For couples planning a wedding in Vancouver — whether local, arriving from across the country, or destination guests chasing a West Coast celebration — Dockside Restaurant on Granville Island answers the question of where with considerable confidence. Floor-to-ceiling wrap-around windows frame an uninterrupted view of False Creek, the marina, and Yaletown’s celebrated skyline beyond. The light shifts across the room differently at every hour, bright and expansive at midday, golden and atmospheric as the evening settles in, which means the venue earns its beauty twice over: once for the ceremony, and again for the reception.

Three Spaces, One Extraordinary Address

The main dining room accommodates up to 200 guests for a seated dinner and up to 300 for a standing reception. For couples drawn to the open air, Vancouver’s most award-winning waterfront patio — framed by cabana-style tents, a gas fireplace, and views extending across False Creek — hosts up to 100 guests for a sit-down dinner and 150 for a reception. The Dockside Lounge offers a third option: a fully private room with its own bar and gas fireplace, a DJ booth, a sound system, and direct access to a section of the ocean-view patio overlooking False Creek and downtown Vancouver, accommodating up to 100 seated guests or 150 for a standing reception.

Three distinct spaces. One address. The flexibility to design a wedding day that feels entirely your own.

A Culinary Experience Worth Savouring

Dockside’s master culinary team approaches every event with the same standard applied to its celebrated restaurant menu: fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the craft to do them justice. Couples work directly with the team to shape a dining experience that reflects both the occasion and the budget — because exceptional food at Dockside is not reserved for one style of celebration alone.

For a relaxed, social atmosphere, a cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres and live chef-attended stations brings guests together from the first moment. Grazing tables and beautifully styled buffets offer generous variety and an informal warmth that works especially well for larger gatherings. Those seeking a more structured celebration can opt for an elegantly plated multi-course dinner, with each course thoughtfully composed and paired with professionally selected wines. Late-night bites — designed to keep the energy going well into the evening — round out the options for couples who want the celebration to linger.

Curated dessert selections, signature cocktails crafted by the bar team, and non-alcoholic beverage programs ensure every guest is considered. Whatever shape the day takes, the culinary team builds the menu around it — not the other way around.

The Hotel That Extends the Celebration

Dockside Restaurant sits within Granville Island Hotel, a boutique waterfront property that transforms a single-day event into a full weekend. Couples can prepare for their ceremony in waterfront penthouses or suites overlooking False Creek, while guests who book one of the hotel’s rooms, suites, or penthouses — pet-friendly options included — wake up to passing sailboats and kayakers quietly gliding across the water, with the whole of Granville Island ready to be explored from the moment they step outside.

Room blocks are available for events held at Dockside, with special group rates making the extended stay as seamless as the event itself. For weddings that draw guests from out of town — and many do — keeping everyone together in one extraordinary location, steps from the water and minutes from downtown Vancouver, is a genuine advantage.

Beyond the Wedding Day

Granville Island Hotel and Dockside together offer more than a venue. They offer a destination within a destination. Guests will find artisan boutiques, a world-famous public market, live music spilling out onto cobblestone walkways, and waterfront paths connecting easily to Vancouver’s broader seawall network. For younger guests, the hotel’s hands-on experiences — including pizza-making and cookie-decorating classes run in collaboration with Dockside — add an unexpected and genuinely enjoyable dimension to the weekend.

Elopements, honeymoons, and multi-day wedding weekends each find natural footing here. The setting accommodates the intimate and the celebratory with equal grace.

A Vancouver Wedding Venue Worth the Journey

Vancouver is a city that tends to exceed expectations. Dockside Restaurant and Granville Island Hotel are very much a product of that — a waterfront address where the food, the setting, the accommodation, and the energy of the surrounding island arrive together without effort. Couples who celebrate here rarely describe it as simply a venue. They describe it as the beginning of something.

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Just outside of Sooke, along a quiet stretch of Vancouver Island’s southwest coast, Ocean Wilderness Inn offers a wedding setting defined by seclusion, scale, and unfiltered West Coast landscape. Located in Shirley, British Columbia, the inn sits overlooking the sea – far enough from the city to feel removed, yet close enough to Victoria for practical planning and guest travel.

