Category: British Columbia

If you’re looking for a place to elope in Vancouver that combines urban and natural settings, mountain views and beach views, greenery and water – plus a venue that’s not overly crowded or hard to get to – we think we’ve found it all for you at Trout Lake Park!

A Trout Lake Park elopement in Vancouver is perfect for couples who want a bit of everything and who want to get married in the heart of the city. The park offers stunning backdrops to your wedding photos, easy access via car or transit, and a fun neighbourhood to celebrate your elopement after the fact!

Keep reading to hear why we love Trout Lake Park elopements!

All about Trout Lake Park in Vancouver

Trout Lake Park is located in East Vancouver and acts as a hub for the neighbourhood. It’s home to Trout Lake Beach, Trout Lake Community Centre, playgrounds, sports fields, nature paths, off-leash dog parks, and more.

In the summer, expect to find lots of people out enjoying Trout Lake Park. Besides the usual offerings, the park has a weekend farmers market and hosts outdoor concerts in the summer. Summer’s end is marked with a lantern procession with fun for the whole family.

Trout Lake Park is also known as John Hendry Park, named after the founder of BC Mills, a major lumber company that opened in 1875.

Real weddings in Trout Lake Park: Mason & Hana

As Vancouver wedding officiants, we’ve had the pleasure of marrying a number of couples at Trout Lake. One elopement story we’d love to share with you is Mason and Hana’s!

Mason and Hana came to Vancouver from Minnesota to elope with us. They knew they wanted to get married in Vancouver, but they weren’t sure where. We suggested Trout Lake Park and it ended up being the perfect destination.

Hana and Mason wanted to have a bit of nature and some urban surroundings for their wedding photos. Trout Lake Park is the perfect mix of both!

Vancouver Wedding Officiant Jane and Emily (of Emily Nicole Photos) were thrilled to meet Mason and Hana at Trout Lake in East Vancouver. Complete with a lake, mountain views, a beach, willow trees, maple trees and an awesome modern building (the Trout Lake Community Center), Mason and Hana had all the options for their Vancouver elopement.

This funky and fun couple had a blast tying the knot with us! We even found local park-goers to stand in as their witnesses.

Why we love Trout Lake Park for a Vancouver elopement

If you’ve thought about eloping in a park in Vancouver, you might be thinking of Stanley Park. And while we love Stanley Park elopements, Vancouver is home to many other beautiful parks perfect for an elopement.

We especially love Trout Lake because of the diverse backdrops available to you. Whether you want to tie the knot on the beach, under the trees, against a cool concrete building or with the mountains behind you, you have all the options available at Trout Lake Park.

We also love Trout Lake because it’s not as crowded as Stanley Park. You’ll have an easier time finding parking and it’s better suited to small children and furry friends, if you’re bringing kids or dogs along to your Vancouver elopement.

What you need to know to plan your Trout Lake Park elopement

As per the City of Vancouver website, to hold your wedding in a park, you will need a park wedding ceremony permit. However, because Trout Lake Park is not one of the city’s designated outdoor wedding sites (as of March 2024), they instead require you to obtain a special events permit.

You can learn more about park wedding permits, including the list of designated wedding sites and permit fees, here.

Note that permits are not required to take wedding photos, as long as you’re not setting up any equipment. It’s also worth noting that not all couples choose to obtain permits for quick elopements.

More of our favourite elopement locations in Vancouver

While we love a Trout Lake Park elopement, there are tons of other places you can get married in Vancouver. Check out some more of our favourite elopement locations in the posts below and don’t forget to book your Intimate Elopement + Photography package with us!

• Real Weddings: Queen Elizabeth Park
• Real Weddings: VanDusen Botanical Garden
• Where to Elope in Vancouver: City Edition
• Where to Elope in Vancouver: Off the Beaten Path
• 31+ Rainy Day Elopement Locations in Vancouver

One of the most beautiful places in all of Canada to tie the knot is Vancouver Island. Home to picturesque coastlines, stunning hilltops, scenic wineries and, yes, even fairytale castles, it’s no wonder so many of our couples choose to get married in and around Victoria, BC.

We recently chatted with Young Hip & Married Officiant Melinda all about marrying couples on the Island. She was so passionate about Vancouver Island weddings that we had to invite Melinda back to share some of her favourite elopement locations around the Island.

Keep reading to learn why Melinda loves officiating for couples on Vancouver Island and her top Vancouver Island wedding locations! 

A very special thank you to Melinda for not only filling us in on her favourite spots but also providing photos! 

Why should couples get married on Vancouver Island?

Melinda: Vancouver Island is a stunning place to get married. There are endless options for wedding venues, including beaches, forests, gardens, resorts, and even castles.

What are some of your favourite Vancouver Island wedding locations?

Melinda: Vancouver Island has so many incredible places that will suit every kind of wedding adventure.

It’s always fun to see it through the eyes of people who don’t live here. They are always in awe of the beauty of the island. I’m so grateful to live and work in this magical place.

