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If you’re researching Church and State wedding options on Vancouver Island, you’re probably imagining that “wine country” feeling – vineyard rows, open sky, a beautifully designed reception space, and a day that feels elevated but still relaxed.

Church & State Wines (Brentwood Bay) is one of the most popular Victoria BC winery wedding venues, and for good reason: it’s close to the city, the property photographs beautifully, and the indoor/outdoor flow is a big win for guest experience.

I’m Aly, a Victoria, BC–based wedding photographer, and I’m going to walk you through what couples usually want to know when they’re doing venue research: capacity, costs, seasonality, what the spaces feel like, and the planning questions that will save you a ton of back-and-forth later ❤️

First Dance photo at Church and State wedding venue

Quick Facts About Church and State Wines Weddings:

Location: Brentwood Bay / Saanich Peninsula, Vancouver Island
Reception capacity: Dining area listed as 200 (no dancing) or 170 (with dancing)
Terrace patio capacity: 100
Typical event hours: 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Seasonality: May–September (high season), October–April (low season)
Driving distances: Downtown Victoria 19 km, Airport 14 km, BC Ferries Terminal 19 km
Minimum spend (food + beverage): $10,000 (May–Sept) / $6,500 (Oct–Apr)
Venue rental (as listed in 2025): $3,000–$6,000 depending on season/day

Note: Pricing changes—use this as a starting point and always confirm with the events team.

Church & State Wedding Venue – Unique Features

If you want a Vancouver Island vineyard wedding that leans classic, clean, and a little editorial, Church & State is a strong fit.

Couples are usually drawn to:

That indoor/outdoor flow: a reception space that doesn’t feel like a “generic hall,” plus outdoor areas that give everyone breathing room.
A true Plan B rain option: the venue offers indoor ceremony options alongside outdoor options, which matters a lot in shoulder season.
A polished West Coast vibe: vineyard setting + modern architecture + lots of natural light for great photos.

Ceremony Options and Rain Plan Questions to Ask

The venue offers two outdoor ceremony sites plus an indoor option, all with vineyard/greenery views.

When you’re venue-researching (or touring), these are the questions that matter most:

Ceremony Site Questions

Where does the sun fall at your likely ceremony time?
Is the aisle surface grass, gravel, or something else (heels + mobility)?
What’s the sound plan (power access, mic, speaker placement)?

Rain / Wind Plan Questions

What is the indoor ceremony layout and where would chairs go?
If the weather is “iffy,” when is the final call made?
Is the covered veranda included in the flow for cocktail hour?

Reception Space, Dancing, and Guest Experience

Church and State’s Wedding Venue Capacity:

200 in the dining area (no dancing)
170 in the dining area (with dancing)

That “with dancing” number is the one to pay attention to if you want a real dance floor and not a cramped shuffle.

Pro tip for guestlist planning: If you’re inviting ~140–170, you can usually create that sweet spot: full room energy, but still comfortable spacing for tables, speeches, and dancing.

Food, Wine, and the “Minimum Spend” Details

If you’re comparing winery wedding venues near Victoria BC, you’ll notice that many venues structure pricing around minimum spends + rental fees rather than one flat number.

Church & State notes*:

Minimum spend: $10,000 (peak season), $6,500 (non-peak)
In-house dining formats: hors d’oeuvres, plated, family-style, buffet, late-night bites
Alcohol policy: they have a food primary licence and require alcohol to be ordered through their events team (no outside alcohol).

What that means for planning:

This venue can work beautifully for medium to larger guest counts, because your food & beverage spend scales naturally.
If you’re planning a smaller wedding, you’ll want to ask how the minimum spend typically plays out with your guest count and preferred service style.

*Note: Always check with the in-house events team to confirm details, as pricing changes year-to-year.

Decor Rules and Personalizing Your Wedding

Most winery venues don’t need much additional decor, and Church & State is no exception.

The venue does note some important restrictions, like:

No stapling/taping/attaching items to walls or exposed wood
Candles are allowed only if the flame is contained (lantern/votive, etc.)
No glitter/confetti; no sparklers

My take – lean into what’s already there!

Choose statement florals for your ceremony and a few intentional reception details (head table, bud vases, candle clusters).
Let the vineyard and architecture do the heavy lifting.

Logistics: Parking, Travel, and Guest Accommodations

Since Brentwood Bay is a bit of a drive from downtown Victoria, you’re probably wondering about guest logistics.

The venue offers:

On-site parking: ~80 spots
Distance: ~19 km from downtown Victoria, ~14 km from the airport
Event end time: midnight

Questions to ask early:

Do most couples arrange shuttles? (Especially if you have guests staying downtown.)
Is rideshare reliable late at night in Brentwood Bay (and what’s your backup plan)?

Best Time of Day for Photos at Church & State

Even if you’re still in the “venue research” stage, this can help you picture how the day could look.

I always recommend:

Golden hour portraits (the last 60–90 minutes before sunset).
Midday sun can be bright – so you’ll want a shady area for family and wedding party portraits, after the ceremony. I recommend the field above the parking area.

If you want the most relaxed schedule:

Consider a first look so you can do a bunch of portraits earlier, then enjoy cocktail hour with your favourite people!
If you’re skipping a first look, build in 30 minutes for just the two of you during the best light – golden hour.

A Sample Timeline (built around the venue’s 4pm–midnight window)

Because the venue generally allows bookings from 4pm to midnight, here’s a sample flow couples often like:

4:00 Guests arrive / welcome beverage
4:30 Ceremony
5:00 Cocktail hour on the veranda/patio + family photos
6:15 Dinner
7:30 Speeches + sunset portraits
8:15 First dances
8:30 Dance floor opens
9:45 Late-night bites
12:00 Wrap

(Your exact timing will depend on sunset time and season—May vs September can feel totally different. I’m happy to offer specific suggestions, based on your wedding date!)

Questions to Ask on Your Tour (save these in your notes)

Planning + Coordination

Is there an on-site coordinator included day-of? What do they handle vs what a wedding planner handles?
What are the vendor arrival times and access points?

Food + Beverage

What service styles are most popular here (plated vs family-style vs buffet)?
Can we bring our own cake/dessert? (Many venues allow cake from a licensed provider – confirm specifics.)

Sound + Party

Where does the DJ/band set up?
Are there any volume restrictions?

Weather

What does the indoor ceremony setup look like and how does it affect guest flow?

Church and State Wedding FAQ

How much does a Church and State wedding cost?
The venue lists minimum spends and rental fees (varies by season/day). As a starting point, they note minimum spend ranges of $6,500–$10,000 and rental fees ranging $3,000–$6,000 depending on timing.

How many guests can Church & State hold?
Their wedding info lists 200 seated without dancing and 170 with dancing in the dining area, plus a terrace patio capacity of 100.

Is there an indoor option if it rains?
Yes – Church & State offers an indoor ceremony option alongside outdoor options.

Can we bring our own alcohol?
The venue notes alcohol must be ordered and purchased through their events team (no outside alcohol).

What are the biggest décor restrictions?
No attaching items to walls/exposed wood, contained-flame candles only, and no glitter/confetti or sparklers.

Final Thoughts: Is Church & State the Right Wedding Venue For You?

Church & State is a great fit if you’re looking for:

A Vancouver Island winery wedding that feels polished but not stiff
Strong indoor/outdoor flow (makes for a great guest experience)
A venue close to Victoria with a vineyard setting

If you’re drawn to Church and State for its refined, timeless atmosphere, having photography that feels just as natural and enduring makes all the difference. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, you can learn more about my wedding photography packages or reach out to start planning ♥️

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