Elopement in Squamish: Sam + Mike
On a beautiful summer day, we joined Sam and Mike for their elopement in Squamish. Summer day, but there's snow in the photos?! Yes, if you go up high enough, there's snow all year round! ;) And that's exactly what these two did! They planned an epic helicopter elopement and a fun day in Squamish!
It was their first time visiting BC and they both looked forward to time off and honeymooning! Mike told us his parents used to go to Whistler for skiing and he heard a lot of stories. I'm very excited they experienced Whistler and so much more during their visit!
The morning of their wedding started off with a first look and exploring the areas around their beautiful cabin in Squamish. Including playing with Tally the dog, little photo bomber. But not for too long, because afterwards we took off for their first ever helicopter flight! Once we arrived at the top it was time for their wedding ceremony! A number of clouds drifted in and for a hot minute I thought we'd have to leave! (Helicopters fly on sight, so clouds are no good.) But luckily the weather changed and we got to enjoy the magnificent views together!
Immediately after the ceremony, Sam and Mike shared their first drink as hubby and wife, followed by a first donut! I loved it, haha, I'd never seen donuts up the mountain before. Great idea!! They also showed us a pose we'd never heard of before. A hard pose. ;) See if you can spot it! Cheers to making things personal!
Next up we visited a couple of nearby fun locations for photos. It felt like a "best of Squamish" trip, with finishing the day at a beautiful viewpoint of the Stawamus Chief (iconic granite monolith). Despite it being quite windy there, Sam and Mike rocked their portraits! We left the two of them knowing they'd have a wedding evening of bbq planned!
Thank you so much for trusting us with your day! We hope you get to enjoy the rest of the summer and that you'll come back to visit more of BC!
PS: Funny story, their engagement photographer was also Belgian! What are the odds, haha. Those Belgians, slowly taking over Canada. ;)
Elopement in Squamish vendors:
Officiant: Jeremy, Whistler wedding pastor
Makeup artist + hair stylist: Dolly Makeup
Helicopter company: Black Tusk Helicopter
Florist: Weddings with Billies
Accommodations: Tantalus View Retreat
Manning Park wedding: Marlise + Dustin
We first talked with Marlise and Dustin about their wedding in Manning Park at a time where a lot of things were still uncertain. They knew they'd get married, regardless of what happened in the world. But their dream scenario included about 20 guests to share their experience with. The restrictions lifted on time for them, so they could invite their family and closest loved ones!
Their day started with a ceremony at Lightning Lake. Despite the hot summer sun, a cool breeze kept everyone comfortable. Seeing Marlise walking down the aisle with her dad and Dustin seeing her for the first time were some of my favourite moments of the day. This duo hand crafted their beautiful arch, btw! We're very impressed. And Dustin, who has a wedding photography background himself, lined it out so perfectly with the mountains! :)
The ceremony photo of the gopher involved Jelger suddenly dropping in the grass somewhere way in the back, lol. These adorable little critters live everywhere in those fields and dig holes. Their loud whistle will alarm you that something is happening, haha. Luckily the one Jelger captured just watched the wedding without a lot of noise. ;
After the ceremony, Marlise and Dustin trusted us to take them "somewhere with a nice view": challenge accepted! For their couple portraits we drove way up the mountain and enjoyed absolutely spectacular views! Usually you have to do an intense hike or take a gondola to experience this type of alpine meadows. What a truly stunning environment! We can't wait to go back and explore some hikes there!
And the reception included dancing, which made me extra happy. I genuinely believe that dancing is part of being human. And to witness it again after such a long time of no dancing, is pure bliss!
Thank you very much you two! We loved exploring the mountains with you and wish you a lot of fun on all future adventures!!
Manning Park wedding vendors
Venue info: Manning Park Resort (they offer both wedding and elopement packages)
Ceremony site: Lightning Lake
Reception location: Alpine Room
Officiant: Kristen from Vancouver Officiant
If you consider to get married in Manning Park, get in touch with us! We'd love to be part of your day if you enjoy our photography! :) And feel free to check out our wedding planning tips here!
Elopement at Golden Ears Park: Sarah + Michael
It's no secret that this location is one of our favourites, so when Sarah and Michael invited us to their elopement at Golden Ears Park, we were thrilled! Especially since we got to do so on the most beautiful Summer evening, yes please!
A couple of days before their wedding, the park suddenly made it mandatory to have a visitor pass, but these two were unfazed. "It'll work out." And it did, we all got a pass! ;) Spontaneity for the win!
When we arrived on the day of the elopement, the original plan for the two of them was to get married on the beach. And to do some portraits in the nearby environment after. But because the circumstances didn't fully work out (light/people/...), they trusted us and walked with us into an impromptu forest ceremony! We're glad they did, because the forest worked it's magic with the beautiful sun. What a place!
After the ceremony, Sarah honoured her Persian roots with a honey ritual. And with a beautifully decorated park bench and some photographs of family members that couldn't be there in person. She clearly put a lot of thought into it and made a lot of things herself! Very crafty! Who says you can't have a cake cutting during your elopement for two! Popping champagne is also always an option!
