

There’s a certain magic to getting married near the ocean. Maybe it’s the salt spray in the air, the smell of the nearby ancient cedar trees after the rain, or the way the sunset dramatically sparkles on the water. Whatever it is, I’m obsessed.
After years of shooting oceanfront weddings in Victoria, I’ve learned that no two venues feel exactly the same. Here’s a list of thirteen of my favourite Victoria wedding venues with ocean views. If you read carefully, I’ve also tucked in a few of my top insider tips to help you make the most of your celebration.

You won’t want or need to leave the Inn at Laurel Point during your celebration. This all-inclusive Victoria wedding venue has it all, including absolutely gorgeous guest accommodations and incredible indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces. However, if you do decide that you’d like to venture off property to include some of Victoria’s iconic architecture in your wedding portraits, it’s located just steps from Victoria’s Inner Harbour and the historic Parliament Buildings.
You absolutely do not need to compromise on beauty at this venue. The space is light and airy, and golden hour is epic. As you watch the sun set through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Spirit Room or the Terrace Ballroom, the boat and city lights begin to shimmer on the surface of the water, and you feel like you own the city for the night.
It’s also the perfect venue for an ocean view winter wedding. Floor-to-ceiling windows and the Terrace Ballroom’s greenhouse-style roof mean you can enjoy the view without being exposed to the elements.
The Inn at Laurel Point offers packages for weddings from elopements to 200 guests. It’s worth a mention that the culinary team here is top-tier! The talented onsite pastry chefs can even create your wedding cake!
There is also a major bonus if you can’t bear to leave your pup at home for a few days; this venue is dog-friendly!
Check out this Inn at Laurel Point wedding that prioritized connection, guest experience and ease for more!



I will never forget the wedding I shot at the Oak Beach Hotel in 2021. As the couple recited their vows, hundreds of sea birds swirled around us through the salty air, and waves gently lapped against the beach below. The moment felt ethereal and otherworldly.
With its refined and classic West Coast vibe, it’s no surprise that the Oak Bay Beach hotel was recognized by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards as the #1 Hotel in Western Canada. It’s the perfect destination for either local or out-of-town couples dreaming of a luxurious and relaxing wedding getaway.
The interior of the venue is cozy and welcoming, but the outdoor reception space, the Seaside Gardens, are my absolute favourite thing about this venue. You cannot beat the breathtaking views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and Mount Baker. If you want to get even closer to the ocean, there is a small direct beach access that allows you to get your toes in the sand! The Hotel also features an oceanside spa mineral pool where you can relax and enjoy the sunset and a stargazing sauna with a glass roof.
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel offers all-inclusive wedding packages for weddings ranging in size from elopements to 120 guests. Despite being conveniently and centrally located, the venue still feels incredibly intimate. You’ll have your own private space to fully enjoy your celebration.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel is a very popular wedding venue and books quickly, so you’ll need to plan far in advance. I recommend reaching out at least 10-12 months out to secure your date!
The Fairmont Empress is one of a kind! It’s undeniably Victoria, and its iconic history and stunning historic architecture made it the hotel of choice for the Queen during her visit to the city. The Empress sits at the centre of the inner harbour and offers views of the water and mountains, all framed by Victoria’s historic streetlamps.
The atmosphere at the Fairmont Empress is luxurious, moody, and classic, and whether you’re planning an elopement or a grand wedding for 450 guests, the Fairmont has a venue space that will work for your vision. Don’t let the Fairmont Empress’ luxury reputation fool you into thinking that it’s stuffy, though. One of my favourite weddings here wrapped up with a karaoke session in the Ivy Ballroom!
As a photographer, I love all the hidden gem spots that the Empress offers for wedding portraits. The Q Bar has the perfect moody atmosphere for couples wanting editorial style flash bar portraits. The Bengal Lounge also recently reopened, and it’s iconic as ever. The space is warm and dreamy with massive timber beams and large windows that let in beautiful natural light.
One tip, if you are hoping to include some of the Fairmont Empress’ iconic architecture in your photos without the crowds of tourists, head to the right side of the buildings. It’s much quieter and just as beautiful!
Planning a grand wedding? The Delta Hotel is the largest capacity waterfront wedding venue in downtown Victoria. There is plenty of space to work with, and the venue can accommodate a guest count of up to 500. I love that the venue looks back towards Victoria. It means that you get a perfect postcard view of the Inner Harbour and the city.
The aesthetic at the Delta hotel is clean and modern with a palette of crisp white, driftwood grey, and deep navy. It feels like you could have been plunked into a sappy rom-com movie, set at a yacht club.
Victoria has a few celebrations throughout the year where fireworks are set off over the harbour, and the Delta Hotel is one of the best vantage points in the city. I honestly can’t imagine a more memorable way to wrap up your celebration!
Victoria is also famous for its early spring with cherry blossom trees in full bloom, while much of Canada is still blanketed in snow. If you plan your wedding in March or April, the entire back path of the Delta Hotel will be layered with soft pink cherry blossom petals from the surrounding trees.
One of my favourite “secret” spots for portraits at the Delta Hotel is a semi-quiet beachfront just a short walk away. It’s the perfect place to steal a quiet moment with your new spouse, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a sea otter!

