My Favourite Places to Elope in BC | Breeze Photography
When it comes to choosing a location for where to elope in BC, your options are pretty much endless. And if you are at all indecisive like I am, that can certainly be a bit overwhelming! It doesn’t help that everywhere you look in BC seems to have a stunning view and there is no shortage of old growth forests, miles of pristine beaches, snow-covered mountain tops, rocky shorelines or beautiful lakes where you can exchange your vows with your favourite human. It’s no secret that BC is my favourite place in Canada and if I was to ever elope (any takers??) I already know exactly where I would do it (hint: it’s on this list!). Luckily for me I’ve done a lot of adventuring and exploring during my time as a BC elopement photographer and I’ve found a lot of incredible places to elope in BC and I’m so excited to share them with you! It’s going to be hard to capture everywhere on this list so I will try to keep updating it as I discover more amazing spots where you can elope in BC!
My favourite places to elope in BC (so far!)
Vancouver island
Vancouver Island has my heart and soul forever. This is the place I cherish the most in the world and it is where I feel most at home. There are so many places to elope here and I will write a full blog post dedicated to everything the island has to offer but for now, just know that there is everything you could ever want here. You can climb a mountain or hike to an epic view of the coastline, you can explore overgrown trails surrounded by trees, or you can hike down to the most beautiful beaches you will ever see here. Honestly, everywhere you look here could be the perfect spot to elope but some of my favourites are the coastal trails of East Sooke Park, the top of Mount Douglas/Pkols in Victoria, any of the beaches along the Juan de Fuca trail (Sombrio Beach is where I will get married some day!!! I swam with whales in the fog there in the summer and it was life changing) or in the rainy small fishing town of Port Renfrew. If you are up for a drive there is the North Coast trail and San Josef Bay, which blew my mind when I finally made it there, and there are countless amazing mountain views in Strathcona Park. If you’re into caves (?) there are some epic caves up island too. There’s truly something for everyone! The people, the nature and the energy here all combine to make this my personal favourite place in the world, but also one of my favourite places to elope in BC (tied with Haida Gwaii).
Check out one of my favourite moody west coast weddings at French Beach.
2. Haida Gwaii
Haida Gwaii has basically all of the best features of west coast natural beauty, but on steroids. Lol. I photographed a stunning elopement here in the winter (November) and blogged all about it and everything you need to know about planning a wedding or elopement there. But basically, if you’re looking for somewhere rugged, remote, with endless stretches of beaches, incredibly old growth forests dripping in moss, indigenous history and none of the crowds that you’ll find everywhere else in BC - Haida Gwaii will blow you away. It’s my favourite destination to elope in BC (so far)!
3. Emerald Lake Lodge & Yoho National Park
Emerald Lake Lodge is my favourite mountain wedding venues in BC. This rustic log-cabin style lodge has all the cosy, romantic vibes you could dream of and is set on the edge of the picture-perfect green lake it got it’s name from. Accommodations feature 24 cabin-style buildings that surround the original lodge – which holds the famous restaurant with a delicious menu. Each room features a fireplace, cozy down duvet, and a private balcony with a spectacular mountain view. For smaller weddings who wish for an outdoor ceremony, Emerald Lake Lodge offers a small area located on the shores of Emerald Lake’s famous jade-coloured waters. If you are up for a more adventurous elopement, Yoho National Park offers many different opportunities for a BC waterfall elopement location at the nearby Natural Bridge or Takkakaw falls. Field, BC is also an adorable and charming small town just off the highway with a population of only 169 people.
4. Mount Assiniboine
I hiked into Mount Assiniboine with my sister in 2022 and it was incredible, to say the least. If you are looking for an adventurous hiking elopement location in BC (although technically only accessible from Alberta) complete with breathtaking 360 degree views and limited crowds, this is the spot you’ve been waiting for. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is only accessible by foot via a multi-day hike or helicopter which can be arranged through Assiniboine Lodge. The beautiful thing about Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is that there are multiple options for how to get there, and where to stay once you are up there, depending on your level of comfort with the backcountry! If you’re looking for a charming, rustic accommodation option Assiniboine Lodge is nestled at the base of iconic Mt. Assiniboine and is surrounded by soaring peaks, alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, larch trees and turquoise lakes. Located 26 kilometers from the nearest road this is one of the best adventure elopement destinations in BC to reconnect with nature, family and friends. If you are more into backcountry camping, the Magog Lake campground is just a short 2 km hike from the lodge and offers numerous different campsites, all with epic views of the surrounding peaks. The short hike up Nob peak at sunrise would be the most stunning place to elope in BC and exchange your vows.