And of course we went to the beach at the end of our session, because those mountain views are just unparalleled!
Thank you so much for having us you two! It was an honour to be your witnesses and we hope you get to enjoy the rest of the (not too hot) Summer!
Elopement at Golden Ears Park vendors:
Officiant: Brian Olynick
Location: Golden Ears Provincial Park
Are you thinking of eloping at Golden Ears Park? Reach out and ask us about our tips and insights! We're very familiar with the environment and can certainly give you a hand!
Sunshine Coast elopement: Allie + Matt
Past March we joined Allie and Matt for their elopement on the Sunshine Coast. Because of the pandemic, these two had to adjust their plans so many times. But they remained determined to make their original date work. And eventually they found a true hidden gem of a ceremony location that worked out, in an area that means a lot to the two of them.
The day started in Chapel at the Green, an absolutely stunning architectural masterpiece of a small wooden church in Halfmoon Bay. It overlooks the ocean and on the sides there are openings that showcase the green environment. The chapel is clearly built with enjoying the natural landscape as a focus.
Matt first saw Allie when she walked down the aisle. The perfect start for their heartfelt and personal ceremony. And I love that they brought in a befriended pastor to perform the ceremony. It made things all the more intimate. Afterwards, the two of them walked out pretty much straight into their first dance! I love how they chose the first dance song! Allie's sister tossed a crafted dice with 6 song names for it! (See if you spot it in the photos, hehe)
In true West Coast fashion, the rain showed up (I know, it says Sunshine Coast, but just not all the time, lol). But again, they were determined to make the most of their day. During the first part of their couple photo session, they braved some intense wind, rain and cold. The rugged wild ocean beaches are just stunning! Luckily the sun also decided to make an appearance. And a friend with a warm drink! ;) We ended our session with a golden light!
We left Allie, Matt and their closest family and friends when they started dinner, but not after admiring their adorable wedding cake, with hand made owls by Matt! I think he could easily start a wedding side gig there. ;)
Thank you very much for having us you two!!! Can't wait to photograph your upcoming tea ceremony now the restrictions have eased!
Sunshine Coast elopement vendors:
Elopement chapel: Chapel at the Green in Halfmoon Bay
Flowers: Matt's family! Amazing!
Cake: The Cake And The Giraffe (Cake topper owls made by Matt!)
Restaurant: The Blue Heron in Sechelt BC
Want to see more? Here are more beautiful elopement weddings!
10 year wedding anniversary
Without really noticing it, our 10th wedding anniversary crept up on us. :) I'm using this opportunity to get extra personal (so feel free to skip along if you're here for the wedding photos) and share what happened to us as a couple over those 10 years and what we learned.
As a teenager and into my twenties, I was absolutely convinced that marriage was not for me. I had seen the mess divorce leaves firsthand (sorry mom and dad, lol). And I had this notion of "if you don't get married, you can't get divorced". While this is true in a legal/strictly speaking kind of way, in the bigger scheme of things it actually doesn't mean anything at all. Of course it's about how willing you are to open yourself up and risk to get hurt.
If you don't get married, you can't get divorced.
Enter Jelger. When we first met, we were both a bit of a mess. ;) I was single after an emotionally destructive relationship and Jelger found himself in the aftermath of his own negative experience. Despite our somewhat unusual circumstances, we bonded very quickly. Pretty much two weeks into meeting him, I left more and more of my stuff at his place. And after a good six months, we found an apartment together to rent in Ghent, where we moved in the Summer of 2008.
And while our story easily could have kinda ended there with a "and they still live there". That's not what happened. From early on, we always worked on changing our lives for the better. We both took individual counseling sessions for years. And Jelger had a dream of moving to the US since he was 18 after travelling there. So after a vacation that ended in Vancouver, we decided to end our unfullfilling carriers in Belgium and try out life in a different country.
As soon as we made that decision, I got it in my head that I'd rather get married in Belgium. To this day, I don't really know why I suddenly wanted to get married. ;) Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it, haha, but even after all these years as a wedding photographer, I know you can have an equally fabulous relationship without the official documents or party. But since I wanted it, I started poking Jelger, who (somewhat reluctantly) caved and got on board with the idea.
We were married in the city hall in Ghent on May 28th 2011. About 5 months before we made our move to Canada. Our wedding was a fun day, it went by very fast (it really does!) and that was that. And as great as wedding day is, it's one day! I'm all for celebrating milestones, but life luckily doesn't stop afterwards. When I hear people say "it was the best day of my life" I cringe a bit, because I sure hope that's not true. As much as I enjoyed our wedding day, I can honestly say I've had some equally fabulous other days with Jelger. (and for sure many more to come)
When I hear people say "it was the best day of my life" I cringe a bit, because I sure hope that's not true.
