A Special Place For Your Special Day
Wedding & Event Venue
Enjoy exclusive use of our property and be welcomed with views of rolling hills and coastal mountains which provide a refreshing, romantic, open air setting for your special day. Your guests will appreciate the close proximity to the Nanaimo airport and Duke Point ferry terminal.
Our Pricing & Details
Wedding & Event Packages
Special Offer: Take $1000 off our Three Day & Extended Three Day packages in 2025!
Contact us to learn more and make your booking at Empress Acres.
Weekend spaces are still available in 2025 for weddings
Inquire directly for single day venue rentals between by 9am and 10pm
Three Day Package
- Day 1 set up after 1 pm & rehearsal event
- Day 2 your event day
- Day 3 take down/clean up by 1 pm
Three Day Package
- • Day 1 set up after 1 pm
- & rehearsal event
- • Day 2 event day
- • Day 3 take down
- clean up by 1 pm
Expanded 3 Day Package
- Day 1 set up after 1 pm & rehearsal event
- Day 2 your event day
- Day 3 take down/clean up by 1 pm
- Event Planning & Coordination by Shaping Memories:
- We’ll be with you throughout the whole process, being your team members, your confidants,
- your counsellors, and your friends! We’ll be this for you throughout our:
- • Initial consultation
- • Pre-wedding planning & preparation
- • Ceremony rehearsal support on Day 1
- • Set-up of tables, chairs and table-tops on Wedding Day
- • Coordination from ceremony till end of dinner on Wedding Day
- • Clean-up on Day 3
- (Event planning and coordination services subject to availability)
Expanded Three Day Package
- Day 1 set up after 1 pm
- & rehearsal event
- Day 2 your event day
- Day 3 take down
- clean up by 1 pm
- Event Planning &
- Coordination by
- Shaping Memories
- We’ll be with you throughout
- the whole process, being
- your team members, your
- confidants, your counsellors,
- and your friends! We’ll be
- this for you
- throughout our:
- • Initial consultation
- • Pre-wedding planning
- & preparation
- • Ceremony rehearsal
- support on Day 1
- • Set-up of tables, chairs
- & table-tops on
- Wedding Day
- • Coordination from
- ceremony till end of
- dinner on Wedding Day
- • Clean-up on Day 3
- (Event planning and
- coordination services
- subject to availability)
$600 additional fee for events with over 100 people
Packages Include
• Exclusive use of Empress Acres venue areas
• Ceremony/reception location of choice
• Rehearsal/rehearsal dinner location of choice
• Parking for guests (on site)
• Parking attendant on guest arrival
• Large pole barn with lighting
• Two moveable rustic bars
• Deluxe barn entrance draping
• Dance floor
• An abundance of photography locations
• Outside cedar-lined washrooms with flush toilets and sinks
Having a Destination Wedding?
There is a hotel with a breakfast room and spacious outdoor gathering place for your travelling guests just 10 min away.
Empress Acres is just 10-20 min away from the Nanaimo Airport and 3 ferry terminals from Greater Victoria/Vancouver:
Hullo, Duke Point and Departure Bay
Our farm wedding venue warmly welcomes and celebrates couples of all genders and sexual orientations, embracing the diversity of love within the LGBTQ+ community.
Take Your Event to the Next Level
Recommended Resources
Wedding & Event Rental Companies
Black and White Event Rentals – Parksville
A thorough collection of tents, dance floors, tables and chairs along with vases, dishes
and beyond.
Website – (778) 433-1282
Party Mood – Duncan
At Party Mood, we’ve been designing and delivering weddings and special events since 2011. Whether your dream wedding is a show-stopping gala or an intimate affair, we’re here with honest advice, and friendly guidance to create a personally tailored experience for both you and your guests.
Website – (250) 701-3151
Triple T Rentals – Nanaimo
We provide complete rental and decoration services for special events. to suit the occasion, while minimizing event planning stress.
Website – (250) 758-4788
Wedding & Event Planners
Blue Lily Event Planning
An award-winning wedding and event planning company offering full, partial and custom planning packages.
Website – 250-732-0222
Details Planning & Event Design – Victoria
For busy people who need help with their BIG events.
Website – 250-588-2097
The Good Party
Our weddings & celebrations are inspired by the clients we work with and this inspiration carries through to the smallest details of their event.
Website – 778-977-3968
Joie de Vivre Events
Catering to all budgets, Joie de Vivre Events specializes in using creative concepts and ingenuity to help their clients make the most of their events.
Website – 778-888-4073
Shaping Memories Events
Our goal is to put a smile on your face when you think about your wedding day and us! We want to create a lasting memory that you will cherish forever.
