The ultimate guide for engagement & WEDDING photoshoot in Toronto


Planning the perfect engagement shoot in Toronto? This ultimate guide covers everything you need to know—from the best photo locations and outfit tips to choosing the right time of year and working with a professional photographer. Whether you're dreaming of cherry blossoms in High Park, city views at the CN Tower, or golden hour by the lakeshore, this guide will help you capture your love story beautifully.


Brought to you by TAM Studios, a top-rated engagement and wedding photographer in Toronto.


🌿 Parks, Gardens & Lakeside Locations


  • Royal Botanical Gardens (Burlington/Hamilton) - Canada’s largest botanical garden, featuring over 2,100 acres of gardens and nature sanctuaries.
  • Edwards Gardens (Toronto) - A former estate garden with perennials, roses, and an extensive rockery, adjacent to the Toronto Botanical Garden.
  • Gairloch Gardens (Oakville) - A serene lakeside garden featuring a rose garden and art gallery, offering picturesque views of Lake Ontario.
  • Toronto Botanical Garden (Toronto) - Home to 17 themed gardens spanning nearly four acres, designed to educate and inspire visitors.
  • High Park (Toronto) - Toronto's largest public park, offering hiking trails, diverse vegetation, a beautiful lakefront, and more.
  • Humber Bay Park (Toronto) - A waterfront park with scenic trails, butterfly habitats, and stunning skyline views.
  • Paletta Lakefront Park (Burlington) - A picturesque park with mature trees, a historic mansion, and tranquil lake views.
  • Scarborough Bluffs Park (Toronto) - Dramatic cliffs overlooking Lake Ontario, offering breathtaking views and natural beauty.
  • Guildwood Park (Toronto) - Features historic architectural fragments set within beautiful gardens and trails along the bluffs.
  • Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park (Oakville) - A charming park with a harbor, lighthouse, and scenic walking paths along Lake Ontario.
  • The Rose Garden at Centennial Park (Etobicoke) - A beautifully maintained rose garden featuring a variety of colorful blooms, ideal for romantic photos.
  • Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens (Toronto) - Known for its formal gardens, stone walls, and tree-lined pathways, offering a classic backdrop.
  • Allan Gardens Conservatory (Toronto) - A historic greenhouse filled with exotic plants and flowers, providing an indoor tropical setting.
  • Richmond Green Park (Richmond Hill) - Offers beautifully landscaped gardens, a waterfall, and open spaces perfect for photography.
  • Cherry Beach (Toronto) - A serene beach spot with sandy shores and a rustic lifeguard station, ideal for relaxed, beachy photos.
  • Rockwood Conservation Area (Rockwood) - Features unique geological formations, caves, and a picturesque river, offering a natural and adventurous setting.
  • Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens (Oshawa) - Home to a beautiful collection of peonies and other floral displays, set along a scenic creek.
  • Ashbridges Bay Park (Toronto) - A waterfront park with boardwalks, beaches, and views of the Toronto skyline, perfect for sunset shots.


🏰 Mansions & Luxurious Interiors


  • Parkwood Estate (Oshawa) - A National Historic Site featuring grand interiors, formal gardens, and a stunning fountain courtyard. It's a popular choice for romantic, vintage-inspired engagement sessions.
  • Fairmont Royal York (Toronto) - An iconic downtown hotel with opulent ballrooms, marble staircases, and timeless architecture. Ideal for couples seeking a classic and sophisticated backdrop.
  • Graydon Hall Manor (Toronto) - A luxurious Georgian-style manor nestled amidst 17 acres of gardens and woodlands. Its historic architecture and grand interiors provide a perfect setting for elegant engagement photos.
  • Evergreen Brick Works (Toronto) - A unique venue blending industrial chic with natural beauty. While interior shots are limited, the covered areas and rustic charm offer a distinctive setting for engagement sessions.
  • Dundurn Castle (Hamilton) - A neoclassical mansion offering picturesque exteriors and historic charm. Its grand façade and surrounding gardens make it a favorite for timeless engagement photos.
  • Paletta Mansion (Burlington) - A lakeside estate featuring a historic mansion, manicured gardens, and scenic waterfront views. It's a versatile location suitable for both classic and contemporary engagement shoots.
  • Bob Rumball Manor (Toronto) - A charming venue with elegant interiors and lush outdoor spaces. Its versatility makes it ideal for capturing both intimate indoor moments and vibrant outdoor scenes.
  • Pickering Museum Village (Pickering) - An open-air museum featuring historic buildings and rural landscapes. It offers a quaint and rustic setting for engagement photography.
  • Studio Bon Soleil (Toronto) - A modern indoor studio space designed for photographers, offering various backdrops and lighting setups to create personalized engagement photos.
  • Casa Loma (Toronto) - A Gothic Revival-style castle with majestic interiors, sweeping staircases, and lush gardens. It's a fairytale venue perfect for couples seeking a regal ambiance.
  • One King West Hotel & Residence (Toronto) - A historic hotel featuring a blend of modern luxury and old-world charm. Its grand banking hall and panoramic city views provide a sophisticated backdrop for engagement sessions.


🏙️ City & Architectural Engagement Photo Locations


  • Osgoode Hall (Toronto) - A historic building with beautiful architecture and manicured gardens, offering a classic backdrop for photos. No permit required for outdoor photography.
  • University of Toronto – Trinity College (Toronto) - Features stunning Gothic architecture and serene courtyards. A permit is required for photography sessions.
  • Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto) - Offers modern architectural elements and artistic interiors. Photography is allowed for personal, non-commercial use; however, restrictions apply.
  • University of Toronto – Hart House (Toronto) - A historic building with elegant interiors and courtyards. Photography permits are required for sessions.
  • Streetsville (Mississauga) - A charming village with historic buildings and quaint streets. No permit required for outdoor photography.
  • University of Toronto – Knox College (Toronto) - Known for its beautiful cloisters and gardens. A photography permit is required for sessions.
  • Toronto Islands (Toronto) - Offers picturesque views of the city skyline and natural landscapes. A permit is required for photography sessions.
  • Yorkville – Toronto Bloor St (Toronto) - A trendy neighbourhood with upscale shops and elegant streetscapes. No permit required for outdoor photography.
  • York University – Glendon Campus (Toronto) - Features beautiful grounds and historic buildings. A permit is required for photography sessions.
  • Distillery District (Toronto) - A historic area with cobblestone streets and Victorian-era buildings. A photography permit is required for sessions.
  • Harbourfront Centre – Toronto Lakeshore (Toronto) - Offers scenic waterfront views and urban landscapes. A permit may be required for photography sessions.
  • Toronto Music Garden (Toronto) - A beautifully landscaped park inspired by Bach's music. A permit may be required for photography sessions.
  • Berkeley Church & Field House (Toronto) - A unique venue combining historic architecture with modern design. A permit is required for photography sessions.
  • Adamson Estate (Mississauga) - A historic estate with beautiful gardens and lakefront views. A permit is required for photography sessions.
  • Queen Street West – Toronto Downtown (Toronto) - A vibrant area with eclectic architecture and street art. No permit required for outdoor photography.
  • Unionville (Markham) - A picturesque village with historic charm and scenic streets. No permit required for outdoor photography.
  • Kensington Market (Toronto) - A bohemian neighbourhood with colourful murals and unique shops. No permit required for outdoor photography.