The Fort Common

Last reviewed: August 3, 2026. Business status: Active.

The Fort Common wedding venue in Victoria is a 3,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard in the downtown core. Fort Properties describes the space as a revitalized brick carriage courtyard used for weddings, private events and public gatherings during its May-to-September season. Weddings are scheduled on Saturdays, with private venue access from 10:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on the reserved date.

This profile was last reviewed on August 3, 2026. The current Fort Properties website and its linked 2026 Wedding & Event Guide confirm that The Fort Common is accepting wedding and event inquiries. The former commonskys.com address is no longer the relevant official website. Couples should use Fort Properties’ current event page, inquiry form or events email when requesting a tour or checking a date.

Services and specialization

The Fort Common specializes in seasonal outdoor venue rental rather than packaged wedding production. Its official guide describes the courtyard as a flexible setting for ceremonies and long-table dinners and says that it does not offer preset wedding packages. Host couples instead work with their event planner to select the vendors and arrangements appropriate to their celebration.

Saturday wedding bookings provide full-day private access, followed by access until 10:00 a.m. Sunday for vendors to remove their items. The venue also accepts smaller non-wedding events on select Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, but those shorter bookings should not be confused with its Saturday wedding arrangement.

• Season: May through September
• Wedding day: Saturday
• Private Saturday access: 10:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• Vendor removal access: until 10:00 a.m. the following day
• Venue type: fully outdoor urban courtyard

Venue format and included items

The official 2026 guide lists an approximate capacity of 150 people for a seated event and 180 for a cocktail-format event, depending on the layout. The rental includes bistro-style tables and chairs for 80 people, seven umbrellas, overhead string lighting, electrical power, access to two washroom stalls and one dedicated parking stall.

Couples may choose their own caterer, but there is no onsite kitchen. The caterer therefore needs to operate as a mobile service and should assess power, preparation, holding and cleanup requirements before the booking is finalized. Additional tables, seating, tenting and other rentals may also be necessary when the guest count exceeds the included inventory.

• Approximate seated capacity: 150
• Approximate cocktail capacity: 180
• Included seating and tables: bistro-style inventory for 80 people
• Onsite kitchen: none
• Permanent liquor licence: none

Service area and who it may suit

The venue is physically located in downtown Victoria, at the corner of Fort and Blanshard. The official event page directs visitors to enter through the alley at 1019 Blanshard Street. Fort Properties does not publish a broader service area because this is a fixed-location venue rather than a mobile wedding service.

The Fort Common may suit couples seeking an open-air city setting and the freedom to assemble their own vendor team. It requires more independent coordination than a venue offering catering, indoor rooms and a complete package. An approved event planner is mandatory for weddings and events, making the planner an essential part of evaluating whether the venue fits the couple’s plans and budget.

• Setting: downtown Victoria
• Format: open-air courtyard
• Planning model: couple-selected vendors working with an approved event planner
• Best evaluated by: couples prepared to coordinate catering, rentals, weather protection and permits

Confirmed strengths and practical limitations

Documented features include private Saturday access, a flexible courtyard layout, overhead string lighting, basic furniture for 80 people, power, washroom access and next-morning vendor removal time. These are practical inclusions that couples can account for when comparing the rental with venues that charge separately for access or basic furniture.

The principal limitation is that the courtyard is completely outdoors and has no interior backup space. Fort Properties makes no weather guarantees and recommends considering a tent, particularly in May, June and September. Its guide says 30-by-50-foot and 40-by-40-foot tents fit the space, but couples should still confirm the approved tent plan, delivery schedule and final capacity.

Other documented requirements include hiring an approved planner, obtaining event insurance and removing all garbage and recycling because onsite disposal is unavailable. Music also requires advance discussion: acoustic performers and simpler sound arrangements may be approved, while elaborate amplified setups such as rock bands are described as less suitable because of electrical capacity and nearby businesses.

