A Victoria Wedding
Planning a wedding in Victoria starts the same as planning any where else. It is often helpful to find a resource that has discussion forms, weddings tools with check lists, Articles and a business directory. We suggest you try Weddings West; it has all of these resources and more.
With the mildest climate in Canada, the most annual sunshine in BC, and flowers year round, Victoria is aptly known as the "Garden City". Victoria and Area includes the coastal communities of Sidney to the north-east, Oak Bay to the east through to Sooke via the 5 Western Communities all combining miles and miles of ocean views and beach access. This directory also includes the City of Duncan only a 45 minute highway drive away. This scenic route over The Malahat takes you past the historic and increasing popular communities of Shawnigan Lake and Cobble Hill.
The Victoria area is situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and is surrounded by the sea on 3 sides. Every community along this coast from Sidney to Sooke have oceanfront parks as well as accommodation, ceremony and reception locations which capitalize on the romantic, sensual and spiritual aspects of the sea. Rocky sea-side outcroppings with overhanging arbutus trees are a photographic heaven and easily accessible to all. These rocky shores give way to hills of evergreens and old rainforests. The locals are dedicated to preserving natural park areas and many parks abide with twisty trails in the shade of forest where rivers and lakes sparkle. The beautiful green of moss covered rocks will look captivating in a photo but the experience of the ancient silence of these forests will whisper to your souls.
Victoria offers year round adventures for everyone: whale watching, sailing, eco-tours, salmon fishing, mountain biking, golfing, rollerblading, and beach combing. .
The gateway to this paradise is Sidney-by-the-Sea , the closest community to the International Airport, BC Ferries to the Gulf Islands and Vancouver BC, as well as the ferry from San Juan Islands and Anacortes, WA. Another 20 minutes gets you to Victoria by highway or an hour or more by twisting back roads past villages, pastures and road-side stands of the agricultural communities of Saanich.
From the traditional "English" charm of Oak Bay, to the around the clock bustling streets of downtown Victoria, to the eclectic variety of places to shop, eat, visit and sleep, there is truly something for everyone here.
An attractive and clean city Victoria is as picturesque as them come. Victoria's British colonial history and Native culture is evident throughout the city in the form of heritage buildings and totem poles. The Inner Harbour of this "sophisticated seaside city" is home to the BC Parliament Buildings, the Causeway (where many local artisans entertain), and several grand hotels and elegant Bed & Breakfasts. The Inner Harbour bustles with passengers from sea-planes, yachts, the Seattle and Port Angeles ferry and the 100's of cruise ships who visit each year.
Many of the city's beautiful character buildings date back to the 1800's with popular pedestrian-only areas, highlighted by charming shops and restaurants tucked into restored historic buildings. The majestic Parliament Buildings and The Fairmont Empress on the Inner Harbour are historic landmarks recognized worldwide.
A honeymoon or intimate wedding highlight is a horse-drawn carriage tour of scenic Victoria, clip-clop gently through the tunnel of overhanging trees of Rockland, past rainbow array of roadside corner flower gardens and monumental historic homes ending with a picnic in a meadow in Beacon Hill Park with a stunning view of the Olympic Mountains over the wide expanse of the Juan de Fuca Straight. One could also book a pedi-cab tour of the waterfront from China-town to Fisherman's Wharf, have a seafood dinner and when the next Harbour Taxi chugs up to the dock return to your hotel with a cross harbour tour.
With horse draw carriages, castles and afternoon tea, this beautiful Capital City is a perfect destination for your Wedding or honeymoon.
