Wedding Venue Location Ideas on Central Vancouver Island
As a wedding and family portrait photographer on Vancouver Island, I have the privilege of experiencing endless beautiful locations and venues for weddings, celebrations and family portraits.
Photo locations in image above Arrowsmith Golf Course, Haig Brown Heritage House, Cathedral Grove, Nanoose Bay Wallbeach
If you are planning a wedding on Vancouver Island, you will quickly find out that there are a huge range of venues and ceremony location options to fit every size, style and budget and the list can be overwhelming.
From elopements for two with just your officiant and witness, to those planning a full ballroom party at a resort, here are some great Central Vancouver Island locations that you should consider for your wedding.
A few key points to consider before you start making inquiries to potential locations and vendors.
Decide on your approximate head count for potential guests. The size, transportation and accomodation requirements are all important when you start looking at venues, but it’s important to know your group size before you start looking.
Consider your preferred day, and a couple alternatives that will work for your work schedules, vacation time, family travel etc
The venue can be the hardest thing to get for timing and within budget so you may need to be flexible on your wedding date. Many venues are now offering weekday and sunday packages, sometimes at a discount too.
Think about your potential wedding location and the proximity to everything you need.
Ask questions such as where can you and your bridal party get ready - will you be doing this off site at a salon or hotel or right at the venue?
When choosing for your events, will you have to drive to the ceremony location and then drive to a separate reception location? How are your guests getting around. Do you need to provide safe transportation for guests from the reception back to accomodation after, if so is there transportation options available?
When can you set up for the ceremony? Does someone need to do it right before the ceremony starts, or do you get access the day before? When does the clean up need to be done and who will do this for you (ie family/wedding planner/hired staff?)
Where do you want to do your wedding photos? Is there beautiful scenery on site or are you hoping for something nearby? How far is the drive from your potential venue to your preferred photo location?
Many popular and larger venues are sold out one to two years in advance, but hopefully this list might give you some new locations to consider that might be a great fit for your wedding day.
Choosing Nanaimo, Parksville or anywhere on Vancouver Island for your wedding offers a blend of natural beauty and diverse venue options, making it an ideal location for your special day. As a local photographer, I can capture these moments in my style of fun, lighthearted and documentary photography. I would love to hear from you if you are planning your wedding or elopement on Vancouver Island. I also offer engagement photo sessions and family portraits if you are coming to the island for a getaway. You can find my wedding package info here.
Why Have Your Wedding in Nanaimo, Parksville, or Central Vancouver Island?
Scenic Beauty: Vancouver Island boasts stunning coastal views, lush forests, and picturesque landscapes, providing a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photos. From farms and wineries to waterfalls, old growth forests and diverse beaches, you will have loads of options for your memorable wedding celebration and photos.
Diverse Venue Options: From rustic acreages to casual elegant beachfront resorts, to unique restaurants and elopement hideaway, Vancouver Island offers a variety of venues to suit different wedding styles.
Lots of Transportation Options for guests who are travelling: The Central Island area is accessible by two BC ferry terminals in Nanaimo (Duke Point and Departure Bay) along with the new Hullo ferry, helijet, float plane or the commercial airline options
Wedding portraits at Sugarloaf Mountain Nanaimo at sunset
This Vancouver Island Wedding Venue list is based on current info as of January 2025.
Here are a few Central Vancouver Island Wedding Venue and ceremony location ideas to get you started. This is by no means a complete list of everything available, these are just a few of the most popular options, or destinations that I have worked with or hope to photograph at.
These locations are strictly for your information so you can start your own research. I have not worked with many of these venues or locations and don’t have personal knowledge of their permit requirements, budgets or size details, I simply share ideas that I find, and try to create resources to help wedding couples who are starting their wedding plans. As there are a large amount of venue options throughout Vancouver Island, I am focusing on the ones in the Parksville, Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island region.