Melinda’s top recommendations for where to get married on Vancouver Island

1. Francis/King Regional Park (Saanich, BC)

The park features ancient trees up to 600 years old and is perfect for a magical forest elopement. There’s the lower part of Francis King Park where I actually officiated my first wedding under the “Miracle Tree.”

There’s also the upper part of Francis King Park with trails running through the forest. There’s a boardwalk, which makes this location more accessible for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

2. Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse (Saanichton, BC)

Sea Cider Farm is a great place for a wedding or elopement on Vancouver Island. They’ve got great staff, a beautiful forested venue for the ceremony, and a chic-rustic reception hall.

3. Horticultural Centre of the Pacific (Victoria, BC)

I love Horticultural Centre of the Pacific as a Victoria wedding venue because it has so many options!

There is a dedicated ceremony space overlooking a small lake, a classy west coast themed pavilion, and my personal favourite, the Japanese Garden.

Envision yourself getting married on the bridge in a lush fern grotto, with a flowing creek and gorgeous flowers all around you. It’s absolutely magical!

4. East Sooke Park: Aylard Farm and Iron Mine Bay (Sooke, BC)

East Sooke Park is the ultimate west coast experience, perfect for couples looking to elope on the beach. Two of my favourite spots in the park for elopements are Aylard Farm and Iron Mine Bay. Just remember to bring your hiking boots!

5. Cordova Bay Beach (Victoria, BC)

Cordova Bay Beach offers white sand, driftwood, and a stunning view of Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands. What more could you need from a Vancouver Island elopement spot?

6. Hatley Castle (Victoria, BC)

For the superhero movie fans, what could be better than getting married at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters or Lex Luthor’s lair? Both of those were shot at Hatley Castle in Victoria, BC.

Even if you’re not a superhero fan, Hatley Castle is still a magical place on the Island to get married and bring all of your fairytale visions to life.

More Victoria & Vancouver Island elopement inspiration

Looking for even more places to elope or get married on Vancouver Island? Check out these helpful posts!

• Learn more about our Vancouver Island Elopement & Photography Package
• Get to Know Victoria Elopement Photographer Jade!
• Where to Elope in Victoria (picks by Tulle & Tweed Photography)
• Where to Elope in Victoria (picks by Taylor Roades Photography)
• More of our favourite Vancouver Island elopement and wedding spots

Thanks again to Officiant Melinda for sharing her favourite Vancouver Island wedding and elopement locations with us!

If you’d like Melinda to officiate your wedding on the Island, you can learn more about her here. You can also check out our ceremony packages and get in touch to book yours today!

With over a year of weddings under her belt, we thought it was about time you met our fantastic Vancouver Island wedding officiant, Melinda Orlowski!

Melinda is a ray of sunshine, bringing so much care and positivity to her couples and to the rest of the team here at Young Hip & Married. She also has an eye for spotting some of the best wedding locations on Vancouver Island, which she’ll be sharing with us in a future blog post!

Read on to learn all about Melinda, what she loves most about officiating and what you need to know about choosing your wedding vendors!

Please introduce yourself, Melinda! Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Melinda Orlowski, and I am an ordained minister, wedding officiant, life celebrant and metaphysical practitioner.

How long have you been officiating weddings?

I was ordained through the University of Sedona in July 2022, and I officiated my first wedding in October 2022. It’s the happiest job ever!

When you’re not busy with weddings, how do you love to spend your time?

My partner Bill and I find our spirituality in nature and spend most of our leisure time foraging for wild food and hiking with two very active border collies.

In 2020, I was incredibly fortunate to connect with my biological family through Ancestry(dot)com. After a lifetime apart, we have been getting to know each other better. My sister has become my travel buddy.

As a former chef, I enjoy cooking and baking for my friends and family. And as a certified special events manager, I have a passion for planning special events.

I’m also a bit of a SJW (Social Justice Warrior), advocating for those who don’t have a voice. And I LOVE meditation. I try to meditate every day to stay grounded. I have a peaceful, happy life.

What is the best part about officiating weddings? The most challenging part?

The best part about officiating, aside from the wonderful couples I get to meet, is the authentic displays of emotion during the wedding… like when the couple sees each other for the first time, or when they recite their vows. Happy tears are my favourite emotion!

The most challenging elements of officiating are: (1) travel; and (2) hoping the couple remembers everything they are responsible for.

For one wedding, a wildfire shut down the road to Tofino, so it was a last minute scramble to travel to Whistler to marry my couple.

Another couple forgot to write their vows and asked me to make something up on the spot – that was a bit unnerving!

You definitely need to be adaptable in the wedding industry.

Share a wedding story! What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve ever officiated?

The most memorable wedding I’ve ever officiated was a surprise wedding at a tattoo shop. The couple had been together for 15 years. The bride had asked her fiance how he wanted to celebrate their anniversary, and he said, “Why don’t we get married?” To which she responded, “We don’t have time for that!”

Well, the groom sprung into action and conspired with the bride’s family, their friends, the owner of the tattoo shop and Young Hip & Married to arrange a secret surprise wedding. I was initially hesitant to officiate a wedding where one person didn’t even know they were getting married, but after a long discussion with the groom and lots of reassurance that she would say yes, we started planning.