In the fall of 2011 we moved to Vancouver and a few months later started our wedding photography business. A few years in we got the outdoor bug (in a good way, lol, I mean we started hiking, haha). We changed our lives to invite more outdoorsyness. In 2020 we purchased a piece of land and are now building our dream cabin in the woods. Reinvention and self-development keep happening. While the future seems uncertain, knowing us, it'll probably be something adventurous and spontaneous. ;)
So I have learned a thing or two about being in a relationship during all these years, and here are my biggest take-aways.
The better you feel as an individual, the more you have to share with your partner.
I can't say enough good things about improving your life as an individual, which then helps you bring more to the table in your relationship. Rupaul got it right: “If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”
ASK for what you need.
Contrary to what we like to think: our partner doesn't always know what's going on inside our heads. :P For me this was a big one. I often assumed Jelger was some type of mindreader because we spend so much time together. Asking for what you need is also great in conflict situations. Instead of blaming the other person, tell them what's important to you and what you need, not what they did or didn't do. (still occasionally failing at that one, lol, but it works!)
If you can't find a middle ground, each gets their own.
Maybe a bit unconventional, but sometimes you can't find a solution that pleases both of you. In Jelger and my case, I'm a lot more messy/unorganized than Jelger. We ended up each doing our own laundry, so I can keep piling mine up until it's reeealllly necessary (aka down to the last pair of underwear) and he doesn't have to chase me to sort it out. We also split up dishwasher weeks. When it's my week, I load it however I see fit. When it's his week, he does. We DO NOT interfere with each other's dishes. :P
This sounds a bit silly, but if you have a lot of those "small things that annoy you", why give them the chance to grow and fester instead of finding a solution.
Don't try to change each other
Let me be clear, I'm all for encouraging your partner in any way they need. So if THEY want to change something, totally different story. But trying to fit them in your mold is never going to end well. I tried to "change myself" for the sake of a relationship and that's just a long road to nowhere.
Keep having fun
Now this post starts to feel like my wedding tips, haha. But seriously. Fun, laughter and humour will forever be medicine against the darkest days. Recently we went camping together and had a miserable night together with a sick Jelger, a way too cold environment and lots of things going wrong. And in the middle of it all, we had a good moment of laughter. "Let's go camping they said". ;)
This is a point we consciously have to work on. Life can get serious very quickly and it's never without ups and downs. But the more we can add fun and good humour, the better we get through it all.
Congratulations!! You've made it to the end of my somewhat random musings. ;) I know we'll do great for the next 10 years. There's never a dull moment with a fantastic husband like Jelger and I can't wait to see what the future brings.
Want to celebrate your own (10 year) wedding anniversary with a photo shoot? Find inspiration in our couple photos and get in touch with us today!
Tantalus View Retreat elopement: Karli + Aaron
We're very grateful that we got to join Karli and Aaron for their elopement at Tantalus View Retreat. The two of them told us they initially just wandered through the woods of Squamish, looking for a nice spot in the forest for their ceremony. But they realized that came with certain challenges and found a road that leads to "a cabin" on google maps. I think they did an amazing job, what a special place to get married! The owners built everything themselves, including the impressive staircase that also became Karli's wedding aisle.
With family all over the world, the two of them knew an elopement worked best for them. And since they met each other not that far from Squamish, and love the nature, it seemed like the perfect choice for them. When they first started dating, Karli who worked in remote locations as a nurse, told Aaron to either join her or break up. You can guess what happened, lol. As they described it, they spent a large part of their relationship living out of tents and cars. :) This adventurous duo has traveled so much and they lived together in Australia for a year as well! True world citizens.
On the morning of the wedding, it quickly became clear that it would rain all day long. Not unlike their first month together in a tent at Haida Gwaii with daily rain. Jelger and I know for sure, that if you can do that, your relationship can survive anything. ;) Their first look happened in a dry location, hehe and so did the signing of their ketubah. But despite the rain, they decided to go ahead with their forest ceremony. I loved how Karli walked down the aisle and how Aaron admired her doing so. :) Their chuppah kept most of the rain at bay and family and friends could follow along via zoom. With an impressive video installation they got to toast with their parents afterwards!
And during portrait time, they beat the looming hypothermia with jackets and sheer determination. ;)
Mazel tov Karli and Aaron! It was an honour to be a part of your celebration and I hope you get to go on a lot of adventures soon!
Tantalus view retreat elopement vendors:
Venue: Tantalus View Retreat
Rabbi: Carey Brown. She got absolutely soaked during the ceremony without anyone noticing and with a big smile on her face. We think she's amazing!
Check out more photographs taken in Squamish right here.
Squamish sunset elopement: Sharon + Bert
When we first talked with Sharon and Bert about their sunset elopement, Squamish was an option, but it wasn't set in stone. This adventurous duo takes adventurous to the next level and does multiple day hikes in all seasons. That's why they were also considering an overnight hike for their elopement. But after careful consideration, they preferred to have a small group of close loved ones present. Which of course called for a more easy to reach solution.
So while there was no extreme hiking involved, the two of them still put their parents and friends to work! They jokingly referred to it as a workout wedding, because in order to find the best view, everyone joined in a short, but steep walk. ;) Everyone agreed that it was all worth it. And I'm sure they'll all remember this adventure!