I was lucky enough to return (by helicopter!) with a beautiful couple and photograph their elopement featured below.
5. Golden, BC
Another rustic and charming mountain town in BC is Golden. Located along the Trans Canada highway this spot has a more humble energy than most of the other mountain towns in BC. There are far less crowds here and no major resorts with the exception of Kicking Horse resort, which is a perfect location for a mountaintop elopement in BC. Whether it’s just you and your partner or a collection of your favourite humans, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort offers both wedding and elopement packages so you can say “I do” on the terrace, enveloped by 360˚ mountain views and surrounded by friends, family and five national parks. If you are looking for something a little more rustic, Hillside Lodge and Chalets is one of my favourite mountain venues in BC - family-run, simple, sweet and entirely welcoming, with a variety of locations for photo opportunities on site - the couples I have photographed here have always had nothing but good things to say.
6. The Kootenays
I love the Kootenays and I think they are probably one of the most underrated locations in BC to elope or have an intimate wedding. My favourite part about the Kootenays is all the tiny towns along the narrow, winding, mountain roads. Well, actually my favourite thing is all the hot springs (especially Halfway River hot springs!) but the towns and the quirky characters that inhabit them are definitely a close second. There is always a new lake or mountain trail to stumble across and because I am usually a little bit lost and confused (lol) whenever I’m exploring these parts, I think I have only just scratched the surface of what the Kootenays has to offer! But if you’re looking to elope in a unique BC destination surrounded by mountains and a little magic and then spend your evening soaking in a nearby hot spring, this is the destination for you!
Travel to the kootenays is always free of charge so I can visit my kooky pals.
7. The Okanagan & Kelowna
Wine country. Vineyards. Hot, dry summers and lakes to cool off in for days. Do I need to say much else? The Okanagan and Kelowna are basically the wine-district of Canada but they offer more than just wineries. There are also countless golden sand beaches, nearby mountaintops and endless lakes nestled among rolling hills covered in orchards. Want to pick cherries together and then say your vows and finish the day off with a sunset swim? This is the place. Want to dust off your old Ed Hardy shirts and your white sunglasses? This could also be the place. While most people think of visiting the Okanagan in the summer, it is also a beautiful place to visit in the winter when everything is dusted in snow and the lakes remain unfrozen and blue. Some popular places to elope in the Okanagan are Kalamalka Lake, Knox Mountain Park, 50th Parallel Estate Winery in Lake Country, any of the numerous beaches around Penticton, Summerland, Peachland, Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Big White Ski Resort, Quails Gate Winery, Okanagan Beach Club Resort, etc.
8. The Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands are really somewhere you have to experience to understand. Populated primarily by quirky artisans and local farms, the island life is the life for me. If you are looking for a laid back and relaxed vibe for your BC elopement, complete with stunning oceanfront views and a slower pace of daily life, then you won’t find anywhere better than this. Every Gulf island has a slightly different vibe and a slightly different landscape. From the tropical beach vibes of Hornby Island in the summer to the mysterious sea caves of Galiano to the artist paradise of Saltspring island’s Saturday market, there is something unique to be found on any of the Gulf islands. Accommodation here ranges from luxurious cabins to family-run rustic airbnb’s. You really can’t go wrong and I recommend taking the time to explore as many islands as you can! My favourite island however, is Galiano - it’s quirky, has a million beaches, sea caves, forest and the best people you’ll ever meet.
Check out a favourite Galiano wedding of mine here:
9. Tofino
I’m not even sure where to begin with Tofino. I fell in love immediately with this rugged, west coast elopement destination on Vancouver Island, BC the first time I set foot there. Known to be a surfers paradise, Tofino has also become one of the most popular destinations to elope in BC, for good reason. If you love rocky coastlines, crashing waves, endless stretches of sandy beaches and old growth forests, this is somewhere you will need to visit and honestly, you probably won’t ever want to leave. While it’s known for days of pouring rain, every time I’ve visited Tofino I’ve been lucky to catch an incredible sunset. I am also a big fan of fog and that is something that characterizes Tofino as well. Your accommodation options are endless, from rustic cabins to charming seaside airbnbs to luxurious oceanfront lodges (complete with hot tub), just make sure to book well in advance as things book up quickly here.
10. Revelstoke
Revelstoke is one of my favourite destinations for eloping in BC. There is something really magical about this spot and I always make the time to stop along the way when I drive through the Rockies on my way to the coast from Alberta. Scattered around Revelstoke is a wide variety of landscapes ranging from the furthest inland old growth cedar forest to cascading waterfalls that you can easily miss if you don’t know where to stop. In the winter, Revelstoke is another snowboarding & skiing mecca and is known for its amazing snow. The mountain town of Revelstoke is charming and full of character and has lots of unique accommodation to spend a few nights.
