Elope to the Edge of the World: Love on BC’s Wild West Coast

The idea of walking down an aisle makes you break out in the cold sweats? A seating plan makes you want to jump off a cliff? You are not the only one…lots of couples in love decide to toss the big wedding. Instead, they chose to tie the knot by eloping to British Columbia. Couples love the intimacy, the romance, and the choice to elope anywhere at all. Micro weddings and elopements are trending as we see ‘We Eloped’ photos populating our Pinterest feed. So what are some of the amazing things about eloping on the West Coast, and why consider it?

Money, Money, Money 

We know you are in love, but money matters these days—a lot. Fun fact: a traditional wedding costs between $ 30k and $50k, while an elopement costs between $4k and $6k.  Eloping cuts costs drastically and allows you to indulge. Suddenly, there is cash to spare, so go ahead, arrive in a helicopter in the Rocky Mountains, have a lush cascading bouquet, or honeymoon around the world. Some of you who are more sensible will put down a deposit on a condo. Send out wonderful announcement cards when you get home. You can afford it!

On Top of the World

When you were planning a large wedding, you looked at venues near home so guests would not have to travel far. You can throw all that out the window. Do you have a West Coast wedding dream destination on your bucket list? Or perhaps a favourite romantic place you have always wanted to have your wedding ceremony? Go for it! Eloping means you can get married on the top of a snow-covered mountain, on a driftwood-covered beach, under the moss-covered trees in Tofino, in a secret corner of Vancouver or Victoria, or anywhere else you have your heart set on (we have a soft spot for Whistler!). Dream big!

Stress? What Stress? Just Elope!

Remember the cliched bridezilla frantically trying to sort out the seating chart and losing her mind over the appies? Eloping means you will never be one of those brides! Planning companies let you plan your entire elopement online in simple, step-by-step choices. It’s all over in minutes. All you have to do is turn up dressed in whatever makes you and your honey happy. Try Vancouver Island Elopement, Elope Tofino or Young, Hip & Married on the mainland.

The Family & Friends Special

In the past, some couples were shy about eloping because no one would be with them. That is the perfect thing for some who elope, but it’s not a rule. Why not have your closest family and friends join you? Some elopements feature just the wedding party. Others include parents and siblings. That’s the lovely thing about eloping – you can do whatever you like and invite whomever you want!

Stunning, Stupendous, Crazy Epic Photos

Yes, we know that was too many adjectives. But how else do we describe your intimate photoshoot? Instead of rushed photos because your guests are waiting on you or endless variations on family poses, you have all the time in the world to take stunning pictures. Choose an experienced adventure wedding photographer, and voila! photos that will stun you, and everyone else, too!

Loving the Pet-Friendly Vibes

What self-respecting furbaby parent wants to leave their pet at home on such a momentous occasion? Eloping simples that up. Choose an elopement destination that welcomes pets and add them to the travel arrangements. Your pet can serve as the ring bearer/witness for the ceremony! 

Elope to the Edge of the World: Love on BC’s Wild West Coast

We could go on and on about all the fantastic reasons to have a West Coast Elopement, but the best reason of all is how it will make the two of you feel. Newlyweds who have eloped can’t say enough about how it was the best day of their lives. No stress and full of romance and adventure. A truly perfect memory of promising forever to each other. So, relax and truly cherish your wedding day by eloping!

Enjoy this amazing elopement of Andrew + Kenji! 

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Retro + Relaxed Engagement Shoot

Engagement photo shoots are meant to show the chemistry between you as a couple, journal a moment in time in your relationship, and open a window into your future selves. The best way to fuel all this is by choosing a location that makes you feel chill and happy to be in the moment together. Cue this fantastic vintage trailer engagement shoot!

Retro camper creative visions are a whole genre on Pinterest, so we were thrilled to see this take on the design niche. We love the pancake breakfast, that perfect orange blanket, the beautiful white interior of the trailer, and the cozy intimacy. Of course, the scene stealer is their puppy, who looks like he is in charge! 

