What Makes Tigh Na Mara Wedding Photos So Timeless
Hi, I’m Deanna, a Vancouver Island wedding photographer who is genuinely obsessed with documenting love stories at Tigh Na Mara. This picturesque oceanside resort has built a legacy and reputation that spans generations—from guests who vacation here year after year, to locals who cherish the spa, and countless couples who have chosen it as the place to say I do. I’ve met more than one couple whose parents were also married at Tigh Na Mara, which speaks volumes about its enduring romance.
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of documenting many weddings at Tigh Na Mara, capturing everything from intimate elopements to full-scale celebrations. Since committing to wedding photography full-time in 2021, I’ve worked closely with the Tigh Na Mara team and am proud to be listed on their Recommended Vendors List. My deep familiarity with the venue allows me to photograph each wedding efficiently, knowing the exactly where to be at the right moment, lighting conditions, and hidden photo spots that make Tigh Na Mara wedding photos truly beautiful. I am going to share my knowledge here with you, so that you may become inspired to romance here, or perhaps you’re a photographer yourself! Enjoy!
Where I Take Family Formal Photos at Tigh Na Mara
While the beach is an undeniably beautiful backdrop for wedding photos, it isn’t always the most practical location for family formals. Coordinating and safely guiding a large group of guests down to the beach—especially those with mobility concerns—can be challenging and time-consuming. Instead, I encourage all family photos to be taken at the gazebo ceremony site.
My favorite location for family formal photos is in the shade of the large arbutus tree beside the pergola, at the top of the path leading down to the gazebo. You might be wondering why I don’t shoot with the ocean in the background. This is because the way the sunlight is, guests would be looking directly into the sun, which makes for squinty eyes and harsh shadows.
A Large Group Photo That’s Just Too Easy (and Fun!) Not to Take
When planning Tigh Na Mara wedding photos with my couples, we always talk about the logistics of capturing a large group photo with all of their guests. Depending on the guest count, location, and timing, this can sometimes feel like a challenging photo to organize. But at Tigh Na Mara, it’s surprisingly smooth, relaxed, and genuinely fun—and it fits beautifully into the natural flow of the wedding day.
One of the reasons this works so well at Tigh Na Mara is the ceremony layout. As soon as the ceremony wraps up, the newlyweds and bridal party walk back up the path to the pergola for a quick private breather and mini celebration—usually about three minutes. Often, the wedding coordinator is ready with champagne, which makes the moment even sweeter.
While the couple enjoys that pause together, I step in and invite guests to stand and gather on the lower ceremony level. This typically takes just one to three minutes. Once everyone is in place, the bridal party and newlyweds return, step into position, and we capture the group photo.
After that? The moment naturally melts into hugs, mingling, and congratulations. It’s a beautiful reintroduction of the newlyweds, creates a joyful atmosphere, and results in one of those must-have Tigh Na Mara wedding photos that feels effortless, celebratory, and full of life.
The Best Spots for Bridal Party & Bride + Groom Portraits at Tigh Na Mara
Little Forest Nook
This little forest nook is exactly that! A small grassy patch surrounded by a rhododendron bush, a Japanese Maple, a big healthy Douglas Fir, Arbutus and a few small Cedars. It has a variety of greens, and is conveniently located right across from the beach access. I usually shoot the forest photos here as it’s the nearest, most efficient location, and always has gorgeous light! In October, you might get lucky to see the Japanese Maple rich with its autumn colors. This is a setting where I am guaranteed to capture Tigh Na Mara wedding photos.
Quiet Forest Path
This particular spot is a few minutes walk away from the ceremony site, and is a popular option for couples looking to exchange a private first look prior to the ceremony. There is less chance of being seen by your guests, and it is a relatively quiet location compared to the beach. This spot is located in between cabins 441 and 442, on the side of the road.
Stepping Away Into the Forest
This forested setting is located directly across from the main reception spaces at Tigh Na Mara. I often step outside for a final few portraits during the last hour of daylight here. Just a 1-minute walk away, this is a great opportunity to take a few more photos during the prettiest light of the day, as well as take a moment alone together on a busy wedding day.
The Beach!
Okay, let’s get to the beach, the most iconic setting for Tigh Na Mara wedding photos! The beach access is located about 100 meters from the gazebo ceremony setting. The path down to the beach is somewhat steep, and has a guard rail. The beach itself is a gorgeous stretch of sandy expanse, with driftwood, tall sand grass, a forested hillside, and distant views of snow-capped mountains. The tide can stretch as far as 1km here, and can often be seen changing over the course of a wedding ceremony. During long weekends especially, this beach can become crowded. However, with a photographers keen eye, they can find the quiet spots, and even photoshop out the distant dots if need be. ;)
A Heads Up About The Shadow and Sun
There is only one lighting scenario at Tigh Na Mara which I am not a fan of. This only occurs during specific lighting conditions where the ceremony space is covered completely in shadow, while the beach beyond is still in sunshine. This happens during late-day ceremonies from September-March. You’ll notice in the below sample photo that I have to expose for the shadowed ceremony space in order to have faces bright. By doing this, the background is completely blown out. If I were to expose for the sunny background, the foreground would be too dark to see. Some photographers may use multiple exposure techniques to get an evenly exposed photo. I personally don’t do this, as I like to be quick on my feet and think the shots look too unnatural.
