The Salish Sea
Wedding venues on the Salish Sea.
On the water rather than beside it, sailing between the islands.
The Salish Sea
On the water rather than beside it, sailing between the islands.
The place
The Salish Sea wedding venues in this index are not buildings. They are vessels that carry a wedding out through the Gulf Islands, so the ceremony happens on the water rather than beside it.
The Salish Sea is the water itself, between Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the mainland. What is listed here moves: boats that carry a wedding out through the islands rather than a building that watches them from the shore.
It suits a small guest list and a couple who want the day to be about the crossing. Numbers are set by the vessel, the route depends on the weather, and the ceremony happens where the boat is when the time comes.
Ask early about what happens if the forecast turns. Every operator has an answer and the answer is the thing worth comparing.
The index
Before you choose
The vessel decides, and the number is smaller than most venues on this site. Ask for the licensed passenger capacity rather than a comfortable number, because that figure is a legal limit and it includes the crew and anybody working the day.
Wherever the boat is when the time comes, which is a route rather than an address. Most operators pick a sheltered spot on the day based on the wind and will talk you through the likely options beforehand, so plan the timing loosely and let the skipper choose the place.
Every operator has an answer and comparing those answers is the most useful thing you can do before booking. Ask what wind speed cancels a sailing, whether the alternative is staying at the dock or moving the date, and who decides.
From a marina, at a time that does not move, and that is the hard edge of the whole day. Tell everybody to arrive an hour early, arrange parking in advance, and put the dock name rather than the town on the invitation.
Some will, and the protected water between the islands is far calmer than open ocean. Sail in the morning if you can, tell guests to take something before boarding rather than after, and ask the operator which parts of the route are the roughest.
Yes, in provincial waters with a provincial marriage licence and a marriage commissioner or registered religious representative aboard. Contrary to the story, a ship captain cannot marry you in Canada, so the officiant is somebody you book and bring.
The rest of it
Folklore keeps a vendor guide for Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, which covers this area: photographers, florists, caterers and planners. If you would rather hand the whole thing over, we plan weddings here too.
Keep looking
Every region on the coast, and the whole index in one place.
