Wedding ceremonies

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Frequently asked questions

1. Can I have a rehearsal before the wedding?
2. Is there a place where I can change prior to the ceremony?
3. Where at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites can I have my wedding ceremony?
4. What happens in case of rain or inclement weather?
5. How will I get to my ceremony location?
6. Will the general public be allowed in the area while my ceremony is going on? 
7. Do you provide electricity for my sound system? 
8. Do you allow confetti, rose petals or other items to be scattered? 
9. Do you allow pets to be part of the ceremony? 
10. Do you provide chairs and other rental items? 
11. How many chairs do the cliffs at Lower Battery hold?
12. Do you have security for my chairs and other items? 
13. Do you have parking for my guests? 
14. Are there washrooms on site? 
15. Is your site wheelchair accessible?
16. Do you have driving instructions and a site map to share with my guests?
17. Is there a fee to take pictures? 
18. Do you have overnight accommodation?
19. When may I look at the site? 
20. When do I need to reserve my date, and do you take a deposit? 
21. I have another question. What should I do?

1. Can I have a rehearsal before the wedding?
If pre-booked with a Parks Canada staff member, you may have a rehearsal prior to the wedding at an additional cost.

2. Is there a place where I can change prior to the ceremony?
The oTENTik tents are a great place to get ready, change or just to sneak away and recharge. Call 1-877-737-3783 or visit reservation.pc.gc.ca for more information and to reserve.

3. Where at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites can I have my wedding ceremony?
There are a number of locations on Parks Canada property that are suitable for an outdoor wedding ceremony. The cliffs at Lower Battery overlooking the lighthouse, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains is by far the most popular. However, there are several other areas available depending on your vision, needs and site requirements. We would be happy to discuss some options with you.

4. What happens in case of rain or inclement weather?
Although Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites do have a couple of tented picnic table areas, unfortunately we do not have a dedicated covered area that can be used for your wedding ceremony in case of rain or strong wind. Most reception venues will allow you to use their space as a backup ceremony location in the case of inclement weather.

5. How will I get to my ceremony location?
As no vehicles are permitted on site, you’ll need to walk to the ceremony location. Be sure to consider this when deciding on shoes! We recommend that you scope out the site and consider your guests’ needs.

6. Will the general public be allowed in the area while my ceremony is going on?
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites are still open to the public, special events and programs during a wedding, so other people in addition to your wedding group will be on site and will have access to the same areas. However, most visitors are quite polite and respectful and will keep their distance and give you space.

7. Do you provide electricity for my sound system?
No electricity or electrical hookups are provided. Sounds systems are not permitted.

8. Do you allow confetti, rose petals or other items to be scattered?
Parks Canada does not allow confetti, rose petals or any other items to be thrown. Following the ceremony, the site must be left in the condition in which it was found. Your bridal party may carry flowers or a basket of flowers as an alternative.

9. Do you allow pets to be part of the ceremony?
As deer and other wildlife frequently roam within the fort walls, we cannot allow domestic animals on site at any time (except certified service animals). Thus, pets are not able to be part of your ceremony.

10. Do you provide chairs and other rental items?
Parks Canada does not have any chairs or other items available for rent. You will need to arrange for anything you require (chairs, tables, aisle runners, flowers, etc.) through independent companies.

11. How many chairs do the cliffs at Lower Battery hold?
The grassy area on the top of the cliffs can hold over 150 folding chairs; however, many couples choose to bring only a few chairs for guests who need to sit, as all items will need to be carried on to the grounds.

12. Do you have security for my chairs and other items?
Parks Canada cannot be responsible for your personal or rental property while it is on site. We recommend you designate a contractor, family member or friend to be on site during the items’ arrival and stay there until they are removed.

13. Do you have parking for my guests?
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites’ free visitor parking lot can accommodate over 100 cars and has a small overflow area. Parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot be cordoned off or reserved for personal use. We ask that you attempt to keep vehicular traffic to a minimum. Carpooling or group transportation is preferred.

14. Are there washrooms on site?
There are washrooms located at the main entrance, near the main field, and at the lighthouse. Wheelchair accessible washroom facilities are located at the main entrance, near the oTENTiks (key required) and the lighthouse.

15. Is your site wheelchair accessible?
Most of the grounds and many of the buildings are wheelchair accessible; however, some areas are not, such as the cliffs in Lower Battery.

16. Do you have driving instructions and a site map to share with my guests?
Please access the How to Get There section of our website and share with your guests in advance of your wedding. Site maps are available upon request. As the front entrance tends to get quite busy in the summer season, we recommend that you provide your guests with as much direction as possible ahead of time; keep in mind that the site is quite large. All directional signs must be pre-approved.

17. Is there a fee to take pictures?
There is a $100 fee (once confirmed) to take take wedding, engagement and family pictures at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites during regular operating hours; however, everyone must have a daily entrance pass to access the grounds. If taking photos, we ask that you are respectful of other site users and the site itself.

18. Do you have overnight accommodation?
The oTENTik tents, exclusive to Parks Canada, offer a unique blend of homey comfort and a taste of outdoor adventure. It’s a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy camping with the comfort of a bed, inside the fort, in an accommodation that is already set up and ready to go. Call 1-877-737-3783 or visit reservation.pc.gc.ca for more information. Take advantage of the exclusive right to stay overnight in Canada’s best preserved west coast artillery fort!

19. When may I look at the site?
An appointment to meet with a Parks Canada staff member to be shown the grounds can be arranged by contacting the site. You may also visit Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites’ grounds on your own during open hours.

20. When do I need to reserve my date, and do you take a deposit?
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites have become a very popular wedding ceremony location and weekends in the summer usually book up quite quickly. We recommend you book the location as soon as you have narrowed down your dates to avoid disappointment. There is a non-refundable administration fee required to reserve the date.

Confirmation of the date will not be provided to anyone until January of the year the wedding is booked for (i.e. 2019 weddings will be confirmed in January 2019). To fully reserve the date, once confirmed, the full fee and the signed contract is required.

21. I have another question. What should I do?
Contact us at:
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites of Canada
603 Fort Rodd Hill Road
Victoria, B.C. V9C 2W8 
pc.fortrodd.pc@canada.ca
Telephone: 250-478-5849
Fax: 250-478-2816