When the couple arrived at the tattoo shop on the big day, all of their friends and family were there to greet them. We told the bride what her fiance had planned and she was SO THRILLED that he had gone through all that effort to surprise her. I made sure she was not being coerced into getting married, and when she said “Let’s do it,” the ceremony began. It was so much fun!

When meeting with a couple, what’s the first question you like to ask them?

The first question I like to ask a couple is, “Tell me your love story – how did you meet, when did you know they were the one, and how did the proposal go?” I find most couples LOVE to talk about how they met, and as a wedding officiant, it gives me really good insight into the couple’s dynamics.

What is the best compliment a couple or wedding guest has ever given you?

So many wonderful moments… it’s hard to pick just one.

It was probably after officiating my first wedding. One family member said, “You did a beautiful job, that was such a nice ceremony. They are usually so boring and stiff.” I said “Pretty good for my first wedding, hey?” They were shocked and said, “Wow, you would never know!” That gave me a great confidence boost.

Then there was my Pender Bender couple, as I call them (they got married on Pender Island). Such lovely, gracious, beautiful people… the entire weekend felt like a big warm hug, and they followed up with one of the kindest reviews I’ve received so far. I even got a referral from them to another couple that I will be marrying soon!

If you had one piece of advice for couples looking for a Vancouver Island wedding officiant, what would it be?

When looking for a wedding officiant, find someone who is compatible with your own values, and make sure you really click. Your officiant is playing a part in one of the biggest days of your life, and everyone will have a better experience if they trust and connect with their officiant.

Have that interview – meet, discuss the vision for your wedding, and get to know each other so you feel comfortable. It’s all about the chemistry.

Who is your dream couple that you’d like to officiate for?

As a BC girl, I’d love to re-marry Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. They are such fun, down to earth, kind people who are truly in love with each other. And Ryan is such a great Canadian icon. (Hey Ryan and Blake, if you want a vow renewal, hit me up!)

What is your dream ceremony setting?

Taking a helicopter up to the top of a glacier would be pretty cool!

Fun fact: I was once a witness for a helicopter wedding in the Grand Canyon, and that was very impressive.

Any other wedding dreams?

I would LOVE to do a Halloween-themed wedding, and I’m always up for a good wedding conspiracy to surprise family and friends. (I’ve done a few surprise weddings to date, and they have all been a blast!)

What song always gets you on the dance floor at weddings?

Sweet Caroline – a great one for all ages!

Thanks so much to Melinda for taking part in our officiant interview series. You can learn more about Melinda here and meet the rest of our Vancouver Island officiant team, plus check out all of our wedding packages.

Ready to get married on Vancouver Island? Get in touch to book your wedding officiant today!  

We’re back with a new edition of our Real Weddings series. This time we’re featuring Bloedel Conservatory weddings – where you can get married in a lush tropical garden in the middle of Vancouver without worrying about the weather!

Bloedel Conservatory is located within Queen Elizabeth Park – check out more real weddings at Queen Elizabeth Park here – and at the highest point in Vancouver. That means you’ll have beautiful views both inside and outside the conservatory.

This is definitely one of the most unique wedding venues in Vancouver, perfect for all the plant parents out there. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about getting married at Bloedel Conservatory, plus see photos from real Bloedel weddings!

All about Bloedel Conservatory

Bloedel Conservatory is a glass dome tropical paradise home to over 100 exotic free-flying birds and over 500 plants and flowers. It’s the ultimate greenhouse filled with vibrant and lush wildlife. Despite being located centrally in Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park, walking into Bloedel feels like you’ve stepped into a rainforest.

Visitors to Bloedel Conservatory can spend time admiring the plants and getting to know the resident birds as they walk along the paths inside the dome. Explore tropical rainforest habitats, engage your senses in the healing garden, track wildlife with a bird guide, and end your visit with a stroll through the gift shop.

Bloedel is accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and strollers. They also offer sensory support kits for visitors with sensory issues.

Fun fact: Bloedel Conservatory is the first BC Hydro Clean Energy Champion in the province thanks to their energy efficient upgrades, including a hydroelectric heat pump and LED lights, that helped to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90%!

Why get married at Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver?

As you can tell from the photos throughout this post, Bloedel Conservatory is a beautiful place to get married in Vancouver! If you’re a plant lover, bird watcher or rainforest enthusiast, there’s no better spot to tie the knot. And even if you don’t have a green thumb, you have to admit that tropical foliage makes for a pretty epic ceremony background.

Because Bloedel is a glass-domed building, you never have to worry about the weather on your wedding day. We love that you can get the outdoor, natural look while actually being indoors. And because the dome is temperature controlled – mainly warm and humid to support its plant life – you also won’t need to worry about being cold or having to hide your wedding look with a coat.

Another great reason to get married at Bloedel Conservatory is for its accessibility. If you, your partner or one of your guests require wheelchair-accessible spaces, Bloedel is a great option. Unlike many natural areas with uneven terrain or steps, Bloedel allows you to have the natural look in a place everyone can get to.

