One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is visiting incredible Vancouver Island Wedding Venues!
Are you considering an Island wedding, but not sure which venue to choose? Read on for some in-the-know deets that may help in narrowing your decision! It turns out that we have something to say about a lot of places – lol! Yup, we’re chatty! But wedding venues are sooo important, and we’re familiar with many of them through both business + personal visits.
To begin with; if you’re not familiar with Vancouver Island’s geography, then here’s a general overview of the island’s various areas.
North Island is considered to be all points past Campbell River. Central Island is Campbell River to Nanaimo. South Island: Ladysmith to Victoria. The Pacific Rim encompasses Port Alberni to Tofino.
{In the vernacular; if you’re going Up Island – Port Hardy is at the top of VI and if you’re heading Down Island then it’s towards Victoria.}
This post focuses on Central Island venues. We shoot here. A lot. As this is area is home, sweet home for us.
BTW – we’ve included links to all these fabulous spots, so take a peek here – then you can head right over to the venue for detailed info!
Brown’s Bay Resort just a little bit north of Campbell River
Wedding Venue | Vancouver Island, BC – Brown’s Bay Resort
This magical resort has long been a family favorite. Approximately 15 minutes past Campbell River, you will discover a destination like no other. A marina, floating restaurant, cabins and an RV Park all along the sides of the magnificent Discovery Channel? We guarantee your guests will love visiting here as much as you love planning your wedding day at this unique location. We can’t promise that you’ll see whales in the bay, but we can tell you that at one wedding we shot here – the humpbacks were photobombing the bride & groom! The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Love, sweet love ♥
Dolphins Resort in Campbell River
Dolphins Resort | Campbell River, BC | Weddings
On the outskirts of Campbell River is another incredible resort. Established in the 1940’s, Dolphins has long been a famous fishing destination. And, if you know, you know – our family loooovvvess fishing! From a wedding photog’s perspective? This is a dream location! Shore or garden outdoor ceremony spots! A stunning banquet hall and plenty of places to shoot. BTW – we’ve seen orcas cruising by on wedding days – and we guarantee that there’s nothing like a pod of killer whales to shock & awe your guests!
Filberg Gardens in Comox
Weddings – Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park
A simply gorgeous garden location. We have captured some incredible moments in this park. Especially in late spring to early summer, when the foliage is at its peak. It is truly a gem amidst many Vancouver Island locations. Filberg is nine acres of breathtakingly landscaped waterfront green space, gardens and heritage buildings. We especially love that we can access the shoreline for ocean portraits as well.
40 Knots Winery in Comox
Celebrate in style at 40 Knots Winery
40 Knots Vineyard is one of those locations that you must see to believe! The Vineyard Terrace is oh-so elegant, complete with paving stones, greenery and gorgeous glass walls. Surrounded by lush vineyards and gardens this is one of the island’s more unique wedding venues. We love how easily accessible it is to Comox and Courtenay. It’s extremely picturesque and whether you are a wine aficionado {or not} we know you will fall just a little bit in love with this extraordinary property. Cheers!
Mount Washington and Strathcona Park
Weddings – Mount Washington Alpine Resort
When most people think of Vancouver Island, their immediate picture is of the beaches + forests {cold seas + tall trees}. However, if you’re an alpine expert, then you know. Mt. Wash receives epic snowfalls. What you may not be aware of is that the huge property is available for events too. With stunning views of the Pacific Ocean’s Salish Sea across to the Coastal Mountain Range, and the spectacularly scenic Strathcona Provincial Park this venue is beyond breathtaking. In any season, the Raven Lodge is the perfect place for your nuptials. We’ve captured engagement sessions, styled shoots and weddings here, and the drive to the top of the mountain never disappoints. One of our favorite aspects of shooting here; the wee birds. The Whiskey Jacks are fearless, and some of our fave photos have included these little friends!
Within the larger Central Island zone, is an area referred to as Oceanside.
Here’s a brief bio on Oceanside – with many of the reasons we are lucky to call this part of the island home! If you’ve never visited, then we can promise you that Oceanside has it all! It’s easy to get to – via ferry or flight. Your wedding guests will love it here! It’s a perfect place for families to vacation. Time and again we chat with guests at various celebrations, and without fail, they tell us how thrilled they were to have been invited to a wedding on the island ♥
“Basking in sunshine on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Oceanside is Beach Country, and one of the finest year-round vacation destinations in Canada. Boasting spectacular sandy beaches, coastal mountain vistas, and lush temperate forests, Oceanside enjoys the mildest climate in the country, with an annual average of 2,050 hours of sunshine. The tourism region of Oceanside incorporates the holiday communities of Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose Bay, French Creek, Arrowsmith Coombs Country, and Lighthouse Country. With no less than seven provincial parks located within a thirty-minute drive, Oceanside provides a host of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, camping, caving and golfing. Bordered to the east by the Strait of Georgia {Salish Sea}, Oceanside also offers every watersport imaginable, including sport fishing, canoeing, sea kayaking, diving, beachcombing, sailing, and windsurfing.”