Saxe Point Park is a simple and stunning ceremony spot for couples who want a venue that highlights the beauty of the West Coast. You can exchange vows in front of the cinnamon-barked arbutus trees or have the ocean and Olympic mountains as your backdrop.
This is a ceremony spot only, so you will need to head elsewhere for your reception. However, it’s one of Victoria’s most affordable spots for an ocean view wedding (approximately $150 for the park permit), leaving your budget for your party!
Saxe Point Park is located just outside central Victoria in Esquimalt and is suitable for weddings with 2-100 guests. There are two things to keep in mind at this venue. First is that you’ll want to rent a sound system so your guests can hear your vows over the sometimes loud wind. Second, it is a public park, so other groups may be enjoying the park nearby.




The Breakwater Bistro is for lovers who aren’t afraid of a little wind and find beauty in the wild sea spray. The restaurant sits at the edge of the Ogden Point Breakwater. A large lighthouse stands at the end of the breakwater, and the entire walkway is absolutely perfect for cinematic portraiture. The images of a couple strolling down the breakwater as humongous waves crashed against the stones is forever burned into my memory.
That being said, I would recommend this venue for late spring, summer, or early fall celebrations because the Ogden Point Breakwater can actually get a little bit dangerous with the huge waves during the winter storm season.
The restaurant is cozy, authentic, and unpretentious. If you are hoping to treat your guests to a fine dining experience paired with artisanal cocktails and local draft beer on tap, this is the spot. The Breakwater Bistro is best suited for weddings ranging in size from elopements to 120 guests. If you are after some slightly different photos, one of Victoria’s coolest photo spots, the Stairs to Sea Lookout, is also just a four-minute walk from the venue.
Are you cool enough to say, “We got married on a floating marine barge”? HAVN Spa is a quirky, zen wedding venue that is absolutely perfect for non-traditionalists. It’s a Nordic-inspired spa, constructed on a floating 1943 naval barge. You literally cannot get any closer to the ocean than actually being on it.
HAVN is centrally located in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, making it a convenient option for guest accommodations and transportation. It’s best suited for more intimate weddings ranging in size from 15 to 60 guests.
For your ceremony, you can choose to exchange vows indoors in the Spa’s cafe or outdoors on the upper deck. The cafe offers views of the city and harbour through the barge’s round windows. On the barge’s upper deck, you’ll be among the saunas and pools. Outside on the upper deck is also an incredible spot to watch the fireworks shows that happen in Victoria’s inner harbour. If there are no fireworks, stargaze! You absolutely will not regret it!
Sea Lion Estate is located just past Sooke, in quaint and wild Shirley, BC. In my opinion, it’s well worth the 51-kilometer drive for the extra privacy and epic ocean views. Despite being easily accessible, the property feels like you’ve ventured to the end of the world.
The vibe here is luxury coastal beach house and feels exactly like you have stepped onto the set of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty.” The building was originally an Oak Bay heritage home, and it was barged over to sit upon the 3.5-acre clifftop. The property also has its own private helicopter pad! How cool would it be to arrive at your venue via helicopter? Sea Lion Estate can accommodate weddings ranging from intimate elopements to 120 guests. The owners are also in the midst of developing a new large banquet room on the property!
Sea Lion Estate is also just a short drive away from Sheringham Point Lighthouse. If you are planning an elopement or micro wedding, it’s definitely another unique and gorgeous oceanfront backdrop to consider.



The Cove at Otter Point is the perfect sanctuary for couples looking for a real escape from the city and a breath of fresh Pacific air. The beautiful private vacation rental is 47 km from Victoria, just outside of Sooke. It’s beautifully suited for elopements or micro weddings with 20 guests or fewer.
Most couples choose to have their ceremony on the main patio, which overlooks the ocean. From here, you can sometimes see orca and humpback whales, sea lions, seals, and otters, and you will hear thousands of sea birds calling in the background. The main patio space also works well for an outdoor dinner reception and dancing. It’s overlooked by a top terrace, so your photographer can capture a unique birdseye view of your wedding.
The Cove at Otter Point offers private access to a rugged beach featuring tide pools teeming with life, enormous driftwood logs, and dramatic, dark, jagged rocks. If you ask nicely, the next-door neighbours might even allow you to sneak through their backyard to access the west coast black rocks for some wedding portraits.
Parking at the Cove at Otter Point can be a little tricky to access since it’s right off the highway. I recommend overshooting the driveway. If you continue for approximately 1.5 kilometers, there is a sideroad where you can turn around and make your way in for a safer approach.