This couple hits all the right notes for an intimate take. Location is the main thing when it comes to a retro + relaxed engagement shoot. This one shows off the adorable rusty orange and white vintage camper, but you can just as easily set it up in an antique diner or car. Mostly, you need to be comfortable, and these two knock it out of the park with the black T-shirt look – a nice contrast to the all-white interior and Navajo blanket.

So find your meet cute engagement shoot spot – concentrate on your look good – feel good vibe, and have the time of your lives!

Photographer & Videographer: Jen + Brian Photo and Film

Planner, Styling/Designer, Hair & Makeup: Save the Date Beauty 

Bridal Boutique: Union Bridal 


Dress Designer: Luna Willow Bridal 

Florals: Wild Flower and Twigs 

Models: Cody & Terri 

Check out this amazing helicopter engagement!

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Planning Your Hiking Adventure Elopement

Who hasn’t heard about hiking meet-cutes? Couples who go hiking for their first date, who meet on a trail or a hiking group chat, couples who travel to trail destinations, and the ones who swipe right when they find a fellow hiking enthusiast. And, of course, the epic wilderness engagement stories. West Coast Weddings knows that hiking weddings and elopements are the ultimate adventures for our no-limit couples. (Or, if you have an actual mile limit, that’s quite understandable, too!). 

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A HIKING ELOPEMENT IS FOR YOU? 

Real romantic hikers are the ones who can track their relationship by the mountain peaks they climb. It’s true! The first kiss, the first ‘I love you,’ and the proposal will all have happened outdoors. So, of course, you will want the adventure elopement of a lifetime. Is there a secluded lake you always wanted to exchange vows at or a mountain view you found together? Do you dream of a destination hiking wedding – somewhere the two of you have always planned to reach? The sky is the limit! (No free-hiking, though…save that for another time!)

So, you know you want to exchange your vows in a natural setting. What are some things you need to chat out?

1. How long of a hike and day do you want your elopement to be?
2. Do you want to have guests with you? If so, how far can they hike in?
3. Do you have a preference for season and location?
4. Is sunrise or sunset all important to you?
5. Do you want to include transportation such as boats or helicopters?

The answers will guide you in choosing your location, time of day, and how far you will hike before your ceremony. Don’t jump to conclusions about your guests. There are amazing scenic spots that even those who are health-challenged can enjoy. Just make sure your guests are on board with the idea and up to the walk! 

British Columbia offers custom hiking elopement packages that allow you to choose your destination and customize your experience. All-inclusive elopement packages simplify adventure elopement planning and create a stress-free experience! Check out Whistler Elopement Adventure Weddings. Sea to Sky Elopements, Young, Hip and Married, Leanne Sim Photography, or Vancouver Island’s Amore Adventures.

WHAT ABOUT HIKING ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY? 

A hiking elopement is simple but leaves some things to consider, such as photography. What do you want as a couple? Are you just looking to document the ceremony, or do you want the out-of-this-world photos that will be insta-worthy? Hiking elopements give you some fun photo moments. Are you getting ready under a tree? A bouquet hanging out of the backpack? Are the two of you helping each other over a creek? These are dream photo moments! 

Most importantly, your photographer must be known for wilderness photography AND an experienced hiker. There is no point having your fav photographer if they can’t walk a half mile before keeling over!  Have no fear, though. West Coast Weddings searches for amazing photographers whose specialty is knowing the best local wilderness spots and views. Take a look at Film + Forest Photo or Erica Miller Photography. We love Erin Wallis Photography on Vancouver Island, and Gabe McClintock will take things to a whole different level. It’s your moment for once-in-a-lifetime photos, and you want to grab it with both hands!

REHEARSE YOUR ELOPEMENT

Let’s be real. You can be an Olympian-level athlete, but this is still not the time for an endurance hike. You will take in a few more things than usual, stop for photos, change and primp outdoors, exchange vows, and, hopefully, celebrate with some champagne. Your return hike should be kisses and happiness – not grim exhaustion from reaching an all-time best distance!! 

