There’s something about the coast that’s just so magical. No matter where in the world you are, the dramatic, rocky coastlines, epic ocean views, and beautiful sea breezes are so romantic — and perfect for a wedding or elopement. Intimate weddings allow you to be fully present, connecting with only those who matter most — which is such a beautiful thing. And there are so many intimate wedding venues near the water, whether you’re planning a Canadian celebration or an overseas destination wedding.
From Vancouver to Ireland, here are the most intimate wedding venues for a coastal retreat, offering amazing views, exceptional hospitality, and that little something special.
1. Drake Devonshire, Prince Edward County Ontario
Drake Devonshire is such a unique Prince Edward County wedding venue! Positioned on Lake Ontario, this modern and offbeat resort and restaurant is so stylish, with brightly-designed accommodations, epic lake views, and delicious cuisine.
Smaller weddings are perfectly suited to the Glass Box, making it one of my top intimate wedding venues for a quirky ceremony location — think contemporary style, floor-to-ceiling windows, and such a vibe! Or, say your vows outdoors on the beach, shoes optional, of course!
A Drake Devonshire elopement is going to be so romantic and an incredible time for you and your guests.
2. Wander the Resort, Prince Edward County Ontario
Wander the Resort, in Bloomfield, is all about serenity, relaxation, and Nordic-inspired design, with luxurious cabins, inspired by nature, for you and your guests to enjoy.
Saw your vows outside, surrounded by nature, then dine and dance the night away under the stars, celebrating with those who matter most. For destination weddings, there’s an incredible spa on site too, so be sure to arrive early enough to enjoy it!
Your Wander the Resort wedding photos will be so gorgeous, with modern, minimalist architecture, lots of gardens and greenery, and we can add on a sunset portrait session by the water.
3. The Sea Ranch Lodge, Northern California
If you’re seeking an intimate Northern California wedding venue with ocean views, look no further than the Sea Ranch Lodge. Just two hours from San Francisco, this luxury seaside space is architecturally stunning — designed to seamlessly blend nature and the resort.
Say your vows in one of the property’s serene meadows, overlooking the Pacific Ocean below, then celebrate at the Chef’s Table or the Redwood Patio, high-end restaurant and venue spaces that you can hire for exclusive use.
4. Portmarnock Resort, Dublin, Ireland
There’s nowhere on earth with the charm and beauty of the Emerald Isle! A Portmarnock Resort wedding is the perfect choice for a destination elopement in Ireland, with rolling green hills and a beachfront ceremony location.
As a historic golf club and resort, this is one of the best intimate wedding venues, offering traditional luxury and fine dining and hospitality. offering traditional luxury and fine dining and hospitality. It’s set along the ‘The Velvet Strand’, one of Ireland’s most famous stretches of uninterrupted coastline.
Your wedding images here will be so timeless, with elegant furnishings, the grand, historic resort in the background, and lots of coastal and garden spaces where we can take portraits.
5. Cliff House Hotel, Waterford, Ireland
Another fantastic choice for an Irish wedding is the Cliff House Hotel, in the charming town of Waterford. Regarded as one of Ireland’s most luxurious small hotels, this five-star property is perched atop epic cliffs, overlooking the ocean below.
Cliff House wedding photography is so elegant, with gorgeous vistas available. I absolutely love the hotel’s grand spiral staircase and the North Pavilion, a reception space adorned in white, with floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean below and a private courtyard and balcony space.
6. Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort, Vancouver Island, BC
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort is one of the best BC wedding venues for a coastal retreat. Located on picturesque Vancouver Island, this tranquil resort is tucked away in a beautiful, lush forest, but faces the ocean.
The resort specialises in weddings, starting from 15 guests, so it’s an ideal choice for an intimate wedding — especially in the balmy summer months!
You and your guests can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and hiking, making a Tigh-Na-Mara wedding ideal for active couples seeking adventure and outdoor activities.
