Get married in Victoria, BC! Or better yet… get married in Sooke!

When it comes to finding the right location to take your picture-perfect wedding photos, British Columbia has no shortage of breathtaking vistas. From the greenery to the mountains to the waterfront views, you can really have your pick of stunning backdrops to showcase your special day. And with your wedding photos being a lasting memory of one of the most important days of your life that you will look back on time and time again, it’s important that you find a location that you really love.

Two locations in British Columbia in particular, the city of Victoria and the District of Sooke, offer some of the most beautiful photo ops in the province. They will have you wanting to re-look at your wedding photos for many years to come. Whether you’re planning for you wedding to be a large affair and want somewhere for your photographer to snap a few photos of you and your bridal party; or you’re looking to elope and want a location to have a few intimate shots taken – or even to have the ceremony take place – here are eight beautiful photo locations in Victoria and Sooke that will not disappoint.

PKOLS Park (Mount Douglas)
4500 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, BC

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PKOLS Park, also known as Mount Douglas Park, is a gorgeous green space situated on the coast of the Haro Strait. This one park alone offers a multitude of photography opportunities, which is great if you’re hoping to get a few different scenic options in while also being efficient on time. It has a whopping 22 acres of trails that can make for some stunning nature-filled photos. There are also plenty of lookout points facing the water which makes for a beautiful background, and the further up the 738-ft Mount Douglas you go, the more panoramic views you will get.

Goldstream Provincial Park Waterfalls

Langford, Greater Victoria, BC

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You can never go wrong with waterfalls in your photos — they add a sense of wonder and movement to any shot — and Goldstream Provincial Park, located in Langford, has two beautiful ones. There’s Goldstream Falls (also known as the Upper Goldstream Falls), a small waterfall that has the appearance of jutting out on an angle, adding an interesting element to any photo. There’s also the Goldstream Niagara Falls which, although almost as tall as its namesake in Ontario, is much, much thinner. This waterfall has a skinny, long, ribbon-like appearance that offers something different than your typical waterfall shot.

Sooke Prestige Oceanfront Resort

6929 W Coast Road, Sooke, BC

If you’re in search of a photo venue that’s more of a, well, venue, then the Sooke Prestige Oceanfront Resort is an amazing option. Having opened just 10 years ago, it’s a relative newcomer to the wedding venue game, but it’s one that you’ll definitely want to check out. Not only is the building itself absolutely stunning, but its wrap-around verandas offer unbeatable views of the Sooke Harbour and Olympic Mountains. There’s also a beautiful gazebo right on the waterfront that will provide you with some of the most spectacular sunset views, making it the perfect spot for your wedding photos or even a wedding ceremony itself. Sneak away after your ceremony to nearby Whiffen Spit beach park for gorgeous oceanside photos!

Botanical Beach & Botany Bay

Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, BC

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Despite what its name may have you think, Botanical Beach isn’t your typical sandy beach. In fact, it’s best known for its interesting geological formations along the shoreline including tidepools with an abundance of plant and animal life that inhabit them. Botany Bay gives a really epic vibe, with quartz veins running through the shale rock. There are even known to be humpback whales spotted off the coast of Botanical Beach, so if you’re lucky with your timing, you could end up with some really spectacular wedding photos. Located inside Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, this location is a bit of a drive away from the city, but the end results are always worth it. This location is full of natural energy.

The Gardens at HCP

505 Quayle Road, Victoria, BC

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Shooting your wedding photos pretty much anywhere outdoors in BC means that beautiful naturescapes are going to be front and centre. The Gardens at HCP, while still very nature-focused, offer something a little different. Its nine acres of pristinely curated and manicured gardens give you a variety of backdrops all in one central location: there’s everything from the stunning Winter Garden to the exotic Japanese-style Takata Garden. And when the flowers and foliage are in bloom, they add beautiful pops of colour to each and every one of your photos. If you’re interested in having your wedding or elopement there, they offer that option as well and have awesome wedding coordinators on-site.

Island View Beach

3215 Island View Road, Saanichton, BC

The rocky, sandy shores of Island View Beach, located in Saanichton on the southern coast of Vancouver Island, give a subdued yet spectacular setting for wedding photos. With its driftwood-filled beaches and long grasses, it’s the perfect location if you’re hoping to find somewhere with a rustic feel. If you happen to go on an overcast or drizzly day, it adds to that effect even more. The nearby paths and lookout points make for some particularly great shots. The beach is also an amazing location for an intimate wedding ceremony, with just enough room for your closest friends, family, and loved ones.

Saxe Point Park

Victoria, BC

This coastal park that juts out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca has some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen. Its rocky coastline and brilliant water views ensure that your photos will look just as magical as your special day feels. The park also has several easy-to-walk trails and breathtaking meadows that allow for some alternate photo options and won’t be too hard to maneuver around in your wedding day garb. The park is also dog friendly, so if you have a four-legged friend that you were hoping to include in your wedding photos, they’ll be able to tag along. And the large parking lot means that bringing along a big wedding party to take some photos won’t be an issue either.