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Full Partner · The Salish Sea

The Providence

A gaff-rigged tallship built in 1903. Vows on deck, sails up, and the open Salish Sea past the rail.

Built 1903Up to 20 guestsSails April to October
Full Partner
Vessel
80ft gaff-rigged ketch
Gathering size
Up to 20 guests
From
$10,500
Booking
Through Folklore
This venue runs its bookings on Folklore. You check the date, hold it, and then everything sits in one place: your thread with the venue, your paperwork, your payment dates. You are still talking to the people who own it, and the wedding agreement is between you and them.

The venue

A venue that moves.

The Providence was built in 1903 and still sails. White canvas, worn wood, and a deck that has been underfoot for over a century. From spring through early autumn she works the Gulf Islands and the coastline around them, so the backdrop is never the same twice.

Twenty guests is the limit and the ship is the whole venue. Couples and guests are welcome to help hoist the sails or take a turn at the helm. Ceremonies happen under way, at anchor in a quiet cove, or alongside at the dock, depending on the weather and what you want the day to feel like.

April to May
Cold water, clear light, quiet channels
June to August
Long days and reliable wind
September
The best sailing month of the year
October
Short season, weather dependent

What makes it

01

She still works

Built in 1903 and sailing ever since. Worn wood, tarred rigging, and canvas that goes up by hand. Nothing aboard is a reproduction of anything.

02

You can take the helm

Guests are welcome on the lines and at the wheel. Most weddings here end up with half the party hauling on something, which is the best thing about it.

03

The backdrop keeps moving

Open water, a quiet cove, or alongside at the dock, depending on the wind and what you want. No two sailings look the same.

The packages

Sailings aboard The Providence

02 · packages
Ceremony on the deck of the ProvidenceTwo to eight people

The Half Day

$10,500 + tax

Four hours out of the harbour, ceremony under way or at anchor.

  • Four hour charter
  • Skipper and two crew
  • Ceremony on deck
  • Fuel and moorage
  • Guest safety briefing and gear
Check dates for The Half Day →
The Providence under full sail on the Salish SeaUp to twenty guests

The Full Sailing

$18,500 + tax

Eight hours, a working sail through the islands, and dinner at anchor.

  • Eight hour charter
  • Skipper and three crew
  • Ceremony under sail or at anchor
  • Dinner service at anchor
  • Fuel, moorage, and a tender for shore runs
  • Hands on the lines for anyone who wants them
Check dates for The Full Sailing →

The practical part

What you actually need to know.

Capacity
Twenty is the Transport Canada limit including crew on some sailings. Confirm the number before you invite.
Parking
Public lot at the harbour, pay by plate. Not reserved and it fills on summer weekends.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible. Boarding is a fixed gangway with a step down to deck, and the deck moves.
Power
Ship power only. One 15A shore-power circuit while alongside. No amplified sound under way.
Catering
Galley is small. Caterers should plan cold service or something that finishes in one pot.
Noise and curfew
None at sea. Harbour quiet hours from 10pm while alongside.
Rain plan
The saloon below seats fourteen. Sailing proceeds in rain and cancels only for wind above 25 knots.
Washrooms
Two heads below deck. Both are small.
Lodging
Two guest cabins for the couple, four berths total.

Preferred vendors

People who have worked here before.

Photography

Sydney Woodward

Has sailed on her more than anyone else on the list. Knows where to stand on a heeling deck.

Visit site →
Film and Super 8

Salty Media Co.

Visit site →

Enquire

See if your date is free.

Tell them when and how many. The Providence keeps its calendar here, so you get a yes or a no on your date rather than a brochure.

Check a dateFROM $10,500

Keep looking

Marry here.

Tell them your season and your people, and find out whether The Providence is free.

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