Wedding Guide: 34 of Toronto’s best wedding venues

Wedding Guide: 34 of Toronto’s best wedding venues

Wedding Guide: Venues
(Image: Fairmont Royal York Hotel)

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St. W. (at McCaul St.), 416-979-6634
For a truly magnificent celebration, Frank Gehry’s transformed AGO offers an awe-inspiring event space. On the third floor of the south tower, the 7,200-square-foot Baillie Court affords panoramic city views on one end and overlooks the gallery’s iconic spiral staircase on the other. Designed in modern glass and Douglas fir, the room can be divided as needed and seats up to 300. Executive chef Anne Yarymowich works with couples on customized menus, and a small army of professional event staff ensures the experience is as effortless as it is unique. Baillie Court rental includes a one-year membership to the AGO for the newlyweds. The Walker Court is available to rent outside of gallery hours in conjunction with a reception in Baillie Court.


Artscape Wychwood Barns
601 Christie St. (at Benson Ave.), 416-653-3520
A shining paradigm of urban renewal, this series of long-abandoned TTC streetcar repair buildings reopened in late 2008 as Wychwood Barns, a mixed-use community of artists’ residences, urban agriculture, non-profit groups and an event space. With exposed brick, concrete floors and 22-foot ceilings, the skylit Covered Street Barn holds legitimate claim to the industrial chic label. The nearly 8,000-square-foot hall accommodates up to 400 people for dinner. It’s a residential site, so all events must end by 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday or by 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. $2,000–$3,500 per day.


Berkeley Events
315 Queen St. E. (at Berkeley St.), 416-361-9666
Built in 1871, the Berkeley Church did religious duties for nearly a century before becoming a charming special events spot with lofty ceilings, original stained-glass windows and hardwood floors. The main-floor Yorktown Room has two gas fireplaces and a 500-square-foot stage; the mezzanine is bordered by antique railings on one side and stained glass all around. The 50-seat Circa Room has a wine cellar and fireplaces. Together, the two can seat 400. Next door, the Field House (which hosts 150) leads out to a patio near a stream. $1,800 per day Monday to Tuesday, $3,100 per day Wednesday to Friday, $3,800 Saturday, $3,100 Sunday. Catering in-house; rates vary.


The Burroughes Building
639 Queen St. W. (at Bathurst St.), 416-360-5757
With draped fabrics, enormous chandeliers, theatre lighting and a wide range of furnishings, couples can customize a century-old building into a space as modern as a Wallpaper interior design spread or as old-fashioned as a prim Edwardian sitting room. The sixth floor has stunning hardwood floors and can hold 450 for cocktails and 260 for a seated dinner. It also offers access to a rooftop bar and features the original building’s former outside wall, complete with the old furniture company’s retro signage. Renting the rooftop for the evening means unobstructed skyline views of downtown (holds 100 standing).


Canoe
66 Wellington St. W. (at Bay St.), 416-364-1211
Guests can dine on Canoe’s award-winning contemporary Canadian cuisine while surveying the impressive view from the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower. Two private dining rooms (seating 24 and 40, though they can be combined to accommodate 64) are available during the week, and the entire 140-seat restaurant can be rented out on weekends. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of Union Station, the CN Tower and the lake. Room rental included with minimum food and beverage order (wedding package includes tasting for two). Full restaurant rental from $12,000.


The Carlu
444 Yonge St. (at College St.), 7th flr., 416-597-1931
A breathtaking example of art moderne, the seventh-floor space at the top of the former Eaton’s College Street store was designed by one of the style’s masters, French architect Jacques Carlu. The look is ’30s glam, from the art deco Lalique fountain in the Round Room to the ebony and bird’s-eye maple in the concert hall. The airy lobby opens onto a 1,200-seat concert hall that can accommodate 1,500 for cocktails or 600 for dinner. Rental $1,100–$5,500 per room, $15,000 for full floor. Choose from five preferred caterers; seated dinners are $175 per person.


Design Exchange
234 Bay St. (at King St. W.), 416-216-2140
Built in 1937 for the Toronto Stock Exchange, the site now houses a design museum and hosts weddings, parties, fundraisers and events. The key attraction is the former trading floor ($3,600), which holds 550 standing. Graced with 40‑foot ceilings, the glamorous room features marble wainscotting, vintage fluorescent lights and eight murals by the Canadian master Charles Comfort. Also available: a large space that can serve as a bridal dressing room. Choose from seven approved caterers.


