My 5 Favourite Wedding Venues to Photograph in Ontario

Because good light, solid locations, and zero regrets matter.

After more than a decade of photographing weddings across Southern Ontario, I’ve worked in just about every type of venue vineyards, barns, historic chapels, hotels, greenhouses, and everything in between. I can make great images anywhere but some venues give you better light, cleaner backdrops, and less stress doing it.

This list highlights five of the most photogenic venues I’ve worked at chosen based on actual experience, not marketing photos. I’ve included the good, the tricky, and a few things you only catch when you’ve spent a full wedding day actually working the space, not just passing through.

Cranberry Creek Gardens — Lynedoch, ON

If you’re after rustic charm with a hint of nostalgia, the ever-popular Cranberry Creek is it. The old chapel is beautifully preserved, and the surrounding gardens light up beautifully in the late afternoon sun. Bonus: the staff are lovely, and the whole space has this peaceful, tucked-away feel.

It’s one of those venues where everything feels intentional and easy to photograph. You can even do portraits inside the chapel, which has soft, diffused light and moody windows, perfect for quiet moments or as a solid Plan B if the weather turns. The back field and wildflower patch are especially beautiful as the sun starts to dip, and there’s a hidden nook between the cedars that’s perfectly shady and just a little mysterious. During the reception, the barn adds character with its warm wood tones and string lights, creating a cozy backdrop for speeches, dinner, your first dance and candid moments. After dark, the twinkle lights cast a warm ambiance that makes romantic nighttime shots feel effortless. It’s fair to say every photographer loves this venue.

Art Gallery of Hamilton + Hamilton City Hall — Hamilton, ON

The Art Gallery of Hamilton is a modern, minimalist venue that’s great for couples who want something clean, bright, and a little different. The outdoor ceremony space is a contemporary courtyard, more urban than garden with manicured turf, some greenery, and a strong city backdrop. It’s a good fit if you like the look of sleek architecture and want your ceremony to feel modern without being too stark. This couple opted out of an arch for their vows, but adding one would elevate the look for sure!

The reception was held in the Pavilion, a bright white space with soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. During daylight hours, the room is flooded with soft, natural light basically a dream for clean, airy reception photos. The minimalist design leaves room for any kind of decor, whether you're going tropical (like this one) or keeping it simple and sculptural.

And here’s a pro tip: walk across the street to Hamilton City Hall. The plaza outside has an industrial feel, wide open space, and the massive “Hamilton” sign perfect for bold, editorial-style portraits that balance out the gallery’s clean vibe.

Erin Estate - Erin, ONtario

Erin Estate is a private forest venue that feels very Twilight wedding, but with more sun. The ceremony spot is tucked back in the trees, and it’s genuinely peaceful. You’re not sharing the space with anyone else, and you’re not racing for photo spots. It’s yours for the day.

The grounds have great variety. There’s an area of towering, old-growth pines that gives you shaded backdrop for portraits. The manor house has an old mansion feel, and the getting-ready suite photographs beautifully. Typically, one partner gets ready upstairs and the other downstairs, which makes it easy for a solo photographer to move between both.

Their forest ceremony setup also allows for one of my favourite angles, a clean shot of the first kiss from behind the couple, with the guests and forest in the frame. Not every venue makes that possible without being disruptive, but here, I can quietly slip behind the arbour and (if needed) ask the couple to do a quick encore. Family photos can be done right outside the ceremony area in the trees, or in the grassy cocktail area, which is great if you’ve got relatives who are hard to wrangle.

I haven’t photographed in their new Great Hall yet, but if the rest of the estate is any indication, it’s probably just as thoughtfully designed. If you’re looking for privacy, a real forest and a venue that doesn’t feel mass-produced, Erin Estate is it.

Oh and fun fact: I found out I was pregnant the morning of this wedding.

The Pearle Hotel & Spa – Burlington, ON

The Pearle has a modern, clean aesthetic that works well for portraits, especially if you’re into minimalist architecture, soft neutral tones, and waterfront views. The reception room is fine. It’s functional, it’s neutral, and with the right decor, it can absolutely be elevated. But it’s not the reason to book this place.

What does make the Pearle cool are the photo opportunities around it. The staircase inside is sleek and sculptural, and the natural light in the lobby gives you a lot to play with. Outside, you’ve got the lake, the rocks, the stairs backed by urban vibes, and wide-open space for portraits that feel clean and modern without being too sterile. Best time to shoot outside is when the sun is lower in the sky,golden hour or close to it when the light gets soft and flattering.

For one wedding here, we headed over to the Royal Botanical Gardens for portraits, which gave us more variety and green space. It’s nearby and worth considering if you want a mix of nature and architecture in your gallery.

Ancaster Mill – Ancaster, ON

This place is romantic with a capital R. Waterfalls, a tucked-away chandelier pavilion, stone walls, and hand-in-hand strolls on the bridge are all photo moments that are easy to capture at Ancaster Mill.

It’s got great variety for portraits, which is probably why I keep ending up here in the middle of winter. But to be fair it does look stunning in the snow, and shooting in winter light here is a skill I’ve definitely mastered by now.

Some of the best photo spots include the waterfall (a showstopper for dramatic, cinematic couple portraits), the chandelier pavilion (a hidden gem for quiet, romantic shots), and the stone-walled bar, which leans full castle vibes, candlelight, shadows, and a little drama. The indoor staircase gives off editorial energy, especially in black and white. Even the entryway couch and vestibule bench can turn into mini portrait zones.

One thing to note: Ancaster Mill can be tricky with large wedding parties. Some of the walkways and portrait spots are tight, and it’s a busy venue that often hosts multiple weddings in a day. If you’re working with a big group, you’ll need a solid plan.

When it comes to family photos, there’s not much usable outdoor space beyond the parking lot or driveway (which are… not it). But if you’re having your ceremony in the chapel, we can usually grab that space just outside the doors if we move quickly and stay organized. Most of the weddings I’ve shot here have had indoor ceremonies, but there is an outdoor option with some green and trees. I just haven’t seen it in full summer mode, since again, every time I shoot here, it’s winter.

Because the indoor areas are dimly lit, your photos will lean moody and warm, which can be gorgeous if you're into a more romantic or dramatic style. Just trust your photographer (hi!) to find the light. This isn’t a place for bright-and-airy all day long. It’s more “classy castle after dusk.”