After a ceremony at Bloedel Conservatory, you could wander through Queen Elizabeth Park to take more wedding photos. You could also hold your wedding reception or book a romantic dinner at Seasons in the Park, just next door to Bloedel.

What you need to know to plan your Bloedel Conservatory wedding

First things first: Bloedel Conservatory is home to hundreds of birds so if you’re afraid of birds, this probably isn’t the wedding venue for you. In fact, it’s not uncommon to have Bloedel’s birds squawking along throughout your ceremony, so you’ll need to decide if that would bother you or not.

Bloedel Conservatory is only available for weddings outside of opening hours in the morning (7:45-9:45am) or in the afternoon/evening (times vary by season). The plus to this is that you get the whole conservatory to yourself and aren’t sharing it with the public. The con is that the time slots may be a little inconvenient (not everyone wants to tie the knot before sunrise!).

These are the current fees and time slots for a Bloedel Conservatory wedding:

Your Bloedel wedding package includes: two hours of exclusive use, a liaison, admission for up to 50 people, a signing table and chair, and power access upon request. Note that the conservatory is only available for wedding ceremonies and/or photos but not wedding receptions. For more information and rental details, visit Bloedel’s website.

Once you’re ready to book your Bloedel wedding ceremony, you can make a rental inquiry here.

Real weddings at Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver

Check out some real Bloedel Conservatory weddings as officiated by our team at Young Hip & Married! All of the couples below chose our Elopement + Photography package which is a great fit if you’re looking for a wedding officiant and wedding photographer.

Daniela & Peter’s intimate elopement at Bloedel Conservatory

Despite pandemic measures at the time (March 2021), Daniela and Peter were able to have a safe, intimate and beautiful elopement at Bloedel Conservatory. After their ceremony, they took some more outdoor photos around Queen Elizabeth Park with Emily Nicole Photos.

Deanna & Brian’s Bloedel Conservatory wedding with photography

Deanna and Brian tied the knot in May of 2023 with Officiant Shalom, Nassim of Breezy Photography and a few close friends. They loved their experience and left us this fabulous review:

“Shalom made the whole process easy and simple and gave us advice on what we needed to do leading up to our ceremony. Day of, she was amazing and sweet to work with and helped us figure out what were were doing! I love that we got paired with our photographer, Nassim, as well who gave us some amazing photos of our special day.

I 100% believe and will vouch that using Young Hip and Married is worth the price and would recommend their packages to anyone who is looking for wedding vendors.”

Samantha & Garret’s Bloedel Conservatory wedding ceremony

In October 2023, Samantha and Garret tied the knot in a beautiful pop up wedding at Bloedel Conservatory. They wanted a small wedding where they could add their own personal touches and celebrate their way. Their day was captured by Erica Miller Photography.

Is a Bloedel Conservatory wedding right for you? We think this is such a unique spot in the city of Vancouver and a beautiful place to celebrate your love no matter the weather outside.

Once you’ve booked Bloedel for your wedding ceremony, you’ll need a wedding officiant! Get to know our Vancouver officiant team and check out our Intimate Elopement + Photography package, perfect for weddings at Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park!

Want to get married in a lush park in the middle of the city with some of the best views in Vancouver? Then you might be planning a Queen Elizabeth Park wedding!

Queen Elizabeth Park is one of our favourite places to officiate weddings in Vancouver. We’ve married couples here in every season and weather condition, in ceremonies large or small, indoor or outdoor. Queen E has it all!

Below we’re sharing some more info so you can plan your own Queen Elizabeth Park wedding. Plus, we’re sharing photos and details from real weddings that took place at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Welcome to Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver

Queen Elizabeth Park is one of Vancouver’s most beautiful and beloved city parks. It’s also the highest point in the city, meaning there are stunning viewpoints – perfect for wedding photos!

At 52 hectares, Queen Elizabeth Park offers something for everyone. You can walk the lush green paths, check out exotic trees and birds at Bloedel Conservatory, play a game of tennis or pitch and putt, or sit down for dinner at Seasons in the Park.

Why get married at Queen Elizabeth Park?

Vancouver’s QE Park is a great option for weddings and elopements in the city. It’s central and easy to drive or take transit to; there are paid parking lots throughout the park.

The park offers a number of indoor and outdoor areas for your nuptials, as well as one of our favourite outdoor but covered spots for a rainy day elopement! Everywhere you look in the park is beautiful, so you’ll be spoiled for choice of where to take your wedding photos.

Queen Elizabeth Park also offers wedding and elopement options for all budgets. From renting out pavilions, conservatories and restaurants to free wedding photo sessions, you’ll find something that works for you at the park.

Everything you need to know about Queen Elizabeth Park weddings

There are a number of options for where to get married in Queen Elizabeth Park. We’ll walk you through them:

Getting married outdoors at Queen Elizabeth Park

To get married at an outdoor City of Vancouver park, you’re asked to obtain a park wedding ceremony permit for one of ten designated outdoor wedding sites (Queen Elizabeth Park is one of them). You can browse the sites here.