I have photographed a TON of weddings at Tigh Na Mara! Many of these stories, I’ve written about as well. View more Tigh Na Mara wedding photos and stories below!
- Tigh Na Mara Beach Wedding | Love on the Shore: Vicky and Matt’s Parksville Beach Wedding
Sandals and Sunshine: a Parksville Beach Wedding Vicky and Matt’s Tigh Na Mara beach wedding was celebrated wearing sandals while covered in sunshine. During our initial consultation, Vicky stated they were opting for something a little unique for their wedding day. They were seeking a casual vibe with quality time spent with guests. As a long-term employee at Tigh-Na-Mara, Vicky’s wedding was particularly special, with the ceremony taking place right […] - Tigh Na Mara Wedding | Amélie and Cody’s Intimate Parksville Spring Wedding
A Warm and Wonderful Parksville Spring Wedding Amélie and Cody chose to celebrate their marriage with a Parksville spring wedding. Set against the ocean backdrop and May’s springtime florals, Tigh-Na-Mara Resort was a perfect location for their intimate event. It meant a lot to the couple that their family gathered and spent quality time in one location, without the hassle of travelling to multiple places on the wedding day. Tigh-Na-Mara […] - Tigh Na Mara Wedding | A Dreamy Parksville Wedding for Mellissa and Jarred
Love Under September Skies: M&J’s Beautiful Parksville Wedding Mellissa and Jarred chose to celebrate their marriage with a Parksville wedding at the reputable Tigh-Na-Mara Resort. In late-September, the summer crowds have gone home, kids are back at school, and the beach is much quieter. The sun sets earlier, and there is a refreshing coolness in the air. With a later ceremony, the sun was already beginning its slow decent, and […] - Tigh Na Mara Wedding Memories | SWIMMING in the Ocean in their Wedding Attire at NIGHT in the RAIN
One Of The Wildest Tigh Na Mara Wedding Memories I’ve Ever Photographed! Tania and Douglas will forever hold a special place in my heart. They’ve earned a legendary status in my Tigh Na Mara wedding memories for what they pulled off on their wedding day. At the end of the night, after their first dances with each other and with their parents, these two decided to take a swim in […] - Karolina & Scott’s Multicultural Tigh Na Mara Wedding
A Scottish and Polish Multicultural Tigh Na Mara Wedding Karolina and Scott thoughtfully infused their cultural heritage throughout their multicultural Tigh Na Mara wedding in Parksville. From Scott wearing traditional Scottish kilt attire and performing a bagpipe piece at the reception- to breaking bread and shooting Vodka, this day was absolutely brimming with fun. I had met these two 2 years prior when they secured my photography services. We quickly […] - Tigh Na Mara Wedding | Kelsey & Jason’s Dreamy Vancouver Island Wedding
A Dazzling Vancouver Island Wedding at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort Kelsey and Jason chose to marry by the sea in a cliffside gazebo overlooking the Strait of Georgia and distant snow-capped mountains. That’s a Vancouver Island wedding for you! Ocean, forest, mountains- Parksville’s Tigh-Na-Mara Resort has that desirable West Coast charm. With a guest list of over 100, the support for these two was immense. Emotional speeches by their bridal party and […] - Kimberly & Nick’s Unforgettable Parksville Wedding: Stunning Ocean Views, Gorgeous Florals, and Heartfelt Speeches at Tigh-Na-Mara
Tigh-Na-Mara, a Popular Parksville Wedding Venue Kimberley and Nick chose to celebrate their marriage at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort on Vancouver Island, a popular wedding venue in Parksville. The resort spans 22 acres, offering three kilometers of sandy beach, a variety of accommodations, and plenty of space for hosting a celebration. One of its highlights is the cliffside gazebo, providing a breathtaking setting for a wedding ceremony. With views of expansive tidal […] - Megan & Matthew’s Stormy Tigh Na Mara Wedding: Embracing the Elements
A Stormy Tigh Na Mara Wedding ~ Marrying OUTSIDE No Matter What! Megan and Matthew’s stormy Tigh Na Mara wedding was certainly unusual weather for mid-August on Vancouver Island. A rainy wind storm rolled in on their wedding, complete with dramatic, cloudy skies, rainbows, and a tease of chilly temperatures. The rain did stop during their beach photos and for most of the ceremony, but absolutely dumped during family portraits! […] - The Rainiest Vancouver Island Wedding Ever | Rainy Milner Gardens Wedding Magic
