Vancouver Island Wedding Venues

I adore Vancouver Island.  There is so much to offer in one amazing package.  You can have anything you want from a barefoot seaside ceremony, an elegant rooftop city affair, gorgeous vineyard event to a magical mountaintop destination wedding.  We literally have it all here.  The vendors are also world class and we don't live here because we have to, we do because we love it here.  Islanders are a bit different, and it's my kind of place.  I had a previous venue post, but thought it was time to update with some of my all time favourite island destinations, to possibly help you find your perfect wedding location on Vancouver Island.  (if I've skipped any of your favourite spots please send me an email and I'll try and make sure they make the list)

North Island

Looking for a complete mini getaway tucked away in the peaceful and stunning Gowlland Harbour  on Quadra Island? This place will leave your guests spellbound!

Rustic Elegance on Campbell Rivers shoreline? Dolphins Resort

Rustic Barn reception space and pristine lakeside resort Strathcona Park Lodge

Beautiful riverside garden site Haig Brown Heritage House

Mountaintop Magic Mount Washington  

Campbell River Reception space overlooking the ocean and Discovery Pier Maritime Heritage Centre  

Campbell River Golf and Country Club {under new management and getting a huge makeover and updates!}

Light and elegant reception space dreams with amazing food Cuckoo at Coombs Old Country Market  

Seaside Parksville with sand for miles Tigh-Na-Mara

Pacific Shores and HERE (for my take of a beautiful wedding there)

If you're after coastal luxury you choose Sonora Resort

West Coast

Long Beach Lodge and HERE (for my views of it)

Middle Beach Lodge and HERE for my views of it

Private Tofino beach and royal treatment, Wickaninnish Inn

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort and HERE  or HERE for my views of it

South Island 

Rustic but elegant barn with separate areas with animals and adventure Birds Eye Cove LOVE this place! 

Stunning Victoria cityscape elegance Parkside Resort

For a jaw dropping Victoria BC affair with glorious gardens and a castle!  Hello!!! Hatley Castle

Sea Cider HERE for my views

Fireside Grill

My wish list... places I haven't photographed a wedding at, but would love to!

Absolutely at the very top of my list is Clayquot Wilderness Resort 

Attended my cousins wedding here and this place is AMAZING Starling Lane Winery

Also on my list! Church and state Winery and  Merridale

Jessica and Ryan

vancouver island wedding photography

I love Dolphins Resort on Vancouver Island, I love these people, I love this wedding. I love that it was chosen for feature. Love. Style Me Pretty Canada features another Dolphins Resort wedding! Click HERE for the full feature.

Selena and Trevor: Married.

Selena was radiant. Heart swellingly glowing. Trevor was excited. We chose to do a "First Look" before the ceremony (which I LOVE and would always recommend!) He had his back to Selena as she approached he said nervously "I feel like the Bachelor". He was of course spellbound when he turned around to see Selena cross the open field at Shelter Point Distillery, in Oyster River of Campbell River.

I always say that I love my people. Saying "my clients", just seems weird. The intimacy, connection and shared moments of their wedding days often brings me to tears, and reduces me to a puddle of smiley faced nostalgia as I sit and edit their images, post them online, blog about them, print them... deliver them. After the dust has settled from their wedding, I go through their images. Searching for the ones that tug on my heart strings and bring back their day with the most clarity. I am working, however I am also spending moments of my life with them and with that, I choose to do so as passionately, lovingly, creatively and honestly as possible. I may fumble around, pop buttons, trip on myself and occasionally say awkward things (ok more than occasionally) but, I am fully aware that I am creating a cherished heirloom. I am a wedding photographer, their chosen wedding photographer.

They could have chosen anyone, but they chose me. That is divine intervention, in my opinion. That, is beautiful.

My brides this year have been stunning, caring, kind wild and also daring. They've laid down in wet leaves, stood on the edges of very scary cliffs, and have climbed through barbed wire for me. Seeing their trust in me, their belief that we are doing something wonderful... is truly more than I could ever ask for. If you trust me, we have far better chances of making magic together.