So, the best idea is to practice the hike ahead of time. Not only will this be a chill way to spend time together, but it is a great way to get rid of nerves. You will know how long it will take you to get to your ceremony and where you can get pretty. You can check out the best time of day for the light and where you would like to stand while exchanging your vows. And, as you are experienced hikers, you will figure out the logistics of water and energy bars (or champagne)!

WHAT NOT TO WEAR – HIKING ELOPEMENT STYLE

This one trips up a lot of eloping couples (pun intended)! Even experienced hikers find a shocking change when wearing a long wedding gown or a suit and tie. So, this needs to be hashed out ahead of time. How far are you going, and how difficult is the trail? It’s just not a great idea to go through a babbling brook or climbing up rocks in your gown. Plus – you will not be looking your best self when you arrive! 

Here is the skinny. Packing up your wedding finery and changing once you reach your chosen spot is prime. What you wear while getting to your ceremony can be just as important. You don’t want to end up miserable because you didn’t dress for the weather. (We can’t stress this enough – wear warm footwear if you are having a winter elopement!!) So check before you leave. Once you arrive, you can change into your gorgeous gown and stylish suit, primp your hair, and touch up the lipstick.

PRO TIPS: Take a hand mirror with you! If you are wearing a veil, have your hairstylist practice with you how to place it firmly in your hair. There is no point losing it to the wind! Makeup artists will provide you with a ‘freshening up’ kit upon request. Be sure to let your florist know that your bouquet needs to be ‘light’ – this is not the time to be a floral heavyweight champion!

If you are avid hikers, then an adventure wedding is the only way to go. Enjoy creating your authentic West Coast elopement story filled with intimacy, excitement, and epic views. Your love story will be a spectacular life experience and a wedding all rolled up into one hike! 

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Marrying and Grooving – In a beautiful greenhouse, Emmanuel and Eanimi sealed their union. Surrounded by smiles, sunshine, and abundant love, they danced and embraced, more united than ever.

In a departure from tradition, the Eamini and Emmanuel embarked on their wedding day preparations side by side, sharing in the anticipation and excitement of the momentous occasion.

Following their preparations, they gracefully entered the ceremony, swaying to the rhythm with radiant smiles, infusing the atmosphere with groove, infectious energy, and warmth.

Amidst vibrant colors, smiles, and grooving, Taylor Dawning Photo was gifted with unique moments, expertly captured with mastery and sensitivity.  Every facet of this wedding transports us to a realm of enchantment, where love and light intertwine, embracing our hearts with the warmth of inspiring dreamers.

Behind the scenes of this unforgettable day stood the amazing team from Intended Events, orchestrating every detail seamlessly. Beyond the Bloom added bursts of vibrant color with their exquisite floral arrangements, while the talented team at Kith and Kin Charcuterie delighted guests with mouthwatering goodies. And let’s not forget the showstopper – July’s Girl Cake Co. – who crafted a truly marvelous cake that was as delicious as it was stunning.

Lily Venture Films beautifully captured the essence of their union through their lens, registering this cinematic moment.

Marry Me Mel officiated the couple’s union at the Green House, marking the official beginning of their journey together.

As the ceremony came to a close, everyone headed to a downtown karaoke for more fun. They celebrated Eamini and Emmanuel’s love with lively music, heartfelt joy, and endless festivity—how fun!

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Pretty Picnic Elopement is a perfect summertime way to say I do. This beautifully orchestrated shoot creates a vibrant atmosphere for your special occasion—Vancouver Island wedding inspiration at its finest!

Starting with the paper suite from Penned Creations, they used rough-edged paper with boldly colored crimson font to keep things wild yet simple. They added golden-winged butterflies to keep us enchanted with the summertime picnic theme. 

We can not go long before mentioning the exquisite floral displays by Brown’s the Florist.  Dark green hosta leaves and pampas grass act as the background for white dahlias, coral roses, and yellow Craspedia, which create an eruption of color and texture.  Floral elements were used throughout the gardens of the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, located just twenty minutes outside Victoria.  Florals were placed in the bride’s hair and even used as an embellishment to the groom’s lapel in place of a traditional boutonniere.  

