The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Vancouver Island Elopement

If you’re looking for a breathtaking and intimate wedding experience, a Vancouver Island elopement may be just what you need. With its stunning natural beauty and charming local vendors, this guide will help you plan every detail of your special day. As a wedding photographer and videographer here on Vancouver Island, I’m helping you with everything from choosing the perfect location to the best places to stay so you have everything you need to make your elopement unforgettable.

Where is Vancouver Island?

Vancouver Island is located off the Southwestern Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Stretching over 12,079 miles, there are endless locations for your dreamy elopement. Whether you are hoping for a beach front ceremony or an adventurous hike in the mountains, Vancouver Island has it all! 

Why should you elope on Vancouver Island?

I might be a bit biased but I truly believe that Vancouver Island is one of the most beautiful places in Canada. From rugged coastlines and white sandy beaches to beautiful forests and mountain ranges, this place truly has it all! And, the best part about Vancouver Island is that because the island isn’t very big, you can visit multiple different locations while you are there! Here are 5 reasons why you should elope on Vancouver Island BC!

1. Majestic Natural Beauty: Vancouver Island is a haven of natural beauty, boasting awe-inspiring landscapes that will leave you and your partner in awe. From the rugged coastal cliffs and pristine sandy beaches to lush rainforests and snow-capped mountains, the island offers a diverse range of stunning locations for your elopement ceremony. Imagine exchanging vows in front of a cascading waterfall, on a secluded beach at sunset, or amidst the enchanting old-growth forests. The possibilities for breathtaking backdrops are endless, providing you with a truly unforgettable experience.

2. Intimate and Romantic Atmosphere: Eloping on Vancouver Island allows you to create an intimate and romantic atmosphere that focuses solely on your love and commitment. Escape the stress and pressure of a large wedding and enjoy a deeply personal ceremony shared with your partner. Whether you choose to elope on a remote beach, in a charming garden, or atop a mountain peak, you’ll have the freedom to craft an experience that reflects your unique love story.

3. Diverse Range of Wedding Professionals: Vancouver Island is home to a talented community of wedding professionals, including wedding photographers, wedding videographers, planners, and florists, who specialize in capturing the essence of intimate elopements. Their expertise and local knowledge will ensure that every detail of your special day is beautifully executed. Working with these professionals will not only make your elopement stress-free but also guarantee stunning visuals that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

4. Adventure and Exploration: Vancouver Island offers endless opportunities for adventure and exploration, allowing you to infuse your elopement experience with excitement and discovery. Embark on a helicopter ride to a remote mountaintop for a breathtaking ceremony, go kayaking through picturesque coastal inlets, or hike to hidden waterfalls for stunning photo opportunities. Embrace the spirit of adventure and create unforgettable memories that will make your elopement truly exceptional.

5. Post-Elopement Honeymoon Retreat: One of the advantages of eloping on Vancouver Island is the opportunity to seamlessly transition into your honeymoon. After your intimate ceremony, you can retreat to one of the island’s luxurious resorts, cozy cabins, or charming bed and breakfasts. Indulge in spa treatments, savor exquisite culinary experiences, and embark on romantic excursions, such as whale watching or wine tasting. Vancouver Island offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure, providing an ideal setting for an unforgettable post-elopement honeymoon.

Best Time of the Year to Elope on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is definitely beautiful all year long but there are months that are better for elopements for sure. I would probably say it’s best to avoid late fall all the way to April as the weather is a bit colder and we usually get lots of snow.

So, some of my favorite times of the year for elopement are May to late June and then late September. If you don’t mind the heat, early July is also a great time of the year for any elopement especially if you want to do any water activities. 

5 Best Locations for your Vancouver Island Elopement

1. Tofino

Tofino might just be the most beautiful location for an elopement on Vancouver Island! It’s personally one of my favorite locations on the island because of the wide range of scenery from beautiful forests and lakes to the breathtaking beaches. And on top of its beauty, Tofino has so much to do including surfing, hiking, whale watching, and more! 