Permits require a wedding application fee ($51.50) and a permit fee of $110-497 depending on how long you need the space for, how many guests are attending your wedding or elopement, and the amount of decor and number of chairs you’ll be setting up. You can learn more about permits here.

Note that permits are not required to take wedding photos, as long as you’re not setting up any equipment. It’s also worth noting that not all couples choose to obtain permits for quick elopements.

Getting married at Bloedel Conservatory

Bloedel Conservatory is described as a “domed lush paradise” at the peak of QE Park. It’s home to over 100 exotic birds and 500 exotic plants and flowers. And being indoors, it’s a great way to have a natural backdrop for your wedding without worrying about the elements.

We’ll be doing a separate Real Weddings in Vancouver series on Bloedel Conservatory, as we have lots of photos and information to share about this wedding venue. So stay tuned!

Getting married at Seasons in the Park

Seasons in the Park is Queen Elizabeth Park’s on-site restaurant offering luxury dining and stunning views. You can also rent out Seasons for private events, including wedding ceremonies and receptions.

There are four different spaces you can rent at Seasons in the Park for your wedding: the Main Dining Room (130 person capacity), the Skyline Room (70-90 person capacity), the Garden Vista (40-60 person capacity) and the Summit Room (50-60 person capacity). You can learn more about booking private events at Seasons here.

Getting married at the Queen Elizabeth Park Celebration Pavilion

There’s also the option to hold your wedding at Queen Elizabeth Park Celebration Pavilion, a covered pavilion that opens onto a private garden and patio. This venue includes more services than a simple outdoor wedding at the park, like an event liaison, speaker system, chair set up, getting ready space and wedding rehearsal.

Rates for the pavilion depend on the time of year, length of your wedding and time of day; rates start at $2130 + GST. The pavilion capacity is 100 people for a wedding ceremony and 48-65 for a reception. For more details about booking the pavilion, click here.

Wedding inspiration: Check out real weddings at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver

Now that you know all about getting married at Queen Elizabeth Park, it’s time to check out some real weddings!

Anna and Nikko’s ceremony at Queen Elizabeth Park Celebration Pavilion & reception at Seasons in the Park

Anna and Nikko tied the knot at Queen Elizabeth Park with Officiant Jane this fall. They were married in the Queen Elizabeth Park Celebration Pavilion and even did their first dance on stage after their ceremony!

They followed that up with a fun stuffed toy toss in the private garden area and a reception at Seasons in the Park. Their reception included wedding toasts, the shoe game, cake cutting and an epic lion dance!

Photos above by The Eunice & Co.

Kristie and Jo-Ann’s outdoor summer Queen Elizabeth Park wedding

Kristie and Jo-Ann planned their perfect QE Park elopement with an outdoor summer wedding. Their ceremony was officiated by Young Hip & Married’s Wade and photographed by John Bello Photography.

We love the secluded ceremony space they used, their personal vows and cool wedding style!

Annie and Nick’s fall elopement at QE Park

While Queen Elizabeth Park is beautiful in the spring and summer, it’s also a stunning wedding venue in the fall! We love how Annie and Nick made the most of the park’s fall foliage during their elopement with Officiant Jane and photographed by Erica Miller Photography.

They also made use of one of our favourite spots in QE Park if you’re looking for a little rain cover. We call it the bus stop!

Jayme and Mike’s wedding by the Queen Elizabeth Park’s Love Locks Statues

Jayme and Mike showed off some of the cool structures around Queen Elizabeth Park for their winter/spring elopement with Officiant Rhona and photographed by Erica Miller Photography. They added their own love lock to the park’s famous Love Locks Statues.

Plus we love how Mike and Jayme brought their own unique style to their wedding day – how awesome are their outfits?

Nicole and Cameron’s family wedding at QE Park under rain cover

Nicole and Cameron decided to make their Queen Elizabeth Park wedding a family affair! We love when our couples invite their kids, parents, close loved ones and even furry friends to be a part of their intimate elopements.

Jane officiated for Nicole and Cameron, with photos by Amber Leigh Photography. They took advantage of our favourite outdoor covered area and the beautiful scenery in the park’s gardens.

Ready to get married at QE Park? Plan your perfect Vancouver park wedding!

We hope this post has inspired you to plan your own Queen Elizabeth Park wedding. As you can see, the park is a gorgeous place to get married in the middle of Vancouver any season, any weather and any budget. There really is something for everyone at the Queen E!

Reach out to Queen Elizabeth Park for more information about booking your wedding at the park. And don’t forget to book your favourite Vancouver wedding officiant for the big day: Meet our team of Vancouver officiants and check out our ceremony packages!

Need more inspiration? Check out our other real weddings in Vancouver: 

• Real Weddings: VanDusen Botanical Garden Weddings
• Real Weddings: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Weddings & Elopements
• Real Weddings: Stanley Park Weddings

Calling all plant parents! If you’re interested in having a botanical garden wedding with Mother Nature providing the perfect backdrop to your vows, have we got the spot for you. Nestled in the heart of Vancouver, VanDusen Botanical Garden is a nature lover’s paradise and an enchanting place to have an outdoor or indoor wedding.