The Bride’s dress, provided by Blush Bridal Boutique, sweeps down creating an elegant train.  With a vine-like embroidery design that adds texture to this refined organza dress.

Uniquely styled pieces of jewelry by Ebb and Flow adorned our bride.  In this shoot, we see a more modern style chosen for the earrings, but jewelry can be carefully selected to bring out the bride’s style.  

Cobble Hill Cake Co. created a simple frosted cake to showcase another example of the eye-catching floral array that we have loved throughout this shoot.

From putting pen to paper for the invitations to finding the perfect luscious garden location and everything in between, you can have fun and vibrance in the sun during your pretty picnic elopement for your West Coast wedding. 

PHOTOS: Kelsey Lageri Photography | CAKE: Cobble Hill Cake Co. | MUA: Gretell ArjonaMakeup | HAIR: Hair by Kendra Epp | PAPER SUITE: Penned Creations | GOWN: Blush Bridal Boutique | FLORALS: Brown’s the Florist | JEWELERY: Ebb +Flow | SUIT: Outlooks for Men | DECOR + PLANNING: SeaTree Weddings & Events | VENUE: The Gardens at HCP  | MODELS: Samiksha + Akashdeep

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Seaside in the City Vancouver Wedding Inspo…an ocean elopement that is sweeter than sugar! We loved this shoot and were honored to feature it in our 2021 Greater Mainland Vancouver wedding magazine. 

The photographers who dreamed up the shoot storyline wanted to honor the couples who had to change their wedding dreams. They wanted to show the intimacy and love that comes with celebrating as a couple without guests. The quintessential Vancouver backdrop was perfect for showing the local look. 

West Coast Wedding Style

This couple is all about style. The bride has a delicious-looking confection of a gown with puffy sleeves and a floating skirt. The glasses are a unique touch for a bride—a shout-out to all the brides with big personalities. The floral design is a lush and intense burst of blooms featuring peach roses and tulips. The groom is GQ stunning in his suit and open shirt. 

We are especially taken with the feeling behind this inspiration palette as described by the photographers. “Jonah and I (The Augusts) dreamt up this styled wedding shoot back in the fall of 2020 and knew we had to be specific about where and when we should shoot it. We knew we needed a good storyline and felt a natural draw to the realness of being a bride or groom in 2020/2021. This shoot was inspired by all of the couples who were and are affected by this virus. It’s especially inspired by the couples who tied the knot anyways, all on their own. To the ones who embraced the quietness of eloping. The slowness of a small celebration. The realness of an intimate wedding.”

This BC Wedding story has it all – the rocky shoreline, the ocean backdrop, and even a barge floating by! The sprawling Vancouver skyline brings attention to the city sophistication of our couple and their romance, A true Seaside in the City elopement. 

PHOTOS: The Augusts | GOWN: Everly Fine Bridal | DRESS DESIGN: Alena Leena Bridal |  FLORAL: Celsia Floral |  PAPER SUITE: The Ayla View  | ACCESSORIES: Tink by Jenny  | MODELS: Michelle  & Emilio

You are invited to another BC Wedding Inspiration shoot!

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West Coast Weddings Magazine Vancouver Cover 2021…We fell in love with our cover shot on Instagram and asked the photographer, Laura of Little Mohr Photography, if her photo could be a cover. She was so patient and helpful as we decided to put this couple on the front of our 2021 Greater Vancouver issue.

So many couples decided to elope during Covid-19. It’s true most did so because they could not have a larger wedding. However, many couples found out that eloping is a joyful way to wed. The chill atmosphere of being able to exchange vows on your own and enjoy the day has captivated couples, and it seems to be a trend that will stay with us long after the pandemic leaves.

What did we love about the cover shot? The bride and groom are so happy with each other with big smiles in so many photos. The naturalness of the newlyweds shines through every moment. The Greater Vancouver issue has, in the past, featured city shots, but we wanted to show the amazing scenery immediately surrounding the city.