Ocean Wilderness Inn is not a traditional wedding venue in the conventional sense. There is no ballroom, no fixed ceremony site, and no sense of being “on display.” Instead, it functions as a private coastal retreat that couples can reserve in its entirety, creating space for intimate weddings that feel personal, secluded, and grounded in place.

A Private Coastal Setting

The defining feature of Ocean Wilderness Inn is its setting. The property is surrounded by dense West Coast forest, with wide, open views across the water. Tall trees, mossy groundcover, and coastal trails frame the inn, offering natural privacy and quiet that is increasingly difficult to find in destination wedding venues.

Full Inn Rentals for Intimate Weddings

Ocean Wilderness Inn is best suited for small weddings, elopements, and celebrations where guest count is intentionally limited. The inn offers eight guest suites, accommodating approximately 16–20 guests depending on room configuration. Full inn buyouts are available, allowing couples to reserve the entire property for exclusive use.

This setup is especially well suited to intimate weddings, where guests aren’t simply arriving for a few hours but settling in together. With everyone staying on site, the celebration naturally stretches beyond the ceremony itself, unfolding over a full weekend — from arrival and quiet anticipation, to the morning after, when there’s time to linger over coffee and take in the view one last time.

For couples who want to step away from the start-and-stop rhythm of traditional venues, this slower pace is part of the appeal. There’s no rush to clear a room or move on to the next moment. Conversations happen when they happen, meals are shared without a strict timeline, and guests can drift easily between gathering together and retreating to their own private space. The result is a wedding that feels relaxed, personal, and genuinely shared.

Accommodations and Shared Spaces

Each guest suite at Ocean Wilderness Inn offers its own private entrance and en-suite bathroom, creating a sense of quiet retreat for guests throughout the weekend. The accommodations are thoughtfully designed for comfort and ease, inviting guests to settle in and stay awhile rather than simply pass through.

Beyond the rooms, the property opens into a series of shared outdoor spaces – forest paths, ocean-facing patios, and tucked-away gathering spots where people naturally come together. These areas often become the setting for relaxed meals, unhurried conversations, or a quiet glass of wine after the ceremony. The ocean-view hot tub, perched above the water, is another place guests tend to linger, especially as the evening light fades.

Because the inn serves as both venue and accommodation, weddings here often unfold more like a private retreat than a single day’s event. There’s space for welcome dinners, slow mornings, and time spent together without an agenda – moments that encourage connection in a way that feels natural, unforced, and deeply calm.

Flexible Planning, No Preset Packages

Ocean Wilderness Inn is intentionally unstructured when it comes to weddings. Rather than offering preset packages or in-house coordination, the inn provides a beautifully secluded setting and comfortable accommodations, giving couples the freedom to shape their celebration in a way that feels true to them.

This approach resonates with couples who enjoy being involved in the planning process or who already have vendors they trust. Catering, florals, rentals, and coordination can be brought in as needed, allowing the celebration to be scaled thoughtfully – whether that means keeping things simple or adding a few carefully chosen details.

Without a rigid framework, the inn naturally lends itself to elopements, micro-weddings, and gatherings that focus more on the experience than the production. Surrounded by forest and ocean, many couples choose to keep décor minimal, letting the landscape set the tone and create a sense of quiet elegance throughout the day.

Location and Accessibility

Shirley is located approximately one hour west of Victoria, making Ocean Wilderness Inn accessible for local and out-of-town guests alike. The drive along Highway 14 is scenic and coastal, contributing to the sense of arrival and separation from city life.

Despite its secluded feel, the inn is close enough to Sooke for practical needs, including accommodations overflow, dining options, and supplies. This balance between remoteness and accessibility is a key reason couples choose the location – it feels like an escape without requiring extensive travel logistics.

