After visiting lots of venues over the course of several weeks (which felt like months), we finally found “the one.” It wasn’t listed on any of the wedding websites that I visited or any of the Vancouver wedding guides. I found this one by googling restaurants and then using Google Maps to figure out which ones were close to the water. Let me tell you, this was a tedious task, but it was easier than driving up and down the streets hunting for a venue.
We chose The Beach House at Dundarave Pier, which has a private room upstairs that includes an outdoor deck.
Here’s what she looks like all dolled up (from their website)
You can see more photos here.
As soon as we entered the space, we loved it. Then we came back for dinner and that sealed the deal.
There is a park right next to the restaurant, so we figured that we could have the ceremony outside as long as it doesn’t rain. Over time, this idea became less and less appealing as I imagined people laying out in the sun right next to our ceremony and children shrieking with delight at the nearby playground. The other image was rain and having to purchase hundreds of dollars of umbrellas, just in case. Plus, we wouldn’t be able to have chairs for our guests according to city bylaws and the idea of our family and friends standing around us was already making me feel claustrophobic.
Can you see where I am going with this? Yes, now that we’ve secured the reception site, it’s time to embark on a new challenge… finding the ceremony site.
I worked “backwards” too. The reception site dictated our wedding date and it wasn’t until a week ago that I secured our ceremony location.
That is such an amazing view!
Oh wow, Im jealous of that view. Great choice Ginger… and even though I dont like seafood, those plates look yummy. 
what a stunning view. i love how modern yet warm the room is with the fireplace. we loved having a restaurant reception. you know the food is great, there is no need to rent tables, chairs, plates, etc. because they have everything. our restaurant even provided all the votive candles — one less thing to spend money on.
good luck with the venue. if there is anything in walking distance, i can’t tell you how wonderful it was for us to walk from our ceremony to the reception with all our guest. are you having a small-ish wedding? we invited 70 and ended up with 45. it was so nice in a restaurant space. can’t wait to see how everything works out for you.
What a gorgeous view and the food looks to die for! What a perfect site! Good luck with the ceremony site search.
That is so gorgeous love it.
Oooh, that food looks DELICIOUS! What a beautiful room, too! 
yum, my family and I used to eat there for special occaisions when we lived on the North Shore. I remember it was very very good food and excellent service.
If you want a quiet outdoor ceremony, maybe West Van Museum & Archives? Its a small house with gardens. Not sure how many people it can accommodate.
Location and food– both delicious! Good job.
What a beautiful place!
Looks beautiful! I’m getting married in September in Vancouver but haven’t nailed down a venue yet (late, I know) so are you able to PM me with some details of the minimum spending amount, room rental fee, etc? =D
@Grace: I did a search for you to PM you, but couldn’t find you. If you PM me, I’ll definitely share any info that I have. I think we were 5 months out when we booked the Beach House.
@chinglish: I think we actually looked at the West Van Museum, but it was too small 
Thanks for the suggestion though.
@Mrs. Onion: We really wanted to keep it walking distance, but changed our minds because we weren’t happy with the park next door. You’ll see why in a future post :p
@JenniferB: Congrats on having recently secured your ceremony venue!
Congratulations on finding your venue — it looks gorgeous and that view is to die for! (The food looks amazing too . . . I’m now trying to avoid regretting that we didn’t do a restaurant instead of a hall and catering.)
Wanted to add my welcome since I had been away from reading the board for three weeks! I’m so glad to have another 30-something blogger and very glad to read about your same-sex relationship and wedding planning! (We’re actually having our party in SF City Hall, where Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon (and so many others — hooray!) got married in the Winter of Love. We’re planning to put picture frames up all around with wedding pictures of couples that got married that month along with wedding pictures from our families and friends.)
@Amy H.: Hi Amy H., thanks for the welcome SF City Hall sounds like such a cool place to have your wedding! It’s gorgeous from the outside and though I’ve never been inside, from all the photos I’ve seen, it looks really nice. I love the idea of displaying wedding pictures of couples from the Winter of Love
Mrs. Gingerbread, Vancouver
Age and Occupation: 32, Psychologist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Software Engineer
Engagement Date: Sometime in the fall of 2004
Wedding Date: July, 2008
Blogging Since: March 24, 2008
Venue: Rainforest wedding, beachfront restaurant reception
About Me: I recently moved to Canada from Southern California. Trying to plan a wedding in a new city, not to mention a new country, is tough, but the fact that we can get legally married here more than makes up for it! The wedding will be an opportunity for most of our family and friends to see our new city for the first time so it will be both a wedding and a reunion. Besides my future wife, I am also madly in love with a good bargain, Swedish pastries, Tivo, and my two dogs and calico cat (in no particular order).
SO jealous of that view Miss GB! and that chandelier! PRETTY!!