So you’ve decided to elope or get married in British Columbia, Canada, but you don’t know where to start!
As BC wedding photographers who have been born and raised here, we know how diverse this province is and how overwhelming the wedding planning process can be. Follow along our helpful guide to get started planning your BC wedding or elopement.
British Columbia is a huge province. In fact, you can fit the entire United Kingdom in BC and STILL have room left for a few US states! With so much diversity, the best place to start planning your adventure elopement or wedding is to decide on WHERE to get married. Luckily, we’ve explored almost every part of this province as BC wedding photographers and have broken down the best places to elope in British Columbia for you based on each unique landscape.
There’s a good reason why British Columbia’s official slogan was once the most beautiful place on earth. From giant glaciers and rugged mountains to vineyards and lakes, BC wedding photographers know that this province truly has something for every couple planning an elopement or wedding here.
British Columbia is best known for its mountains, and there’s no shortage of stunning mountain wedding venues in BC. If you’re looking to stay close to Vancouver (the largest city in BC), a Whistler wedding or Squamish elopement will fit the bill. Tucked into the Garibaldi range, this area of BC is often called the Canadian Cascades for their distinct resemblance to Washington’s nearby Northern Cascades.
Looking for somewhere more off-the-beaten-path than the international ski town of Whistler? Consider having a Revelstoke wedding in the Selkirks or an Invermere wedding in the Purcell mountain range. These rugged mountains feature turquoise blue lakes and some of the steepest valleys you’ve ever seen without the crowds.
British Columbia’s temperate rainforests are so unique that the only other place in the world you can find these ecosystems are in New Zealand! Forest weddings are truly at their best in Vancouver Island’s old-growth forests, but the forests around the city of Vancouver are just as mossy and lush.
Take a look at these Vancouver engagement photos in Golden Ears Provincial Park to see just how lush the forests of BC can be.
The contrast between big mountains and the Pacific ocean is one of our favourite things to photograph as BC wedding photographers! There’s no shortage of ocean views in British Columbia.
A Tofino wedding will give you endless beaches to explore and surfing opportunities. If you’re planning an adventure elopement and want a truly remote location try Cape Scott Provincial Park on Vancouver Island or anywhere around Prince Rupert in Northern BC.
This Tofino heli wedding will be sure to spark your inspiration.
Yes, British Columbia has deserts and a wine region! We weren’t kidding when we said this province is diverse! If you’re looking for something completely different from mountains and ocean, consider having a Kelowna wedding in the heart of BC’s wine country. Surrounded by rolling hills and the massive Okanagan lake, Kelowna weddings are the perfect location for guests and the couple alike.
Kelowna is a popular tourist destination for BC locals and can feel busy in the summer. If you’re looking for a more low-key location with the same landscapes, consider a wedding in Kamloops or Penticton instead.
Getting married in BC is an unforgettable experience. To make sure you get the most out of your day, here are a few tips to keep in mind from our experience as BC wedding photographers.
The time of year you choose to get married is going to greatly determine what your BC wedding photography will look like. Depending on the area of British Columbia that you choose, some seasons will be better suited than others.
Generally speaking, the closer you get to the southern coastal areas (like Vancouver’s lower mainland and Vancouver Island), the milder and more temperate the weather will be year-round. With that said, expect a lot of winter rain in these areas… they don’t call it a rainforest for nothing!
Interior BC and the wine regions like Kamloops, Kelowna, and the Okanagan are known for scorching hot summers, but springtime brings beautiful blossoms for BC wedding photographers here.
The Canadian Rockies are at their best during summer. Places like Revelstoke, Golden, and Invermere are bursting with outdoor activities and trails to explore. The weather never gets too hot in the summer, and if it does you can always find a nearby lake to jump in and cool off!
Northern BC is remote and fall comes early to these parts. Take advantage of the wildlife sightseeing during late summer and autumn here, but be just as prepared for early snow storms.
In our BC wedding photographer opinion here are the best places to elope in British Columbia for each season:
Spring: Kelowna and the Okanagan or Vancouver and the Lower Mainland
Summer: Canadian Rockies or the Kootenays (Revelstoke, Golden, Invermere, Fernie + more)
Fall: Squamish and Whistler in the Garibaldis
Winter: Tofino and Vancouver Island (plan for rain!)
To get legally married in BC you’ll need to buy a marriage license and hire a BC government-registered marriage officiant. You’ll also need to have two witnesses during your ceremony at the time of signing. If you’re eloping with just you and your partner, as your BC wedding photographers we are happy to sign as your two witnesses! Learn more about getting legally married in BC on the BC government website here.
British Columbia is full of amazing places, and often it pays off to get away from the popular spots. If you want a mountain wedding but don’t want to hassle with tourist crowds, try going to the Kootenays instead of Whistler. If you love the idea of an adventurous west coast elopement, try going to Tofino in winter instead of their prime summer tourist season.
If you are willing to get off the beaten path for your BC wedding, you’ll be rewarded with more solitude and less expensive accommodations!
We’re two BC wedding photographers who thrive on adventure. We travel on the road a lot, so there’s no extra travel costs or hidden fees in any of our BC wedding packages within our travel schedule. Each BC wedding package includes:
We’ve covered the main landscapes of BC in this guide and the best places to elope in British Columbia, but here are some more great locations to consider if you’re planning to have a wedding with guests.
From Victoria to Tofino and beyond, a Vancouver Island wedding can be as adventurous as you like. Get married in a historic landmark in Victoria, or have a PNW elopement along the endless beaches of the west coast.
The Fraser Valley is just outside Vancouver, so it’s the perfect location for couples from abroad looking for mountain wedding venues near Vancouver where guests don’t have to travel as far from the international airport.
Kamloops wedding photographers know that this area is a great alternative to Kelowna wedding venues. Gorgeous sunsets and serene rivers will be the backdrop to your BC wedding photography.
Fernie is a little wedding gem in the Rockies! This small town is bursting with mountain views, delicious local restaurants, and skiing opportunities. Check out this Island Lake Lodge wedding for inspiration.
Golden wedding photographers can’t rave enough about the Kicking Horse Mountain resort wedding venue, where from the top you have views of multiple national parks!
Revelstoke weddings have the best of British Columbia all in one place. Steep valleys, snow-capped mountains, and lush rainforests are the backdrop to your Revelstoke wedding photography.
or email us directly at hello@filmandforestphoto.com