Distillery District
55 Mill St. (at Trinity St.), 416-203-2363
When the Gooderham and Worts distillery was revamped in 2003, Toronto not only got a new historic attraction—an amazingly well-preserved example of Victorian industrial architecture—but also a popular party venue. Built in 1859, the Fermenting Cellar is a fine example of the district’s charm, with plenty of windows (it’s not actually a cellar), rustic limestone walls, original wood trusses and high, beamed ceilings. Popular with everyone—celebrities, brides, bar mitzvah organizers, corporate types—the 7,500-square-foot space holds up to 600 people for cocktails and 300 for dinner. Prices vary, but there is no rental charge for customers who use the in-house caterers. It’s booked up to a year and a half in advance.


The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St. W. (at Beaconsfield Ave.), 416-531-5042, ext. 244
Wired in more ways than one, this adrenalin-fuelled Queen Street hot spot is not exactly your classic wedding venue—unless you’re a rock star. One L.A. couple had their ceremony in the club-like Underground bar, a reception in the lounge, dinner in the elegant main-floor dining room and nightcaps in the Sky Yard (the rooftop patio). With its Rorschach-print walls and deconstructed stools, the lounge has a sensual vibe; the spacious ground-floor room holds up to 175 for cocktails. The Underground can play almost any role you like; it morphs from club to theatre to party zone. There are dedicated bars in each of the main areas, as well as digital projection, wireless Internet and other audio­visual services. Room rental and event planning services included with minimum in-house catering fee; rates vary.


Estates of Sunnybrook
2075 Bayview Ave. (at Lawrence Ave. E.), 416-480-4960
These two restored Georgian-style mansions sit on 40 acres of manicured countryside in north Toronto. The Gatsby-esque grounds are specta­cular: the English-style gardens at McLean House are fairy-tale perfect, while couples who marry at the Vaughan Estate have the option of doing so in the Arbor, a leafy grove. Interior spaces include the Vaughan Estate’s stately main ballroom (200 standing, 150 seated), the more modern courtyard ballroom below (175 standing, 140 seated) and the self-contained McLean House (120 standing, 72 seated), as well as the petite coach house (60 standing, 40 seated). Individual estimates are available upon request. Catering is done in-house; buffet, à la carte and international options available.


Evergreen Brick Works
550 Bayview Ave. (at Pottery Rd.), 416-596-1495, ext. 293.
The former brick-making quarry has been transformed into a vibrant community centre and event destination where everyone—the high-society yoga mom, the University of Toronto urban planning student and the eco-minded bride and groom—feels equally at home. Two on-site spaces are suitable for weddings. The Holcim Gallery offers seasonally available covered outdoor spaces with views of the surrounding gardens, and Koerner Gardens is an open-concept building with native plants and a skating trail in winter. They accommodate up to 500 for dining (or 1,000 for cocktails, if your future mother-in-law wants to invite the whole neighbourhood), while the BMO Atrium and Young Welcome Centre provide year-round facilities for smaller affairs (150 sitting or 400 for a cocktail reception). Green is more than a colour scheme here: all eight approved caterers— the Food Dudes, The Stop, Belong Catering, En Ville Event Design and Catering, 10tation Event Catering, Presidential Gourmet Fine Catering, Jamie Kennedy Event Catering and Daniel et Daniel Event Creation and Catering—meet strict sustainability guidelines. Hotel partners are all Green Leaf certified through Tourism Toronto.


The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front St. W. (at Bay St.), 416-860-5092
The Royal York is a favourite destination for establishment weddings. The Imperial Room can hold 575 for cocktails and 250 for dinner, with a dance floor. The ballroom (590 for cocktails, 250 for dinner) has an eye-catching ceiling, with a fresco of clouds and a chariot suspended above 25-foot windows and hardwood floors. The concert hall holds 1,085 for cocktails or 450 for dinner, while the Canadian Room can accommodate 1,670 for cocktails or 850 for dinner. There is no rental fee if a minimum food and beverage charge is reached. Hotel packages can include a bridal suite with breakfast in bed. Catering is done in-house (although kosher cuisine is outsourced).


