We’ve done you a favour and skipped the Yorkville hotels, and boring banquet halls, because we know navigating this stuff is hard enough without us mentioning the obvious or unsightly.

Andrew Richard Designs, 571-A Adelaide St. E. Toronto, 416-601-1454
Outdoor furniture store by day; contemporary event venue by night – it’s the Jekyll and Hyde of Adelaide Street. This amazing downtown spot has two spaces to choose from (The Atrium, and The Loft), and will help coordinate everything from catering and rentals, to décor and audio/visual.
http://www.ardevents.com/

Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. Toronto, 416-531-5042
Whether it’s late-night pulled pork or summer movie nights, the Drake Hotel has proven to have the midas touch of Queen West. Expect their weddings to be no different. The event team at the Drake will help make the choice between their seven potential spaces while ensuring they look after every detail, no matter your size, style or budget. Bonus: they also specialize in all those wedding day add-ons, like showers and stagettes.
http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/weddings

Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W. Toronto, 416-408-2824
This magnificent beacon of Toronto history rents out its brand new (well, 2008) TELUS Centre for fabulous events of all kinds. The gorgeous contrast of ancient conservatory brick with the floor-to-ceiling windows of the TELUS Centre allows the Toronto of old and new to be the perfect backdrop for your big day.
http://www.rcmusic.ca/ContentPage.aspx?name=RentalInformation

AGO, 317 Dundas St. W. Toronto, 416-979-6634
An art-lover and Toronto-lover’s dream. With twinkly nighttime views of downtown Toronto and an award-winning in-house chef, you and your guests will be treated to a night of cultural perfection. Plus, boast a VIP guest list that includes Frank Gehry, Rubens, Degas, Monet, Rodin…
http://www.ago.net/venue-rental

Academy of Spherical Arts, 1 Snooker St. Toronto, 416-532-2782
Around since 1890 and expanded in various stages throughout the years, this building in Liberty Village was once the site of Canada’s largest manufacturer of billiard tables. The old balls still chill around the existing event space as a quirky accent. Probably shouldn’t print that on the invitation though…
http://www.sphericalarts.com/special-events.html

Berkeley Church, 315 Queen St. E. Toronto, 416-361-9666
Saints and sinners are welcome at this downtown church-turned-event space. The best compromise between your grandmother’s firm insistence on a church wedding and your desire for something fresh. The outdoor garden overlooking Taddle Creek Pond is a charming oasis amid the urban jungle.
http://www.berkeleyevents.com/Weddings.php

The Boiler House, 55 Mill St. Toronto, 416-203-2121
Set in the Victorian industrial Distillery District, this historic gem in the heart of it all maintains its 1886 skeleton. With all modern updates done with recycled materials (including the 22ft bar made of 115 year old fir), this grand space is ideal for those whose hearts go a-flutter over exposed beams and brick walls.
http://www.boilerhouse.ca/events.php

Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. Toronto, 416-531-4635
Your guests can ramp up, celebrate, and crash all in one central (and beautiful!) location. The Gladstone’s history, artistic flair and dedication to environmentally conscious events makes it the perfect hotel venue without bothering with the been-done Four Seasons. Plus, their century-old elevator would make for the greatest wedding photos. With several spaces to choose from, and a full-service staff to help you plan the big day, you may just want to move right in.
http://www.gladstonehotel.com/venue

Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St. Toronto, 416-653-3520
Unfortunately (or fortunately – depending on how you look at it), the term ‘barns’ refers less to the farmhouse kind, and more to the transit kind (i.e. their original purpose was the maintenance hub for Toronto streetcars). Now functioning as a cultural community building; including a greenhouse and artist studios by day, this rocking venue can accommodate up to 900 people. There is, however, one tricky caveat – a no loud noise after 10pm rule in the neighbourhood so you’ll just have to host the raging after party elsewhere.
http://www.torontoartscape.on.ca/places-spaces/artscape-wychwood-barns