Venue Guide · Ottawa, Ontario

Lago — the only thing better
than the view is the light

Right on Dow’s Lake, next to the Arboretum, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a building that’s been part of Ottawa since 1931. Here’s why we love shooting here.

Lago sits directly on Dow’s Lake — not just near it, but right on the water — and that distinction matters. It’s one of the only venues in Ottawa where the lake is genuinely part of the experience, visible through floor-to-ceiling windows from almost every angle inside. The wraparound patio extends that out further, making the outdoor balcony a natural spot for intimate ceremonies or cocktail hour with a view that does all the work for you.

The building has been here since 1931, originally a boathouse for canoes, skiffs, and sea scouts. That history is quiet but present — in the open-concept circular layout, in the character of the space, in the way it feels like somewhere rather than anywhere. It’s a venue that could only exist in Ottawa, in this exact spot, and that’s not something we take for granted when we’re shooting here.

The natural light through those windows makes our job genuinely easier throughout the day. And when it’s time for portraits, the Arboretum next door opens up a completely different world — lush greenery, winding paths, soft afternoon light filtering through the trees. Two completely different backdrops, no travel required.