Sunset Views from the Galleries on Gabriola Island, with nearby wedding venue The Haven. Photography by Alanna D Photography
Full Venues - Ceremony, Reception, Photo Destination all in one
Brannen Lake Estates Nanaimo: Nestled in nature, this venue offers a picturesque setting with breathtaking views, perfect for creating unforgettable memories.
Noisy Acres Ladysmith: Picture perfect rustic venue with a detailed all-inclusive package for up to 100 guests. Note this venue is for adults only and does not allow children.
Tigh-Na-Mara Resort and Spa Parksville: Located in Parksville, the wedding team at Tigh-na-mara has one of the largest conference centers, spas and accommodations options in the central island area, with an oceanfront gazebo, comprehensive wedding and decor package, and beachfront access to Rathtrevor Provincial Park, one of the most popular destinations on Vancouver Island. I have photographed quite a few weddings here and their team is really well organized and great to work with.
Coast Bastion Hotel Nanaimo: Located in downtown Nanaimo, this hotel features the city's largest ballroom and picturesque harbour views, ideal for both ceremonies and receptions and they recently completed a full renovation of their guest rooms in 2024.
Cuckoos Italian Traitoria Coombs: Located in back corner of the Coombs Marketplace, this stunning Italian inspired dining room and garden venue are picture perfect and a unique fine dining option for this area. Guests would need to stay nearby in Parksville or Qualicum for accomodations.
Beach Club Resort Parksville: Located right on the boardwalk of Parksville Beach, this venue offers a small grassy ceremony space on the waterfront, along with a ballroom in the hotel and beautiful modern guest suites.
Fairwinds Nanoose Bay: The Fairwinds Golf Club offers their wellness centre grounds for a beautiful, large space for outdoor ceremonies, followed by reception events at the modern golf course clubhouse down the road. Sneak over to one of several nearby beaches for oceanfront photos too. Contact their admin office for more info
Bowen Park Nanaimo: Located near downtown Nanaimo, an easy drive to accommodations and services, the Bowen Park Amphitheatre is an affordable, scenic outdoor space offered by the City of Nanaimo, with a reception rental space available at the on-site lawn bowling club room. This park includes a duck pond , waterfall and lush forest trails all within steps of the ceremony grounds, it’s ideal for photos.
The Cabin at Shannon Farms Port Alberni: Hosting summer time weddings as an agri-tourism destination, this new venue just launched for 2025
West Coast River Lodge Port Alberni: Luxury rustic lodge with outdoor reception space for up to 120 guests, riverfront and surrounded by nature
The Haven on Gabriola Island: Located just a 25 minute ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo, The Haven is a peaceful west coast rustic resort with cabins, a large ballroom and beautiful waterfront beach facing the sunset with incredible west coast views. The Haven is located on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, to whom we are grateful for their ongoing stewardship of these lands and waters for thousands of years.
Dragon’s Lodge Gabriola Island: A west coast home with stunning views right on the oceanfront. Rent the whole lodge for the entire weekend for your group and wedding festivities on this private, beautiful retreat.
The Reverie Lantzville: Mini weddings and events with hilltop panoramic ocean views at thit scandinavian inspired retreat
Superior Farms Lantzville: This seasonal greenhouse location offers a unique backdrop for events and has a lot of cute farm animals too.
Two Eagles Lodge Union bay: The lodge owner puts a lot of care into her weddings and events. The grounds are reserved just for you and your guests with a large back field for event set up, on site accomodation suites and a gorgeous ocean view field for your ceremony site.
The Farm in Errington: This new venue offers a rustic elegant barn for your reception and a large open farm view for your ceremony space, complete with big sky views and cute animals on site
Wedding Couple Sharing a dance moment on the waterfront at the Coast Bastion Hotel
Garden Views on the patio for your first look moments at Two Eagles Lodge in Union Bay
Reception Only Venues
Bayside Oceanfront Resort Parksville: The beautiful white and artistic modern design of the lobby and Tidal ballroom, and their hilltop ocean view property make this a beautiful option for your reception and photos. They no longer offer ceremonies on site, only reception events.
