Sooke Harbour House
Outdoor Ceremony
Romance is all around us; in novels, poetry and movies, however, trying to find it in real life can be a bit of a challenge with all the distractions and stress surrounding us. This past weekend I had the personal pleasure of staying at the Sooke Harbour House and truly experiencing what this wonderful feeling really is. Today more than ever, brides are searching for that ideal wedding location that will give them a certain element of romance and style. Many are forgoing tradition and planning a destination style wedding instead, often forgetting that a plane ride isn’t necessary to find gorgeous scenery. British Columbia has some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the world, which makes it the perfect place for your destination wedding.
If you are searching for a stunning location in nature and next to the ocean; where you can create a beautiful wedding filled with whimsical romance, then look no further than the Sooke Harbour House. Owners Frederique and Sinclair Phillip run this charming inn and it is very clear they want you to feel at home, the minute you walk in the door. The house is decorated with such detail and care and because of the local artists contributions, it really gives you the impression that you might be staying in a beautiful gallery instead of a hotel. Everywhere you look there is something to marvel at! From the handcrafted sculptures of playful harbour seals, to the spectacular mosaics and paintings on the walls, there is something for everyone’s tastes.
If you are searching for a stunning location in nature and next to the ocean; where you can create a beautiful wedding filled with whimsical romance, then look no further than the Sooke Harbour House. Owners Frederique and Sinclair Phillip run this charming inn and it is very clear they want you to feel at home, the minute you walk in the door. The house is decorated with such detail and care and because of the local artists contributions, it really gives you the impression that you might be staying in a beautiful gallery instead of a hotel. Everywhere you look there is something to marvel at! From the handcrafted sculptures of playful harbour seals, to the spectacular mosaics and paintings on the walls, there is something for everyone’s tastes.
Raven's Nest Room
Frederique really believes that Sooke Harbour House is all about just being able to feel at peace while you unwind and reconnect in such beautiful surroundings. After speaking with her, it became apparent how passionate she is for providing; ethical, sustainable and artistic surroundings for her guests to experience in pure tranquility. Considering how the inn has 28 rooms and each one is so special and different, your guests will most certainly find a room that will suit their personality perfectly. My partner and I stayed in the gorgeous Kitchen Garden Room and it was just gorgeous! It felt more like an apartment, with a massive luxury bathtub and wood-burning fireplace than a hotel room (each room has these lovely amenities). The shower was a one-of-a-kind stained glass design, featuring a brilliant sunflower motif; it was so large and spacious and doubled as a steam room. Our view showcased the beautiful garden as well as the ocean, with the dramatic rugged coastline and the popular Whiffen Spit Beach. The rooms are each designed and decorated by Frederique herself, with a theme in mind that takes from local inspiration. I had a chance to see a few rooms such as the: Grandifolia Room, Whale Room, Harbour Seal Room and the larger Raven’s Nest Room which featured a loft upstairs (perfect for guests with families). It is the personal touches in each room that make this a special place and added a certain thoughtfulness to the entire experience. Upon arrival there is complementary port for you to enjoy with homemade cookies and the wooden fireplace is already set up for you to light. The breakfast menu allows you to choose when you would like your meal to be delivered right to your door, at an hour of your choice in the morning. Additionally, the beds are extremely luxurious and comfortable, come here for two nights and I guarantee you will feel your soul rejuvenated and all of your stresses lifted.
Crayfish
My partner and I experienced two dinners in their renowned restaurant and it is safe to say these were both simply the best meals we have ever tasted. If you are a wine and food lover like myself, then you will appreciate the tender love and care that goes into the preparation of all of the meals at the Sooke Harbour House Restaurant. Each day the menu is custom made to reflect what is in season and what is fresh and local. There is a garden on the property, which they use to grow many of the ingredients used in the restaurant. The first night, my partner and I tried the pork tenderloin and the flounder fish as our main courses. The melodies of these flavors and textures were divine. On the second night, we both dinned on the scallops with lentils and smoky bacon to start, which was a heavenly combination. For the main, we decided on the Dungeness crabs and this was cooked to perfection. For dessert, we tried the delicious sorbet and the chocolate cake and it was truly a masterpiece of food that was presented to us.
Wedding Cake
In conclusion, Sooke Harbour House has everything a bride could ever dream of to help plan the perfect destination wedding. There are three different ceremony site locations you can choose between on the grounds: the “upper garden” is situated near the house next to the herb garden, the “lower garden” is ideal for larger wedding parties looking for stunning ocean views and the “totem site” can accommodate three private rooms on the actual site. Perhaps you might want to have the house’s award-winning restaurant cater a delicious menu for your guests and design your fabulous wedding cake? Or have your flowers, décor and wedding planning looked after? These are some of the unique touches that they provide. Destination weddings are gaining more popularity because it is so appealing to have many of these details taken care of, making everything flow smoother and allowing you to relax and focus on one thing…having the most memorable romantic day of your life!
For more information please contact Sooke Harbour House.
(Photos courtsey of Sooke Harbour House)
For more information please contact Sooke Harbour House.
(Photos courtsey of Sooke Harbour House)
Restaurant Dining Room
The Kitchen Garden Room