Planning an elopement in the Vancouver area? Picking your location is probaly the most important first step to planning out your day. What is important to consider for choosing location? Couples who are choosing to elope want less stress, more intimacy and are often working with a variety of different budgets. But that doesn’t mean that thoughtful decision making isn’t a part of this process. Take a look at things to think about when you are choosing your elopement location.
How do you pick the location for your elopement?
This is where the magic starts to come to life! I remember discussing the location planning with my husband for our elopement and it was so exciting! The possibilities felt endless -we never faced booked venues or limited location choices due to availability. We were able to choose our location based on us and what we wanted. We chose where we got married, picked the time of day we preferred, and planned everything ourselves.
So, Where do you see yourselves exchanging vows? Think about places that feel meaningful to you. That’s the best place to start. Elopements offer flexibility and let you creatively build any kind of day you want. When we think about locations ask yourselves some key questions first before deciding on a location you have in mind. But the most important questions is:
How do you want the day to feel? Adventurous, peaceful, luxurious, spontaneous, spiritual, rustic?
So many couples are able to really move through their elopement planning with so much ease when they are able to determine together what they are hoping to feel on their day. The emotion behind it will be so helpful in staying aligned when building out your vision and also choosing your location. Because if your location doesn’t match the emotion you are hoping for, well it a no brainer that it’s not the right choice!
What type of scenery or view do you want for your elopement?
What type of scenery and view feels connected to you and your partner? Which views fill you with those “awe” moments you may have lost? Does this scenery and view match the emotion you are hoping to feel on your day? Does this scenery and view include possibility for additional activities you are hoping to build into your day?
Elopements can happen both in outdoor and indoor locations, the flexibility is endless – you can also do a mixture of both indoor and outdoor locations for your day.
- Do you see yourselves outdoors or in a more indoor intimate location?
- If you are outdoors – what does the scenery and landscape look like?
- How intimate are we keeping the elopement? Are guests attending?
- If guests are coming, does the location allow for your guest count?
- If guests are coming, is it accessible? Consider your comfort level and guest mobility.
- And most importantly – Does this scenery and view give you the emotion and feeling you are hoping for?
Vancouver and the surrounding areas have endless possibilities for both outdoor and indoor locations for elopements.
Outdoor scenery is so diverse in Vancouver for elopements. You have the choice to go just about anywhere. To the water, to the mountains, to a meaningful city area, up in the air in a private plane or helicopter or even keep it at home.
Don’t forget: If you’re choosing a location like a national, provincial park or city park most will require a permit for ceremonies, even elopements. Most outdoor locations allow for permit applications at least 12 months prior. Every park is different, so always check the local regulations and apply early. Fines or last-minute restrictions can add unnecessary stress to your day.
Indoor venues are also endless in Vancouver for planning out an elopement. There are tons of awesome venues you can find that can match the vibe you are envisioning. It can be anything from a meaningful family home to a unique private venue to host an event for your small group. Whenever couples are searching for unique places indoors to host an intimate elopement I like to suggest looking a peerspace for locations if they don’t have a private location in mind. So many awesome spaces can transform into the perfect setting for your elopement.
If you are seeking to do something even less traditional you can also look at renting our places like the Art Gallery, bloedel conservatory, a private boat charter, or indoor venues like the greenhouse.
What about season and weather for your location?
If you aren’t local to Vancouver, now is the time to know that Vancouver is located in a coastal temperate rainforest. This means that we can experience some unpredicable weather throughout the whole year. Because we are located between the Pacific Ocean and the steep North Shore Mountains, it creates the perfect conditions for heavy rain – and this can be pretty normal year round.
Most couples who live in Vancouver are used to it, aren’t we? Many of us have lived to love it and a little rain has never stopped us!
Some locations and scenery really take your breath away at certain times of the year, so really consider the time of year you’ve decided to elope.
If you’re getting married in the fall, leaves saturate the landscape.
Spring- waterfalls are flowing the best
Summer – wildflowers are in full bloom and the coasts by the ocean become our second home
Do you don’t mind being witnessed by the rain and unpredicable weather? Or are you wanting to remain dry and under blue skies?
Weather and seasons can also require you to plan for accessibility. Couples often want to be outdoors for elopements and if your location is somewhere that has limited access due to snow in winter or early/late spring. Some locations are best or only accessed by helicopters.
Some awesome companies to check out for Alpine back country locations are SKY Helicopter.
What about accessibility for your location?
Accessibility for your elopement is the final important thing to really think about. How accessible your location is will greatly affect your elopement day. And I say this for a few reasons:
- It will determine the kind of elopement coverage you may require from your photographer
- It will determine the location of your elopement ceremony portion of your day
- It will determine the amount of guests or kind of guests you are able to invite – if you are wanting to include guests
- It will determine any additional vendors you may require to get to your preferred location
Location accessibility will play a factor in the time you are committing to your day as a whole and with a photographer to capture your whole elopement story. Farther distances do equal more time together. Which is so incredible because the whole adventure to get to your location gets captured and all the in-between quiet moments you may spend together getting there! I personally always recommend planning for a full day elopement so that you don’t feel restricted in your possibilities or locations. Why not spend the day adventuring to the location you want to be at and forget time as a factor!
More accessible locations are often more populated by the public on weekends and seasonal months. If you are wanting more privacy you may want to consider something off the beaten path and during the week when visitors won’t be as present.
Always consider accessibility when you bring guests. Will they be able make the journey? Are you able to set up chairs for less able bodied guests? Are pets allowed? What kind of permits are required to go to this location? What additional vendors might you need to plan for to get there?
Looking for find the perfect location and photographer for your elopement in Vancouver?
If you’ve come this far, you must be considering looking for a location, that much is clear! Or you’re looking to elope!
I’ve been working with couples in the Vancouver and surrounding areas for years building out unique elopement experiences and helping them elevate the emotion they are dreaming of, so if you are looking to explore your elopement options and wanting to discuss location possibilities. Reach out! I got you, zero committment is needed.
Feeling the burning desire to discuss locations possibilities and get started on planning your unique elopement day?