11. Vancouver
If you are looking for more urban elopement vibes or are planning a city elopement, then Vancouver has your name written all over it! Vancouver offers all the charms of the west coast nature, without having to leave the comforts of the city behind. If you’re a fan of modern architecture then the steps of the BC Art Gallery can’t be beat (just make sure there’s no protesting happening that day!). You can also check out the Bloedel Conservatory - a domed lush paradise located in Queen Elizabeth Park atop the City of Vancouver's highest point. Stanley park offers giant trees and oceanside beaches like Third Beach, all easily accessible from the seawall that runs between the park and the ocean for kilometres. Cypress Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Pacific Spirit Regional Park and Lynn Canyon are all close to the city so you can get your nature fix and then go eat a delicious dinner in one of Vancouvers award-winning restaurants afterwards.
11. The Sunshine Coast
I finally got to return to the Sunshine Coast for the first time since I photographed my very first wedding there at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort back in 2012. I immediately understood why this is a popular destination to elope in BC. The Sunshine coast is just a short ferry ride away from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Once you land, it feels like you’re in a different world. A place where time slows down, where the people are friendly and everyone feels like your neighbour. And the nature here is unparalleled - ranging from stunning mountain peaks, rocky beaches surrounded by old growth forest and hidden waterfalls only accessible by helicopter or boat. The ocean around here hit’s differently too - turning to liquid gold at sunset or fiercely flowing through the various channels and inlets along the coast. If you’re a kayaker or love to boat, this is one of BC’s top water-access-only destinations so if you value a unique location to elope in BC, this might be the spot for you. There are also countless lodges and resorts if you’re wanting to treat yourself to a more luxurious all-inclusive elopement or wedding experience. Some places to check out: West Coast Wilderness Lodge, Painted Boat Resort, Rockwater Secret Cove Resort, Bonniebrook Lodge, or the Ruby Lake Resort for something a little more rustic.
12. The Sea-to-Sky & Squamish
The Sea-to-sky corridor is the gorgeous stretch of highway that travels north of Vancouver and passes through Squamish on the way to Whistler and Pemberton. Along the way you’ll drive past some of the most stunning roadside vistas that will take your breath away. There are countless places to stop along the way which would make for a beautiful and unique place to elope in BC such as the Shannon Falls trails, up to the top of the Stawamus Chief in Squamish for views of Howe Sound, or up to the instagram-famous Joffre Lakes. If you are looking for something a bit more luxurious, the Sea-to-Sky Gondola offers access to the Summit Lodge Viewing Deck, Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, several hiking trails and two interpretive loop walking trails with viewing platforms. The Squamish river valley is also a hidden gem elopement location in BC up logging roads that offers unparalleled views and old growth forest in an area that was & still is sacred to the local indigenous communities. Please show respect for these natural environments and for all those that have protected these places for many, many years before we arrived.
13. Fernie
Fernie always makes the top of my list when it comes to unique locations to elope in BC. The town itself has a lot of rustic charm (and some delicious restaurants!) and it feels like one of the only ski towns in BC that has really held onto its ski bum roots. Because it’s not located along the Trans Canada highway, I find Fernie a lot less touristy and crowded than most of the other destinations on this list. My favourite moss-covered waterfall is found just outside of town, down a short, easy trail. The Fernie Alpine Ski resort is accessible right in town and the stunning Island Lake Lodge is not too far out of town if you are looking for more of an all-inclusive Fernie wedding venue.
14. WHISTLER
f you’re planning an epic mountaintop elopement in BC, this is the place you’ve been searching for. Whistler is one of Canada’s most famous ski resorts and mountain villages for good reason. Located only a 2 hour drive from Vancouver along the beautiful sea-to-sky highway, you’ll leave the rain behind and arrive at a snowy winter wonderland from October through April or a mountain biking & hiking paradise if summer activities are more your jam. Whether you are looking for an intimate lakeside ceremony at Nita Lake Lodge, want to exchange your vows in front of a rushing waterfall at Brandywine Falls or would rather take the gondola (or hike if you’re really bold) to the top of Whistler mountain to gain a stunning view of the coastal mountain range with snowcapped mountain peaks in the background, Whistler will not disappoint. If you’re feeling extra bold you can even helicopter to Rainbow Mountain glacier with Blackcomb Helicopters to exchange vows in an ice cave! Dreamy.
That’s all my favourite places to elope in BC for now! If you have any other hidden west coast gems please shoot me a message or leave a link to them down below! And if you are still looking for an adventurous & fun BC elopement photographer who truly loves exploring - I’m your gal!