Outdoor wedding venues are becoming more popular as we find ways to celebrate during a time of our lives that require extra precaution towards keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe. I thought it would be helpful for those in the starting stages of planning their wedding to provide a list of our favourite outdoor venues, most of which allow tenting to protect us from the West Coast elements!
The best outdoor wedding venues
UBC Botanical Gardens Contemporary Lawn + Arbour
Photographs by Shari + Mike
UBC Botanical Garden’s Contemporary Lawn and Arbour has been one of our top choices for an outdoor wedding in Vancouver since Mari Toni and Tal’s wedding in the Summer of 2014.
The space boasts an amazing 110’ Arbour covered in climbing greens that is often used as the stunning location for a long table dinner or a ceremony. Right next door to the Arbour is the Contemporary Lawn. This can be used for cocktail hour, games, dinner, or dancing and can be tented. Be sure to ask the team at UBC Botanical Gardens about their preferred tenting company!
In addition to these two spaces, the Amphitheatre is an amazing space for a ceremony and can be integrated with the other spaces to create a seamless flow between the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing!
Stanley Park Pavilion
Photographs by Melia Lucida Photography
Stanley Park Pavilion is a stunning venue located just inside Stanley Park in Vancouver. Generally recognized for its classic tearoom and ballroom, you can also rent out the Bar + Grill in conjunction with the large lawn just off the patio!
Nestled amongst the coniferous trees of the park, an intimate reception will transport your guests to a magical forest just a few steps away from Vancouver’s downtown core. With catering by Stanley Park Pavilion, the team will also help you with shuttles to downtown at the end of the night and, with permission from the City of Vancouver, this space can be tented!
Here are a few more photos from a wedding we planned in August 2019 for Penny and Will!
Riverland’s Equestrian Centre (Pemberton)
Photographs by Blush Photography
As seen in Wedluxe
I was introduced to this venue by a couple I worked with for their 2019 wedding and fell in love. Nina and Martin, the couple, wanted to host their wedding reception at a place that they had a personal connection with, and, as they boarded their beloved horse here, Riverlands was it hands down!
For Nina and Martin’s wedding, we set up a large reception tent for dinner and dancing that also housed two bars, a portrait station, and a lounge. We also had two tents from Wild Havens Popup Tents – one for a kids tent and the other a tasting tent for Pemberton Distillery – and a few tents for catering and storage. Needless to say, the space is very flexible so that you can see your dream wedding become a reality! In addition to this, the team at Riverland’s is so accommodating and we cannot recommend them more.
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Mountainview Lawn and Woodland’s Terrace
Another amazing venue along the Sea to Sky Corridor is the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Outside the hotels stunning ballrooms, the Woodland’s Rooftop Terrace is a flexible space that can host an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour and a tented reception while boosting incredible views of the mountains surrounding Whistler Village. The best part (other than the views)? The tent is included with the venue!
Another hidden gem that the Fairmont Chateau has to offer is their Mountainview Lawn. This location, just minutes away from the hotel, has a three-tiered space that is an amazing space to utilize for an event and feels like an oasis from Whistler Village surrounded by dense evergreens. Many couples decide to tie the knot here on the upper-most lawn that has unbeatable mountain views – so West Coast!
Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel | The Chairman’s Terrace
Photographs by Blush Photography
Just around the corner on the terrace of the Chairman’s Suite at the Pacific Rim Hotel, there is a secret location for an intimate ceremony for those in love with a city backdrop for their ‘I Do’s.’
With an amazing events team, the Pac Rim can make your dreams come true with amazing venues to host your wedding to delicious food and beverage. The best part? Hard to put your finger on one thing, but spending the night in this stunning suite must be up there!
Hart House Restaurant
Photographs by Hera Studios
Hart House is a great selection for an outdoor tented wedding. They are located in a park with lots of greenery, and the lake just nearby. It’s a perfect place for photos, and a beautiful backdrop. Not only do they have a wonderful location, but their food and service are sure to please your guests. With Hart House, you have the perfect combination of natural beauty and sophistication.
Brock House Restaurant
Photographs by Walker Studios
If you want an oceanfront venue, you cannot beat Brock House on Jericho Beach in Vancouver! Most couples host their ceremonies on the grass facing the water and views of the North Shore Mountains and then move to the tent (included in the rental) for dinner. With the tent, tables, chairs, tableware, and catering organized by the team at Brock House, it is a great option for those looking for a stunning ‘one stop’ venue to make the planning process a bit simpler!
Hycroft Manor
Photographs by Lucida Photography
Hycroft is a classic venue located just in Kerrisdale off of Granville and 16th Avenue. Overlooking the mountains, this venue is so close to the bustling of the city but you’d never know it as you are transported to Europe when you enter the property.
Hycroft does not allow tenting on their property, but most couples use the terrace on the north side of the building for their ceremony and to host a dinner amongst the grand Corinthian pillars and classical garden. For those looking for a timeless elegance, Hycroft is perfect.
Cecil Green
Photographs by Lucida Photography
There are so many options for wedding ceremony locations at Cecil Green, rain or shine which is one of our favourite features. If you want to be married in a garden setting or with a view of the ocean, Cecil Green offers both options. My favourite part of Cecil Green is the terrace where an intimate wedding can dine under the stars without any worries about rain as it is covered with glass.
To recap for you:
The Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in or near Whistler are:
- Riverlands Equestrian Center.
- Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Mountain View Lawn and Woodland Terrace.
- North Arm Farm
The Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Vancouver are:
- UBC Botanical Gardens
- Stanley Park Pavillion
- Fairmont Pacific Rim Chairman’s Terrace.
- Hart House
- Brock House
- Hycroft
- Cecil Green
There are so many amazing outdoor venues that all have a different aesthetic, from rustic to classic, we hope that this list helps you to find your perfect wedding venue!
Alicia xo