As happened with a lot of couples, Sharon and Bert's original wedding plans for a big wedding in France fell through because of Covid. But in spite of just "pausing all plans", they decided to have a meaningful elopement ceremony instead. From personal vows, to their friend partially officiating, it felt so intimate. And with that beautiful sunset in the background, surrounded by the mountains... a moment to hold dear.
By the way, can you believe that Sharon made her own dress?!?! She told us that because of the pandemic she had extra time on her hands, so she made her own dress! Incredible!
Thank you very much for having us join you for your memorable sunset celebration Sharon and Bert! We hope you had a lot of fun with all the snow camping afterwards!
PS: A side note about these two is that they hold the leave no trace principles in high regards. This includes being mindful of location tagging on social media such as Instagram etc. It's something that keeps coming up for us too. As photographers we get to know so many beautiful places. And over the years we see them become incredibly busy or worse, destroyed. Of course everyone has the right to enjoy nature and nature shouldn't be exclusive. But we do think it's important to not tag every place you visit, so people can explore for themselves. (and "spread the load on mother nature" so to speak)
Squamish sunset elopement photos
Are you planning your own elopement in Squamish? Check out our wedding and couple photos in Squamish here. And feel free to get in touch with us any time for more info!
Mountain top proposal: Cindy + Juan
Juan had a hard time planning his mountain top proposal to Cindy! While he had everything figured out in terms of the location and which helicopter company, the one thing he couldn't control was of course .... the weather! Cindy knew that he planned a couple shoot for the two of them, but she didn't know it involved a helicopter. So Juan had to keep telling her that the weather was too bad for photos and that no they couldn't do it in the snow. ;) Maybe we sounded like high maintenance photographers that didn't want to work in bad weather, hahaha.
But luckily the third time was a charm! After having to cancel twice, he surprised Cindy with an epic helicopter flight! And at the top of the mountain, just at the start of our session together, he asked her to marry him. :) I love how she didn't expect a thing! What a beautiful moment.
Afterwards the two of them wanted to soak up every minute and they enjoyed the epic snowy mountain views. There's this feeling of timelessness when looking at landscapes like this. And yet at the same time, time FLIES when you're up there! When back on the ground, it's almost as if it was all just a dream. So I'm extra grateful they have photo memories of their time together.
By the way, how to do you like Juan's matching Covid masks for them to wear on the way back down? A wink to "oh that's right, it's still the pandemic." ;)
Congratulations again you two and we wish you many more epic flights in the future!
Mountain top proposal vendors:
Helicopter company: Sky Helicopters (proposal package).
Are you interested in planning your own proposal in Vancouver? Check out some of the proposals we had the pleasure of photographing over the years! And you can of course always contact us here to ask for more information!
Lost Lagoon elopement: Jessica + Fayez
Jessica and Fayez chose Lost Lagoon for their elopement photos because they love the area. Fayez even used to volunteer there as a bird watcher! Thanks to the two of them Jelger and I rediscovered this magical spot. It had been one of the first places we visited when immigrating to Vancouver ourselves. And we saw our first raccoon in the wild at Lost Lagoon! (In Belgium raccoons only live in the zoo, hehe) Funny enough that was the same case for Jessica, who met her first raccoon during our photo time together! Raccoon photo bomb! ;)
Fayez moved to Vancouver a couple of years ago and Jessica joined him more recently. During our first zoom chat, the two of them were still quarantining together after Jessica's flight to Vancouver. Kudos to making it here and getting married during the pandemic!
This spontaneous duo planned pretty much their entire elopement in two days, give or take some of the details. Because of the ever changing weather forecast, they decided to have the ceremony in a beautiful suite of the Westin Bayshore hotel. Their guests tuned in digitally (at 1 am for them)! And it was a large group too, haha. The times we live in, where you can attend a wedding in the middle of the night taking place on the other side of the world. ;)
They talked extensively about their love and appreciation for the simple things in life. I get goosebumps thinking about how precious this is and such a sage way to start your married life together. Heck, it's just perfect life advise at all times. ;) Especially right now, the more we appreciate the simple things, the richer our lives become.
Thank you Jessica and Fayez, it was an honour to be your witnesses. I hope you encounter many more raccoons and birds and that you're getting to explore a lot of BC nature together soon.
Lost Lagoon elopement vendors:
Commissioner: Linda Cohen
Hotel: The Westin Bayshore Hotel Vancouver
Planning your own elopement in Stanley Park? Check out more of our Stanley Park photos here or feel free to contact us!
New Year's elopement in Vancouver: Anne + Oz
Anne and Oz' New Year's elopement in Vancouver kicked off our 2021 wedding season! What a great way to start the year! While 90% of our time as wedding photographers, we play around in nature, this time around we enjoyed the festive and luxurious environment of the Wedgewood Hotel downtown.
