: Hard to find parking, and lots of people generally due to volume of condos nearby.
TORONTO ISLAND
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Description: Let me take you to my favourite spot on Toronto island. We can take a water taxi and grab some shots on the boat, then walk to my favourite spot with a skyline view and beach. Beautiful elements such as fallen trees/logs, chairs, natural greenery with golden hour lighting. Bring or rent a bike for some bicycle shots!
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Permit required: No
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Region: Downtown - Islands
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Caveats: Approximately 15~ minute walk from the boat dropoff to my favourite location.
GLENDON CAMPUS - YORK UNIVERSITY
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Description: An beautiful garden with a greenhouse-type roof filled with greenery. French windows on a charming building. Head around the corner to a stunning courtyard with gazebos.
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Permit required: Yes
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Region: Midtown
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Caveats: Permits are issued to a few couples at a time, so be prepared to share the space. Usually it's not an issue as the space is big enough to work with!
KORTRIGHT CENTRE FOR CONSERVATION
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Description: A stunning pine-tree forest with a mystical feel. Go for a hike and a walk in this beautiful conservation area that doesn't even feel like you're in the GTA. Use the charming forests, bridges, and buildings.
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Permit required: Yes
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Region: Vaughan
TORONTO MUSIC GARDEN
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Description: A pretty garden by the waterfront! Gorgeous greenery during the warmer months of the year, and by the harbour. Maybe grab a picnic blanket and have a sweet session by the lake!
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Permit required: No
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Region: Downtown Toronto (Harbourfront)
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GAIRLOCH GARDENS
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Description: A charming garden tucked along the lakeshore, surrounded by vibrant blooms and lush greenery. Gairloch Gardens offers a romantic, serene setting with lake views, stone pathways, and plenty of open space to spread a picnic blanket and enjoy a quiet session by the water.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Oakville
HIGH PARK
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Description: One of Toronto’s most iconic parks, High Park is a beautiful mix of nature and charm — think sprawling green spaces, forest trails, and scenic ponds. It’s perfect for a relaxed, nature-filled session any time of year, with especially stunning cherry blossoms in spring.
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Permit required: No
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Region: West Toronto
THE WELL
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Description: A modern architectural gem in downtown Toronto, The Well offers a mix of urban style and sleek design. With open-air walkways, glass details, and stylish storefronts, it’s perfect for a contemporary, city-inspired session with a touch of sophistication.
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Permit required: No
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Region: Downtown Toronto