As an officiant team that has been marrying couples in Vancouver for over a decade, we’ve been lucky enough to officiate dozens of weddings at VanDusen. Each botanical garden wedding totally blows us away and reminds us of this natural gem we have in the middle of the city.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to host your special day at a botanical garden, plus check out photos from real weddings at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, BC!

What is VanDusen Botanical Garden?

VanDusen Garden was started by the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) who formed in 1966 to lobby for the creation of the garden to promote public engagement in biodiversity. VanDusen Botanical Garden was opened in 1975 in the heart of Vancouver and is jointly run by the VBGA and City of Vancouver Park Board. They also operate Bloedel Conservatory nearby.

Today, VanDusen is a stunning 55 acre wonderland for the whole family to engage in our natural world. In addition to beautiful garden paths and plants to view, visitors can try their luck in the maze, go on a guided tour, visit the food and gift shops on site, or learn more at one of the educational activities on offer. There are also seasonal events at the garden, like the famous Festival of Lights every winter.

Why have your wedding at a botanical garden?

A botanical garden wedding sets the scene for a beautiful wedding day – no extra decor required! For couples looking to get married in a stunning outdoor oasis, there really is nothing better than a botanical garden.

Guests will be wowed by the backdrop to your nuptials and excited to wander around the garden during your cocktail hour or reception. With a botanical garden wedding venue, you’re giving your guests both something beautiful to look at and a place to explore. The garden also offers lots of beautiful places to take your wedding photos.

A botanical garden wedding would be a no-brainer for any plant loving couples. What better way to honour your green thumb than to get married in the middle of a gorgeous garden?

Everything you need to know about VanDusen Botanical Garden weddings

VanDusen Botanical Garden hosts both indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions. You can also inquire through their organization for weddings at Bloedel Conservatory. Please visit this page and reach out to vandusenrentals@vancouver.ca to inquire about availability.

Outdoor rentals at VanDusen are available from May to October each year. There are three locations to choose from: The Great Lawn (200 person capacity), Heron Lake (120 person capacity) or Meadow Pond (30 person capacity). If you’d like to add an indoor hall reception to your outdoor booking, you can do so at a discounted rate.

For more information about booking, payment, staffing and rehearsals, please visit the Park Board page for outdoor events at VanDusen.

If you’d prefer to hold your wedding indoors, VanDusen has three beautiful indoor spaces with garden views that you can book. You can also include garden access for you and your guests in your booking. Their indoor locations include the Visitor Centre (30-180 person capacity depending on which rooms are used), Flora Hall (70-135 person capacity) and Cedar Room (20-50 person capacity). For more info on indoor events, visit this page.

Check out real weddings at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver!

We’ve had the pleasure of officiating a number of weddings at VanDusen Botanical Garden over the years and can confidently say it’s one of the most beautiful outdoor wedding venues in Vancouver. Check out some of our past couples tying the knot at VanDusen below:

VanDusen Botanical Garden wedding & Shaughnessy Restaurant ceremony

In addition to the beautiful outdoor and indoor venues at the garden, Shaughnessy Restaurant is an on-site dining location that also doubles as a wedding venue. Check out Ellie and Alan’s wedding ceremony at Shaughnessy with Officiant Jane and photos throughout the botanical garden captured by Lumina Weddings!

VanDusen Garden elopement

Doina and Valia chose something a little smaller for their botanical garden wedding – an elopement! Officiated by Young Hip & Married’s Vancouver officiant Lauren and photographed by John Bello, their day was a stunner!

Botanical garden wedding at VanDusen Meadow Pond

For Sabine and Miles’ special day, they decided on an intimate garden wedding at VanDusen’s Meadow Pond outdoor location. Their wedding was officiated by Shawn Miller and photographed by Erica Miller – our dynamic husband and wife wedding vendor team!

VanDusen Garden autumn wedding

Jennifer & Maria decided to get hitched on a beautiful fall day in VanDusen Garden. We love seeing the garden at a different time of year! Their nuptials were officiated by our Vancouver officiant Beth and photographed by Erica Miller Photography.

Ready to get married at VanDusen? Plan your perfect botanical garden wedding!

We hope this post inspired you to start planning your perfect garden wedding. No matter what is blooming, you’re guaranteed to have a beautiful backdrop for your I do’s at VanDusen. Reach out to VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver to learn more about hosting your wedding at the garden!

And once you have your venue set, it’s time to plan your ceremony. Check out our ceremony packages and meet our team of Vancouver officiants! 

Looking for a beautiful place to get married in the heart of Vancouver that feels a million worlds away? Check out Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden! A wedding or elopement in Vancouver’s Chinese Garden could be the perfect option for your big day. Learn all about getting married at the Garden below and check out photos from real weddings at the Sun Yat-Sen Gardens!

What is Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden?

