The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC, is a world-renowned venue, offering timeless elegance, spectacular views, and unparalleled service. Nestled on beautiful Vancouver Island, this iconic hotel is a dream location for couples near and far looking to host their luxury wedding. If you're planning your own dream day, look no further than this magnificent venue. This blog post will highlight the stunning features of a luxury wedding at the Fairmont Empress and introduce you to some of the talented vendors who can bring your wedding vision to life.
A Picture-Perfect Setting: The Fairmont Empress
From the moment you step into the spacious lobby of the Fairmont Empress, it’s clear that this is a venue unlike any other. Its majestic architecture, lush gardens, and breathtaking waterfront views make it a prime location for a luxury wedding in Victoria, BC. Whether you're envisioning an intimate ceremony surrounded by florals and greenery or a grand ballroom affair with all the bells and whistles, the Fairmont Empress offers a variety of elegant spaces to suit your personal and elevated style. The historic hotel’s grandeur combined with modern touches provides a stunning backdrop for wedding photos, allowing the Robyn Paige Photography team to capture every moment with the utmost beauty and elegance. If you are craving a timeless, old-world historic vibe for your luxury wedding, the Fairmont Empress should be at the top of your venue list.
Why The Fairmont Empress is Ideal for Your Luxury Wedding:
Spectacular Views: Overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbor and beautifully landscaped gardens, the venue provides a stunning setting for both ceremony and reception. The Fairmont Empress is merely steps away from Victoria's stunning and accessible seawall, iconic landmarks such as the Legislative Assembly & Royal BC Museum as well as the hustle and bustle of downtown cafes, cocktail bars, restaurants and boutiques shops. For those couples who already live in Victoria, it makes for the most idyllic weekend away for out-of-town guests. For couples who dream of a lavish destination wedding on the West Coast of Canada, this venue and location is unmatched.
Impeccable Service: The Fairmont Empress offers unparalleled hospitality to ensure every detail of your big day is flawless. They truly are experts at hosting elegant weddings and events. When you book your wedding with the Fairmont Empress, you will be connected to a site coordinator who liaises with your wedding planner to organize your entire day so you don't have to lift a finger. You will truly get to enjoy and cherish your day. Your wedding package will include essential yet elegant pieces for your reception, such as chairs, tables with linens, dishware, and a bar set-up, so you won't have to pay any mind to these items. Not to mention, this lessens the mental load on your hired wedding planner so they can focus more on the specific aspects that matter most to you.
Delectable Food & Drink: The in-house plated food and drink service is luxurious and mouth-watering. You will no doubt receive compliments from your guests all night long. The Fairmont Empress staff are professional, efficient and attend to your needs before you even notice you have one.
Unique Spaces: Choose from several distinct and timeless spaces such as the regal Bengal Room (up to 110 guests) as showcased in this blog post, the captivating Palm Court (up to 200 guests) or even the glorious Crystal Ballroom which can accommodate up to 450 guests. The Fairmont Empress also has a signature outdoor garden space which transforms into a magical setting for wedding ceremonies and boasts a picturesque view of the Inner Harbor.
Capturing the Moment: Luxury Wedding Photography at The Fairmont Empress
A luxury wedding at the Fairmont Empress deserves a photographer who can truly capture its beauty. Whether it's the opulent décor, candid moments, or breathtaking landscapes, a talented wedding photographer can immortalize these moments for a lifetime. Choosing a photographer who is familiar with the venue can make a significant difference. Photographers with experience at the Fairmont Empress know how to make the most of its grand features, whether it’s the ornate chandeliers in the ballroom or the sunset over the Inner Harbor. Therefore, the Robyn Paige Photography team would be absolutely honored to document your love story at this timeless venue.
Luxury Wedding Vendors in Victoria, BC
A luxury wedding isn’t just about the venue – it’s about every detail coming together to create a seamless experience. Listed below are some of our recommended luxury wedding vendors who can help bring your dream day to life at the Fairmont Empress. The italicized vendors are those featured in the wedding showcased on this blog post.