A Venue for Couples Who Value Seclusion

Ocean Wilderness Inn tends to resonate with couples who have a clear sense of what matters most to them. It is not designed for large guest lists or tightly choreographed timelines, but for those who value privacy, simplicity, and meaningful time spent with the people closest to them — all within a setting that feels quietly and unmistakably West Coast.

For these couples, the inn offers something increasingly hard to find: a wedding environment that feels peaceful, contained, and intentionally intimate. There are no crowds passing through, no shared spaces with unfamiliar faces, and no competing events unfolding nearby.

Instead, there is coastline stretching out in front of you, forest all around, and the freedom to celebrate at a pace that feels natural – unhurried, personal, and entirely your own.

More details? Click HERE!

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Wedding Venue Showcase: Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa

The Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa is an ideal getaway for a destination wedding in the world-renowned Gulf Islands. A spectacular oceanfront West Coast resort that is close to the major centers of Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle, yet a world away. We loved our trip, visiting where beach and oceanfront ceremonies are held and the dinner and reception settings. Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa aims to create a memorable wedding day for couples and guests in the West Coast setting.  True boutique wedding specialists with romantic elopements for two and elegant affairs for up to 100 guests (64 overnight guests).

If you are a couple looking for a property where you can hold events the day before and the day after, this is it. All of your guests can stay in Oceanfront comfort, and you can have the entire resort for the weekend. If you have any fishing enthusiasts among your guests, they will be over the moon! The walks along the ocean, the sunset views, and the local village vibe all add to a magical place to have your special day. It’s a complete Galiano Island resort experience! And pet-friendly – which is super important for those who wish to have their ‘kids’ with them.

A spectacular oceanfront West Coast resort that is close to the major centres of Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle, yet a world away!

There are two amazing oceanfront Wedding Ceremony spots, both with spectacular views.  A world-class restaurant for the reception with the ocean as your backdrop with room to dance the night away. The owners are very proud that they can offer some of the best cuisine on the West Coast with a great selection of BC Wines and craft beers. You can also have your reception outside on the oceanfront and move into the reception rooms as the night progresses. There are lots of options! We asked about the gazebo and the majestic tree in front of the beach – yes, also both popular spots!

 

The Galiano Inn Spa in the Gardens

Galiano Inn can also offer a first-class spa with massage, manicures, pedicures, facials, and an Eucalyptus Steam Room, all steps away from your room. The Madrona Del Mar Spa cottages are tucked into the beautiful garden area beside a babbling brook and fountain, which makes a massage here quite a relaxing and rejuvenating experience! The spa is the perfect way to get everyone relaxed and pretty for special events, and it takes a big ‘to do’ off your list. 

The Gardens at the Inn

We especially loved the Gardens at the Inn. The Flores Del Iris Gardens are rather famous, and guests are encouraged to wander through and enjoy the blend of wild and formal plantings. Galiano Inn works hard to be community-oriented and environmentally friendly. The Gardens are part of this effort, and you can often find local events taking place (International Women’s Day was being celebrated through local artists while we were visiting!). They also host the Kunamokst Mural, which most wedding couples pose in front of at some point! The Inn is a photographer’s paradise with beautiful gardens and beaches steps away from each other and waiting for those epic shots.

Fine Dining Along the Oceanfront

Galiano Inn is incredibly proud of its culinary offerings. Under its Executive Chef, the Atraveda Restaurant has become a peak experience for Pacific dining. They don’t shy away from dietary preferences or restrictions, so you can offer your guests diverse options to suit them without losing their authentic local tastes. The Chef will work with couples to create their menu and liquor pairings. 

Galiano Inn Wedding Guest Accommodations

The accommodations are excellent—we loved the views of the Ocean and the open-concept feel of full kitchen amenities. The suites have washers/dryers, a deck suited for summer and winter use, a large table and chairs for dining, a barbecue, a soaker tub, and a fireplace. We had the fireplace toasting us during our stay while we listened to the West Coast waves in the background—truly wonderful. Of course, there are other room types available for all your guests. Outside the Inn is a fun bakery for your sweet tooth and a bookstore filled with reading treasures. We think coming on the ferry as a foot passenger and leisurely taking the four-minute walk to the Inn is a fantastic travel option. The ferry ride is out of this world – weaving between the Gulf Islands and passing by boats. What a way to welcome your guests and begin creating special memories together!

Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa is a short ferry ride from Victoria, Sidney, or Vancouver. If you want to have your special event or wedding at Galiano Oceanfront Resort and Spa, visit their website and talk to their helpful Event Planner. They are full of advice, have all the vendors you need at their fingertips, and can’t wait to help you celebrate. 

If you are looking for a chill vibe, elegant oceanfront views, and intimate romantic memories, then Galiano Oceanfront Resort and Spa is the place for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is quietly nestled onto the ocean cliffs of Ucluelet – a perfect mix of nature and comfort. Weddings, elopements, and engagements are also part of the landscape! The Resort is on the west side of Vancouver Island, not far from famous Tofino surfing spots. Couples searching for the wildness of private beaches and forests can find all that and more. The natural scenery is showcased in a modern style. Practical matters are not forgotten as large suites, with full kitchens, are available for all your family and friends.

And ‘pet-friendly’ is probably too mild for the service your pets receive – more like a ‘pet lover’s’ venue! Dog biscuits greet canine guests at the front counter with lots of love. Plus, it’s a perfect storm of trails for doggy walks! And the wedding planners here are experts with pets, even providing a pet babysitting service.

Upon entering Black Rock Resort, the first impression is the fascinating modern architecture – an ocean inlet circles the main lobby. Stepping out onto the glass balcony, complete with a fire pit, is quite an awe-inspiring way to watch the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It is also the first glimpse of many ceremony spots within the resort. We were assured they would make your ceremony happen wherever your fancy strikes you in or around the property! Balconies, beaches, rocks, decks…all fair game.

The favorite spot at Black Rock for ceremonies, elopements, and private dinners is the Wine Cellar. As you step down the winding staircase (dramatic bridal entrance!), you are met with a glass wall looking out over the ocean inlet. Evening ceremonies filled with candlelight are the perfect fit for the West Coast décor in this venue space. You can wed on the balcony or just inside the glass wall. At approx 935 sq ft you can have up to 45 guests.

The Fetch Patio is set over the ocean cliffs and offers an open-air option for elopements or larger receptions. The iconic Black Rock Wedding shot is taken at the end of the Fetch Patio. After the ceremony, guests can enjoy a cocktail reception (and the view!) while mingling.

The 2000 sq ft Rainforest Ballroom is the more traditional choice for larger receptions and can hold up to 120 guests. You can have your ceremony anywhere on the property and then retire with your guests to this space to dance the night away. The room can also be split into the Hemlock and Sitka rooms. Black Rock Resort provides audio/visual, a portable bar, lighting, and a dance floor.

Gourmet cuisine is another perk to Black Rock – chefs are happy to plan your culinary event with guests in mind. West Coast ingredients and décor are showcased and add to the entire experience. Before and after your event, the resort offers a lovely little coffee shop in the lobby and two restaurants. Float Lounge is perfect for eating casually and knocking back cocktails while admiring the view. Fetch Restaurant offers gourmet cuisine, but be sure to reserve.

One thing you do not have to worry about is the planning of your special event. Black Rock Resort has extremely experienced wedding designers on hand. They know where to get anything you wish for and can put together whatever occasion you celebrate – including proposals! The resort averages three monthly proposals and hundreds of weddings, elopements, honeymoons, etc., every year.

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort has suites and accommodations to suit any grouping, but, more importantly, they have full kitchens in their suites. The view from the balconies is unparalleled. You can watch the sunrise while listening to the ocean waves or sip a glass of wine while watching the sunset. Really it doesn’t matter the time of day – it’s just a fantastic set of windows to look through. The suites are modern simplicity with fireplaces and bathrooms as large as most bedrooms. The rain shower in each suite is a work of art, honestly! On top of all this, the hot tubs and pool are on the edge of a cliff hanging over the ocean. You won’t soon forget the experience of sitting in a hot tub listening to the waves crash below. Not to be forgotten is the Drift Spa, which offers massages and facials using natural elements such as black rocks and seaweed flora.