Sooke Harbour House is the quintessential seaside inn. Think the Hamptons-meets-Vancouver Island. It’s charming, coastal, traditional, and has lots of space for couples to throw an epic party! All-inclusive packages are available to accommodate weddings from 2 to 225 guests.
There are absolutely beautiful ocean views from Sooke Harbour House; if you’re lucky, you might spot harbour seals bobbing, or orcas in the distance. Wiffin Spit juts out into the water just in front of the venue. On one side, the water is calm and protected, and on the other, the ocean is vast and sometimes ferocious. There are no trees on the spit, just beach grass and endless ocean and sky. The beautiful walkway is a great spot for couples’ portraits and wedding party photos.
If you are open to a bigger wedding day adventure for the sake of capturing absolutely jaw-dropping photos, East Sooke Park is only a 26-minute drive from Sooke Harbour House. You’ll find some of Vancouver Island’s wildest west coast beaches, rugged cliffs, and dramatic black rocks.
The Prestige Hotel in Sooke looks out over the calm and sheltered waters of the Sooke Basin. The Hotel commands a sense of occasion and feels like a tropical resort right here on Vancouver Island. It’s a great choice for couples who want an out-of-city escape with lots of on-site accommodation. The venue offers all-inclusive wedding packages for weddings ranging in size from elopements up to 350 guests.
The outdoor space at the Prestige Hotel, the Terrace, is utterly gorgeous. It’s fully paved, making it accessible for guests in heels or those who might not want to trek through the forest. You’ll find cozy firepits to snuggle up in front of for the evening, and the cutest pergola sits close to the water’s edge. The entire space is surrounded by palm and monkey puzzle trees. There is also a long boardwalk at the back of the hotel that is the perfect spot to capture sunset portraits.
The reception space can be a little dark, so be sure to hire a photographer who knows their way around artificial lighting and flash photography (like yours truly)! This space has lots of potential, and your wedding planner should have lots of ideas to bring it to life!

Craidelonna Lodge has to be one of my favourite spots near Victoria to catch the sunset. The colours reflect beautifully off the Juan de Fuca Strait before the sun dips behind the Olympic Mountains.
Most couples choose to recite their vows either on the property’s paved patio or down on the rugged beach. If you choose the beach, you’ll follow a path down through the lush greenery. However, just be sure to plan for alternatives to heels, as there are a lot of stairs! Even if you don’t make it down to the beach, the ocean views at this venue are incredible!
The unique and cozy Craidelonna Lodge is best for elopements or micro weddings with up to 35 guests. The lodge can also accommodate 16 to 18 guests for overnight stays. While it doesn’t offer in-house catering, it has a full kitchen that your chosen catering team can work out of. I suggest claiming the room with the ensuite, which looks like it’s straight out of Europe, for yourself during your stay! It has a beautiful soaker tub and a standalone shower! To top off the experience, there is a wood-burning sauna imported from Finland and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the ocean.




A. There are so many beautiful Victoria wedding venues that can accommodate an elopement or micro wedding, but I highly recommend the Laurel Point Inn, the Fairmont Empress, or the Cove at Otter Point.
A. The Fairmont Empress, the Laurel Point Inn, and the Delta Hotel all have capacity for a higher guest count and offer on-site accommodation. They are also located close to the ferry and airport, making them an easy and convenient option for guests travelling from out of town.
A. An ocean view wedding can be just as gorgeous on a rainy day, and storm season on the West Coast can be epic! Choose a venue with large windows overlooking the beach with cozy indoor space, such as the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, the Inn at Laurel Point, or the Fairmont Empress.
A. Be sure to check the sunset time for your wedding date. You absolutely do not want to miss golden hour, and here on Vancouver Island, the sunset time can vary vastly depending on the time of year.
A. Consider accessibility! As much as West Coast black rock or driftwood-scattered beaches look amazing in photos, some of your guests might not appreciate the trek of getting there. You can still have the feel of a beach wedding, but make it more accessible by choosing a venue with a paved patio or even an indoor venue with large windows overlooking the ocean.
A. The coast in Victoria can be notoriously windy. Be sure to anchor any decor, like wedding arches,s with sandbags or weights. I also recommend ensuring you have a sound system for your ceremony so your guests can hear your vows.
A. Be sure to consider your footwear! Stilettos and sand definitely don’t mix. You can also check the tides in advance at tide-forecast.com. You don’t want to show up at the beach only to find out that the tide is in and it’s a narrow strip of rocks.

Ready to start planning your wedding at a Victoria wedding venue with an ocean view? Let’s talk.
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© TAYLOR DAWNING PHOTOGRAPHY
Taylor from Taylor Dawning Photography is a Vancouver Island wedding photographer specializing in dreamy, emotive wedding and elopement photography. She captures heartfelt, cinematic imagery with soft, natural tones — making every moment feel genuine, romantic, and full of movement.
Based on Vancouver Island, she serves couples in Victoria, Tofino, and all across the West Coast, as well as destinations worldwide. Offering a warm, personalized experience, Taylor is dedicated to creating intentional, story-driven images that feel true to who you are.