This list was inspired by one of my clients’ most often asked questions: what are the best locations for engagement and wedding photos in Vancouver? This city boasts both breathtaking natural scenery and diverse architecture which makes in an ideal backdrop for your engagement session or wedding portraits. I’ve broken locations into four sections: nature, urban, a blend of both and indoor. Click on a location in the list below to see more details or simply scroll down the page. Did I miss a spot? Let me know in the comments below!
NATURE ENGAGEMENT LOCATIONS IN VANCOUVER
URBAN VANCOUVER ENGAGEMENT LOCATIONS
NATURE + URBAN
INDOOR
Giggster (formerly thisopenspace)
Capilano River Hatchery
A river canyon that cuts through an old growth forest on the North Shore – this spot is so beautiful. When the water levels are low access down to the river is possible which makes this spot more unique than some others. Some scrambling over rocks/logs is required. More Capilano River Park Engagement Photos
Caulfeild Park
Similiar to its more popular neighbour Lighthouse Park, Caulfeild is a serene and idyllic location along the ocean. Some grass fields with tree but mainly large rocky outcroppings that lead into the water. More Caulfeild Park Engagement Photos
Essentially a cross between Caulfeild Park and Lighthouse Park. This location involves a good deal of walking and some scrambling over rocks and trees. Despite it being one of the most popular locations in Vancouver for engagement photos it never really feels busy due to its vast size. Love this spot. See more Whytecliff engagement photos.
Lynn Canyon
A stunning spot in North Vancouver that can get very popular and busy on good weather days. The suspension bridge, old growth forest and river canyon almost make braving the crowds worth it. More Lynn Canyon Engagement Photos.
A popular park with fields and forest set in the heart of the city. Also ground zero come cherry blossom season in April. Having photographed more engagement sessions at Queen Elizabeth Park than anywhere else in the city, I know of some secret spots that are never crowded. See more Queen Elizabeth Park engagement photos.
A pretty standard spot but still very beautiful. Depending on what entrance you take you’ll either have large fields with tall grass as a backdrop or giant trees. The lake is accessible from most places and makes for a great backdrop.
Pacific Spirit Park
A massive and accessible forest that borders the UBC campus. To be perfectly honest most spots within Pacific Spirit Park tend to look the same and it doesn’t lend itself to very creative engagement photo opportunities. That said, I know a couple spots that are an exception. See more: Pacific Spirit Park Engagement Photos
The perfect place for those of you wanting to included your dog in your engagement photos. This off-leash park is set in a forest and also has a large open field.
Lighthouse Park
My second home during the summer months due to the amount of engagement sessions I photograph here. I somehow still always manage to find a unique spot in the park that I haven’t photographed at before due to its size. Its a bit of a journey from many parts of the city but well worth it. Check out this Lighthouse Park Engagement Session
Cypress Creek Falls
Another river canyon location – Cypress Creek Falls is probably the most adventurous location on this list. If you’re up for scrambling over rocks and through streams this is your spot.
Terra Nova Rural Park
My absolute favorite location for engagement and wedding photos in Richmond. A large park with massive willow trees and tall grass all set alongside the Fraser River. Most beautiful in the fall when the trees covering the pathways are all different colours. These wedding photos were taken at Terra Nova Rural Park
VanDusen Botanical Garden
I love photographing sessions at VanDusen because of the variety in nature. It contains everything from bamboo forests to boardwalks over the water and a large rose garden. An entrance fee is required to photograph here. See more VanDusen Gardens wedding photos
UBC Botanical Garden
Another botanical garden but this one is mainly forest. Still very beautiful and allows for lots of creativity.
Jericho Beach
I prefer Jericho Beach over Spanish banks because along with the actual sandy beach area you have large willow trees which make for a stunning backdrop. The closer proximity to the city means the skyline is also more visible than from other beaches. This location can get extremely busy on summer days but like many of the locations on this list I know of some great spots away from the crowds. These wedding photos were taken at Jericho Beach in Vancouver
One of the most beautiful parks in North America needs no introduction. My favorite places to shoot at in the park are the areas around the Stanley Park Pavilion, Beaver Lake and third Beach. Due to its popularity it is important to have a photographer who knows where they are going otherwise you’ll spend most of your time trying to find parking. Check out this Stanley Park elopement for more photos
Located in Burnaby, this park is quiet and set along the water. Large trees, open fields and some old concrete structures make for unique engagement photos opportunities. Barnet Marine Park elopement photos
Another spot for those who want more of an adventure engagement session. The dog mountain trail is a relatively easy 1 hour hike which winds through the forest past lakes and ends with a beautiful view. Mystery Lake is a more strenuous 45 minute hike up the mountain but you’ll be rewarded with a stunning location and probably all to yourself. Dog mountain trail is open year round but Mystery Lake is only accessible in the summer. This pre wedding photo shoot was at Mystery Lake.
BEST VANCOUVER URBAN ENGAGEMENT PHOTO LOCATIONS
Your Home
One of my favorite places to take engagement photos is in my clients’ homes. Its the place you’re probably the most comfortable and your photos will be completely unique. Highly recommend considering this option. Check out this Vancouver in home engagement session for more inspiration.
A minimalist urban location with lots of concrete and clean lines. I enjoy photographing engagement session in Railtown because its almost always quiet, especially once the businesses close for the day. The area around Belgard Kitchen is where I go most often.
Gastown
Along with Stanley Park this is probably the most popular spot for engagement photos in the city. Its a little overdone in my opinion but still has potential for some unique photos, especially right when the street lights come on.
Coal Harbour
My go-to spot for urban engagement photos in Vancouver. I love all the random spots I come across. Works best on a sunny day when the light bounces off windows and makes for some really fun and unique photo opportunities. All these pre wedding photos were taken around Coal Harbour.
Yaletown
If you want a modern feel to your engagement photos I would recommend Yaletown. The fun restaurant exteriors and random entryways make for a great backdrop for your engagement and wedding photos. This wedding was shot in Yaletown.
Main Street
Fun restaurants, cute cafes and random alleyways make up Main street and provide a unique and fun backdrop for either engagement or wedding photos.
Ontario Street
Similiar to Main street but more industrial. Lots of concrete backdrops – this location works great for sunny afternoon wedding photos when the sun is still high in the sky as it provides lots of shade.
Hycroft Manor
Probably my favorite urban location to photograph at in Vancouver. This location does involve a fee and needs to be reserved but it is well worth it. The actual manor has so many beautiful rooms if the weather is less than ideal and the surrounding grounds are also immaculate. Can’t recommend this location enough. Check out this Hycroft Manor wedding for more photos.
Shannon Mews
Unfortunately this location is no longer open to the public. Despite many requests to shoot here I am unable to do so.
Granville Island
Granville Island is not only one of the most popular attractions in Vancouver but makes a fun location for wedding and engagement photos. Works well on rainy days thanks to a number of covered areas throughout. These engagement photos were all taken at Granville Island.
SFU
Simon Fraser University requires a bit of a drive from Vancouver but it is possibly my favorite location for rainy wedding day photos thanks to the abundance of outdoor covered areas. It works equally well on a bright sunny day and the unique architecture makes for lots of creative engagement and wedding photos.
UBC
The University of British Columbia campus probably has the best combination of urban and nature locations in Vancouver. It works in any lighting conditions and the expansive layout means there is always opportunity for really unique photos.
Olympic Village
Olympic Village at the bottom of Ontario Street has a fun blend of modern architecture and nature. Habitat Island is a popular spot and features the city skyline as a backdrop.
A new development in New Westminster, this area features some gardens that back up again large parkades. It has a very urban grungy feel to most of it.
