Romance in Canada's Hatley Castle

Like a lover's embrace, ivy runners cling to the contours of Hatley Castle, each tendril seemingly in a race to scale the 82-foot-high turret which looks out upon the tranquil waters of Esquimalt Lagoon. The last stone laid in 1908, the halls of this 40-room Edwardian edifice, which once reverberated with the voices of cadets from the Royal Roads Military College, today echo with the joyful laughter of brides as they make their final preparations for an outdoor wedding, held beneath the gaze of the Tudor Revival treasure within Canada's largest Edwardian gardens.

Where have I seen this venue before? The manor's stone facade, which is found on the campus of Royal Roads University, has graced both the big and small screens, with appearances as Lex Luthor's lair in the WB Superman drama "Smallville" and as the Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters in X-Men 2: X-Men United and X-Men 3: The Last Stand, starring Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry.

Wedding Packages: Statues of ancient Roman goddesses bear silent witness to weddings held within the Italian garden, a walled-in wonderland which blends the conformed structure of boxwood hedges with the wild abandon of floral finery which burst forth each spring in a symphony of colors.

For couples who choose the "Just Say "I Do" Garden Wedding Package," or who wish to pledge their devotion to each other in a vow renewal ceremony, 50 guests can gather in the Italian Garden, or a guest list numbering up to 250 can be accommodated on the immaculately manicured croquet lawn. Both venues offer exclusive use for two and a half hours on weekends. A dressing room is available for pre-wedding preparation, and a wedding coordinator is on hand the day of the nuptials to handle last minute details. During the time allotted, newlyweds can pose for posterity on the Neptune stairs or in front of the mansion.

Couples feel like the lord and lady of the land when they opt for the "Classic Hatley Castle Wedding Package," which allows exclusive use for eight hours of the manor's lower level, the terrace and terrace lawn, the croquet lawn and the Italian Garden for nuptials and post-wedding festivities. Up to 150 chairs are placed on the grounds for up to 100 guests, who dine on fare supplied by Truffles Catering. A variety of backdrops are available for photos, including the Neptune stairs, the Italian Garden and the Japanese Garden, where an arched bridge bends over a lagoon reflecting the images of two bronze cranes, a symbol of longevity and a happy portent for your new life together.

Receptions: Framing a view of the castle, windows let in streams of late afternoon sunlight upon the oak paneling surrounding the Quarterdeck Room, which can accommodate up to 250 persons for weekend wedding receptions, featuring a menu prepared by Truffles Catering.

For an added fee, family and friends can delight in the regal ambiance of Hatley Castle during a 30-minute guided tour. Up to 30 guests can attend the sightseeing expedition.

Accommodations: A bevy of honeymoon hideaways dot the surrounding area, including Birds of A Feather Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast, a nature lover's nirvana nestled next to Hatley Park which offers three waterfront suites, each with a private terrace to enjoy panoramic views of the neighboring migratory bird sanctuary.

If a cozy cabin is your idea of bliss, 25 rustic retreats are available at Point No Point Resort in Sooke, which combines rugged outdoor experiences with such refined pleasures as traditional English tea and spa treatments. For couples who crave city life, Ambrosia Bed & Breakfast in Victoria offers a harmonious marriage of modern comforts housed within a venue from the Gilded Age. Couples can indulge with a variety of transcendental spa treatments, such as a couples massage, reflexology or aromatherapy, or revel in the romance of the B&B's Celebration Package.

For more information:

Hatley Castle
2005 Sooke Road
Victoria, BC V9B 5Y2
250-391-2600 ext. 4491

Photo courtesy Tourism Victoria