Kira and Kirks Butchart Gardens Wedding in Victoria, BC

Kira & Kirk’s Butchart Gardens Wedding

Kira and Kirk’s Butchart Gardens wedding took place in mid-March on an overcast, moody day—typical for Vancouver Island at that time of year. Family and friends joined the happy couple to celebrate their marriage at the world-renowned National Historic Site of Canada, Butchart Gardens. Guests travelled all the way from England to be part of the celebration, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had already heard of Butchart!

The land was originally purchased in 1904 and established as a cement plant by couple Robert and Jenny Butchart. The landscape has evolved much since those early days. Once the rich limestone had been exhausted from the quarry, Jenny began to pursue a dream of transforming the quarry into a sunken garden. Work began in 1912, and has become a legendary icon that draws over 1 million guests annually to the special place. Today, the 55 acre property is a cherished memory for anyone who visits the lush garden expanse. Today, the 55-acre estate stands as a living legacy—an exquisitely curated garden that welcomes over one million visitors each year.

Photographing Kira and Kirk’s wedding will always hold a special place in my heart. Less than a year earlier, I had the privilege of photographing Kira’s sister’s wedding in another equally stunning garden setting—Milner Gardens. Having worked with both sisters years ago at a health food store, I’ve cherished staying in touch ever since. The significance of photographing both sisters’ weddings is not lost on me—it is the highest compliment I could receive. Being welcomed into their family once again, witnessing their love and the joy of their celebrations, has only deepened my admiration for them. Moments like these are a reminder of why I do what I do, and why capturing love stories is such an honor.

Butchart Gardens Weddings: An Exceptionally Exclusive Setting

Having your wedding at Butchart Gardens is a truly exclusive experience, with the limited window for ceremonies running from mid-January to mid-March. Couples may host up to 60 guests and can select from a few options—from intimate elopement packages to full-day experiences including both ceremony and reception dinner.

Because Butchart Gardens attracts such a high volume of visitors, weddings are only accommodated during the least-busy months, ensuring both a beautiful setting and a sense of privacy. Ceremonies take place in the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden, which is closed to the public at 3:30pm, allowing couples to celebrate in a serene and private atmosphere. Given the seasonal timing, careful planning is essential for photography. With these months being the shortest of the year, daylight is limited. Often, bridal party portraits—as well as bride and groom portraits—are taken before the ceremony to ensure there is enough natural light remaining afterward for family photos and mingling.

Bustling Preparations

Kira, Kirk, and their bridal party got ready on site at Butchart Gardens just beside the ceremony space in private rooms. From a photography standpoint, these rooms were quite beautiful, with lovely skylights filling the room with natural light. A simple privacy panel divided the room, allowing both sides to hear the others murmured chatter. I thought that was cute!

Due to the short time frame allowed for use of the getting ready rooms, Kira’s hair and makeup team consisted of not 1 or 2 artists, but 5!! The dream team dolled all of the ladies up, including mothers of the bride and groom in a very short time frame.

Spring Prelude Indoor Garden Ceremony

Kira and Kirk chose a traditional first-look moment, with Kira being walked down the aisle by her father to marry the love of her life. Set in the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden, the couple were surrounded by the lush, deep greens of tropical plants and bathed in soft, airy light streaming through the expansive windows. Friends and family lined the corridor, creating an intimate and joyful atmosphere.

What made the moment even more special was the presence of their infant son. Serving as the ring bearer, he playfully touched the rings on his caretakers’ hands just as Kira and Kirk exchanged their vows. OH MY HEART!

55 Acres of Garden Photo Ops!

With 55 acres of gardens, having a clear game plan for photos is essential. Knowing the layout of the property and selecting ideal spots ahead of time helps make the most of limited daylight and keeps the day running smoothly. Because the time between the ceremony and reception was short, Kira and Kirk shared their preferred garden locations in advance, ensuring we captured all the moments they envisioned.

We began in the courtyard just beyond the ceremony site, where serene ponds create a picturesque backdrop, complemented by the first budding cherry blossoms of the season. Being mid-March, blooms were limited, but we discovered a flowering Rhododendron bush and spent time among the evergreen bamboo and the tranquil Japanese Gardens. One truly magical photo opportunity was a private ride on the Carousel—walking the gardens without a single visitor in sight was a rare and enchanting experience. The carousel ride added a whimsical and playful touch to the day, perfectly reflecting Kira and Kirks playful spirit.

An Intimate Reception Party To Illuminate the Night

The Butchart Gardens wedding reception was a joyful celebration, filled with heartfelt moments shared with family who had traveled from afar, dear friends, and of course, the couple’s little son. Guests enjoyed a plated dinner and sipped on thoughtfully crafted cocktails, all within the elegant ambiance of the main reception space.

Speeches brought everyone together in an intimate circle, sparking laughter and emotion in equal measure. As the evening progressed and dancing began, the atmosphere grew spirited and playful—ties found their way onto heads, and guests let loose, celebrating Kira and Kirk’s love with exuberance and joy.