Website
Wedding Officiants
Photographers & Videographers
Julien Photography – Nanaimo
Website
Leanna Harper/VIImagery – Nanaimo
Website
Meaghan Harvey Photography – Nanaimo
Website
Island Moments Photography – Nanaimo
Website – 250-468-0376
Frances Litman Multimedia Inc. – Victoria
Website – 250-383-0206
Paper Heart Films – Victoria
Website
Justin Sparks Photography
Website – 250-589-6181
Deanna Veerman – Deevee Photography
Website – 250-937-7070
Adam Ziorio Photography – Victoria
Website – 778-874-0821
Wedding & Event Caterers
The Food Genie – Nanaimo
Homemade, delicious meal prep.
Website – (250) 585-3506
HeavenScent Catering – Nanaimo
providing a professional and worry free catering experience for your corporate and private events in an array of styles
Website – (250) 729-6754
Livewire Catering – Nanaimo
Superb food and presentation.
Website – (250) 713-3249
Mensch Kitchen and Catering – Duncan
Great locally sourced ingredients.
Website – (250) 466-5412
Smokin’ George’s BBQ – Nanaimo
We take BBQ very seriously. We make slow food… fast!
Website – (250) 585-2258
Spice of Life Catering – Lantzville – 5 star
An established reputation for outstanding catering in Nanaimo and area.
Website – (250) 390-3197
Truffles Catering – Victoria
Website – (250) 544-0200 – events@trufflescatering.net
Florists and Floral Arrangers
Blooms Florist – Ladysmith
For the best and freshest flowers in Ladysmith, Chemainus & Duncan.
Website – (250-245-3344)
Cori Lynn’s Floral Design – Nanaimo
Certified floral designer with over 35 years experience.
Website – (604) 363-6973
Turley’s Florist – Nanaimo
Celebrating over 55 years of professional flower service in Nanaimo
Website – (250) 754-6344
Transportation Services
Insurance Providers & Liquor Licensing
We’ve partnered with Duuo to give our event hosts a preferred rate on event insurance. To get a quote and purchase a policy, click HERE. Don’t forget to look for the “Duuo Partner” tag when purchasing!
Front Row Insurance
Website – (604) 684-3456 (Vancouver branch)
Get a quote online or speak to them in the office.
PAL Insurance Brokers
Website – 1-800-265-8098 ext: 221
Choose a policy online or call.
Province of BC
Explanation and posting of alcohol prices and links liquor-licences-permits/applying-for-a-liquor-licence-or-permit/special-event-liquor-permit
Website
BC Liquor Stores Special Events Permits
Requirements and application
Website
Unique Resources
Albi De Nardi
Homemade all natural artisanal gelato
Website – 250-510-3470
Hello Photo Booth – Nanaimo
Website – 250-895-1049
Kwik Pics Photo Booth – Nanaimo & Victoria
Website 250-244-8409
MyGo Tours & Transportation
Private group wine tasting brew pub tours
Website – 250-732-1120
The Rio Trio
With an extensive catalogue of feel good, toe tapping songs, ranging from Latin rhythms to favourite standards, The Rio Trio is sure to be a hit with your guests before and after the “I do’s”, anniversary or special event. Needing a professional emcee as well? This trio has you covered. Guitarist, Kevin Crofton, vocalists/percussionists Daryl Wakeham and Dean Wilkins all have backgrounds in public speaking, making them an excellent choice to emcee your special occasion as well.
For inquiries call Dean Wilkins at 604-813-7999
The Travel Bar – Nanaimo
All-in-one mobile bartending service.
Website
Twist of Fate Cocktail Co. – Victoria
a mobile bar with character and ambiance, industry professionals with years of experience, and creative libations with craft ingredients – to your event.
Website – 250-744-0189
The Wild Rover – Nanaimo & Victoria
Mobile Irish pub
Website – 250-880-5465
VI Wedding Services – Nanaimo & Victoria
DJ, bartending and Wedding Officiant services
Website
The Setting
Outdoor Features
Park-like vistas, rolling hills, two acres of mature fir trees, large level grass and daisy-filled fields, a stream fed pond, lily pad pond with a variety of ducks, migratory birds, a creek with cat tails and bull rushes, a combination of manicured and wild terrain. Six-acres of hay, one-acre level grassed field, 15-acres of one year old Empress Splendour Trees and an 18-acre barley field can be found upon entering the long, premium gravel driveway that runs the length of the property.
Technical Details
Buildings & Amenities
- Detached 24×36 high ceiling workshop with high ceiling garage door (built 1993)
- 28×80 Pole Barn ideal for receptions which features a metal roof with 3 large moving side doors that can be wide open or completely closed
- South natural filtered light from high ceiling windows. Loft with solid steel beam floor
- Easy access for big trucks
- Electricity and water available
- Outdoor washrooms with toilets, sinks and showers and wheelchair access adjacent to Event barn and tenting grounds.