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is one of Vancouver’s top tourist sites offering guided tours, concerts, festivals, educational programs and, of course, beautiful gardens to walk through right in the heart of the city. The Garden features a Ming Dynasty style garden home, which you’ll see prominently featured in the real weddings below.

The Garden is actually two spaces, the Sun Yat-Sen Park, which is free to enter and managed by the City of Vancouver, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, which requires an admission fee. Weddings and elopements are booked through the Garden (details below).

Where is the Garden located?

Vancouver’s Chinese Garden is located in the city’s historic Chinatown. It is easily accessible by transit and an easy drive or ride from Downtown Vancouver. The Garden is located here.

How do I book Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for a wedding?

The Garden offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for elopements and weddings of all sizes. They also offer rentals if you’d prefer to just do a wedding photoshoot or tea ceremony. Because Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is a registered non-profit, all rental revenue goes towards their mission of connecting cultures and communities.

Wedding spaces at the Garden include the Jade Water Pavilion, an outdoor covered pavilion perfect for up to 20 guests, Scholar’s Study and Courtyard, a hidden oasis for up to 50 guests, and the Hall of One Hundred Rivers, a 1300 square foot hall featuring local art. There are also small areas throughout the Garden that work best for elopements with less than 10 guests.

To book your wedding at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, check out their interior and exterior rental space options here and reach out to events@vancouverchinesegarden.com for more information and current pricing.

Check out real weddings at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Below we’re featuring a few real weddings that took place at Vancouver’s Chinese Garden, featuring our very own Young Hip & Married couples.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden elopement

Up first is Michael and Alyssa who were married in July 2023 by Officiant Erika in one of the Garden’s small elopement spaces. Photos below by John Bello Photography.

Vancouver Chinese Garden international elopement

Michel and Teresa were married by Officiant Jane at Sun Yat-Sen Gardens in June 2019, with photos captured by Clint Bargen Photography. This international couple, with heritage from China, France, Quebec and Thailand, were looking for a non-traditional wedding space, which they found at the Garden!

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden wedding with Young Hip & Married

In August 2022, Julia and Jeffrey hosted their wedding at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens with Officiant Shawn and Kathryn McLaren Photography. They did a first look in one of the Garden’s pavilions, said their vows in a beautiful courtyard, and even had their wedding rings inside a pokeball!

Intimate elopement at Sun Yat-Sen Gardens

In spring 2023, Amelia and Chris tied the knot with Officiant Erika and Breezy Photography. It was a beautiful day at the Dr Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden and these newlyweds had a great time showing off all the best corners of the Garden.

Ready to book your Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden wedding or elopement? Click here to learn more about their rental spaces and don’t forget to book your wedding officiant. With lots of experience marrying couples at the Garden, we’d love to help make things official for your special day!

Looking for a stress-free, iconic and beautiful way to get married that also shows off your love for your city? Then a Vancouver City Hall wedding may be right for you! After marrying thousands of couples across Vancouver and dozens at City Hall, we’d love to help you tie the knot in the heart of Vancouver.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about getting married at Vancouver City Hall! 

Please note: The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of Oct 2023. Please consult the City of Vancouver’s official website for the most up to date information. 

Heads up: Getting married at Vancouver City Hall isn’t like in the movies!

Getting married at Vancouver City Hall might be different than what you think a typical City Hall wedding entails. In the movies, and in other jurisdictions around the world, a couple can walk into City Hall on a whim and just get married by any city official. This is often seen as the quickest, easiest and least formal way to get married. “We’ll just go down to City Hall and get hitched!”

In Vancouver, and in most of Canada, this isn’t how it works. In BC, marriage licenses are handled provincially, so city staff and officials working at City Hall can’t marry you. You also can’t waltz in whenever you feel like it; weddings at Vancouver City Hall must be booked ahead of time and often book out months in advance.

Essentially, think of a Vancouver City Hall wedding like booking any other wedding venue. You’re booking the space and working with an experienced, efficient team who are very organized in running weddings. However, like with any venue, you’ll need to bring in your own vendors, including your own officiant, and book in advance.

What do you need to have a Vancouver City Hall wedding?

In order to get married at Vancouver City Hall through their Council Chamber micro-wedding package you’ll need to:

• Book your date and pay the fee
• Obtain your marriage licence
• Hire a wedding officiant and any other vendors, like a photographer
• Invite at least two guests to serve as witnesses (more on guest counts below)

Young Hip & Married’s Intimate Elopement + Photography package works perfectly for Vancouver City Hall weddings. In this package, you’ll have a short and sweet elopement ceremony conducted by a licensed wedding officiant and a photographer to capture all of the special moments before, during and after your City Hall wedding.

What happens during a Vancouver City Hall wedding?

A wedding at Vancouver City Hall takes place in the Council Chamber. The couple and wedding officiant will stand in the centre of the chamber while guests can sit in the semi-circle seats around them. Each couple is given a 30 minute time slot for their ceremony, which often leaves extra time for photos and signing the marriage licence.

Once the ceremony is over, couples can ring the ceremonial bell over the chamber doors to mark the occasion. Many couples then continue taking wedding photos inside and outside the building.

