Eloping used to mean running away. Now it means choosing exactly the kind of wedding you actually want — usually smaller, more intentional, and far less stressful than the alternative.
If you’re planning an elopement in Vancouver, this is the practical guide to doing it properly. No fluff, no “love is in the air” filler. Just what you need to know.
The Legal Basics
Getting legally married in British Columbia requires two things: a marriage licence and a licensed marriage officiant.
Marriage licence: You can apply for one online through the BC government website or in person at any Government Agent office. The fee is around $100. The licence is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and there’s a mandatory waiting period before it becomes valid (currently three days after signing). Plan accordingly.
Officiant: You need a licensed marriage commissioner or religious officiant to perform the ceremony. The BC government has a searchable directory of licensed officiants. Fees vary — expect to pay $150–$400 depending on the officiant and whether they’re travelling to your location.
The ceremony itself: No minimum requirements. It can be as short as two minutes. The officiant needs to witness both of you saying you take each other as spouses, sign the marriage register, and send it in. That’s the legal part. Everything else is entirely up to you.
Choosing Your Location
Vancouver’s geography gives you a range of options that most cities can’t offer.
For public land (parks, trails, beaches) you generally don’t need a permit for a small ceremony with just the two of you. Once you add guests or a ceremony structure, permit requirements kick in depending on the park. BC Parks and Metro Vancouver parks have different rules, so check specifically for wherever you’re planning to go.
Private venues — restaurants, boutique hotels, private estates — require their own bookings and often have minimum spend requirements even for small groups.
Some of the most elopement-friendly locations near Vancouver:
- Lighthouse Park (West Vancouver) — old-growth forest, dramatic coastline
- Joffre Lakes (near Pemberton) — glacial lakes, mountain backdrop, worth the drive
- Bowen Island — accessible by ferry, genuinely private, beautiful in every season
- Lynn Canyon — forest canyon, suspension bridge, no admission fee
- Porteau Cove — Howe Sound waterfront, mountain reflections at dawn
What to Budget
The beauty of an elopement is that you control the cost ceiling completely. Here’s a realistic breakdown for a Vancouver elopement:
- Marriage licence: ~$100
- Officiant: $150–$400
- Photography: $400–$2,800+ depending on coverage
- Attire: Highly variable — some couples wear hiking clothes, some wear full wedding attire
- Flowers: $0–$500 for a simple bouquet
- Dinner afterward: $100–$500 depending on where you go
Total range: $750 to $4,000+, with the photography being the most significant variable.
Telling People
This is the question we get asked more than any other, and the answer is genuinely personal.
Some couples tell immediate family only, in advance. Some send announcements after the fact. Some have a larger celebration later — a party, a dinner — where the elopement is simply acknowledged as what happened. And some couples keep it private indefinitely.
What works is whatever doesn’t create resentment in relationships you care about. There’s no universally right answer. If you have a family member whose exclusion would be genuinely hurtful to them and to you, consider whether including them is actually something you want — not something you’re avoiding out of guilt.
What to Wear
Wear whatever feels right for the location and for you. We’ve photographed elopements in jeans and flannel, full ball gowns on forest trails, and everything in between.
The one practical consideration: if you’re going to a location with any hiking involved, test your footwear beforehand. A ceremony at a mountain lake is less magical when someone’s feet are bleeding.
Working With a Photographer
If you’re hiring a photographer (and for an elopement, you should — it’s the whole point), book early. The best photographers in Vancouver fill up their summer and fall dates months in advance.
Share your location shortlist, your vibe, and any specific moments that matter to you. A good photographer will have opinions about timing and logistics that will genuinely improve your day.
Questions to ask: Do they know the location you’re considering? Can they recommend an alternative if conditions are poor? What’s their backup plan if weather is severe?
Reach out to us if you’re in the planning stages. We know these locations well and we’re happy to help you figure out what makes sense for your specific situation.
Eloping in Vancouver is straightforward if you know the steps. The legal part is simple. The location is the fun part. The rest is just making decisions about what actually matters to you — and letting go of everything else.
