Weddings in Markham
Markham families plan across a wide area. The groom’s side might live in Scarborough, the bride’s in Unionville, cousins in Richmond Hill. Venues near the 404 and 407 make that geography work.
The venue mix is broad. There are hotel ballrooms, a golf club, banquet halls, and restaurant halls for the smaller events. A common pattern is a dholki in a restaurant hall, the nikah at the masjid, and the walima at a hotel or banquet hall.
Hotels suit families with many relatives travelling in, since guests can sleep upstairs from the reception. Golf clubs suit a smaller walima with portraits on the grounds.
Saturdays in summer and early fall fill first. If your date has to land before or after a family trip, Eid or exams, pick two or three options before you start touring.
Banquet halls to look at
Five options, from a hotel to a restaurant hall. One has a Toronto address but serves Markham families all the same.
- Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa (Warden Avenue): hosts social events of up to 1,200 guests, and its conference centre divides into five sections.
- Crystal Fountain (McDowell Gate): ballrooms for gatherings from 100 up to 900 guests.
- Angus Glen Golf Club (Kennedy Road, north Markham): the Great Hall seats up to 500 for a sit-down dinner, and the club has smaller rooms and a seasonal North Marquee.
- Dum Pukht banquet hall (Denison Street): a restaurant hall for 50 to 200 guests, a good size for a dholki or a lunch after the wedding.
- Markham Convention Centre (Ironside Crescent): four banquet halls for up to 900 guests. Despite the name, its address is in Toronto, at the north edge of Scarborough.
For your nikah
- Islamic Society of Markham (Denison Street), also known as the Markham Masjid. Nikah services appear among the programs on its website.
- Islamic Society of York Region (Stouffville Road), just north in Richmond Hill. Its website does not describe a nikah service, so ask the office.
Families also hold the nikah at home or in a private room at the venue. For a masjid nikah, call the office early and ask about available times and what to prepare.
Getting there and parking
Highway 404 runs north along the west side of Markham, and the 407 crosses the city from east to west. The 407 is a toll highway, billed electronically, so some guests will prefer Highway 7 or Steeles Avenue.
Outside rush hour, downtown Toronto is about 35 to 45 minutes away by car, and Vaughan about 25 to 30 minutes on the 407.
The GO Stouffville line serves the city. Unionville GO sits in Markham’s new downtown, with connections to Viva and YRT buses, which helps guests coming in by train.
Parking at the hotels, the golf club and the banquet halls is generally simple. Main Street Unionville is a heritage village, so plan drop-offs for a photo session there rather than expecting to park beside the spot.
Snow on the 404 is the usual winter problem. If the baraat is coming up from Scarborough in January, send the cars early.
Local tips
- Markham requires a photography permit at a short list of popular spots, including Main Street Unionville, Toogood Pond and Berczy Park. The permit reserves the location for your exclusive use and is charged by the hour.
- The City says its other parks need no photography permit. If your first choice is booked, ask your photographer for a quieter alternative nearby.
- Toogood Pond is at its prettiest in autumn, when the trees around the water turn.
- If you are looking at a March 2027 date, note that Ramadan is expected to run from about February 8 to March 9 or 10, subject to moon sighting.
How we plan in Markham
One coordinator, and every vendor managed for you. We plan the walima, arrange the Unionville photo permit, book women photographers for the ladies’ side, and keep every supplier on one timeline. Your family gets to be guests at your wedding. Begin planning