With Anne and Oz' families not able to make it, the two of them and Zeeta (their adorable dog!) decided to have a fun experience for themselves. Their hotel suite provided them with the perfect ceremony location for their elopement. A big balcony with views over downtown Vancouver, amzing! I'm glad to got to share the moment with their two closest friends, who witnessed the ceremony. :)
The two of them had moved to Vancouver in the Summer, which is so brave! Moving provinces during a pandemic is no small feat! But they pulled it off and I'm sure Vancouver is a great place for active people like these two!
In true Vancouver fashion, it rained during their elopement ceremony. But they were determined to stay outside and embrace the moment! And thanks to it being New Year's day, we enjoyed taking their couple portraits with some extra festive holiday decor. Jelger wanted to take the deer with him (obviously that didn't happen, lol). ;)
I loved Zeeta's adorable photo bombing and how the three of them played on the bed. ;) And well done Oz for the perfect champagne pop!
We feel privileged to have been a part of your elopement! And we hope you tried skiing for the first time this winter and that you can enjoy a great Summer ahead!
New Year's elopement in Vancouver: vendors
Hotel and elopement venue: Wedgewood Hotel & Spa
Wedding officiant: Karen Ell
Check out more of our elopement and weddings in a more urban setting here. And if you're planning your own downtown elopement in Vancouver, don't hesitate to get in touch with us here!
Elopement in West Vancouver: Penny + Sam
When we first talked with Penny and Sam, it wasn't about an elopement in West Vancouver, but about their plans for a larger wedding in Vancouver in 2021. Covid however limited their options and created a lot of uncertainty for the upcoming summer. So instead of stressing out for months, the two of them decided to just go for it and elope in nature. They both love hiking and spending time in the outdoors, so it felt very fitting. Especially since they also live on the North Shore.
Something I absolutely love about intimate weddings is that it's a unique experience for everyone involved. At this wedding for example, everyone hiked down to the beach (and back up afterwards, heehee). I wouldn't call this one a strenuous hike, lol, but it still involved some effort (especially for those wearing heels!). The amazing ocean views at the ceremony spot were for sure extra rewarding.
After the beautiful ceremony, we got to explore the more forested area together and Penny included an outfit change to a traditional Chinese red dress.
When I'm posting this, the pandemic has been around for about a full year now. We are BEYOND grateful that we could still enjoy beautiful celebrations like this one!
Congratulations again Penny and Sam! I hope you're both doing well and later get to look back at this time and say "remember when we got married during the pandemic". ;)
Vendors elopement in West Vancouver
Officiant: the fabulous Shawn from Young, Hip & Married
Check out our tips on how to plan your elopement here. And check out our extra information on planning your elopement during the Covid-19 pandemic. Keep in mind it's also an option to elope now and party later (if you feel like it) when the restrictions ease up! 2021 is a year with a lot of uncertainty. So playing it safe and not opting for the big wedding just yet, is very understandable!
Lakeside elopement: Caramia + Lee
When we met up with Caramia and Lee for their lakeside elopement last December, the morning started out with a surprise. At the lake we were greeted by a thick layer of fog that covered the lake and obscured all the mountain views. We weren't disappointed, because it looked like something out of a movie. ;) And luckily Caramia and Lee were up for any type of weather. :)
This duo chose Buntzen Lake because they are local to the area and absolutely love the nature the park has to offer. So we were happy to explore a nearby trail together before their ceremony. They told us in their spare time they volunteer to help maintaining trails! How amazing is that! Next level of nature commitment! I haven't committed more than "pack it in, pack it out", lol. But they're making me rethink how much more we could do! Future plans...
While we were in the forest, slowly but steadily the fog started burning away and before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony! And this time with a view! Their short but sweet ceremony included a beautiful hand tying ritual. I feel that when eloping you can incorporate any meaningful rituals you like into your ceremony. Anything goes! (Well, the only thing you can't get around is saying the legal words of course, hehe). After the I-do's we took a couple more photos at the now sunny lake.
Thank you so much for having us Caramia and Lee! You two are so well-traveled, we're rooting for this pandemic to ease up soon so you two can conquer the rest of the world together as well. :)
PS: How amazing is Lee's boutonnière, picked fresh in their garden on the morning of the wedding? :) I love personal details like that!
Lakeside elopement vendors:
Commissioner: Wilhelmina Helps
Do you want to start planning your own elopement or couple photos at Buntzen Lake (or an other lakeside location)? You can contact us here or look at more lake photos here.
Boat adventure engagement photos: Allie + Matt
It's not every day that we go on a boat adventure for engagement photos! Allie and Matt took us on a tour starting from Deep Cove and exploring the beautiful Indian Arm fjord. This location was the perfect choice for these two, because not only do they love to spend time in nature together, but are they both have a fond connection to the area.
I have to say that Jelger and I were utterly spoiled with Allie and Matt scouting locations. Usually that's our job! And the two of them even looked at where the sun would be at what time. They chose fantastic scenic spots along the way! On top of having a fun afternoon together, we even learned some things about the rich history of the area. There's no way we would have ever heard about Al Capone's alleged hideout, the Wigwam Inn. Which was the location of our first stop. And after seeing the old photos of the inn, I can't help but thinking how every photo we take is preserving a bit of history. Who knows what will happen to this location in the next 50 years!