Four Seasons Hotel
60 York­ville Ave. (at Bay St.), 416-964-0411
Brides in need of a massive ballroom (the kind that can easily host more than 200 people) will find what they’re looking for in the new, large, modern Four Seasons on Yorkville Avenue, which opened last year. The sparkling new space replaces the old hotel’s Regency Ballroom as the go-to venue for the city’s elite. The two marquee ballrooms (the smaller Vinci can seat 250 and the larger Aria can seat 430) were designed by famed local firm Yabu Pushelberg (they’re responsible for the decor at the luxe power broker restaurants One and Bymark). The spaces are clean-lined and sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the trees of the Rosedale Valley. The Czech crystal chandeliers, which look a bit like an elegant rain shower, add some razzle-dazzle to the sophisticated space. Catering is done in-house. Prices to be determined.


The Gardiner Museum
111 Queen’s Park (at Bloor St. W.), 416-362-1957, ext. 201
The KPMB-designed Gardiner is a modernist prism of limestone and glass. The light-filled lobby is ideal for receptions, and early arrivals can peruse the ceramics, glass, wood and textiles in the gift shop. The third floor is for the main event. Jamie Kennedy tailors a seasonal sit-down menu for up to 150 guests, cocktails for 250. The room’s outer walls are glass, with knockout vistas of the Royal Ontario Museum and U of T’s Victoria College. Drinks can be served on one of two terraces, and galleries can remain open for guests when the lobby and terrace are booked. Rates vary. In-house catering is available.


Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W. (at Gladstone Ave.), 416-531-4635
This Victorian landmark is the city’s funkiest hotel; it’s also the oldest, and comes complete with
a hand-operated elevator. The guest rooms have been redone by local and Canadian artists and designers; public rooms mix historic grandeur with street cred and are natural settings for an artsy do. The grandest of the four public spaces is the 2,000-square-foot ballroom, with exposed brick walls, pine flooring, a high ceiling and Victorian windows. The Art Bar, a smaller venue for more intimate events, such as a post-wedding brunch, can accommodate up to 40. On the second floor, the hotel’s wide hallways provide an exhibition space and reception area, with 14-foot ceilings and a balcony overlooking Queen Street. The two-storey Tower Suite is perfect for bridal party preparation. Spaces range from $350 to $5,550. Catering is in-house: buffet dinner from $45 per person; sit-down rates start at $50.


Graydon Hall Manor
185 Graydon Hall Dr. (at Don Mills Rd.), 416-449-5432
Partying in this venue is like being in a Merchant Ivory film. English country gardens, stone terraces and flowing fountains transport guests from Don Mills to a veritable Sissinghurst. Built in 1936 for financier Rupert Bain and owned by just one other family until the mid-’60s, the manor got a facelift 13 years ago and opened as an event facility. Private receptions have access to eight fireplaces, a library, a dining room and a conservatory. Luxuries include silk, damask and peau de soie linens, Rosenthal china, crystal stemware and the use of a bridal boudoir and groom’s room. Entire facility $1,500–$10,000 per day, daytime rental (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) from $1,000. Catering is by Couture Cuisine: cocktails from $30 per person, dinner from $60.


Hart House
7 Hart House Cir. (at Queen’s Park Cres.), 416-946-7196
Few places are as magical as the Hart House quad in summer. With its ivy-covered grey stone walls, raised flagstone patio and baronial Great Hall, it feels a bit like an outdoor church or a nobleman’s private park. A slice of Oxford in downtown Toronto, the late-Gothic building has rooms lined in leaded windows, polished stone floors, vaulted ceilings, Gothic arches and fabulous Canadian art (check out the extensive Group of Seven collection). The quad and Great Hall (which together hold up to 250 with a dance floor) are popular sites for weddings, as is the tiny nondenominational chapel. The on-site restaurant, the Gallery Grill, is also available for smaller celebrations. Great Hall and quad $3,045. Catering is in-house: dinner from $50 per person.


The King Edward Hotel
37 King St. E. (at Yonge St.), 416-863-3233
For grand fairy-tale weddings, Toronto’s oldest luxury hotel, in business for more than a century, is one of the city’s most popular venues. But keep in mind that romance knows no budget: a function in the Vanity Fair Ballroom, a favourite of socialites, doesn’t come cheap—wedding packages start at $170 per person. Nevertheless, the room plays the part beautifully, with flawless decor, including gold curtains, teardrop chandeliers and grand faux-marble pillars. The ambience—with service as polished as the gleaming silver trays— is pure class. All told, the ballroom and reception areas can hold up to 280 people for a sit-down affair or 500 guests for a stand-up one (including a dance floor). The Sovereign Ballroom (400 for cocktails, 180 for dinner) is a light-filled, photo-friendly space with lovely full-length windows. Rates vary. Catering is done in-house.