Photographers get pretty excited when you book them to shoot your wedding, for good reason! The black rock photos with the sun setting behind them are an iconic moment for your gallery. Just be sure to have cliff-climbing-friendly footwear around to catch these moments.

PS – We loved this rundown of perfect spots around Ucluelet and the Resort! The resort will help you choose your naturally dramatic ceremony backdrop, help you book local wedding professionals, and inform you regarding legalities. Sites include Big Beach, Cedar Beach, Pacific Rim National Park, Wild Pacific Trail, and Amphitrite Point Lighthouse.

PPS – Be sure to go to the Specials tab on the website – great packages are available so you can experience your wedding or elopement ahead of time.

For personal help with anything to do with Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Events:

Call 250 726 4800 or e.mail at sales@blackrockresort.com

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Pacific Gateway Veranda Wedding Inspo…this beautiful intimate wedding includes a covered long table, outdoor ceremony and lounge. Gorgeous floral design, unique décor and colour all put together in this wonderful wedding tableau.

Ellssi Design & Rentals set about inspiring couples who are looking for an intimate wedding with a garden and water view. The Pacific Gateway Hotel in Vancouver has so many spaces to choose from for a wedding but this garden veranda has a perfect view. The long trestle table had white linens draping down and glass bubbles floating above the settings. The table setting featured gold charger plates, luxurious pink orchids of many hues and glass décor. Floral arrangements are also set along the top of the table frame so that they drape down along the edges adding to the sophistication.

The outdoor ceremony area is set up with wood chairs and a framed backdrop that draws in the trestle table theme. On the other side of the veranda we find a welcome burst of colour. Blossom pink lounge furniture and side tables await guests where they can sip on champagne and nibble on specialties. There is also room for the live entertainment that plays throughout the event — ceremony, reception and dance music.

This event inspiration is a perfect set up for the Covid wedding. Plenty of room for guests to socially distance and yet enjoy the wedding. Couples are able to have all the perks and beauty they might have imagined along with wonderful cuisine. This Pacific Gateway Veranda Wedding Inspiration is a perfect West Coast Wedding. 

PHOTOS: Diamonds Edge Photography | DESIGN: Ellssi Design & Rentals

VENUE: The Pacific Gateway Hotel 

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Poet’s Cove Wedding Romance of Alexandra and Michael! This celebration showcased the very best of this resort and marina on Pender Island. Friends and family were able to gather round the couple in this secluded and tranquil spot. We love that we first saw this wedding when searching for the perfect photo for Poet’s Cove to use in wedding advertising. It was not a hard decision once we saw the shot of these two kissing at the end of the pier with the beautiful boats and scenery behind!

The bride and groom had their ceremony and dancing out on the terrace with the view of the marina just beyond. The waterfall beside them was the perfect backdrop. They chose to have their reception in the Seaglass Ballroom which was filled with decor by the bride. The resort chefs wowed guests with a delicious BBQ Buffet and kept the glasses filled throughout the evening. (Did we mention the bride works at the Driftwood Brewery and was able to bring a few kegs for the special occasion – talk about connections!) The newlyweds and their guests danced under the sky and strings of cafe lights.

The real star of this show, besides the couple themselves, was the bridal gown! The Truvelle dress was just perfect for the sea side wedding. It featured a ballerina bodice attached to a voluminous white on white patterned skirt. The portrait was complete with the bouquet and flower crown of white blooms, delicate ferns and eucalyptus. The groom looked dashing in his blue suit and boutonniere.

The newlyweds had a wonderful photo session around the marina and resort including the forest area nearby. Their sense of fun imbues their romantic photos with flirting and laughter. We love that these two had a Poet’s Cove Wedding Romance and it’s an West Coast inspiration.

