There are plenty of reasons to gush over a Stanley Park Teahouse wedding, from its central yet private location to its drool-worthy food. When it comes to intimate wedding venues, this one is at the top of my list for couples who envision a secluded ceremony spot followed by a celebration with their closest loved ones. Laura and Xavier’s day gives you a glimpse into this dreamy forested spot and just might convince you that it’s the location for you!

A couple kisses among the ferns on a sunny day in the evergreen forest of Stanley Park

Is The Teahouse in Stanley Park the Vancouver wedding venue you’ve been searching for?

Situated on 400 hectares of forested public land, Stanley Park sits nestled between Burrard Inlet and English Bay, right in the heart of the city. If you’re a local, you’ve likely snuck off into the park for a sweet escape into nature without leaving town. If you’re visiting, you’ve seen it listed in the top sights to see in Vancouver. It’s well-known and well-loved for good reason.

On the western edge of the park, you’ll find The Teahouse in Stanley Park, an upscale restaurant tucked into the trees of British Columbia’s famous lush rainforests and only a few minutes walk from the coast. Known for its seasonal cuisine and romantic ambiance, the teahouse doubles as an incredible intimate wedding venue with an idyllic ceremony location, two reception options, and easy access from the city’s center.

As an elopement photographer, I often chat with couples about what they are looking for when it comes to planning a wedding in an intimate setting. While many love the idea of ditching the traditional ceremony where they share vows in front of a crowd, they also want a chance to celebrate their day with their friends and family in a beautiful setting. The Teahouse gives you the best of both worlds, with a *ceremony space in the forest for privacy and a stunning set-up for a reception afterward. In other words, you can have your cake and eat it, too!

*Note, this ceremony space is not reservable as part of the Stanley Park Tea House, but just a secret spot close by!

Laura and Xavier’s Intimate Stanley Park Teahouse Wedding

Couples choose their wedding locations for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it’s a sentimental spot they hold dear, sometimes it’s the natural beauty that draws them in. For Laura and Xavier, Stanley Park was both.

They live close to the park and visit frequently, for morning runs or to catch some afternoon sun away from the bustling city. The teahouse is a bit of a hidden gem, one they knew would offer the intimacy of an elopement but also offered the opportunity to invite guests along to commemorate a day they made uniquely their own.

And what a day it was! They started with a first look in the forest, a chance to spend time together just the two of them, before greeting their family at the ceremony site. They shared their “I Do” moment and incorporated a traditional drink before heading back to the venue for a cocktail hour with the rest of their guests. Personalized bits made their day even more special – like bringing their dog along, stained glass placeholders made by their mom, and inviting their friend to offer live tattoos for everyone (nothing says forever like their matching finger tattoos!)

Their day wrapped up with some personality-packed speeches and a 75-person dinner reception in The Conservatory, an event space with a glass roof and floor-to-ceiling windows that let you soak in the stunning surrounding greenery. Truly the perfect ending to a day spent in Stanley Park!

4 Reasons Why The Teahouse in Stanley Park is one of the best wedding venues in BC:

The food! Not only will their cuisine add delicious bites to your reception, but it will also make organizing easy and breezy. I’m a big fan of using restaurants as intimate wedding venues because you don’t have to worry about catering set-ups, dinnerware, or cooking stations. It’s an all-in-one option that can simplify and streamline the logistics of your planning!
The scenery! It’s rare for a wedding venue to have access to so much variety for your photos and overall experience. A Stanley Park Teahouse wedding means you’ll have access to a forest, beach, and cityscape, as well as the thoughtful event spaces they’ve created. It’s a win win win in my book!
The location! You don’t have to drive hours into the wilderness to make British Columbia’s natural beauty a part of your day. The restaurant’s location feels like a serene getaway without making guests travel too far.
The venue itself! The Teahouse has thoughtfully designed its event spaces to give a romantic hideaway backdrop to your celebration all while managing to comfortably accommodate guests with ease. On top of that, while reception options like The Conservatory are indoors, the natural light is stunning, which is so important for great photos! Consider it wedding photographer-approved.

A few things to keep in mind when planning a Stanley Park Teahouse Wedding:

It is a public place! While their reception options can be fully reserved, the ceremony location and surrounding areas for photos are public land. This means you’ll likely encounter other people throughout the day! While Laura and Xavier’s photos don’t show it, there were plenty of people around on the paths to their ceremony spot, as it was September on a Friday. Because the park is so popular and beaches get crowded, I’d recommend getting married on a weekday if privacy is a priority.

The venue is a small, quaint setting. Their largest indoor venue option has a max guest count of 60-70 guests and their outdoor ceremony site has a capacity of 50-80 seats, so it isn’t ideal for large weddings. However, they do offer two other reception spaces suitable for smaller guest lists, making it perfect for an intimate wedding or after-elopement gathering! You can check out all of their venue spaces here.

Navigating Stanley Park can be a bit tricky. Its only road is one-way and connects to a highway, so directions can get a little funky. This doesn’t damper its convenient location, just give yourself extra time traveling to and around the park!

Have you found the Vancouver wedding venue for you?

Overall, The Teahouse at Stanley Park is a charming wedding venue option if you’re planning an elopement celebration or micro-wedding in near the heart of Vancouver! Take a scroll through Laura and Xavier’s photo gallery for more inspiration below. And if you fall in love with the venue like they did, I’m here to help you start creating a plan for your own personalised wedding day!

(check out the vendors at the end of the blog!)

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