Wedding Photography Victoria B.C. Photographer Biography for Christina Craft - professional wildlife and nature photograhper based in Victoria B.C. nature photography wildlife photography Christina Craft is a portrait photographer based in Victoria British COlumbia B.C. BC and specializing in maternity portraits family photos baby pictures executive portraits headshots actor and model portfolios and fashion photographer Weddings in Victoria British Columbia B.C. BC Victoria Wedding Photographer Wedding Photography Award-winning images commercial photographer based in Victoria BC Victoria British Columbia Victoria B.C. Nature Stock Photography Library Wedding Photography Victoria B.C.

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Wedding Locations
FAQ

Your Guide to Planning Your Wedding in Victoria, British Columbia

With ocean views that would make Queen Victoria jealous, real life castles, colonial architecture galore, and flower gardens as far as the eye can see, Victoria B.C. is the wedding destination for British Columbia.

I'm a wedding photographer and journalist who has shot at many of these amazing locations and I put together this guide to help couples choose the perfect location for wedding photos, great accommodations, awesome reception halls and more.

Locations

Victoria is a wedding photographer's dream. The problem is never running out of locations to shoot -- it's running out of time to shoot them all! I recommend the following locations for wedding photography in Victoria:

    Near the Inner Harbour
  • The breakwater. Ask your photographer to pull out her/his "fisheye" lens and grab a photo of the two of you embracing as though you're on the top of the world.
  • There is a balcony right near the Ross Bay Cemetery (the cemetery is not visible from this location). It's a great location for portraits of the two of you looking out to sea.
  • Don't forget Beacon Hill Park -- there are flowers blooming here nearly year round. If you're brave, you can enter the children's petting zoo and have some pictures taken with the goats.
  • The Empress Hotel has some of the most beautiful rose gardens going. This is an excellent location -- and one that isn't always chosen by couples (so your pictures will be unique).
  • There are also gardens right next to the BC Legislature and a fountain that are perfect for romantic portraits. I advice almost everyone who is getting married in the downtown area to choose the BC Legislature for at least *some* of your group photos. You always want groups of 8 or more to be on stairs, so no one's heads get cut off. The legislature also offers a great backdrop for romantic portraits. You'll need to either ask your photographer or go online to obtain a *free* permit to photograph there. Do this early... permits for the summer book up fast.
  • Government House has some beautiful gardens as well.
  • Craigdarroch Castle is a little-used backdrop for wedding photography - but one of my favorite locations regardless. It also has stairways for group portraits... plus beautiful balconies and architecture.
    Esquimalt, Colwood & Area
  • Saxe Point is an amazing park -- offering cliffs, several sea-side balconies and awesome gardens.
  • Esquimalt Lagoon - this is also a little used area for wedding photography but you have a good chance of posing with wild swans!
  • Hatley Castle - this is also an amazing location for wedding photos; however, they have now started to charge admission for the gardens. It's $100 for the permit to take photos on the grounds and an additional $5 per person for each person (besides the bride, groom and photographer) admission.
  • Fort Rod Hill - there is a $5 admission charge, but the staff is friendly and there are all kinds of locations to pose for pictures. Fort Rod Hill has one of the prettiest lighthouses on the island and beautiful rocky outcrops. It also has some old army barracs for some fun photos.

If you're interested in seeing some photos from each of these locations, please feel free to visit my recent wedding gallery. I've noted the location for each of the couples' weddings.

Ceremony Locaitons

  • The Victoria Conservatory of Music has two performance spaces in its magnificent heritage building.
  • St. Ann's Academy is another one of my favorite ceremony locations. It has one of the most decadent chapels in town and a history that dates back to 1858. It also has some amazing gardens and a gazebo where you can pose for group portraits.
  • Scholefield House is a favorite location for same sex ceremonies. It is a cozy and quaint bed and breakfast where your guests can stay and help you celebrate your special day.

Accommodations

  • There are so many locally-owned bed and breakfasts in Victoria and it would take an entire directory to list them all. One of my favorites is Gregory's Guest House -- up near Elk Lake en route to Sidney.
  • The Laurel Point Inn is one of the more swanky places in town and it's large enough to host all of your guests.