7. The Beach Motel, Southampton, Ontario
Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron, the Beach Motel offers beautiful views and accommodation with a great restaurant and spa. Oh, and you’ll love that it’s only minutes from some of Ontario’s most picturesque beaches!
Smaller groups could book a private space within the delicious Sandbar Restaurant, ideal for toasting and celebrating after you have a low-key romantic ceremony on the beach.
With exposed timber, white brick, and lots of natural light, your Beach Motel wedding photos will be so bright, airy, and modern, and we’ll be sure to take some portraits along the beach as well.
8. Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler, BC
A Nita Lake Lodge wedding is just perfect for couples seeking a luxury waterfront venue in Whistler. This impressive alpine lodge has such amazing ambience — you’ll love Porte-Cochere, their open-air ceremony venue, made from Douglas fir and red cedar, with soaring ceilings and lots of lush green pines. Or, have a smaller ceremony right on the lakefront, the choice is yours!
This venue is equally beautiful in summer or winter, offering high-end elegance, amazing cuisine, and a luxury spa for you and your guests to enjoy. Nita Lake Lodge also specialises in weddings, so you and your guests will be looked after so well here.
9. Bodega Ridge, Galiano Island, BC
Bodega Ridge is an intimate Galiano Island wedding venue that is always so much fun to visit! This casual retreat, offering both camping and cabins, has beautiful views of the Trincomali Channel.
You can elope in a wildflower garden or by the water, then enjoy the warm summer nights as you dance outdoors and dine under the venue’s outdoor reception tent. Both the kitchen and bar focus on serving local as much as possible, featuring produce grown on the island and artisan ciders and craft beers, which is such a thoughtful touch.
You’ll love your Bodega Ridge wedding photography as well, as we can take candid snaps in the meadows, gardens, and along the water, with huge stone boulders and tall trees that add so much beauty and scale to your images.
10. Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland
Fogo Island Inn seriously feels unreal — it’s so quiet, and almost feels like you’re in Iceland! This award-winning venue is remote and rugged, but still feels luxurious and is all about sustainability, so I highly recommend it for a destination elopement.
From private elopements to small weddings, Fogo Island Inn is ideal for couples who love the outdoors and are looking for a unique and private location. With unbelievable architecture (the venue is perched on ancient boulders, overlooking the water!), windswept views, and lots of natural light streaming indoors, your Fogo Island Inn wedding photography will be completely different than what any other venue could offer!
Although it takes some effort to get to Fogo Island, it’s such a fun place for your guests to visit, as the venue can assist with hiking, heli-tours, whale watching, and even foraging and jam-making events.
11. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise, Alberta
An iconic resort that almost needs no introduction, Fairmont Chateau is one of the best wedding venues in Lake Louise for a coastal retreat. This five-star resort offers glacial lake views and exceptional service. Plus, I love that you can enjoy the beauty of Alberta without the hustle of Banff here!
This is one of the most popular intimate wedding venues, with wedding teams that make it easy to plan your dream celebration. With elegant, wood-panelled ballrooms to intimate waterfront ceremonies, your events here will be the height of luxury.
Of course, so will your wedding photos at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, featuring the unbelievably turquoise lake, the jagged mountain peaks, and the romantic Renaissance Revival-style architecture style of the venue. I love the winter fairytale look when everything here is covered in fresh snow, it just feels so special and memorable.
12. Pacific Sands Beach Resort, Tofino, BC
If you’re looking for a Tofino beach wedding venue, I always recommend Pacific Sands Beach Resort. It’s a gorgeous place, right in the heart of Canada’s whale watching and surfing capital — so your guests will love it here too!
Weddings are popular here in the summer months, with the option to say your vows beachside at Cox Bay and then celebrate all night in the Rainforest Tent, seating up to 40 people, perched above a canopy of towering trees.
The awesome wedding planning team here can bring your wedding vision to life, but they can also help arrange lots of fun Tofino activities for your guests to enjoy, such as private yoga, surf lessons, and massage and spa treatments.