Liberty Grand
Exhibition Place, 25 British Columbia Rd. (at Lake Shore Blvd. W.), 416-542-3789
The Grand’s three gleaming beaux arts–style ballrooms are notable for their crystal chandeliers, soaring 27-foot ceilings, iron-laced balconies and arched windows. The Governor’s Room hosts grand affairs (800–1,200 people for cocktails, 400–800 seated); the Centennial and Renaissance rooms each accommodate 550 for cocktails and up to 300 seated. The upper mezzanine features rooms that can be used as bridal suites or hospitality rooms. Decor is decadent: mahogany ballroom chairs upholstered in luxurious fabrics, large tables set with Royal Doulton china and silverware. The Artifacts Room holds up to 1,800 for cocktails or up to 300 for dinner and has extensive audiovisual equipment. Kosher and vegetarian meals are available. Venue rental included with minimum food and beverage order; bridal suite included. Catering in-house by chefs Daniel Ponte and Michael Ewing; rates vary.


Malaparte
350 King St. W. (at John St.), 416-364-1211
Oliver and Bonacini’s endeavour on the sixth floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox is a clean-lined, modern option for the urban bride and groom. It holds 150 guests seated and 200 for a standing cocktail reception, and it’s lined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking King West. The adjoining rooftop terrace and band-ready outdoor amphitheatre are ideal for those who want to celebrate with a raucous downtown party—the two spaces hold up to 200 for a cocktail reception. As expected from O&B, both the in-house event planning and the food (which includes elements blended from Canadian, Japanese, French and Spanish cuisines) are masterfully executed.


McMichael Canadian Art Collection
10365 Islington Ave., Kleinburg, 905-893-1121, ext. 2536
Surrounded by 100 acres of lush green parkland, this Group of Seven landmark provides secluded serenity. Most couples choose to be married on the isolated outcrop known as Hilltop and hold their reception indoors, either in the Grand Hall, with its rock walls and wood-beamed cathedral ceiling, or in the smaller restaurant and terrace that overlook the Humber River valley. The hall seats 150 people, the restaurant about 100. Another option, best suited to smaller functions, is the Founders’ Lounge; it can seat 40 and looks out onto the canopy of the Humber River forest. For a small fee, you can arrange to have the galleries remain open for private viewing. Hilltop $600, Founders’ Lounge $750, galleries $500, McMichael Restaurant $1,000 (includes use of terrace), Grand Hall $1,500 per night. Catering is in-house and can accommodate specialty requests, including vegetarian, vegan, kosher and gluten-free.


Neubacher Shor Contemporary
5 Brock St. (at Queen St. W.), 647-933-0193
Located off an unassuming Parkdale alley, this warehouse turned contemporary art gallery has clean, modern white walls, but retains the character of the original building: rough brickwork, buffed concrete floors and a 16-foot wood-beamed ceiling. Movable partitions make the 3,000-square-foot space malleable to individual visions; the room holds 250 standing and 150 seated. The gallery is curated by owners and art experts Manny Neubacher and Anya Shor; guests can leave up the current art show or create their own projections and installations (though that option comes with a fee). The space is $2,000 Sunday to Wednesday, $2,500 Thursday through Saturday. The preferred caterer is Eatertainment, but outside catering is also permitted. Couples also have the cost-saving option of providing their own alcohol.


The Old Mill Inn and Spa
21 Old Mill Rd. (at Bloor St. W.), 416-236-2641
Nestled on the edge of the Humber River, this Tudor-style mansion is the epitome of old-fashioned Anglo tradition. The timbered walls and wood-beamed ceilings evoke historic England, while flower gardens and waterfalls provide a photogenic backdrop. Almost 600 couples get hitched every year in the Old Mill’s 120-seat private chapel, a brick and stained glass building based on a 16th-century model; receptions are held in one of 15 function rooms that hold anywhere from eight to 800 people. Four of the rooms—the Guildhall (up to 250 for cocktails, 200 for dinner), Garden (80 for cocktails, 54 for dinner), Kingsbrook (60 for cocktails, 50 for dinner) and Drawing (50 for reception, 36 for dinner)—open onto private patios or gardens. Each room offers a unique ambience. Outdoor weddings can be held in the garden ($975) any day except Saturday. Wedding packages, including catering, are $96–$134 per person.


