Top 10 Downtown Montreal and Old Port Wedding Venues
Having been a wedding photographer for 20 years, I have photographed in almost every wedding and event space Montreal has to offer. I’ve seen the best, the worst and everything in between. For a variety of different reasons and with a wide range of styles and to suit different tastes, here’s a list of my current top 10 favourite venues in downtown Montreal and Old Port of Montreal for weddings (in no particular order!).
1. The Four Seasons Montreal, while still being relatively new on the downtown scene has quickly become a pillar in the wedding world and a go to favourite with wedding pros and clients alike. Boasting the most amazing balcony with killer city and Mount Royal views, including the iconic mural of Montreal music legend Leonard Cohen in view, sexy bars incredible for portraits and a ballroom that can be dressed up in any number of ways, it’s easy to see why this classy venue is a go to wedding destination. Bonus, wake up the next day and indulge in the gastronomic wonder that is Restaurant Marcus by the one and only Marcus Samuelson.
2. Not a newbie by any means, Le Mount Stephen Hotel and Bar George are a longtime favourite for me for old word charm in the mansion, great daytime light and lots of fabulous details and for the modern twist there’s the ballroom and guest suites with all the newest amenities. Shooting couple portraits here is a real treat and there are no shortage of amazing editorial moments to create in this setting!
The Mount Stephen Hotel. Photo by ©Studio Baron Photo
3. For an intimate wedding, which I love, Birks Hotel is the perfect vibe. The bar, restaurant Henri Brasserie Française or their private room all offer different options and every one is amazing. It’s high end, gorgeous, and the name Birks already sets the stage for luxury and elegance so you don’t need to add much, just yourselves to make it your own.
Birks Hotel. Photo by ©Studio Baron Photo
4. Atwater Club offers the appeal of having been built in 1926 yet has all the upside of having recently done renovations and offers a modern event space inside and a beautiful bar space. Not to mention a WOW staircase for photos with gorgeous windows that have a fantastic golden hour hitting them and a beautiful English cottage façade, a photographers dream scenario!
Atwater Club. Photo by ©Studio Baron Photo
5. Windsor Ballrooms is everything you want for absolute elegance and to feel like you’ve stepped into the word of royalty for your special day. In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth even stopped by for a visit when it was still a hotel. Offering several options for spaces for your wedding from Peacock Alley to what I affectionately call the ‘blue room with the grand chandelier’, every inch of the place sparkles and you’ll feel like you do too on your wedding day at this venue.
6. Restaurant Moccione has some of the best Italian food you’ll ever taste in your lives while being warm, homey and inviting. It’s ideal for a small and intimate wedding! They have a small terrace for a ceremony, a great ambiance and truly a great vibe to celebrate you I Do’s! If your wedding is more about the mood, the people and love bubble, but not so much about a dance party, this is a great choice.
Restaurant Moccione. Photo by ©Studio Baron Photo
7. The World Trade Centre in Montreal is a local favourite amongst photographers for refuge on rainy days for wedding portraits, but it’s actually a wedding venue in it’s own right and an amazing one at that! The fountain makes for a heart stopping setting for your vow exchange, the main street with the chandelier sets the scene and the warm lights create the right ambiance for a memorable wedding. With an open air vibe and lots of tungsten lights everywhere, make sure your photographer knows what they're doing with flash to ensure great photos to capture your evening.
World Trade Centre. Photo by ©Studio Baron Photo
8. If being in the heart of Old Montreal with amazing portrait options just steps away is something you’re looking for, then Hotel William Gray is a great choice (no need to rent a car!). Known for modern yet boutique luxury and rooftop views of all of the old port that cannot be beat, multiple terraces to choose from and amazing food. Its lobby is spectacular for photos with its modern staircase and teardrop lights and skylight roof… a photographers playground.
Slight detour…
9. While not technically downtown, the gem that is the Westbury Ballrooms is on Decarie, just minutes from the heart of the city and worth a tiny detour. It offers what has become their iconic staircase, a heated and lovely lit balcony for a ceremony and great for photos and a fantastic ballroom that is so versatile for your wedding! There are lots of spaces in this place to use for all your wedding day needs and a perfect rainy escape.
10. Since we’ve already mentioned taking a little drive, while were at it it’s worth mentioning another venue we love that’s a bit outside the core of the city but still close to make it super convenient, Gentile’s The Rye. This multi-floor venue can be divided up into multi use spaces and the upstairs level has a wow factor when you use fairy lights over the dance floor, light up those candles and utilize the in-house lighting to set the mood (please, use the amber!) and get ready to party! FYI it’s in an industrial location, so if that’s not the vibe you’re wanting for your portraits, then you’ll need to plan another location and then head to the venue afterwards, but if you like that, it can be a fun for photos!
Gentile’s The Rye. Photo by ©Studio Baron Photo
