Gibraltar Point

The day begins with a ferry ride. Ten minutes later, the city falls away and guests step onto an island of trees, lawns and sand along Lake Ontario.

Gibraltar Point is a beachfront arts centre on the Toronto Islands, set within more than 46 acres of parkland and steps from a sandy beach. The nearby Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is Toronto's oldest landmark.

The building is a former island public school that is now home to artist studios and a residency program. Its event spaces are operated by ArtHubs, a non-profit organization, so booking here supports the arts community.

Inside are two large rooms, the Beacon Room and the Fireplace Room, which open directly onto the lawns. Together they hold around 160 guests for a standing reception and serve as a built-in rainy day plan.

Outside, the South Lawn and the larger West Lawn are surrounded by trees and close to the beach, with two direct access points to the public beach. Across its indoor and outdoor spaces, the venue can welcome up to approximately 800 guests.

The venue has a full catering kitchen, a wedding suite, an onsite inventory of tables, chairs, dishes, flatware and glassware, a fire pit, an outdoor dance floor and a games package. Each indoor room has a plug-and-play AV system.

Guests can arrive by public ferry or by chartered boat to the venue's private dock. Later, a couple might slip away to the beach as the light changes over the lake.

For couples who picture a relaxed island celebration with lawns, sand and Lake Ontario all around, Gibraltar Point offers a wedding that feels like a getaway without leaving Toronto.