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Oak Bay Beach Hotel was the beautiful backdrop for Ricky & Hannah’s wedding . Their special day was blessed with an abundance of sunshine! Guests enjoyed incredible ocean views while Ricky and Hannah exchanged vows by a unique ceremony arch.  The floral display in the arch was rivaled only by the blue skies behind. 

We loved Hannah’s veil which was showcased in some wonderful photo moments! And the light pink bridesmaids gowns were the perfect foil to the white and pink hues in the floral bouquets. 

The reception was stunning with the head table in white ruched linens and an abundance of white lilies and roses joined by various shades of pink flowers. A unique arrangement along the bottom edge of the head table was a highlight of the evening. Guest enjoyed favors in blush crowned topped boxes and pink roses spilled out onto the tables. High above guests’ heads were stunning floral displays which were lighted up by endless candles and twinkle lights. 

A great tip to take from Ricky and Hannah’s wedding is the #hashtag sign. No need for guests to wonder what to hashtag photos and they were able to enjoy their guests’ photos later. 

You are invited to Oak Bay Beach Hotel – one of Victoria’s most beautiful venues! 

VENUE: Oak Bay Beach Hotel | PHOTOS: Jesse Holland Photography | DECOR, DESIGN, PLANNING and FLORAL: Decorate Victoria 

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Blue Skies and Ocean Views were the highlight of Amanda & Alex’s beautiful Pearson College Wedding. Their special day was filled with unique details, lovely floral and lots of family and friends! 

Amanda and Alex really rocked the first look with each other and continued to their outdoor ceremony overlooking the water. The blue skies could not have been more perfect! We loved the bride’s stylish gown with the sheer featured overlay and the adorable flower girls in pink hair wreaths. 

The reception also boasted spectacular views inside and out. Tablescapes held floral inside of gold prisms and matching table numbers. The seating plan is so unique and giveaways had pretty thank you stickers on succulents. Roses were showcased with plenty of gorgeous greenery. The dessert display had several floral covered cakes! 

The best part of this real wedding are the amazing photos of Amanda and Alex in all the natural landscape around them. Pearson College outdoes itself as the backdrop to this wedding! 

You are invited to this lovely inspirational west coast love story!

VENUE: Pearson College | PHOTOS: Pebble & Pine Photography | DESIGN/PLANNING: Borrowed and Blue Events | FLORAL: Bespoke Blossoms | DESSERT: Cake by Taryn 

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NAUTICAL BLUE BEAUTY perfectly describes this lovely wedding in a deep blue theme. The colours echo the Brentwood Bay Marina and the waters which inspire this editorial. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Tulle & Tweed Photography | PLANNING: Borrowed and Blue Events | WOMEN’S ATTIRE AND HAIRPIECE: Bliss Gowns | DECOR: Beauty Bride | PAPER SUITE: Faven Lettering + Design| FLORAL: Jennings the Florist | HAIR AND MAKEUP: Artistry by Alexa | JEWELRY: Melissa Caron | CAKES+DESSERTS: Cake by Taryn | VOWS, SIGN, CALLIGRAPHY : Decor By Nature | VENUE: Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa/Brentwood Bay Marina 

Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa sits along some of the most beautiful views on Vancouver Island. BORROWED AND BLUE EVENTS designed so as to reflect this and the boats which surround the resort. 

We love the gorgeous PAPER SUITE, signs and calligraphy but the piece de resistance is the sailboat on the guest table! The written vows on deep blue stationery are such a lovely touch. 

The NAUTICAL THEME inspired gorgeous white and deep blue details in the decor and floral. Candles galore, both tapered and votive, created a romantic glow over the tablescape. The geometric gold shapes surrounding some of the candles gave the table design a trendy structure without losing the traditional feel. 

The cake is a HIGHLY ORIGINAL water look and is topped with a white peony and dainty cascading floral. Jewelery, created by a British Columbia artisan, completes the romantic landscape!

The beauty in this NAUTICAL BLUE BEAUTY is absolutely the bride. Her natural look is perfect – and her gown, with the cut out back and endless buttons, is the epitome of grace and sophistication. 

You are invited to more beach wedding beauty on Anvil Island!

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