Nanoose Bay Cafe or Qualicum Beach Cafe: This pair of family owned fine dining restaurants has started offering weddings and events at their oceanfront locations. Both locations also have on-site accomodation options and walk on waterfront views for photos
The Bayside Resort always features local artists that add to the ambiance for your wedding
Ceremonies and Elopements
The fun part about Elopements is that you can pop them up just about anywhere. Just the two of you in your outfits and your officiant. You’ll just need to find two witnesses for the ceremony, usually your photographer is one of them. You’ll need your marriage licence, an officiant, and then you’re all set. If you would like some scenic ideas in secluded west coast spots, I would be happy to share some of my favourites as we plan your elopement day together, wedding photo packages can be found here, starting at just 2 hours.
Some locations require permits for park use, especially if you are inviting any guests at all or setting up decor so be sure to check out requirements, or keep things as simple as possible for your pop up wedding moment.
Regional Parks and community halls can often be one of the most economical options for your wedding day, particularly if you
I have partnered with Cedarlea Farm in Cedar, south Nanaimo to offer an exclusive elopement venue on their farm. Surrounded by fields, forest and farm animals, this rustic location is picture perfect for a fairy tale elopement or picnic celebration for up to 20 guests.
Neck Point Nanaimo: Neck point is a popular waterfront park with stunning views. You can rent the waterfront patio through the city for your event. There are other park options and details on the City of Nanaimo website
Sugarloaf Mountain Nanaimo: This is an ideal elopement or portrait viewpoint in the heart of Nanaimo. Note - its a short hike up the stairs to uneven mountaintop views but it’s beautiful
Moorecroft Park Nanoose Bay: This forested park used to be a summer camp, and now boasts beautiful west coast forest trails, a rocky waterfront beach viewpoint, and a big picnic field. Events are allowed in the parking picnic area or the big field picnic area.
Nanoose Bay parks are Regional District of Nanaimo for permits
Rathtrevor Provincial Park: This iconic park offers a beautiful wedding backdrop. Weddings are held in the picnic area, reservations are required for the picnic shelter and to pre-arrange to bring in decor or seating for your event
Milner Gardens and Woodlands Qualicum Beach: This seasonal venue is operated by Vancouver Island University. The stunning gardens follow a waterfront hilltop view for your ceremony backdrop, and the vintage tea house has a beautiful room for the bridal party before the ceremony. There are endless photo spots if you want a beautiful garden wedding. We were graced with a lot of eagles visiting during the ceremony at a recent wedding there.
Wedding couple portraits at the Milner Gardens Tea House following their Ceremony
Budget Friendly Halls, Camps and Wedding Venues on Central Vancouver Island
In most local areas, you can rent City-owned halls and gathering spaces for events. You will need to ask if you are allowed to bring in catering, and if drinking is allowed with a licence, along with what insurance is required and any cleaning fees.
Many churches, legion, scouts halls and community groups also have private hall spaces that can be very affordable to rent. Here are a few that I know of in the central island area though I don’t know which ones allow weddings or evening events.
Keep in mind that most halls require you to set up and clean up and all decor is DIY and may require more effort and time than a hotel or venue that is designed with photos and events in mind.
Camping destinations are a popular choice for laid back weddings and spending a whole weekend with your guests and family.
Nanoose Community Hall
Wellington Hall Nanaimo
Coombs Fairgrounds
Cavallotti Hall Nanaimo
Costin Hall Lantzville
German Cultural Centre Nanaimo
Cedar Community Hall
Saltair Community Centre
Tell me about your wedding plans! If you are looking for a photographer, please reach out below, I would love to hear from you and will send over some more details for you.
Wedding Photography Packages, Portfolio and Info can be viewed here