- Separate 200 amp service to the farm house and 100 amp service split to the barn and the workshop sub-panels
- 110 or 220 volt outlets are available in the shop and the pole barn
- Parking for 100 + vehicles, easy access for big trucks. View infoApproximately two acres and more of parking; parking outside of pole barn, in front of workshop, in front of switchback fence in lower front field; separate secondary entrance off Adshead Rd/T junction with Haslam Rd with parking for approx 100 vehicles & 2-3 semi's.
- Ceiling winch in the workshop; electric in the workshop; electric and well water plumbing in the pole barn
- Tractor available. View vehicle specs
• 2017 Kubota MX5200DT 52.0HP 8F/8R 4WD ROPS Tractor - Switch Back Timber – strategically placed fencing
- Filtered well water – good supply
- High speed Internet with WiFi on the property
- Year round road from front to back of the property, approximately 1200 meters
- Irrigation pond in front and back fields
- New engineered Septic System
Full Amenity Specifications
- Separate 200 amp service to the farm house and 100 amp service split to the barn and the workshop sub-panels
- 110 or 220 volt outlets are available in the shop and the pole barn
- Parking for 100 + vehicles, easy access for big trucks. View more infoApproximately two acres and more of parking; parking outside of pole barn, in front of workshop, in front of switchback fence in lower front field; separate secondary entrance off Adshad Rd/T junction with Haslam Rd with parking for approx 100 vehicles & 2-3 semi's.
- Ceiling winch in the workshop; electric in the workshop; electric and well water plumbing in the pole barn
- Tractor available. View vehicle specs• 2017 Kubota MX5200DT 52.0HP 8F/8R 4WD ROPS Tractor
- Switch Back Rickety – strategically placed fencing
- Filtered well water – good supply
- High speed Internet with WiFi on the property
- Year round road from front to back of the property, approximately 1200 meters
- Irrigation pond in front and back fields
- New engineered Septic System
Highly Rated
Testimonials
“Thank you for the beautiful venue. It truly allowed us to have the wedding we always dreamed of. Your hopsitality was amazing, and we are so grateful for allowing us to transform this already amazing venue into a fairytale. The day was absolutely perfect and came together in a way that it ended up being even more than we could have imagined.”
– Stephanie & Reece
“We were delighted to have our wedding at Empress Acres and will be more than happy to work along side Marlene and Peter again in the future.”
– Audrey & Aurelien
“Andrew and I recently had our wedding at Empress Acres. We called Marlene in hopes we could book the venue on a very short notice. Marlene was super understanding and accommodating and worked with us to make sure we could have our big day. The venue is amazing and I would highly recommend to anyone.”
– Jennelle & Andrew
“This venue is gorgeous! It has everything you could need for your ceremony and reception. Marlene was so easy to work with and was incredibly accommodating to anything you may need. She does everything she can to make your day so special!”
– Carissa S.
“We booked Empress Acres for our wedding because it truly ticked all of our boxes. It is the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor. Marlene and her husband were so welcoming, and they were truly invested in our day with us. We had a guest list of 75 and there was ample space in the barn for the reception.
There are so many locations on the property to choose from for the ceremony and all are so beautiful. They have clean washrooms on site that are also wheelchair accessible. We were able to visit the location multiple times to do walk-throughs to get everything just right. There is so much natural beauty around but it is also the perfect blank slate to really make it your own.
We got so many lovely photos. Our day truly would not have been the same without this venue, it made our dream a reality. Thank you.”
– Stephanie and Reece
An Event To Remember
Fun Location For Events
Looking for a unique and beautiful location to host your event? Empress Acres can accommodate large groups, conferences, the film industry and day-long retreats of every description.
Empress Acres Farm
2974 Haslam Road, Nanaimo, BC V9X 1T1, Canada
Where We Are
Finding The Farm
Conveniently located minutes off Highway #1 on Vancouver Island. This quiet, 69-acre farm is six-minutes to the Nanaimo Airport, 13 minutes to the Duke Point Ferry, 19 min. to Departure/Horseshoe Bay ferries, and 16 min. drive to Harbour Air (water airport travelling from Nanaimo to Vancouver, Victoria, and seven other destinations).
Coming from the south, Empress Acres is only five minutes off the #1 highway after the Nanaimo Airport, on the Haslam Road exit. The length of the property runs east to west. Beautiful scenic mountain views are to the south and southwest.
Stay Social
Follow The Farm
Follow Empress Acres on Facebook and Instagram for our latest offerings and happenings around the farm.
Get In Touch
Phone
250-889-1343
Address
2974 Haslam Road, Nanaimo,
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.