How much does it cost to get married at Vancouver City Hall?

To get married at Vancouver City Hall costs $275+GST for up to 10 people on Thursday dates or $550+GST for up to 20 people on Friday dates. Please note that these costs are current for 2023 weddings; reference the City of Vancouver website for up to date costs and inclusions.

This cost includes a 30 minute time slot in the Vancouver City Hall Council Chamber for you, your guests and your vendors to conduct your ceremony. Only ceremonies are permitted, no receptions, and you are not allowed to have any food or drinks besides water. City Hall is also a scent-free premises, so skip the perfume and cologne!

Importantly, the City Hall fee does not include any of your vendors, such as your wedding officiant or photographer, and it does not include your marriage licence. You will need to pay for these things separately and in addition to the City Hall venue fee.

How many guests can you have at a City Hall wedding in Vancouver?

Vancouver City Hall offers two packages for their Council Chamber micro-weddings: up to 10 attendees on Thursday slots and up to 20 attendees on Friday slots. Note: This number includes the couple getting married and any wedding vendors. So instead of counting guests, you’ll need to count the number of people in the room.

At a minimum, you will need five people in the room to be legally married: the couple (2), the wedding officiant (1) and the witnesses (2). For a Thursday wedding, you can invite 5 more guests (or 4 if you want to hire a photographer). And for a Friday wedding, you can invite 15 more guests (or 14 if you want to hire a photographer).

If you’d like to share your Vancouver City Hall wedding with more people, wifi is available in the Council Chamber and you’re encouraged to share your celebration virtually. Who doesn’t love a virtual Zoom wedding?

Can you decorate the space at City Hall?

Yes, you are able to decorate the Council Chamber at Vancouver City Hall for your wedding, but there are some rules you’ll need to follow!

1. You must provide your own decor. City Hall won’t be putting a floral arch together for you.
2. You must be able to pack in, set up, tear down and pack out all of your decor during your 30 minute slot. You won’t have access to the space early to decorate and you can’t stay beyond your 30 minutes to clean up.
3. All decor must be zero-waste. City Hall stipulates that this also means “vases for flower bouquets may not contain any water.”
4. You cannot affix your decor to the space in anyway. No tape, tacks, nails or anything else. Your decor, just like the proverbial cheese, must stand alone.
5. You are not permitted to have balloons, bubbles, confetti or rice inside or outside City Hall.

Given the strict rules and limited time, we suggest you stick to pretty basic decor, if you bring any decor at all. The Council Chamber room has a very distinct look that would be difficult to cover with decor, given the rules above. Instead, we encourage you to embrace the look!

Remember, you can always take wedding photos against a different backdrop before or after your Vancouver City Hall wedding.

Where should you take wedding photos at Vancouver City Hall?

As you can see by scrolling through this post, there is no shortage of beautiful places to take photos in and around Vancouver City Hall!

Your ceremony photos will take place in the ceremony space, the Council Chamber. After that you can take photos in the building, as well as around the striking exterior and in the City Hall Garden, giving you a perfect mix of urban concrete and lush greenery.

Keep in mind that spaces around City Hall are not exclusive, meaning you’ll have to share them with others and they can’t be reserved for your wedding photography. Also keep in mind that City Hall is a busy workplace, so while you can snap a few photos on your way out, it wouldn’t be appropriate to plan a full photoshoot inside the building.

Many of our elopement couples will continue onto a secondary location for more photos, such as to a nearby beach or park. Our photographers would be happy to work with you to decide on a location so you can get the elopement photos you’re looking for!

What Vancouver City Hall wedding dates are available?

Vancouver City Hall makes select Thursday and Friday morning and afternoon time slots available for weddings. In 2023, there were 1-4 dates available per month. As of the time of writing, there are no dates left for this year.

To find out about 2024 City Hall wedding availability, you can subscribe at the bottom of this webpage for updates.

Is there parking at Vancouver City Hall?

Yes, there is parking available for your Vancouver City Hall wedding. Free parking is available for two wedding cars and one officiant car during your ceremony in a designated area.

Note: You will need to move your car after your ceremony time if you want to stick around City Hall for photos. Otherwise, there is paid parking available on the streets around City Hall for you and your guests.

What is City Hall’s cancellation and refund policy for weddings?

Vancouver City Hall’s cancellation and refund policy for weddings is as follows, “You may reschedule if you contact us at least 60 days prior, and if a new time is available within four months of the original date. No refunds.”

Keep in mind that you’ll also need to work with the cancellation and refund policy of your other vendors, such as your wedding officiant and photographer, if you need to change or cancel your elopement. You can check out Young Hip & Married’s refund, cancellation and change policy for elopements here.

Book your Vancouver City Hall wedding today!

Ready to book your Vancouver City Hall wedding? Click here to book your City Hall wedding time slot! For more information, check out the city’s wedding webpage.

And don’t forget to book your wedding officiant and photographer too! Young Hip & Married would love to help you tie the knot at Vancouver City Hall where we can celebrate your love for each other and your love for your city. Learn more about our Intimate Elopement + Photography package here!