I said, "well, it's locked... we'd have to climb through the barbed wire." Selena looked at me as if thinking "that's it? No problem." and she hiked up her dress and without doubt or hesitation, climbed right through as did the entire wedding party. The fellas were willing to set aside their beers (somewhat reluctantly at first) and the gals were willing to do just about anything. I am lucky. The day before the winds ripped the tent down, breaking things, causing panic. However, for us, and our photos the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Being the second to last wedding of my 2011 season, I can't help but think about all of the weddings that have come before this one. All of the couples, all of the images. All of the love.

I am so... totally appreciative of all of the shared moments. These are my impressions of a beautiful wedding.

Thank you Selena and Trevor. ox

Wedding Venue: Shelter Point Distillery (Just fyi.... this is an AMAZING VENUE! If you are searching for a wedding venue in Campbell River, I'd be checking on their availability! Beautiful!) Getting Ready Venue: Timberlane Beach Resort, Saratoga Beach. Hair: Sharne's Hairstream (mobile hairdressing studio! GENIUS) Make up: Lisa @ Elements Esthetic Lounge Flowers: Amy @ The Willows Market PS... Coley! You're next!!! xoxo

Jennifer and Pedro

I am constantly grateful. I push myself to always keep my attitude in check. To always appreciate what I DO have, instead of constantly lusting over what I don't have. I believe in it. I can't imagine living any other way.

When I'm laying in my bed, I often take a deep breath and truly appreciate my big comfy bed. That I have somewhere to lay my head safely at night. When I'm in the shower. I am thinking about how lucky I am to have hot running water. Lately, when my back hurts and shoots pain down my legs... I feel lucky to have legs. When I'm eating dinner. I am thankful for a fridge full of food. When something strange happens like forgetting something at home, making me turn around to go get it... I choose to believe I am possibly avoiding some unforeseen danger down the road, I always try and choose gratitude. You get the idea.

It has lead people in my life to let me know that at times "You're too intense", "its too much", and that I shouldn't expect others to think like me. And I don't... and I try not to preach... but... my amazing and cherished friend Momma Mady used to always say to me, "Pull your boots up girl. You've got two feet and a heartbeat". It's a beautiful way to live.

So, when I meet someone who lives the same way, and shares the same views. It makes me happy. Really happy.

When I met up with Jennifer on her wedding day, the first words out of her mouth were. "I am just so blessed, so lucky. It's amazing." She couldn't get over having all of the people she loved most in the world, in one place. For such an amazing celebration. She would well up with tears, just thinking about it. She lives in a massive amount of gratitude and it shows and is absolutely beautiful. The autumn season, was a perfect fit for their wonderful wedding.

Look at these images, and know, that these two are wonderful. Jennifer and Pedro, been together twelve years, were married this past Saturday at the amazing Dolphins Resort in Campbell River. Anyone looking for a different, rustic, beautiful destination wedding on Vancouver Island... should take a serious look at Dolphins. What a wonderful crew of people and what a beautiful place to have all of the people you love celebrate your wedding.

One of Jennifer and Pedro's guests at the reception asked me, "so how long have you and Jenn been friends?", I responded, "oh since forever". We've only met one other time, for their engagement photos. I love my clients. (Especially Jennifer and Pedro) I love my chosen profession. I love living in gratitude. As cheesy as it may sound, if you've never tried it, you're missing out. I think beauty makes you beautiful, but only your attitude can make you radiant. Some girls get excited about Manolo Blahnik footwear, others are thrilled with the classic elegance, of Hunter Gumboots. Jennifer's mom lives on a beautiful little farm property that we decided to have a 'first look' at and create some images on the property before the ceremony. Here is Pedros first look at his beautiful bride. The handsome ring bearer at the ceremony. Love this one of Jen and her dad. I'm in love with this photo of Jen through the crowd. Down to the beach for some more images, love the colors in the trees here. The Dolphins Resort with Jennifer's amazing autumn decor, looked perfect. I told you it was rustic. The little ones were partying hard, minus their shoes. You have to be special to have the ever auspicious rainbow make an appearance at your wedding. No wedding would be complete without small people, passing out all over the place. Wishing you both nothing but happiness.