Weddings

Say ‘I Do

The Gardens at HCP cannot wait to host your wedding in the magic and tranquility of our award-winning botanical Gardens.

As one of Equally Wed's preferred vendors and the recipient of multiple Vancouver Island Wedding Awards, we are proud to offer a safe and accessible space for you to celebrate your love and commitment.

At HCP we know that your love is too big and joyous to be kept indoors - that's why when you say your vows in our outdoor ceremony area, you will find yourselves accompanied by birdsong, joined by soaring eagles, and surrounded by flora whilst the waters of our conservation park sparkle in the background.

Our Couvelier Pavilion provides a climate-controlled reception area and ceremony backup, replete with red cedar beams and unique Pacific Northwest architecture.

We offer a full wedding package at our beautiful Gardens with two options:

Day Package 9am - 5pm

Evening Package 1pm - 9pm

Questions? Interested in a site visit? Ready to start a contract? Contact HCP's Event Coordinator at <[email protected]>.

We are so excited to turn your dream of an outdoor wedding into a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The Gathering Place is the beautiful, circular brick area where we host wedding ceremonies. The Pavilion refers to the Couvelier Pavilion, the building where we hold receptions and events.

Yes! HCP is open year-round for weddings, subject to availability. Weddings October-April receive an off-season discount of 20%.

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Wedding bookings open every January for the following year - for instance, bookings for 2024 weddings open January 2023. Email to inquire about being put on a waitlist for future years.

No, you may hold a date free of charge. If you decide to go ahead with the date, HCP requires a 50% booking deposit upon signing of the contract. This deposit is fully refundable for up to 30 days prior to the wedding date, which is when the remaining payment will be processed.

The booking deposit is fully refundable up until 30 days prior to the wedding date. Between 30-7 days prior to the wedding date, 50% of the deposit is refundable. There is no refund for cancellations less than 7 days before the wedding date.

Yes! Contact HCP's Event Coordinator at to reschedule - as always, rescheduled events are based on availability.

HCP has a max capacity of 100 (including the wedding party). We love small weddings, and we cannot wait to host a gathering of your close family and friends.

Yes, our venue is totally wheelchair accessible. We have a wheelchair ramp from the parking lot to the Gardens, a ground level Pavilion with an accessible washroom, and sloping gravel paths connecting the Pavilion to the Gathering Place. For additional information please email .

HCP provides up to 100 white outdoor ceremony chairs in the Gathering Place, a signing table (with a white linen tablecloth) + chair, and a beautiful wooden arbour to decorate as you see fit (zap straps only - no pushpins, staples, or nails, please).

No - rice, birdseed, confetti, glitter, and silk petals are not permitted in the Gathering Place. Organic flower petals and leaves are welcome, as are bubbles!

Yes! There are power outlets surrounding the Gathering Place, however HCP has no technical equipment outside of the Pavilion - if you wish to use heaters, speakers, or the like at your ceremony, you must bring your own equipment.

HCP provides:
13 round tables (60” diameter)
13 rectangular tables (6'x2')
22 rectangular tables with adjustable height (4'x2')
Up to 100 chairs
White linen tablecloths
A/V equipment (projector, screen, HDMI cord, speakers, microphone)

Yes! The Pavilion is fully air conditioned.

Yes, the Pavilion has a commercial prep kitchen for you or your caterer's use.

No, all catering is done via third party. If desired, ask the Event Coordinator for a list of recommended caterers.

Feel free to bring your own food onsite.

No, HCP has no dishware or glassware. All dish equipment must be rented and brought on site by a third party.

No. For safety reasons, glassware is not permitted anywhere in the Gardens, and must stay in the Pavilion or the Pavilion's brick patio.

Yes, if you apply for and receive a Special Event Permit from the Province of BC (this can be completed by either you or your caterer, if applicable). HCP must receive a copy of your SEP for you to serve alcohol on our premises. Alcohol consumption is limited to the Pavilion and the Pavilion's brick patio. As weddings happen during HCP's open hours of 9am-4pm, no drinking is permitted in the gardens.

No. All decorations must be set up and taken away the day of your wedding. For an additional $500, you may set up the day before your wedding, but this is subject to availability.

Yes! Booking an event includes free access to the Gardens for you and all of your guests, for the duration of the wedding. Garden Maps are available at the front office.

No. HCP is open to the public every day of the week from 9:00am-4:00pm. You will have exclusive access to the Pavilion and the Pavilion's brick patio. Visitors to the Gardens are always very respectful of weddings.

Anywhere in our beautiful gardens! Ask the Event Coordinator for photo spot recommendations.

If it rains, the Pavilion will also be available as a backup if this is part of your wedding package. Please note that elopements do not include this option. In our experience, embrace the rain! Nothing says “perfect West Coast wedding” like a romantic drizzle.

No, smoking and vaping is not permitted anywhere inside HCP's gates. You may smoke or vape in the parking lot.

Yes! Please keep the gates shut at all times to prevent deer from entering the property. Deer in the Gardens would be very bad news, and we thank you for your diligence in keeping the gates shut.

Half of HCP's parking lot will be reserved for the wedding, with additional angle parking available along Quayle Road. Parking is limited, however, so we recommend carpooling or hiring a shuttle for large groups.

Of course. Safety is of the utmost importance - if it is unsafe for anyone to drive home, they may leave their car in HCP's parking lot overnight. Any cars left overnight must be picked up by 9:00am the next day.

Yes, HCP's Event Coordinator will be onsite for the entire duration of your wedding, to supervise the event and provide whatever assistance you require.

You can if you wish, however the Pavilion does not have proper setup for hair, makeup, and changing. We recommended getting ready off property.

Yes, we welcome live music! Speakers or amplifiers on the Pavilion's patio must be set up facing Viaduct Flats (away from HCP's residential neighbours).

The elopement package gives you access to the garden of your choice for 3 hours, to say your vows and take pictures. HCP provides seating for up to 10 guests, and a signing table (with a white linen tablecloth). The elopement package does not give you access to the Pavilion or the Gathering Place.

Yes. You are responsible for adequately communicating HCP's policies to your guests, and you will be held liable for the actions of your guests, including but not limited to: damage to the Gardens, allowing deer on property by leaving the gates open, smoking inside the gates, etc. If requested, HCP will send an email write-up of our house rules and policies which can be forwarded to all those attending.

We're thrilled to have taken home several Vancouver Island Wedding Industry Awards:

  • 2020 Special Edition: Macro to Micro
  • 2019 Best Elopement Experience
  • 2019 Best Unique Wedding Venue (finalist)
  • 2018 Best Collaborative Styled Shoot
  • 2018 Best Outdoor Ceremony Venue
  • 2018 Best Unique Wedding Venue (finalist)
  • 2017 Best Outdoor Ceremony Venue
  • 2016 Best Outdoor Venue

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Site visits are available by appointment only. Please contact our
Event Coordinator by email at <[email protected]>to request an appointment.