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Nadtochiy Photography offers timeless wedding, engagement, and family photography & videography in Toronto, Ontario and beyond.

A civil wedding ceremony in the heart of Toronto

Sophie and Trevor flew to Toronto from the UK to say their vows in a city they love. As a Toronto Wedding Photographer, I meet many couples who choose a simple civil wedding at Toronto City Hall, and this day was the perfect reminder of how meaningful an intimate celebration can be.

We started the morning at Toronto City Hall, surrounded by parents, grandparents and close family. The lobby was full of greetings, hugs and excited conversations as everyone arrived, shook off the October chill and waited for the ceremony room to be ready.

Inside the civil ceremony space, the light was soft and calm. Sophie and Trevor stood together in front of the officiant, holding hands and smiling at each other with the biggest grins. Their vows were short and sweet, but full of emotion. From behind my camera I could see their families watching every moment, eyes shining with pride.

There were so many little documentary moments I loved capturing: a grandmother’s hand resting on her grandson’s shoulder, a toddler taking a few careful steps in the aisle, parents wiping away tears, everyone leaning in to sign the marriage license. This is exactly why I love being a wedding photographer in Toronto — these tiny, real moments become the most cherished memories later.

Family-filled celebration at Toronto City Hall

After the ceremony we stayed inside the building for a few more photos: signing the documents, congratulations, and a quick portrait of Sophie and Trevor together as newlyweds. The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful. No strict schedule, no rush — just time to enjoy being together in Toronto with the people who matter most.

Once everyone had their turn for a big hug, we stepped outside to Nathan Phillips Square. The Toronto sign, the curved towers of City Hall and the reflections in the water created a perfect backdrop for family portraits. The air was still a little chilly, but the sun broke through the clouds and warmed up the square just in time.

We photographed different group combinations so that every guest had a special moment with the couple: parents, siblings, grandparents and the smallest family members. I love using this downtown Toronto location for city hall weddings — it shows off the skyline and gives couples a sense of place in their wedding photos, especially if they have travelled to Toronto from abroad.

Romantic portraits at Osgoode Hall & downtown Toronto

From Toronto City Hall we walked a few minutes to Osgoode Hall, one of my favourite spots for wedding photography in Toronto. Its historic architecture, stone staircases and quiet courtyard feel like a hidden gem in the middle of downtown.

Sophie changed nothing about her look — she kept her chic off-the-shoulder white dress and bouquet of soft pink and white flowers, and Trevor stayed in his classic dark suit and patterned tie. The simple, elegant styling worked beautifully with the textures of Osgoode Hall: brick walls, carved stone details and the arches of the main entrance.

We created a mix of candid and posed portraits: walking together across the cobblestones, laughing on the steps, holding hands on the balcony and taking a moment to simply breathe and enjoy the view of Toronto around them. I always try to keep movement and connection at the centre of my portraits, so that each gallery feels like a real story of the day rather than a series of stiff poses.

As the light softened in the afternoon, we finished with a few classic portraits back near Nathan Phillips Square, with the Toronto skyline behind them. It was the perfect way to close their Toronto City Hall wedding story.

You can see more stories like this in our Toronto wedding photography portfolio. If you’re planning your own Toronto City Hall wedding and would like us to document it, we’d be honoured to be part of your day.

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Toronto City Hall Wedding – Sophie & Trevor

WEDDING

October 22, 2025

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