Venues by Region – Victoria :: Vancouver Island :: Gulf Islands
This is an in-progress list of wedding venues in Greater Victoria. I’ve included photos and links to weddings I’ve shot at the venues I’ve worked at (feel free to ask me questions about these venues), plus some info and links to all of the venues. If you can’t find your dream venue, check out the links to other nearby areas above. Use the category links below to jump to a certain type of venue.
These venues are great for that rustic feel, which can make an elegant event feel more organic and a fun event feel even more inviting. They’re perfect for having both ceremony and reception, along with a great portrait session, without even leaving the venue.
Merridale Cider (Venue – Wedding Info)
Merridale is in Cobble Hill, a 30-40 minute drive up island from Victoria, but it’s definitely worth it. Such a gorgeous venue with amazing food.
Robyn and Steve’s September 2012 beautiful DIY wedding
Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse (Venue – Wedding Info)
Ciderhouse Reception – up to 64 seated or 100 cocktail;
Spring, Summer, or Fall marquis tent Reception – up to 120 seated or up to 160 people cocktail
Megan and Devin’s June 2012 fun wedding
Ashley and Bryan’s August 2011 elegant wedding
Starling Lane Winery (Venue – Wedding Info)
Kurt and Catherine’s July 2011 wedding ceremony
Sleeping Dog Farm (Venue – Wedding Info)
Ceremony – up to 80 guests; Ceremony and Reception – up to 50 guests
Carly and Brent’s August 2011 wedding ceremony
Church & State Winery (Venue – Wedding Info)
Reception – up to 250 seated
Muse Winery (Venue - Wedding Info)
I love a wedding at a different sort of venue, which tends to come along with some amazing, unique photo opportunities.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (Venue – Wedding Info)
Reception – up to 80 seated or up to 150 cocktail
An elegant setting for intimate weddings. The garden is beautiful for summer ceremonies and the galleries are perfect for artistic portraits.
Emily and Joshua’s November 2011 wedding ceremony and reception
Gillian and Murat’s September 2010 ceremony and reception
Royal Roads / Hatley Castle (Venue – Wedding Info)
RCMP July 2011 wedding ceremony on the croquet lawn
Ocean Discovery Centre (Venue – Wedding Info)
Reception – up to 80 seated or up to 300 cocktail
Maritime Museum of BC (Link - Wedding Info)
Ceremony – up to 80 seated; Reception seating varies
Alix Goolden Hall (Link - Wedding Info)
Ceremony capacity is 814 guests.
Swan’s Hotel (Venue – Wedding Info)
Penthouse reception – up to 100 guests; Marquee room reception – up to 200 guests
Jeff and Ellicia’s August 2011 penthouse reception
Backyard Weddings
This isn’t a venue, but consider it if a friend/family member has a large yard. Backyards are the perfect place to put your own personal spin on the traditional wedding.
Here are some good sources of rental tents/seating/etc: Pedersens in Victoria, Black and White Party Rentals in Parksville. A great wedding planner is also a huge help for these types of weddings – check out Blue Lily Event Planning.
Nicole and Andrew’s August 2012 elegant Galiano Island oceanfront backyard wedding
Courtenay and Patrick’s July 2012 beautiful Gordon Head backyard wedding
Jen and Sean’s July 2012 playful Mill Bay oceanfront backyard wedding
Deanna and Jay’s June 2012 intimate backyard wedding ceremony
A fancier spin on the rustic venue options above, or for ceremonies only at a low cost (see Saxe Point).
Saxe Point Park (Venue – Wedding Info)
Tess and Eric’s June 2012 elopement
Warren and Laura’s August 2010 wedding ceremony
Rosedale Gardens (Venue)
Victoria Garden Estate (Venue – Wedding Info)
Goward House (Venue - Wedding Info)
Perfect for amazing, non-wedding-style food. These venues tend to have a more urban feel and don’t need as much decorating as a ballroom might, but still offer shelter from the elements. These are typically used as reception-only venues.
Pizzeria Prima Strada (Link – Wedding Info)
Julie and Chris’s September 2012 reception
Fireside Grill (Link - Wedding Info)
Reception – up to 250 seated, plus more intimate settings
Ferris Oyster Bar & Grill (Link - Wedding Info)
Reception – up to 50 seated
These venues are best for smaller weddings and tend to be fancier than hotel ballrooms.
Abigail’s Hotel (Venue – Wedding Info)
Holly and Darren’s October 2012 intimate wedding
Erin and Bob’s August 2012 fun elopement
Alexandria and Jonathan’s March 2012 intimate wedding
Susan and Tyler’s September 2011 intimate wedding
Rod and Peter’s July 2011 elopement
Rebecca and Graham’s April 2011 intimate wedding
Lara and Steve’s August 2010 garden elopement
Fairholme Manor (Venue - Wedding Info)
Ceremony and reception – up to 20 guests
The English Inn (Venue – Wedding Info)
Ceremony – up to 180 guests; Reception – up to 120 seated or 200 cocktail, plus more intimate spaces
Jessica and Steve’s October 2010 wedding ceremony
Chris and Noya’s June 2010 wedding ceremony
Sooke Harbour House (Venue – Wedding Info)
Lindsay and Kevin’s October 2012 intimate wedding
Lori and David’s August 2012 small wedding
Joanna and Carolyn’s June 2011 elopement
Villa Marco Polo (Venue – Wedding Info)
Craidelonna Oceanedge Lodging (Venue - Wedding Info)
Up to 70 guests.
Brentwood Bay Resort (Venue – Wedding Info)
Reception – up to 120 seated
Kristin and Aaron’s February 2012 brunch wedding
Fairmont Empress Hotel (Venue – Wedding Info)
John and Barry’s June 2012 intimate wedding and dinner
Teal and Mollie’s April 2011 dinner reception and portraits
Pamela and Stephen’s April 2010 library elopement
The Union Club (Venue)
Jessica and Steve’s October 2010 reception
Parkside Victoria Resort and Spa (Venue - Wedding Info)
Julie and Chris’s September 2012 rooftop wedding ceremony
Esquimalt Navy Base
Several different buildings, most on the water with balconies and large windows. I believe you need to know someone in the military to use these spaces.
RCMP July 2011 wedding reception at the Chief and Petty Officers Mess
Warren and Laura’s August 2010 wedding reception at the NOTC Gun Room
Inn at Laurel Point (Venue – Wedding Info)
Reception – up to 200 seated
Kirsten and Jamie’s August 2012 classy & fun wedding
Ainsley and Nathaniel’s September 2012 restaurant reception
Kyle and Kent’s December 2010 intimate wedding
Amy and Rachel’s June 2010 outdoor elopement
St. Ann’s Academy (Venue – Wedding Info)
August 2012 chapel ceremony and garden reception
Can’t find the perfect venue? Check out these other nearby locations: Vancouver Island (outside of Greater Victoria) and Gulf Islands. See info on eloping in Victoria and elopement venues.