Source: VancouverIsland.com
Tigh-Na-Mara Resort & Conference Center in Parksville
Weddings | Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort | Vancouver Island
What can we say about Tigh-Na-Mara? It’s the location that we shoot 5-10 weddings/season at. The location is bar none, conveniently located along Parksville’s Resort Way and only moments away from one of BC’s most famous parks – Rathtrevor! The gazebo is perfect for intimate or huge numbers of guests. Gourmet offerings. What truly stands out to us regarding why you would choose TNM? The wedding dream team. This group of individuals works together to ensure that you will have the best day of your life. We see their commitment to your happiness, time and again. They are stars and will ensure you feel like you are living a fairytale!
Crown Mansion in Qualicum Beach
Crown Mansion – Boutique Hotel Qualicum Beach, BC
Crown Mansion is an eyecatcher! This boutique hotel is absolutely exquisite. Built in 1914, the elegant crystal chandeliers, heritage fireplaces and sweeping stairwells will make you feel like the celebrities and royalty who have visited this icon. The manicured gardens are bordered by a forest with ferns & firs for your west coast backdrop. The incredible details within the rooms and public spaces will impress the most discerning couple. We have captured groom + groomsmen portraits here that felt like we were all starring in a classic Hollywood film.
Milner Gardens & Woodland in Qualicum Beach
Weddings | Milner Gardens | Vancouver Island University | Canada
Milner Gardens must be experienced to understand just how lush & lovely it is. Our all-time favorite place to shoot brides amidst the rhododendrons is Milner in the spring! The bridal suite for getting ready photos, the gardens, the majestic ceremony space. THE REFLECTING POND! Ivy covered walls. Wrought iron tables. Should we go on? Shooting here is magical! Although, Milner does not host receptions…let’s talk about our next location. Because a common combination we see on wedding days is Getting Ready, Ceremony and Formals at Milner – followed by a reception at the nearby Bayside Resort.
The Bayside Oceanside Resort in Parksville
Hotel Meeting Rooms | Bayside Resort | Parksville, BC Hotel
The Bayside has a fantastic location in Parksville. Perched over the iconic Parksville Beach it’s the ideal spot to watch the tides roll in and out. We’ve had the huge pleasure of shooting numerous wedding receptions here. In an intimate atmosphere we’ve captured many happy moments of couples with their guests! We love that there is a beach access from the grounds that allows us to “sneak” couples out of their reception for some golden hour moments on the sand for a truly comprehensive wedding day coverage.
The Beach Club in Parksville
Oceanfront Luxury Parksville Resort | The Beach Club Resort
What can we say about the Beach Club? Well, for starters – Lacey and Nathan hosted their wedding at TBC over 10 years ago! This resort clearly holds a sentimental place in our family. This luxurious resort perfectly located on Parksville’s iconic beach has bright, open suites – fabulous for Getting Ready photos. The ceremony location on the lawn adjoining the boardwalk ensures you have the beach as your backdrop. The reception area includes its own outdoor courtyard with beach access too! From the gorgeous fountain in the front to the outstanding views at the back this stunning resort never disappoints.
Cuckoo
Cuckoo in Coombs – Italian Trattoria & Pizzeria
Goats on the roof. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Only in Coombs, we say. The Old Country Market is legendary; it absolutely is! The market is an amazing, quirky, cool, festive and fabulous spot! Located in Coombs, Cuckoo’s is – yup, you guessed it – another family favorite! If Lacey can get away with it, and she tries – we’ll indulge ourselves in pasta at least once for her birthday. Sometimes twice {she’s sneaky like that}. In all seriousness. The trattoria is stunning. You feel like you are dining at an authentic Italian restaurant (in Europe), the meals are just that good. And, the location? For wedding photography? Sophisticated, romantic, and we can have a little fun if you do want some goats in the background! Highly recommend! Highly! Please have us stay for your reception (or at least send us home with a go-bag; we’d love a little antipasto too ♥).
Nanaimo Golf Club
Private events at Nanaimo Golf Club in Nanaimo BC
We must admit it, we are anglers (Lisa/Lacey) and surfers (Lacey) but not golfers. We mention this because we have no personal knowledge of playing a few rounds at the Nanaimo Golf Club. Although this is one venue that we have only shot at a handful of times, we can tell you that it is darn spectacular. The banquet rooms (upper and lower) have incredible natural light and fabulous views. We’ve shot ceremonies on the wide patio and on the course next to the water feature fountain, and both locations were gorgeous backdrops for vows. So many places to shoot on the grounds, and we’ve always experienced top notch service in regards to working with the events team! The NGC is absolutely an option for golfers and non-golfers for a celebration with style!
Is this a conclusive list? No, there are many other wedding venue locations to consider in Central Island ♥ Our intent with this overview is to you with details + photos about some of our faves. If you’re considering a different venue within Central Island, please reach out. If you have questions; we’ll do our best to give you answers ♥
Looking for a location in a different part of the island, including Cedar and area? We have you covered; keep your eye out for upcoming features on the Pacific Rim and South Island.
Thanks for stopping by and we hope you found some helpful info here! xo