A Complete Downpour, Rainy Milner Gardens Wedding Memories B & E had picked June 2nd, 2024, over a year in advance for their rainy Milner Gardens wedding. They knew that early June on Vancouver Island could be unpredictable weather-wise, but with a good chance of sunshine. However, on their big day, the weather had other plans. It ended up being the rainiest day of June, with humidity ranging from 86% […] - Alyssa and Chhase’s Laughter-Filled West Coast Wedding; Tigh-Na-Mara Resort
A West Coast Wedding in Parksville Alyssa and Chhase chose the iconic Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville, BC, for their West Coast wedding. Both born and raised in Vancouver, they spent time on Vancouver Island during their post-secondary years. Now living in Alberta, they saw Tigh-Na-Mara as the perfect destination wedding venue. This stunning 22-acre property offers three kilometers of sandy beach, cozy cabins nestled among Douglas Fir trees, and a […] - Jordan and Matthew’s Colorful Tigh Na Mara Wedding
A Colorful Tigh Na Mara Wedding Jordan and Matthews Tigh Na Mara wedding was intimate, colorful, and thoughtfully curated. Celebrating their marriage with a destination wedding on Vancouver Island, they travelled from Alberta to British Columbia to get married. Family and friends gathered at the Parksville resort on a sunny mid-August afternoon, enjoying the beach views during the ceremony, and twinkling lights at the sublime garden patio reception. With only […] - Emily and Dylan’s Intimate Tigh Na Mara Wedding
Emily and Dylan’s Intimate Tigh Na Mara Wedding Celebration Emily and Dylan celebrated their marriage at the beautiful Tigh Na Mara Resort in Parksville on September 12th, 2024. These two live in Alberta with their one year old daughter, and took a rapid road trip to get to the Island to marry by the ocean. Tigh Na Mara is a fantastic setting for destination weddings since everything is in one […] - Terra and Ben’s Tigh Na Mara Wedding
A Vibrant and Floral Tigh Na Mara Wedding Terra and Ben’s Tigh Na Mara wedding was yet another unforgettable celebration of love. Held at the reputable resort in Parksville in late June, not only was the day beautiful and romantic, but also easy! Having everything in one place makes things logistically simpler, and the staff put on a truly seamless wedding experience every time. From ensuring that the bridal party […] - What Happens if it Rains on my Wedding Day at Tigh Na Mara? | Rainy Vancouver Island Wedding Days
What Happens if it Rains on my Wedding Day at Tigh Na Mara? If it rains on your wedding day at Tigh Na Mara, don’t stress! The renowned Parksville resort is more than equipped to ensure that your special day is nothing short of spectacular, no matter the weather. With multiple backup locations for both your ceremony and photos, Tigh Na Mara has you covered. Over the years, I’ve had […] - Miranda and Lucas’s Tigh Na Mara Wedding
An Intimate Tigh Na Mara Wedding in September Miranda and Lucas enjoyed their Tigh Na Mara wedding among an intimate group of 30 family members and friends. Amazingly, nearly all of these guests travelled from either Alberta or the mainland to be there. Miranda and Lucas were also from Alberta, and chose Tigh Na Mara for its beautiful beachside setting and all-inclusive wedding packages. A destination wedding on Vancouver Island! […] - A Rainy Tigh Na Mara Wedding
Faline and Matt’s Romantic & Rainy Tigh Na Mara Wedding Faline and Matt’s rainy Tigh Na Mara wedding was an example of how incredibly strong rains don’t have to put a damper on a celebration. On September 17th, 2021, the rainclouds came to Parksville and poured all day long, heavily! This did not darken any moods.Tthere was plenty of laughter and fun to be had, and Tigh Na Mara is […] - Power Outage Wedding at Tigh Na Mara ~ Ashley and Frank Pull It Off in Style
A Power Outage Wedding at Tigh Na Mara Ashley and Frank did not expect to have a power outage wedding at Tigh Na Mara. Nor did the other 29,000 households in the Nanoose-Qualicum Bay region that day. Many people woke up to snow on the ground, flattening their early gardening efforts (me!), and surprising them with no power. The windy night had knocked down many trees, including one on a […] - Jodi and Arthur’s Tigh Na Mara Elopement
Jodi and Arthur’s Romantic Tigh Na Mara Elopement Jodi and Arthur chose to elope at Parksville’s beautiful Tigh Na Mara Resort. It was just the two of them on this unseasonably warm October day. The wedding coordinators were present to be witnesses as the lovely Laurel Russell performed the sweet wedding ceremony. After signing the marriage papers and taking a group photo, we went to the beach for celebratory champagne and […]
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