Next up we got to admire the Granite Falls and we had them all to ourselves too! Extra advantage of boat adventures: privacy! Or if you're not alone, at least it's only going to be as many people as the moorage allows, haha. ;) I can only imagine how wild these falls must be in the melting season, but in fall we could walk up very close.
The last stop of our day together was Twin Island, which you guessed it, is indeed an island, and a very cute place to camp too. We caught the golden sunset together when in the forest. I felt very privileged to experience these beautiful places with Allie and Matt. And they definitely inspired us to one day visit by Kayak to go camping!
Thank you so much for having us join you on that beautiful sunny afternoon! We had a blast and are excited for your wedding coming up soon!
Boat adventure engagement photos
Would you like your own adventure engagement photos (with our without boat ;) )? Contact us here for more information or check out more engagement sessions and couple photos here!
Fall engagement photos in Vancouver: Macky and Riis
These two had a special reason for wanting to do fall engagement photos. Each fall they love walking through the autumn coloured neighbourhoods and enjoy the beautiful colours together. Especially with Macky moving to Vancouver from Alberta, where the fall looks a bit different with less "reds".
The two of them told us they had never had their photo taken professionally. But despite some initial nerves, of course they nailed it. ;) Stanley Park was a great choice for them, because other than the fall leaves, they also like the beautiful water views.
The day of their shoot was a sunny, but extra cold day! One of those crisp fall days where you definitely need a warm jacket. We got to choose where to shoot (yay!) and ended up spontaneously stopping at a different location than initially planned. The views at that little beach were just too good. :) Kudos to Macky for braving the beach in her shoes, that were definitely not beach shoes. ;) And for braving those sudden wind gusts too!
Amazing side story about this duo: Macky loves playing Zelda and Riis gave her a triforce engagement ring! He told us he was so excited, he couldn't even wait to propose and just told her. How nice is that! :)
Thank you so much for having us Macky and Riis! We hope you two get to enjoy many more fall walks together and we're happy we got to join you on this one!
Fall engagement photos
Are you interested in planning fall engagement photos? Get in touch with us here and let's plan a date for you! Keep in mind that the fall colours are dependent on a number of things, such as the location, temperatures, rain and wind. (f.e. with a lot of bad weather, the leaves might fall sooner etc.) Some places in Vancouver experience fall colours sooner than others, so location flexibility is a good idea!
If you're visiting Vancouver and want to learn about amazing locations for fall leaves, Tourism Vancouver wrote a post with Fall Colour suggestions. :)
The 30 best elopement locations in and around Vancouver
We've learned a lot about great elopement locations in Vancouver during the ten years we've been wedding photographers. And today I happily share them with you! All these locations are outdoors because we love Vancouver's epic nature! But of course there are many indoor options, that's for another post. ;) Most of these locations don't belong to a venue, but a couple of them do and some require permits. It's always best to do a bit of research about your chosen spot!
While this post is all about where to elope in Vancouver, if you want to know more about the legalities and practical side of elopements, you can find that information in our post about how to elope in Vancouver. And of course this list of locations is a only a starting point, because you can get married pretty much anywhere! Don't hesitate to ask about custom suggestions or unique places that aren't mentioned below.
The furthest locations in this post are an hour drive away from downtown Vancouver. Enjoy!
Table of contents
- 1. Downtown Vancouver elopement locations
- 2. Other Vancouver beach locations
- 3. UBC elopement locations
- 4. North Vancouver elopement locations
- 5. West Vancouver elopement locations
- 6. Sea To Sky and Squamish elopement locations
- 7. Burnaby elopement locations
- 8. Buntzen Lake
- 9. Pitt Lake
- 10. Golden Ears Park
- 11. Other elopement locations to think about
1. Downtown Vancouver elopement locations
1.1 Stanley Park
If you're familiar with Vancouver, you're probably not surprised to see Stanley Park as our number one elopement location. The park is so close to downtown that it's often very convenient for travellers or people with limited transportation options to get to the park.
We truly love the diverse nature: lush rainforest, beaches, pine trees and even a rose garden with seasonal cherry blossoms. Check out our page with Stanley Park photo posts to get inspired!
1.2 Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is a beautiful (somewhat small) beach that you can literally walk to when staying in Yaletown. It can however be extremely busy in Summer. In the less busy seasons this is an amazing option! Or you could go for sunrise? ;) It's also great place to combine your beach photos with some city vibes. And dogs are welcome off-leash.
2. Other Vancouver beach locations
2.1 Kitsilano
Kitsilano (or Kits as the locals say), has a unique view point where the city is very close, but you still get to enjoy the beach and the mountains. It also features a beautiful (and accessible) small marina for those of you with a thing for boasts! :)
2.2 Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks
Both Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks are amazing elopement locations in Vancouver! They feature the beautiful North Shore mountains in the background behind the ocean and offer a view of the city skyline in the background. The main difference between the two is that Jericho Beach is closer to downtown and therefore usually a bit busier. It has a large forest area with willow trees and other deciduous trees. And with a closer view of downtown. Spanish Banks on the other hand has locations with access to Pacific Spirit Park, so the forest looks more like the rain forest with ferns. There are also a couple of large willow trees.