• Confirmed feature: private full-day Saturday access
• Confirmed feature: next-morning vendor removal window
• Practical limitation: no indoor weather alternative
• Practical limitation: no onsite kitchen or waste disposal
• Item to confirm: compatibility of any DJ or live-music setup before paying a performer’s deposit

Pricing

Current pricing is explicitly published in the official 2026 Wedding & Event Guide. For events taking place from May through September 2026, a Saturday booking is listed at $4,200 plus GST. A weekday evening booking on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday is $1,900 plus GST for up to five hours, although that shorter option is not presented as the standard Saturday wedding booking.

The published rates include private courtyard access, bistro-style tables and chairs for 80 people, one parking stall, two-stall washroom access, power and overhead string lighting. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve the venue. The remaining fees are due 30 days before the event and are also non-refundable. Dates remain subject to availability, and the guide does not state the deposit amount.

Current prices are not published on the official pages reviewed.

• Saturday event rental: $4,200 plus GST
• Weekday evening event rental: $1,900 plus GST
• Applicable period: May through September 2026
• Deposit: required and non-refundable; amount not published
• Final payment: due 30 days before the event

Contact and booking

Wedding and tour requests can be submitted through the inquiry form on the official Fort Common event page or by emailing events@fortproperties.ca. The published Fort Properties general office number is 250-383-7412; the website does not identify a separate direct telephone number for The Fort Common.

Couples should provide their preferred date, estimated guest count, intended ceremony and reception format, catering plan and proposed entertainment when inquiring. Fort Properties says bookings are considered on a first-come, first-served basis and notes that not every event is suitable for the space, so an inquiry is not confirmation that a date or event plan has been accepted.

• Event inquiries: events@fortproperties.ca
• General office: 250-383-7412
• Official venue access point: 1019 Blanshard Street, Victoria
• Tours: requested through the official inquiry form or events email

What couples should confirm

Before signing, request the current contract and confirm that the 2026 guide still applies to the chosen date. Ask for the exact deposit, payment schedule, cancellation terms, insurance requirements, overtime charges and any fees not shown in the guide. The final floor plan should account for the layout-dependent capacity and the fact that included furniture covers 80 people rather than the venue’s maximum capacity.

Couples should also settle the weather plan, tent permissions, rental delivery and pickup times, mobile catering logistics, electrical needs, waste removal and music approval. If alcohol will be served, confirm the required Special Event Permit and all related responsibilities. Wedding rehearsals are not included, although the guide says wedding parties may visit during public opening hours for a walkthrough.

• Confirm the selected date and applicable rate
• Confirm the approved planner requirement
• Confirm tent size, installation and weather procedures
• Confirm furniture needed beyond the included inventory for 80 people
• Confirm catering power, preparation and cleanup arrangements
• Confirm event insurance and alcohol-permit responsibilities
• Obtain written approval for the proposed music or sound setup

Continue planning

• Canada wedding directory
• wedding and bridal planning guide
• Canada Wedding Guide blog

Frequently asked questions

When does The Fort Common host weddings?

The official schedule places weddings on Saturdays from May through September. A Saturday booking provides private access from 10:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., with vendor removal access until 10:00 a.m. the following day.

How many wedding guests can The Fort Common accommodate?

The 2026 guide gives layout-dependent approximate capacities of 150 people for a seated event and 180 for a cocktail event. Couples should have their planner confirm capacity against the proposed tent, tables, catering stations and circulation space.

Does The Fort Common have an indoor weather backup?

No. Fort Properties describes it as a fully outdoor, open-air venue with no interior space. Tenting is recommended for May, June and September, and couples should establish their weather plan before booking.

Can couples choose their own caterer?

Yes. The official guide says couples may work with any caterer they choose. There is no onsite kitchen, so the caterer must be able to operate as a mobile service.

Can alcohol be served at a wedding?

The Fort Common is not permanently licensed. The official guide says hosts intending to serve alcohol must apply for a Special Event Permit and should confirm all permit and service requirements for their event.

Sources checked

• Events at The Fort Common — Fort Properties Ltd.
• The Fort Common — Fort Properties Ltd.
• Contact — Fort Properties Ltd.
• 1017 & 1019 Blanshard Street — Fort Properties Ltd.

Address: 1019 Blanshard Street, Victoria, BC

Phone: 250-383-7412

Website: https://www.fortproperties.ca/fort-common-events