How to Elope in Ontario (Plus the most beautiful elopement venues!)
There comes a time when you may think to yourself, “Let’s just elope!”. But just how does one elope in Ontario? Here’s a collection of all the things you need to know to make your elopement dream a reality, including elopement locations! It’s easier than you think to create a fun wedding day that you are going to cherish forever!
Okay, so why Elope in Ontario?
Think of an elopement as a scaled-back intimate way to share your vows. You get to save money to invest into your future together. And you can also have your closest circle of people present (if you wish!). Most importantly, you are keeping the main thing the main thing: you will finally be married! And are committing the rest of your lives to each other. Add in the beauty found in Ontario, and you have a lot of options! Want to know all the perks of eloping? Read more about the defining features and benefits of eloping in Our Elopement Guide, where we share our 5 best tips for an amazing elopement!
How to be legally married in Ontario
Here are the steps to getting legally married in Ontario:
- Get your marriage licence. To be legally married in Ontario, fill out the Ontario Marriage License Application Form.
- Apply in person together 90 days before your wedding date. You’ll get your marriage license in person on the same day you apply for it. Make sure to read over all of the requirements to get married in Ontario, including the documents needed to receive your Ontario marriage licence.
- Once you have a marriage licence, you can get married in any city in Ontario so long as you have an officiant and two (2) witnesses (as your photographers we have that checked off for you!).
Checklist to Elope in Ontario
Even for an intimate wedding, you will want to have a small handful of wonderful wedding vendors in place. This allows you to get the support you need to really relax on your big day. That way you can be fully present to how amazing it all is!
Once you have your marriage certificate, the key wedding vendors you will want to have for an elopement include:
- an officiant
- photographer
- florist for a fresh flower bouquet (trust us you will be so happy you had this!)
- hair and makeup artist
- dress/suit
- Recommended extras: catering or a meal at your favourite restaurant, a videographer
Keep in mind that the photographer you choose really influences the feel of your day, so make sure to pick someone you love to be around! Also, it’s so important to find a photographer who knows how to pose you naturally so you don’t feel the pressure to “make yourself look good”!
Find an Ontario elopement location that inspires you
When thinking about where to elope in Ontario, pick a location that inspires you. A beautiful location plays a big role in your experience—and your wedding photos, too! The great thing about an elopement is that you can travel a little bit further out to find the venue of your dreams. Without a huge guest list, you have the freedom to choose the exact spot you love the most!
Here’s our list of Ontario’s most beautiful elopement gems
Here’s a list of handpicked short-listed Ontario elopement location options that are truly special. Many of them have elopement or intimate wedding packages available. They are perfect for hosting a small wedding and we just adore them.
Which one of these venues can you picture yourself at?:
Garden & Orchard elopement venues
You cannot go wrong with choosing a venue filled with gardens and orchards. With so much greenery and picturesque symmetry, we love these spots!
- Kurtz Orchard in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
- Cranberry Creek in Delhi, Ontario
- Arrowwood Farm / The Harvest Table in Melbourne, Ontario
- Wildflowers Farm
- Whistling Gardens in Wilsonville, Ontario
- Victoria Park in Kitchener, Ontario
City chic elopement locations
We are always big fans of city vibes. By day or under the stars, city streets offer a timeless urban adventurous feel that we’ll always love. Whether yours is a city hall wedding or you want a city spot for your vows, consider including some photos in these beautiful city locations!
- Goudies Lane in Kitchener Ontario, as well as the Clock Tower in Victoria Park in Kitchener Ontario
- Kitchener, Ontario City Hall Stairwell and Fountains and King Street
- The Walper Hotel in Kitchener, Ontario
- Downtown London Ontario has some great spots too, including the London Life Building, Queens and Wellington, and the Old Courthouse
- Downtown Toronto’s Financial & Entertainment areas
- The Distillery District in Toronto
- Yorkville and Esplanade in Toronto, Ontario
- Galt, Ontario has a great mix of options for city vibes plus water and nice architecture
Intimate estates
We’ve always loved historical venues, but there’s a soft spot in our hearts for intimate estates for cozy celebrations of love!
- The Doctor’s House in Kleinburg, Ontario
- Roseville Estate in Kitchener, Ontario
- Elsie Perrin Williams Estate in London, Ontario
- Nithridge Estate in Ayr, Ontario
Historic elopement locations
For a gorgeous classic vibe, you will love these venues… You can get married at an epic castle, or ancient ruins that are maintained in conservation areas. Good photo location? Check.
- Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, Ontario
- Battlefield Park & Museum, Stoney Creek, Ontario
- Elora Mill
- Graydon Hall
- St. Raphaels Ruins in Glengarry, Ontario
- La Petite Chapelle in Innerkip, Ontario
- The outdoor space at Liberty Grand in Toronto, Ontario
- Sunnyside Bathing Pavillion
- R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant
Serene by the Water elopement locations
- David’s Restaurant in Port Dover
- The Mill Pond in Dorchester, Ontario
- Beach-side in Goderich, Ontario
- One of the beaches in Bayfield, Ontario
- Grand Bend beach elopement and stay at Oakwood Resort
- Port Franks in Ontario
- Pinafore Park in Saint Thomas, Ontario
Adventurous Ontario elopement locations by the Water
Want your elopement to have adventurous vibes, complete with hiking and jaw-dropping views? You might just love these elopement location ideas that are not as far as you would think!
- Go waterfall chasing and see the waterfalls in Hamilton, Ontario
- Gorgeous views at Elora Gorge in Elora, Ontario
- The Bruce Peninsula for cliff view and blue waters
- Dundas Waterfalls
- Sunrise at Tews Falls & Dundas Peak
Winery elopement venues
Okay, we mentioned symmetry above, but add in wine and could it get any better? Love these little winery gems.
- Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery in Amherstburg, Ontario
- Burning Kiln Winery in St Williams, Ontario and stay in their accommodations!
- Bellamere Winery in London, Ontario
Airbnb Estate elopement venues
Renting an Airbnb means you get a change of scenery plus freedom to order in a caterer (or your favourite takeout!). Here are some estates that give you that class you’re looking for, plus catering freedom.
- Stylish designer house in Kingsville, Ontario
- English Garden Elopement in Bayfield Ontario
- Country estate elopement in Guelph Ontario
Private Rustic Cottage Getaway Elopements
Sometimes you just want to get away together. Find a spot to unwind, surrounded by nature, and explore together for an adventurous elopement doing what you love.
Outdoor Forest Elopements
We will never say no to photographing a magical forest or charming rustic chic farmland! Here are some elopement locations to consider if you love the outdoors.
- Earth to Table in Hamilton, Ontario
- Nature’s Oasis in Southwold, Ontario
- Erin Estate in Erin, Ontario
- The Clearing in Sheddon, Ontario
- Sydenham Ridge in Melbourne, Ontario
- Lavender Lane in Thorndale, Ontario
- Stay at The Couples Resort in Muskoka and then tour Algonquin Park Together!
Winter Elopement Venues
Our favourite venue to get married in the wintertime is Sydenham Ridge. You can see why we love Sydenham Ridge here!
Really unique elopement locations & ideas
Okay, we have saved the most fun options for last! If you are anything like us, you love adventure, experiencing the best things in life, and making it an experience to remember! Here are some super unique Ontario elopement ideas. They can also double as really fun honeymoon spots!
- The most gorgeous treehouse & cabin in the world in Durham, Ontario
- Retro airstream campervan elopement in a private forest
- Stay at the Laughing Goat Lane farm just outside of London, Ontario and play with the baby goats!
- Downtown Galt offers a really fun mix of downtown chic, historic architecture, and graffiti too! Make a day of exploring it together 🙂
- Get married at a cute chapel or in front of a beautiful big tree, and explore the city streets together hand-in-hand, stopping for a bite to eat at your favourite restaurant!
About Backyard Weddings
You didn’t think we’d leave backyards out, did you? If you are considering this one, make sure to read Our Definitive Guide to Backyard Weddings! They have become increasingly more common! We love backyard weddings. It’s one of the simpler ways to elope in Ontario. The key is to use them as a blank slate and create a space that feels truly special. With the savings from a traditional wedding and using your own property, hiring a talented wedding planner to do all the designing and coordinating for you takes all the stress off and means your day will be a gorgeous experience!
Making it your own
At the end of the day, if you choose to elope in Ontario, you are choosing a lot of extra flexibility and freedom in designing your dream day. With so many incredible options for elopement locations, it makes sense to spend that little bit of extra time to make sure it’s a location that is memorable.
Looking for a candid wedding photographer that can capture all of the amazing moments of your elopement in Ontario? We’ve photographed many gorgeous elopements and love them because they are truly heartfelt. Click HERE now to see our work! We have special elopement pricing on weekdays and are excited to hear from you!
Keep Reading for more elopement tips!
The Ultimate Elopement Guide on how to plan an incredible elopement
Want a styled Elopement Wedding Packages? Let’s design your vision!
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We're Dylan & Sandra. Married photographers, donut lovers, and obsessed with family and our squishy toddler. We're so glad you're here! Grab a drink and stay awhile for classic + joy-filled love stories in and around the GTA, London, Niagara and the best-of wedding advice!
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