Best Restaurants in Tofino:

• Wolf in the Fog
• Sobo
• The Schooner Restaurant

2. Sooke

Sooke is another beautiful spot on Vancouver Island home to beautiful coastlines and thriving marine life. With the most beautiful ocean and mountain views, you’ll be wanting to spend most of your time here outdoors. Whether you want to celebrate your elopement by renting some bikes and riding along the coast line or kayaking off the beautiful coast, there’s plenty of things to do to make your elopement day extra special! 

Best Restaurants in Sooke

• West Coast Grill
• Sooke Harbour House Restaurant 
• Route 14 Sooke

3. Quadra Island

Located between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Quadra island is a smaller town that draws in lots of people every year. The best part about Quadra Island is how clean it is and how untouched most of the environment is there. From lush forest to beautiful coastlines, you couldn’t go wrong with a Quadra Island elopement!

Best Restaurants on Quadra Island:

• Kameleon Food and Drink
• Island Farm to Table
• The Narrows Floating Restaurant

4. Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island is located off the coast of Vancouver Island and is often referred to as the “Island of the Arts” as it is well known for art and creativity. There are tons of art events, galleries, shows, and live music to enjoy while you are visiting. And if you’re looking to enjoy some outdoor activities while you are there, there are tons of hiking routes with beautiful scenery of the lush forest and rocky coastlines. 

Best Restaurants on Salt Spring Island:

• Seaside Restaurant

• Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe

• The Restaurant at The Saltspring Inn

5. Helicopter Elopements

Helicopter elopements on Vancouver Island are absolutely stunning. What I love so much about it is that you get to got to more remote locations for a much more private and intimate ceremony. You get the most epic views with the most breathtaking experience!! I have done a few helicopter elopements with 49 North Helicopters and they were absolutely amazing!

Vancouver Island Marriage Laws + Licenses

When deciding to elope on Vancouver Island, one of the most important aspects of the planning process are the legalities. Here you will find all the steps you need to take to obtain your marriage license on Vancouver Island, BC.

This is what you will need for a LEGAL elopement on Vancouver Island:

1. Obtain your British Columbia Marriage License. You will need:
1. Get this AT LEAST 3 months prior to when you are getting married.
2. One of you in the couple must apply IN PERSON and show primary identification for both parties. 
3. To pay a nonrefundable $100 

And, on your official elopement day you will need:

1. An officiant: HERE is where you can find an officiant for your elopement day. 
2. Two Witnesses: As long as you have two people over the age of 19 to witness your marriage, then you are set. (Your photographer can be one of those people)

What to Do Vancouver Island : Fun Activity Ideas

Vancouver Island has so many fun activities and things to do and what better day to take advantage of that than your elopement day! This is one of the most important days of your life so you better make it special. Here is a list of some of the best activities to during your Vancouver Island elopement:

• Hike the Wild Pacific Trail 
• Ultimate Marine Whale & Wildlife Tour

• Kayaking Ucluelet Harbour Tour

• Zipline Adventure Tour
• Spend the day at Chesterman Beach
• Hike the Rainforest Trail
• Victoria Food Tour

• BC Ferries

Vancouver Island Elopement Photographer & Videographer

Hey, if you’re new here, I’m Hayley, a Vancouver Island Elopement Photographer and Videographer! 

Most couples struggle to feel a genuine connection and realness when posing for a camera.

I ditch ‘cookie cutter’ photography methods to create a deeper bond between couples resulting in a rush of emotions every time they see their pictures.

I go above and beyond to help create moments where you can have fun, feel comfortable, connected, and playful, even in front of a camera. If you’re looking for bright, vibrant, emotional, and exciting images, you’ve come to the right place!

I specialize as a Vancouver Island Wedding Photographer & Wedding Videographer working in Victoria, Campbell River, and the rest of the world!

I have a deep passion for outdoor photos and love searching for new hidden gems. Do you enjoy the outdoors? I specialize in working in the outdoor elements: beach, river, lake, ocean, forest, you name it and I’m there.

If you’re ready to find your perfect Vancouver Island Elopement Photographer to capture all of the real and raw moments of your elopement day, TAKE A LOOK AT MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY PAGE and let’s see if we are a good match! When it comes to being your elopement photographer my goal is to support you through out the whole process and make sure that your dream Vancouver Island elopement becomes a reality!