The Gardens at HCP — Attraction in Saanich

Disappointing Experience — Not Culturally Inclusive

We are sharing this review to caution future couples from diverse backgrounds considering HCP Gardens for their wedding. As a South Asian groom and Filipino bride, we initially chose this venue in April 2023 for its beautiful garden, accessible hall, and seemingly reasonable pricing. At the time, the event coordinator was kind, helpful, and assured us we could set up the evening before the wedding at no extra cost. Confident in our July 5, 2024 booking, we proceeded to arrange vendors, décor, and send invitations.

In January 2024, when we reached out to confirm setup times, management shockingly claimed there was no record of our wedding. Only after sending proof of our signed contract and waiting over two weeks did they acknowledge our booking. They then demanded hundreds of dollars per hour for early access — a last-minute financial burden we reluctantly paid to avoid canceling our plans.

During rehearsal and setup, staff were overly strict and cold, making us feel scrutinized rather than supported. On the morning of the wedding, we discovered that lock boxes had been installed over the air conditioning controls, preventing us from adjusting the hall temperature. Despite prior assurances, the AC system was inadequate, leaving guests uncomfortable and some even unwell. Management repeatedly brushed off concerns and provided misleading information just before our ceremony, which was extremely stressful and upsetting.

Throughout the planning and wedding day, we experienced unnecessary rigidity, dismissive behavior, and a lack of cultural understanding. Their actions — including constant monitoring, strict timeline enforcement, and limited trust — left us feeling that our celebration was undervalued and, at times, culturally dismissed.

We share this experience to warn other couples that, despite appearances, HCP Gardens may not be supportive or inclusive of diverse cultures. Our wedding day ended up being way more stressful than it...

The modern botanical garden in Victoria is a wonderful place that offers an immersive experience for visitors. It goes beyond traditional landscape viewing and barbecue areas by fostering genuine interaction with plants.

One of the garden's standout features is the welcoming attitude of the staff. They make everything accessible and provide a wealth of information. The team is enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge, helping visitors connect with the scents of the plants around them. I also appreciate the community garden area, where visitors can grow their own tomatoes. It's a nice touch that encourages participation and, frankly, I love that no one minds if you grab a fallen pear or plum!

Additionally, the thoughtful design of the garden is commendable. The grouping of plant zones is well-executed, and the winding paths lead to many unique corners that offer privacy. The creative use of shady spots and slopes enhances the overall experience, making it both inviting and inspiring.

I was particularly pleased to see the incorporation of art throughout the garden—sculptures, paintings, and sound installations that allow visitors to create their own sounds are excellent additions. The dry-laid stone installations also add an appealing aesthetic.

Overall, I believe this botanical garden should be a regular destination for anyone interested in nature, art, and community...

We had our wedding reception at HCP gardens recently. It was a beautiful venue but I am disappointed about some things.

The even coordinator was lovely, however they they had changed coordinators 3 times since I had booked. The original coordinator told me to come in early to get the slideshow working and make sure all the technical stuff went smoothly. The new coordinators told me that wasn't necessary,

Unfortunately then the slidesshow did not work properly so most of our photos were not seen.

The music could only work with an IPhone which I was never told, and I had been having conversations with the coordinator for a year, there was plenty of time to let me know that. This is the most upsetting as for quite a bit of the night there was no music.

The mic didn't work the entire night, everyone who spoke at the podium had to yell.

On top of that my guests came to me telling me that they were being told they couldn't walk around the gardens. We went with HCP specifically so that guests could walk around the gardens. I told the coordinator and she promptly told my guests that they could.

all this could have been avoided had we stuck with the original coordinators idea of meeting beforehand to make sure everything...