Vancouver Art Gallery

At the Vancouver Art Gallery, a wedding unfolds inside a grand former courthouse in the heart of downtown, with marble stairs, a glass dome and soft daylight for the vows.

The gallery's home was built in 1911 as a provincial courthouse and is now a National Historic Site of Canada. Its stately exterior makes a striking backdrop for photos before the celebration begins.

For an intimate ceremony, the 3rd Floor Rotunda sits beneath the building's glass dome, where natural light falls across original floral plaster mouldings and rosette lights. It welcomes up to 60 guests.

Larger celebrations can fill the Lobby, Forecourt and Rotunda together, the gallery's biggest function space, with room for 295 seated or 340 standing. The twin marble staircases of the grand rotunda frame a ceremony, a toast or a first dance beautifully.

Room 4East opens onto the Rooftop Pavilion, a covered space with views over Robson Square and carved wooden sliding doors, hosting up to 160 seated or 225 standing. It served as a venue during the 2010 Olympics.

Two heritage courtrooms, 301 and 302, keep their original architectural details and each hold up to 60 guests, a fitting setting for a rehearsal gathering or a small dinner.

For couples who picture saying their vows beneath a glowing dome surrounded by art and history, the Vancouver Art Gallery offers a downtown wedding with real grandeur and character.