The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria
With the Olympics hitting Vancouver in February, securing a local venue to host your wedding in January, February or March, is going to be tricky to say the least. To assist you in planning your day, we are always on the hunt for new and exciting venues to showcase, but trying to find venues that offer unique services or stunning backdrops that have been relatively undiscovered can sometimes be a daunting task here in Vancouver. A few weeks ago, I made the trip over to the fabulous Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria on Vancouver Island and after the two day stay, it was clear that I need look no further.
The secluded, 5 Star, 4 Diamond, Bear Mountain Resort is nestled amongst picturesque Arbutus trees and sports scenic views from every direction. Really, The Westin Bear Mountain offers everything that a couple could want, from a stunning outdoor ceremony location, wonderful food and a beautiful ballroom to a world class spa for the ladies and two golf courses for the guys. Add in the full service wedding packages that The Westin Bear Mountain offers, complete with in house floral, and you’ve got the components for a perfect wedding.
I met with on site wedding expert Helena Price over lunch to find out more about what The Westin Bear Mountain had to offer it’s couples and what really stood out is how much people here at Bear Mountain seem to love weddings. She talked so passionately about past weddings and even more passionately about the extra care and attention everyone puts into ensuring that a couple’s wedding is perfect from start to finish. It was inspiring to see a venue that clearly understands how important this day is not only for the couple but also for the family members and guests in attendance. Perhaps what intrigued me the most was that at The Westin Bear Mountain, they cater not only to full scale weddings, but also to small, intimate weddings often overlooked by other venues. In fact, they have created one of the most tantalizing, intimate wedding packages I’ve come across in a long time.
Here is how my dream wedding would unfold at The Westin Bear Mountain. I would gather up twenty or so of my favorite people for the weekend, making all the travel arrangements of course! I would arrive in style via helicopter which would land right at Bear Mountain. The weekend would start with some papering at Santé Spa for me and the gals along with a dip in the Mineral Pool while the guys took their turn on one of the gorgeous two golf courses, complete with an actual 19th hole!
By candlelight and surrounded by vintage vino, the intimate ceremony would take place in the signature wine cellar and then it would be up to onsite Panache Restaurant for a spectacular dinner full of culinary delights prepared by award winning executive head chef Iain Rennie. From behind the glass of Panache’s kitchen, Rennie and his culinary team prepare their creations and entertain their guests while we sip on perfectly paired wine hand selected by one of the two onsite sommeliers. What would be the fitting end to such a wonderful day you ask? Dancing under the stars on Panache’s private balcony of course.
Every couple has their own vision of what their perfect day would be but whether you want big and extravagant or sexy and intimate like me, The Westin Bear Mountain has it all and if you are looking to escape Vancouver when it welcomes the rest of the world in 2010, you might just want to let The Westin Bear Mountain welcome you.
the outdoor ceremony location

the fabulous panache and it’s yummy creations






the intimate wine cellar

the floral designs done in house



the oh so wonderful and relaxing mineral pool of Sante Spa