The bride and groom’s style was also a big draw. In the past year or so, couples have wed in less traditional ways, shown in wedding finery choices. The black leather jacket for the bride and the necklace on the groom add very personal touches. The lovely bridal gown was found at Isabelle’s Bridal in West Van.

West Coast Weddings Magazine is proud to have this latest cover – a naturally beautiful elopement! 

You are invited to another Little Mohr Photography shoot!

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Adventure Elopement + Canoe Romance…so you would like to have an adventure elopement in true west coast style, but you are not up to hiking to the top of a cliff? No worries! You can have that west coast adventure vibe, and all that nature has to offer by eloping in a canoe. Or, after your ceremony, peacefully paddle off with your photographer for those quiet moments together—a truly romantic way to spend some time together on your wedding day.

There is so much to love in this ‘canoe for two’ elopement inspiration palette.  The colours are so beautiful together – blues, purples, and pinks all pop against the water and make the canoe look so pretty! The canoe is a canvas unto itself for the newlyweds. Stolen kisses and snuggling are required, obviously.

The bride and groom are perfectly dressed for their canoe adventure. The groom is rocking an open white shirt with beige pants while the bride looks gorgeous in a lace gown with a short train. Yes, we noticed those tassels! The side slit is perfect for climbing in and out of a canoe – practicality wrapped up in white lace.

PRO TIP: So you want to have a wedding canoe shoot, but how do you afford all those flowers? Filling a canoe is no small floral task, but here are a few ways to do it without breaking the bank. Use your reception flowers in the canoe, and afterward, transfer them to your tables. Add the bride’s and bridesmaid’s bouquets. Did you have ceremony flowers? Add those too! And ask friends to cut a lot of greenery just prior to your ceremony and use that as the ‘filler’ in the canoe before adding your flowers. Voila! A canoe full of flowers!

We love everything about this adventure elopement + canoe romance. The west coast vibes are perfect! One caveat…be sure your photographer is a canoe enthusiast as well, or you won’t get photos on the water!

PHOTOS: Amanda Reed Photos | FLORAL: Little Bee Blooms | HAIR: Lauren Herdman | MUA: Alisha Rana Makeup Artistry | JEWELRY: Zestful Zest | GOWN: Bella and Ellie’s  | CANOE: Pacifica Paddle

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A Stylish Elopement at HCP Gardens…This lovely styled elopement had so much detail, featuring a floral groom’s lapel, antique roses, and a sweetheart picnic. All of the colours, and details are tied stunningly together- from the hand-crafted butterflies to the incredible floral.  The theme of this session was rustic yet elegant, with tones of mustard yellow & merlot. The beautiful venue, HCP Gardens, was the perfect location for this elopement.

The paper suite for this inspiration shoot is so imaginative and beautiful. The paper butterflies are amazing, with ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ delicately penned onto the wings. The invites, place cards, etc., are placed on ivory and merlot stock. All this artistry creates the style story of this palette.

The flowers are the star of this show. They spill all over the elopement picnic table, are nestled in the bride’s hair, and are in the showy bridal bouquet. The crowning achievement, unusually, is the groom’s lapel. What a floral statement for a groom! The bride and groom are so stylish! The groom shines in his blue/grey suit, and the bride is classic and gorgeous in a white lace overlay gown with spaghetti straps and a train. We love the peach ribbon on the bridal bouquet – a wonderful colour touch that ties in with the groom’s floral boutonniere.

Let’s talk about this amazing outdoor sweetheart table for the newlyweds. The roses are in deep colours of antique yellow, merlot, peach, and white. The table features deep mustard napkins with merlot menus and a perfect white cake with flowers and butterflies. The tall white candles, lace, and crystal are the finishing touches to this boho look.

HCP Gardens brings the natural decor for ceremony and reception. Who can imagine better than the flowers and greenery as a backdrop? A stylish elopement at HCP Gardens is a naturally beautiful West Coast Wedding. A real inspiration for elopements and intimate weddings.

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