1. Wedding Planner: The Good Party, French Kiss Events and Rock Paper Square. A top-tier wedding planner ensures that every detail of your big day is perfect. From the first consultation to the final dance, they help plan every aspect, ensuring your vision is brought to life with sophistication and grace.
2. Floral Design: Rook and Rose, Apothecary, and Bespoke Blossoms. When it comes to floral arrangements, these florists have a reputation for creating breathtaking, custom-designed bouquets, centerpieces, and installations. They are passionate about designing unique arrangements that reflect the style and elegance of the Fairmont Empress.
3. Catering: Fairmont Empress Culinary Team. The culinary team at the Fairmont Empress delivers exquisite cuisine, perfect for a luxury wedding reception. Whether you opt for plated dinner service or a lavish buffet, their team works with you to create a menu that delights your guests and complements the elegance of the venue.
4. Hair and Makeup: Kreativ Beauty (Liza), Melanie Baird, and Marianne Moore. To complete your bridal look, these artists offer high-end hair and makeup services, ensuring you look flawless on your big day. They create soft, romantic styles that highlight your natural beauty, with long-lasting results. We personally witnessed Liza's make-up application stay put all day long despite the bride enduring the summer heat and crying on several occasions. As of December 2024, Liza from Kreativ Beauty will now travel from Vancouver to service her Victoria, B.C. clients.
5. Videographer: Paper Heart Films. A videographer will capture the key moments and also film scenes which embody the emotions and grandeur of your day. The result is a sophisticated, cinematic memory that will be a cherished keepsake for years to come.
5. Ceremony Music: Cascadia Strings. To elevate the atmosphere during your ceremony and cocktail hour, Cascadia Strings brings a delicate taste to your celebration with a mix of classical harmonies.
Tips for a Flawless Luxury Wedding at The Fairmont Empress
Trust your wedding planner: Work with your wedding planner to create a timeline that flows smoothly from the ceremony to the reception. The Fairmont Empress offers expert coordinators who will consult with your wedding planner to keep everything on track so you don't have to worry about a single thing.
Consult your photographer: The Robyn Paige Photography team knows how long it should take to capture certain aspects of the day, such as portraits, family formals, etc. to ensure you have relaxed and seamless transitions throughout the various parts of your day. They also know how to find the best light and are acutely aware of where the sun is in the sky during particular seasons and times of day to get the most flattering photographs. Robyn Paige Photography offers a special packages for those couples hosting their wedding celebration at the Fairmont Empress. We encourage you to contact us below.
Don’t Forget the Details: Invest your time to think about and include nuanced details that matter the most to you and your partner. Communicate this with your wedding planner so they can weave these into your day. No details is too small when it comes to your luxury wedding as these elements come together to make your wedding unforgettable. During our consultation call, we will gather important details from you to ensure that your photography experience is completely custom as well. Every couple is unique in what matters most to them, and we want to hear about it to make your photography dreams a reality.
Opt for a First Look: If you're looking for intimate moments before the ceremony, consider scheduling a "first look" where you and your partner see each other before the guests arrive. This allows you to have more relaxed photo opportunities in the beautiful surroundings. However, there is something special to be said for the traditional "first look" that happens right then and there during the ceremony.
Consider Seasonal Flowers: For a wedding at any time of the year, ask your florist or wedding planner about incorporating seasonal flowers. This ensures that your bouquets and arrangements reflect the natural beauty of the region.
Final Thoughts
A luxury wedding at the Fairmont Empress is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With its exceptional service, beautiful spaces, and the expert vendors who will help bring your vision to life, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the top wedding venues in Victoria, BC. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or an intimate affair, the Fairmont Empress offers an unforgettable setting for a luxury wedding day.
Are you ready to start planning your dream wedding at the Fairmont Empress?
Contact us below to get started in planning your most magical day. We can't wait to work with you.
All images taken and edited by Robyn Paige Photography while working alongside Kiana Bryn Photo <3
