Please look up Saanich, BC V8P 4P9 on your Maps app for directions to Mt. Tolmie. If you are driving from downtown, you may drive up Fort Street (heading away from the water) and then turn left onto Richmond Road. From Richmond, turn right onto Mayfair Drive. This is the road that goes up to Mt. Tolmie. If you are driving from outside of downtown, you may take the overpass onto Mackenzie Avenue from the highway and then turn right onto Shelbourne Street, then left on Cedar Hill Cross Road and right onto Mayfair Drive. Our ceremony spot is on the righthand side if you drive up Mayfair from Richmond Road, and it's on the left if you're coming from Cedar Hill Cross Road. Please see the Gallery page of this website for a map of the ceremony site, labeled by us personally (but we take no responsibility if you get lost!). Accessibility info: there is a parking lot directly beside our ceremony spot. There is one slightly elevated ledge between the grass and the concrete.
Mt. Tolmie has about 40 official parking spots, as well as a few "ad hoc" parking spots. Once you are on Mayfair drive, we recommend snagging the first parking spot you can find, if you have the time and are able to walk a short while up to the top. This will ensure that our guests who are not able to walk long distances can find close parking. Please note that Mt. Tolmie will not be closed to the public during the wedding ceremony, so we recommend carpooling (it's a popular spot for sightseeing). You can indicate when you RSVP if you can offer a ride or if you want to get a ride. You may also email Gina at ginamarrello@gmail.com
Yep! According to the website Victoria Trails, the hike is about 30 minutes round trip (in our experience, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes going uphill). It is not a difficult hike, even for those of us who are not avid hikers. The best bus route is the number 14, which starts at Victoria General Hospital, then goes through downtown and ends at UVic (which is near Mt. Tolmie). Please head over to victoriatrails.com/trails/mount-tolmie/ to learn more about the trails and how to get to them by bus. Buses are currently $2.50 for one trip; $5 if you want a transfer or a return trip. There's an app too, if you don't carry cash (you can ask Gina for details). If you choose to walk up, hiking boots are appropriate attire for the ceremony, we promise!
The reception hall Edelweiss Club opens at 4pm officially. Parking is available at the back of the building, and there should be enough to go around. Please note that we have the hall booked for the entire day, so if you want a spot to park your car while you walk around downtown, the Dallas Road waterfront, or James Bay, feel free to park there! You could also use the hall as a meeting spot for carpooling to the ceremony.
We do not have a gift registry, mostly because we have every material thing that we need. We also live in a tiny 458-square foot apartment that has no room for new things! Thus, we ask for no boxed gifts. We appreciate your presence on our special day.