3. UBC elopement locations
3.1 Acadia Beach
Acadia Beach is a hidden gem, with it's pebble beach and the amazing views of the mountains. The beach is curved around a corner of UBC, with a part of it facing the North Shore and the other part facing towards Vancouver Island. Keep in mind that the second part is adjacent to Wreck Beach, where clothing is optional. So unless you're ok with a streaker at your elopement ceremony, stick to the North facing part. ;) The tides also strongly impact how much beach there is, so keep an eye on them here when planning! During high tide there's hardly any beach left.
3.2 Wreck Beach
"Wait, didn't you just say clothes are optional?" I sure did, but I'm keeping Wreck Beach on this list because in my opinion it's one of the most beautiful beaches in Vancouver. It's wild and it sports a variety of diverse backgrounds, with on one hand the mountains, but also the open skies above the ocean, long grasses and an impressive rock pier. Be prepared to walk down a lot of stairs to reach this hippie approved beach. And definitely be ok with that streaker. ;)
3.3 Pacific Spirit Regional Park
This is a huge forest with several elopement locations that have a very Pacific North West vibe. Think tall evergreens and lots of ferns. The convenience of this forest is that you can park and walk to some great spots within minutes. No actual hiking required.
3.4 UBC Botanical Garden
UBC Botanical Garden has gorgeous trees, beautiful flowers throughout different seasons, a fun tree walk high off the ground, an underground tunnel, an amphitheatre and much more. It's a photogenic location with many different options within walking distance. Not to mention a lush arbour that can be rented for ceremonies.
3.5 Nitobe Memorial Garden
This Japanese garden in the heart of UBC has an incredible serene vibe. The bridge and the lanterns only add the nature feeling. Keep in mind that this is a popular location for wedding photos in the weekend. We recommend considering this spot for weekday elopements because it is not a large garden. You can contact the UBC wedding services here, to find out what is needed. (hint: you have to scroll down quite a bit to get to the Nitobe part, lol)
4. North Vancouver elopement locations
4.1 Cleveland Dam
Cleveland Dam is always stunning! And one of the few places with such an accessible "mountain backdrop". You can reserve a part of the field to ensure you're not surrounded by excited visitors when speaking your wedding vows. ;) Or head into the Capilano Park forest first to find a more private spot and come back to Cleveland Dam for a just a couple of photos. Something to consider about Cleveland Dam, is that the views are occasionally very foggy! Clouds can come in very quickly.
4.2 Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is the place to be if you want an easily accessible mountain top experience and a great option for fine dining afterwards. More of the mountain is accessible with the ski lift (also in Summer!) and offers more way more "epic" views than at the base level! Best to plan some extra time for it if you'd like that and talk with the venue coordinator beforehand. Other fun photo features in winter are the lights tunnel and the lights walk.
4.3 Mount Seymour
Mount Seymour is in my opinion an elopement location for the more adventurous (aka hiking) couple. There are amazing views, but you need to hike to get to them. Any views from the parking lot are fairly restricted, including with a lot of "ski lift items" in the background. But if you're willing to hike, the views are so worth it!
4.5 Lynn Canyon
Lynn Canyon is one of our favourite elopement locations in North Vancouver. With it's rustic suspension bridge (closed during Covid-19), green water pool, mossy forests and fields of ferns it has so much to offer. We're certainly not the only ones loving Lynn Canyon, because the number of visitors increases every year. Ask us about more secluded options in a similar environment.
4.6 Deep Cove
Deep Cove and in particular Cates Park is a gorgeous location for your elopement. Cates Park offers a lot more privacy on it's little beaches, versus the Deep Cove beach, which always has visitors for the marina and local stores.
5. West Vancouver elopement locations
5.1 Lighthouse Park
Within a 5 minute walk from the parking lot you're in the middle of a lush green forest. Or within 10-15 minutes, you're standing on an epic rock overlooking the ocean. This park is aways an experience and offers unique views on the lighthouse and the ocean. Enjoy some of our photos in Lighthouse Park here.
5.2 Whytecliff Park
Whytecliff Park is one of those parks that you see in photos of people from all over the world. It's iconic islet and the beautiful pebble beach speak to the imagination. And of course the ocean views! In Summer this location gets swamped, but you can reserve a private ceremony spot with West Vancouver parks. :)
5.3 Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain requires you to drive up first, but there are a couple of beautiful locations that are more easily accessible than for example on Seymour Mountain. Keep in mind that the "best mountain views" most often include a bit of hiking!
6. Sea To Sky and Squamish elopement locations
6.1 Furry Creek
The Sea To Sky area offers beautiful views and so does Furry Creek! The vast Howe Sound Inlet and the ever-present mountains are epic in any weather condition. And check out the Furry Creek Golf course for a private waterfall ceremony location, a beautiful large rock surface and more impressive nature features.
