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If you’re planning a wedding on Hornby Island, you’re probably drawn to the quiet beauty of the place – white sand beaches, rugged coastline, forest trails, and that peaceful, slow-down feeling that’s hard to find anywhere else.

I’m Aly, a Vancouver Island–based wedding photographer specializing in candid, documentary-style photography, and Hornby Island is one of my favourite places to photograph weddings and elopements. If you’re dreaming of a relaxed, intimate wedding that feels deeply connected to nature, getting married on Hornby Island is truly special.

In this article, I’ll share what it’s like to plan a Hornby Island wedding, where the best photo locations are, and what to look for when choosing a Hornby Island wedding photographer who can document your day in a natural, heartfelt way ❤️

Why Couples Choose to Get Married on Hornby Island

Hornby Island is a small island off the east coast of Vancouver Island, and it has a very different feel from busier wedding destinations. It’s quieter, more laid-back, and incredibly beautiful. Many couples choose Hornby because they want their wedding to feel intentional and personal, rather than rushed or overly structured.

Weddings here are more relaxed. You might be getting ready in a cozy cabin, walking to the beach for your ceremony, and sharing a long table dinner with your favourite people afterward. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down and really be present, which makes for meaningful, emotional photos.

From a photography perspective, Hornby Island offers a lot of variety in a small area, including:

Sandy beaches with open sky and soft sunset light
Dramatic cliffs and ocean views
Quiet forest trails that feel tucked away and private

This mix of landscapes allows your photos to feel diverse while still keeping your day simple and unrushed.

Favourite Photo Locations on Hornby Island

Part of my role is helping you choose photo locations that fit your vision and your comfort level, without overcomplicating your timeline.

Some of the most popular and beautiful spots on Hornby Island include:

Tribune Bay, especially in the evening when the light softens and the beach quiets down
Helliwell Provincial Park, with sweeping ocean views, cliffs, and old-growth trees
Forest trails, perfect for more private, tucked-away moments

That said, some of the most meaningful photos often happen right where you’re staying. Cabins and private properties can be incredible backdrops, and they allow for a very relaxed, natural rhythm to your day. Stepping outside for a few minutes of portraits between events often leads to some of the most genuine images.

Sea Breeze Lodge: My Favourite Hornby Island Wedding Venue

If you’re looking for a place that truly captures the laid-back, coastal magic of Hornby Island, Sea Breeze Lodge is my absolute favourite wedding venue on the island.

Located right on the ocean, Sea Breeze Lodge feels intimate, welcoming, and deeply connected to its surroundings. It’s perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel relaxed and beautiful, without needing to build the day around multiple locations or complicated logistics. They have everything!

What I love most about photographing weddings at Sea Breeze Lodge is how naturally the day can unfold. You can get ready on site, have your ceremony just steps from the water, and move straight into celebrating with your guests, all without ever feeling rushed.

From a photography standpoint, the light and scenery around Sea Breeze Lodge are just perfect. The ocean backdrop, open sky, and surrounding greenery create a soft, natural palette that works beautifully with a candid, documentary style. Whether we’re taking a few quiet portraits along the shoreline or capturing laughter during cocktail hour, everything feels easy and organic.

Sea Breeze Lodge is especially well-suited for:

Small to mid-size weddings
Couples who want a ceremony by the ocean
Celebrations that focus more on connection and experience than formality

✨ If Sea Breeze Lodge is on your venue shortlist (or if you’re still deciding where to get married on Hornby Island), I’m always happy to share what I’ve seen work well there and help you think through how your timeline and photo locations could flow throughout the day.

Photos taken at Sea Breeze Lodge

My Approach as a Hornby Island Wedding Photographer

My photography style is documentary at its core. That means I focus on capturing what naturally happens rather than directing or staging moments throughout the day.

I pay close attention to connection, movement, and emotion. When it comes to couples portraits, I give gentle prompts and simple guidance so you don’t feel awkward or unsure of what to do, but nothing is stiff or overly posed. My goal is always for your photos to feel like you, not like a version of yourselves trying to perform for the camera.

This approach works especially well for Hornby Island weddings because the environment becomes part of the story. The wind, the ocean, the way you walk together along the shoreline – those elements shape the feel of your day, and I photograph them as they unfold.

If you’re nervous about being photographed, you’re not alone, and you’re exactly the kind of person I LOVE working with! Creating a calm, comfortable experience is just as important to me as the photos themselves.

Travel and Planning for Hornby Island Weddings

Getting to Hornby Island requires two ferries, which makes travel planning an important part of photographing weddings there. When I book a Hornby Island wedding, I always plan to arrive the day before and stay for two nights, so there’s no stress around ferry schedules or delays.

For couples planning from out of town, I also help with a few key pieces of the puzzle, including:

Building a timeline that works with the location
Choosing photo spots that fit naturally into your day
Planning portraits around the best light and tides

Having someone who understands island logistics can make your wedding day feel much smoother and more relaxed ❤️

Is Hornby Island Right for Your Wedding?

Hornby Island is a wonderful fit if you’re looking for a wedding that feels relaxed, intimate, and deeply connected to nature. It’s ideal for couples who care more about experience and meaning than about formality or tradition.

If you’re dreaming of a large, highly structured wedding with lots of vendors and formal venues, another location might be a better match. But if you picture yourselves sharing quiet moments, walking on the beach, and celebrating in a way that feels true to you, Hornby Island might be exactly where you’re meant to get married!

Looking for a Hornby Island Wedding Photographer?

If you’re planning a wedding or elopement on Hornby Island and you’re looking for a Hornby Island wedding photographer who focuses on real moments, natural connection, and honest storytelling, I would love to hear about what you’re planning ❤️

You can reach out through my contact page to check availability and start chatting about your wedding photo vision! I’d be so honoured to tell your story in a way that feels true to you 🥰

Contact Aly

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FAQs

Do we need permits to get married on the beach on Hornby Island?

Some beaches and parks may require permits for ceremonies, especially in provincial parks or during busy seasons. I always recommend checking with local authorities or your venue, and I’m happy to help point you in the right direction when planning your timeline and locations.

Do you travel to Hornby Island for weddings?

Yes! I regularly photograph weddings across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, including Hornby Island. Because it requires two ferries, I always plan to arrive early and stay nearby to ensure a smooth, stress-free wedding day.