One King West
1 King St. W. (at Yonge St.), 416-548-8200
One King, built in 1914, retains its classic architectural magnificence—it’s kept the original marble bank deposit tables and an impressive 40-tonne vault in the basement (perfect for photo ops). The Grand Banking Hall (500 standing, 250 seated) is a guaranteed showstopper, with 35-foot ceilings, a 100-foot bar, floor-to-ceiling cathedral windows, Corinthian columns and a meticulously restored carved relief ceiling. Guests can also opt for one of five other heritage spaces, including the wood-panelled Chairman’s Boardroom (50 seated, 80 standing) or the 2,000-square-foot Austin Gallery (100 seated, 300 standing) with overlooking balcony. Packages from $140 to $180 per person. Catering is in-house; plated dinners from $46 to $70 per person, buffet dinner $57 per person.


Ontario Heritage Centre
8 and 10 Adelaide St. E. (at Yonge St.), 416-314-4914
Built in 1909 by architect George Gouinlock, this restored beaux arts beauty retains its Edwardian charm and dignity. The former banking hall, now known as the Gallery, seats up to 120 guests and feels like a grand ballroom. With its high ceilings, gilt details, marble staircase and three chandeliers, it could double as a set for My Fair Lady. (Cinderella Man and other Hollywood movies have been shot here.) One of the last manually operated elevators in the city delivers guests to the Birkbeck Room, which looks onto Adelaide Street through oak-trimmed Romanesque windows. The room is often used for wedding ceremonies. A small, oak-panelled boardroom suits private dinners and bridal prep. A private entrance (8 Adelaide St.) leads into the Gallery. $1,550–$2,100. Choose from four preferred caterers.


Palais Royale Ballroom
1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at Parkside Dr.), 416-533-3553
In its heyday, the Palais Royale hosted such jazz greats as Count Basie and Duke Ellington. It was built in 1922 as a boathouse; a 2005 renovation restored the dance hall’s art deco charm. The light-filled grand ballroom can accommodate up to 350 people for a sit-down dinner or 800 for cocktails, with a full dance floor. A 4,000-square-foot lake-facing patio provides a romantic setting for summer vows. All catering is done on-site by executive chef Steffan Howard, with primarily local ingredients. Menus can be customized. Wedding packages (including space rental and food) are $185 per person.


The Rectory Café
102 Lakeshore Ave., Ward’s Island, 416-203-2152
It takes some careful planning to hold a reception at the picturesque Rectory on Ward’s Island, but the quiet charm of the former priest’s residence, surrounded by trees, rewards the efforts of couples looking to escape the city without much travel. Fifteen minutes from downtown by ferry, the popular lakeside patio seats up to 130 and, for the right price, will close to the public for special events. The restaurant itself holds 50, and a smaller, semi-private lakeside bar is available for more intimate groups of 20 to 30. Prices range from $250 to $2,000, depending on the day of the week and the time of year. Catering is done exclusively in-house.


Ritz-Carlton
181 Wellington St. W. (at Simcoe St.), 416-585-2500
Getting married at the Ritz comes with bragging rights—there aren’t many venues in the city with the same level of pedigree. The name helps, but the hotel stands on its own in terms of amenities: the 7,400-square-foot ballroom—adorned with shimmering chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows and a sweeping wraparound foyer—makes the one in Beauty and the Beast look shabby (it seats 500 for dinner), while a comparatively small 1,666-square-foot gallery is suited to smaller receptions of 80 to 140. Catering is included, and special packages (including romantic wedding night suites) are also available.


