Jen & Craig’s Small, Intimate Beach Wedding
Jen and Craig are, well, the best! They’re both from Ontario, so they planned a BC beach wedding that would bring their families to the coast to celebrate together. Then, COVID happened, and their plans changed.
To keep the wedding date that meant so much to them as a couple, they decided to elope! They traded their big, family event for a small, intimate beach wedding, with just them and their son Leo there to celebrate. And even though it wasn’t their original plan, they ended up with a day that was built around what mattered most and felt truest to them. (Love wins, again!)
Check out their photos for some beautiful, very small, intimate wedding ideas and inspiration.
Jen & Craig’s Love Story
Jen and Craig met online. Craig sent the first message, but Jen, feeling a little cautious about the whole thing, took her time to respond. Once they started talking though, they didn’t stop. They spoke for 4 hours straight and followed up the next day with another 4 hours, and the next day, they had their first official date walking around Kits Beach. It rained, but they didn’t care. Craig was chivalrous and held the umbrella over Jen, and the pair stopped for a Ceasar or two at Boathouse Restaurant. (I can totally get into that idea… anyone wanna grab a Caesar with me at Kits Beach?)
The Moment Everything Changed
On their 4th date, Jen and Craig went to the Island together. That’s when Jen says she knew they would have a lot of adventures together.
3 weeks later, Jen called Craig at 8 am after getting some really tough family news, and Craig showed up for her. She stayed at his place that night, and they never spent another apart. I don’t know about you guys-- but this is what true love looks like to me.
The Perfect Beach Elopement
Jen and Craig are both originally from Ontario, but their home and their hearts are now fully planted in BC, so they planned a west coast beach wedding. They’re the only ones in their families who live here, but they figured it would be the perfect excuse for their entire families to visit the coast and finally discover everything they love about BC.
Then… Covid happened (womp-womp), and they realized the wedding would be even more intimate than they thought. They still really wanted to get married on their original date-- April 3rd-- because that was their 5-year dating anniversary, so they made what ended up being an amazing choice for them, and they eloped!
Jen’s Advice for Couples Planning to Elope: Focus on what matters most. To us, that was having us three (including our son Leo) being there sharing our vows, and committing our love and future to each other. And doing it on our 5-year anniversary.
Eloping is always (or, almost always) a big choice-- but I don’t think I’ve ever met a couple who regretted it. In fact, it’s the opposite. Most couples feel so glad they had a small, intimate wedding that felt true to them.
Beach wedding vibes are the best wedding vibes
(Okay, mountain weddings vibes are up there, too!)
Do you dream of a beach wedding? Jen and Craig did. She told me that the beach was what they both always wanted. Jen spent hours watching sailboats on the beach over the years, and Craig is in love with the ocean views. “It only seemed fitting that we share our big day with family there,” she said.
(Fun fact: I dreamed of a beach wedding, too. My hubs and I got married in a destination wedding on the beach a few years ago!)
Intimate Beach Wedding Venues in Vancouver
Beach weddings are always beautiful, but there’s something even more special about small, intimate beach weddings. Toes in the sand, butterflies in your stomach, love in the air… it’s dreamy.
These beaches and close-by, intimate beach wedding venues in Vancouver are the perfect backdrop for any Vancouver elopement or small wedding.
#1 Kits Beach & Boathouse or Bridges
Kits Beach is basically iconic in Vancouver, and for weddings-- it’s pretty unbelievable. With unobstructed views of the mountains, rocky coastline, trees and open space, and even some art and sculptures near Vanier park, Kits Beach basically has it all. My recommendation is to get married in the sand, holding hands with your one and only. (The evening with that golden hour sunlight would be amazing! *chef’s kiss*) Then, stroll along the seawall snapping wedding photos as you go. End your day with dinner at either Boathouse or Bridges. They’re both intimate enough for a romantic dinner for just you love birds, but they’re also beautiful and would be great backdrops for a small group dinner, too.
Bridges Restaurant
Bridges Restaurant
#2 Second Beach & Stanley Park Teahouse
Head to Sunset Beach for your wedding ceremony, then take pictures in Stanley Park. The outdoor and beach wedding photo opportunities here are unreal! You can walk the seawall, hike the trails, and just be amongst the trees-- so lovely. Then, I recommend capping off the day with either dinner for two or an evening with close family and friends at the Stanley Park Teahouse.
#3 Sunset Beach & Stanley Park Brewing
Sunset Beach is another amazing option for a beach wedding in Vancouver. The views are incredible, and the surrounding area has all kinds of sculptures and art that would make for a beautiful photo backdrop. Get hitched on the beach, and then head over to Stanley Park Brewing for bevvies, snacky snacks, or a full dinner.
Need a BC Elopement Photographer?
If you’re planning a small, intimate beach wedding or even a beach elopement, I just might be your gal!
Check out my elopements page for more information on my services, my style, and my rates.