Planning Your BC Elopement
So you’ve decided on a BC elopement? Congrats and great call! From the misty mountains and fern-floored forests to the busy urban centres and perfectly groomed parks, eloping in the Pacific Northwest is unlike anything else. Whether you’re born and raised here, traveling here, or the PNW is your chosen home base, these tips from me, a BC elopement photographer, are definitely ones to keep in mind as you plan your perfect day!
Eloping in Beautiful British Columbia
BC is a stunning backdrop for your elopement. It boasts incredible landscapes, awe-inspiring mountain views, and epic adventure activities like helicopter tours, seaplane rides, wine country, and incredible food and craft beer scene, and world-class skiing—just to name a few!
Depending on your vibe and your preferences, your BC elopement could take place on a beach, a mountain top, or an outdoor altar. It could also happen inside a super-unique brewery, at one of our amazing provincial parks, or on the water, during a boat tour! No matter what you’re looking for or dreaming up, you’ll find it in BC.
The Legal Side of a BC Elopement
Let’s get the housekeeping out of the way! To get married in the province of British Columbia, you’ll need to grab a $100 marriage license from the government of BC. You’ll also need a registered officiant (someone to marry you), and two official witnesses to watch and sign your license with you. Then, you’ll be ready to say “I do”.
Tips for Planning Your BC Elopement
Here are 3 tips for planning your day, from me, a BC local and elopement photographer:
#1 Be Flexible
Summers in the PNW are stunning, but can feel short given how prone the shoulder seasons are to rain. They’re also busier, more expensive, and the summer dates fill up fast.
If you have some flexibility in when you get married, opt for a summer week day! That way, we can keep a few extra dollars in your pocket and still capture those warm golden summer days—without swarms of people in the background!
#2 Consider Shoulder Seasons
BC shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are MUCH less busy but equally beautiful. Plus, with a full-day BC elopement, the shorter days allow us to capture both sunrise and sunset on your wedding day.
Related: 3 Full-Day Elopement Timeline Ideas
But, be warned: Even more so than summer, these shoulder days can go from warm to pouring rain—especially the higher up you get. If you’re planning on hiking or getting off the beaten path in any way, pack your Goretex!
#3 Have An Adventure
There's a reason this region is called the sea-to-sky corridor! Mountains, oceans, peaks, and valleys, we’ve got it all. So let’s do it all, too!
Imagine starting your day surrounded by tall trees, forest, and maybe some mountain tops, ending it enjoying a cold beer together as you watch the sunset at the beach, and saying I do somewhere in between. With a BC elopement, anything and everything is possible!
Related: 5 Mistakes To Avoid When Planning Your Elopement
BC Elopement Locations & Venues
Here are some outdoor venues for the best BC elopement or engagement photos:
Joffre Lakes
Squamish & Howe Sound
The North Shore
Related: 5 Places to Elope in Vancouver, BC
BC Elopement Photography
When it comes to capturing the perfect photos of your BC elopement, there are two main things you’ll want to consider: weather and permits.
Our weather changes quickly! Even in the summer, we can go from sun to rain and back again within a few hours. So it’s best to be prepared for everything, and always have an indoor or covered backup spot in mind.
In terms of permits, BC is home to some major tourist destinations and all-around super popular spots. So many places don’t allow you to just waltz in and take wedding day photos without a proper permit. (If they did, on summer weekends, they’d be overrun! Plus, let’s be honest, this way they can make a buck on it.) Once you pick out your dream BC photo location, pop over to their website and see if we’ll need a permit to shoot there.
Better to spend a few dollars in advance on a clear umbrella, cute rain boots and a permit than to be denied that perfect, IG-worthy wedding photo, right?!
BC Elopement Packages
My photos are NOT your mama’s elopement photos! They’re super chill, full day, and FUN—and they strike the perfect balance between chill and romantic.
Why so different? Well, because you made the brave decision to say “no” to the non-essentials and stay true to yourselves. You’re eloping because it just suits you guys—it’s part of your story, which deserves to be told. So 2 measly hours of awkward, posted photography coverage? And photos that don’t feel true to the two of you? Well, that’s just not gonna cut it my friends!
Here’s What You Get:
Full-day photography by me and Dennis (my hubby!)
Wedding Photography BFF kit, which includes:
“Getting to know you” questionnaire(s);
Personalized location idea list;
Tips, trips, logistics, and planning tools; and
A custom elopement photography timeline for your best day ever!
Edited digital images
Online gallery to share your epic day with your family and friends
Online Print Shop for easy ordering of prints, canvases + albums
Travel fees included anywhere in BC
Let’s Plan Your BC Elopement!
When you book with me, you get more than a photographer. You get an enthusiastic hype girl, a local tour guide, a super-organized co-planner, and a dress-hiker-upper for when you have to pee in the mountains. I do what you need me to do!
Wanna talk all things BC elopement? Let’s book a call! We’ll deep dive into your dream day, I’ll help you with everything I can, and as long as it’s a fit, we’ll book your wedding day package.