The Royal Conservatory of Music
273 Bloor St. W. (at Bedford Rd.), 416-408-2824, ext. 500
The RCM offers the kind of stunning architectural backdrop that was unheard of in the city a decade ago—which is perhaps why it is quickly becoming one of its most popular wedding venues. Three levels of beautiful gallerias, which serve as the Koerner Hall lobbies on concert evenings, are connected by a floating staircase; they offer breath­taking views of Philosopher’s Walk ($2,200 for the lower level, $1,900 for the middle, $1,000 for the top). The lower level, with access to an outdoor patio, is the largest of the three, accommodating up to 350 for cocktail receptions and 200 for a seated dinner (or 150 with a dance floor). Rooms cannot be redecorated quickly, so those wishing to have both the ceremony and the reception on-site may have to book two levels. Choose from seven caterers: 10tation; Presidential Gourmet; À La Carte Kitchen; Couture Cuisine; Marigolds and Onions; Daniel et Daniel; and North 44°. The venue also houses the Glenn Gould School, so you can have a young musical prodigy wow the guests at your event.


Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park (at Bloor St. W.), 416-586-5572
TIn addition to the restaurant c5, which has a dinner capacity of 110, the ROM offers eight gallery spaces and reception rooms that can accommodate dinner parties for between 50 and 500 guests. You can, for example, dine among the dinosaurs in the Temerity Galleries, housed in the futuristic Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, or marvel at the Ming tombs in the Gallery of Chinese Architecture. Many spaces include additional artifact galleries for private touring. Ceremonies can be held in the intimate rooftop solarium, the RBC Foundation Glass Room. Chef Corbin Tomaszeski oversees globally inspired menus. $750–$30,000.


Shangri-La Hotel
188 University Ave. (at Adelaide St. W.), 647-788-8888
If you want to tie the knot at the city’s luxury hotel du jour, you can’t do better than the Shangri-La. Outside the glimmering glass edifice, there’s an undulating silver sculpture designed by Chinese artist Zhang Huan. Inside, the Hariri Pontarini–designed building is done up in elegant chinoiserie and luxe details like hand-blown green glass chandeliers and onyx accents. The hotel features nine event spaces that can accommodate intimate gatherings for 40 or splashy affairs for 400. Internationally inspired catering is available from Bosk, the hotel’s signature restaurant.


Sunnyside Pavilion
1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at Parkside Dr.), 416-531-2233
A relic of the old Sunnyside Amusement Park, this former bathing pavilion now draws couples seeking waterside nuptials. The lake is the unquestionable draw here, and two open-air Mediterranean-themed banquet areas are available for the ceremony and reception. The Corinthian-columned ground-level courtyard features botanical gardens and a fountain and seats up to 500 for dinner, while the covered upper observation terrace offers stunning water views and holds as many as 250. Seasonal (May to September). $2,500 for courtyard or terrace. Catering is done in-house, or you can bring in your own.


Thompson Hotel
550 Wellington St. W. (at Bathurst St.), 416-601-3606
This hotel offers retro-modern spaces for couples who want New York–style opulence tempered with the laid-back attitude of L.A. The two most impressive areas—the Rooftop Lounge (up to 250 for cocktails) and the Lobby Bar (400 for cocktails)—offer views of the Toronto skyline, one 360 degrees and stunningly real, the other playfully hand-painted on a grand scale by Spanish artist Javier Mariscal. A lingerie model pillow fight broke out during the hotel’s June 2010 opening party in the Wellington Ballroom (seating up to 160 for dinner and dancing); it features striking hand-blown glass chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling mirrors and dark, natural wood interiors. Rental fees start at $2,500 or are included with a minimum food and beverage rate. Packages are available, including a honeymoon suite with chocolate-dipped strawberries and breakfast in bed—familiar romantic elements that contrast with the hotel’s otherwise cool, masculine modernism.


Toronto Botanical Garden
777 Lawrence Ave. E. (at Leslie St.), 416-397-1349
Following a $5-million reno, the formerly dingy TBG has a new lease on life. The two main event halls are closely tied to nature. The 3,300-squarefoot Floral Hall overlooks a courtyard filled with seasonal flowers and bordered by a water curtain. The lobby, with its soaring glass walls, leads to the TBG’s innovative gardens—no need to have your reception and take photos in different places. The smaller Garden Hall (designed by Raymond Moriyama in the ’50s) opens onto a garden of rhododendrons and Japanese maples. And you won’t risk running into other newlyweds: wedding parties need a permit to take pictures on the grounds. Garden Hall $1,200–$1,300, Floral Hall $2,100–$3,100; rates for the lobby vary. Choose from a dozen preferred caterers, but there’s a $5 corkage fee. Free parking available.