6.2. Porteau Cove
This location would be extra fun to combine with a night of camping! Often people from Vancouver drive out this way if they like to admire the stars (and if you're very lucky the Northern lights). The parking lot is right next to the beach, which has a different look on both sides and there's a lot of space to move around. Sturdy shoes required!
6.3. Squamish: Sea To Sky Gondola
When publishing this post, the Sea To Sky Gondola is closed after a recent act of vandalism. Luckily they're working very hard to re-open and are planning to do so by Summer 2021. It's a location with jaw dropping views and a convenient one at that, no hiking, so you can bring your less mobile guests. :) Definitely make a reservation for you private ceremony in this location, you can find their 2021 packages info here.
6.4 Squamish Estuary and Spit
With the iconic Chief in the background, this location is nothing but impressive. Keep in mind that because this is a very open area, it's usually windy out here. (also the reason why the nearby Howe Sound inlet is frequented by kiteboarders) So this is maybe not for your if you don't like flowing hair. ;) The nature is diverse and gorgeous, though. Timing changes the light a lot in this environment, with the mountain shade moving quickly. So chat with your photographer about the best time to go!
6.5. Sunwolf in Squamish
The beautiful green Cheakamus River is accessible for everyone, but you could up your elopement experience by renting one of the gorgeous cabin's at Sunwolf and have an amazing meal at Fergie's! (We tried it, it's great!)
6.6 Cheekye Ranch in Squamish
Right across the street from Sunwolf is the Cheekye Ranch. While having access to the same river, the ranch also has an epic mountain backdrop with arch for ceremonies. And you could visit with their horses, or take it to the next level and go for a horseback ride! If you'd want to spend the night, check out their cool yurts here! There's even a beautiful forested spot with ferns on the property!
6.7 Squamish forests + parks
I know, this is a rather general area, BUT there are so many forested areas that are not too far of a drive. I'd feel bad not mentioning that are MANY more options in Squamish. Too many to start listing. ;)
7. Burnaby elopement locations
7.1 Barnet Marine Park
This park offers both a beautiful beach with mountain views, as well as some interesting structures and a forested area. The parking lot can fill up quickly in Summer, as people swim here too. But that said, with a bit of planning this location has so much potential and it's surprisingly close to the city!
7.2 Deer Lake Park
When people think about Deer Lake Park, they generally think of the lake. (understandable, lol) But, other than the lake there are some phenomenal trees in this park and beautiful grassy areas. Of course if you like manicured gardens, there is a portion of the park with gorgeous flowers, which gets (you guessed it) busy in Summer.
7.3 Burnaby Mountain
Burnaby Mountain has open views at the top with Vancouver in the background and unique artwork. But maybe more surprising is the extensive trail network that has more untamed forest.
8. Buntzen Lake
Buntzen Lake is in Anmore, which is close to Coquitlam. Coquitlam probably deserves it's own section here, with lots of stunning hikes and the magnificent Belcarra Regional Park, but so far we don't have photos to share. (We'll happily go scout for you if you bring us along for your elopement in that area! ;)
Back to Buntzen Lake... is it ever stunning out there. Every time we visit there's something new to discover. It's even amazing in the fog. Of course the lake is THE main place of focus, but I can't forget about the forest, which is so lush and large.
Recent parking changes (going in effect on June 27th 2022) might make this location less accessible in Summer. While the parking is free, reservation is required and might make it more stressful to know if you'll be able to get access. Check out the BC Hydro site for more info.
9. Pitt Lake
Another one of the epic lakes that are so close to Vancouver is Pitt Lake! This location mostly features the lake and the mountains. There's no forest (not that you need one ;) ). For the extra adventurous couples, you can paddle up the river in a canoe and hike to the beautiful widgeon falls.
10. Golden Ears Park
Golden Ears Park is HUGE. So when choosing to elope in this park, you'll have a couple of choices to make as to which location you prefer. This park features the enormous Alouette Lake, unique forests (plural, because they look different in different areas) and a green river. Oh, and waterfalls. ;)
Keep in mind that in the busy summer months of 2021, the park had a day pass system in place for parking. They haven't announced it yet for 2022, but it's possible they'll reintroduce it. You can find more up to date info on the Golden Ears Park website here.
11. Other elopement locations to think about
I figured 30 is a lot to get you started, haha, but here are a few areas to consider if you haven't found what you're looking for yet!
For open horizons and a vast beach, Richmond's Iona Beach Regional Park is breathtaking. Especially around sunset! Keep in mind that it can be windy and bring sturdy shoes, because mud is always expected there. Exactly the same story for Boundary Bay Regional Park in Delta.
Last but not least, finding a location for your elopement can be a fun couple activity! You could just find the "green spots" aka parks on google maps in areas that you'd like to explore and pick one or two to visit on your day off! Of course if that feels too stressful, you can ask your photographer for recommendations.
Best of luck and feel free to reach out to us about our elopement photography services!
PS: Have you considered a helicopter elopement?