Your Guide to Eloping in Whistler | Whistler Elopement Photographer
Are you considering Eloping in Whistler, BC?
You really can’t go wrong with planning an Elopement in Whistler! There is so much beauty from the mountains, forests, rivers and lakes. Elopements are such an amazing way to celebrate the two of you without the added pressure of planning a large wedding. You will have your reasons for eloping, whether that’s budget, your family or COVID! An elopement can be as simple as just the two of you in a remote location or a couple of your friends/family to celebrate with. An elopement in Whistler can give you so many options and back up plans if the weather doesn’t co-operate.
Best time of year for an elopement in Whistler?
Luckily Whistler is a year-round destination, which means eloping in Whistler can happen at any time.
Do you LOVE snow? There are so many ideas for a winter elopement in Whistler. Usually, you don’t have to head up the mountain to find snow between mid-December and March. Summer is also a beautiful time of year for an elopement in Whistler - long days and warm lakes to swim in!
Places to Elope in Whistler
Is Whistler a special place for the two of you? If you have a strong connection to a certain location in Whistler and that’s your ideal place to get married - awesome! Maybe you met here or got engaged on top of Whistler - that’s the beauty of an elopement it can be completely tailored to you what you want!
If you have never visited Whistler before then you’re in for a real treat - it’s such a great place to visit and planning an elopement in Whistler can be fun. Why not make a vacation out of it?! An elopement and honeymoon in one location - YES!
Here are a few fun elopement locations in Whistler:
Skiing/Snowboarding on Whistler Blackcomb
Snowshoeing to a private viewpoint or waterfall (Alexander Falls is a beautiful location for this!)
Cross-country skiing at Lost Lake or the Callaghan valley (I love XC skiing!)
A Heli Elopement on Rainbow Glacier with endless panoramic mountain views!
A short walk to a viewpoint at one of the many lakes in Whistler
Stand-Up Paddle-boarding in the middle of Green Lake
Mountain Cabin on top of Sproatt Mountain in the Callaghan Valley - accessible in both the summer and winter. (Check out Canadian Wilderness Adventures)
A favourite elopement location in Whistler is the Stone Circle - a beautiful intimate wedding ceremony location with views of Alta Lake and the surrounding forest. It’s well hidden and conveniently located just off the valley trail. There is a small rustic cabin a short walk away in case it rains - a light and airy space so you still feel like you are outdoors. The Stone Circle is a perfect year-round elopement location in Whistler!
Here is a link to a Stone Circle Wedding.
Deciding on an Officiant/Celebrant or a Marriage Commissioner for your Whistler Elopement?
What’s the difference?
The government recruits marriage commissioners from candidates who live in that community - usually, they are retired or semi-retired. The government writes their ceremony script with certain words that are mandatory for civil ceremonies in BC, they are usually the cheaper option. Here is a link to the marriage commissioners in Whistler.
Officiants/Celebrants are a little more unique, they have been formally trained and can perform religious and non-religious ceremonies. They are usually more expensive but worth it - they can create a ceremony that is unique to the two of you, whether that’s skiing on Whistler or Paddle-Boarding on Alta Lake! If you need recommendations for Whistler Wedding Officiants/Celebrants get in touch here.
Whether you choose an officiant/celebrant or marriage commissioner is totally up to you -it’s your Whistler Elopement! If you have chatted with them and felt they are the perfect person to perform your ceremony - awesome!
Who’s the best Photographer for your Whistler Elopement?
Choosing a photographer to capture your elopement is very much a personal preference - there are so many talented photographers in this town and everyone is unique in their own way!
As a photographer in Whistler for over 12 years, I’m drawn to the beauty there is here - choosing Whistler as your elopement destination usually means you are too. I incorporate the landscape as much as possible in my photos - I think it’s just as important to capture the mountains and forest as well as the closer details. I photograph your day as it happens, I balance this documentary photography approach with some fun and casually structured portraits. I’ll help you feel comfortable in front of the camera so the moments I capture are natural and authentic.
When you look back at this special intimate day - you want to have photos that capture the emotion and excitement you both shared. You’ll want to share the moment with friends and family who couldn’t be there to celebrate with you! It is so important to look through the portfolios from different photographers in the Whistler area and see if there is a certain style that you love. Your photographer is with you for most of the day and getting to know them beforehand is key - you can do this face to face or over Zoom/Facetime.
Other Whistler Elopement Vendors to consider
Videographer - Preserving your elopement day through video is something you will cherish forever and be able to fully immerse yourself in that special moment again and again!
Hair and Makeup - Just because you aren’t planning a big ceremony, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pamper yourself and feel like the most beautiful version of yourself on your wedding day!
Florals - There are some extremely talented florists in the Sea to Sky area - why not treat yourself to a stunning bouquet to hold on your elopement day - it adds a great ‘pop’ of colour to the photos too!
Planner - Hiring a planner can take the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on enjoying the day. They can also create the most beautiful designs for your ceremony without you having to set-up.
Cake - Just because you are eloping doesn’t mean you should pass up an opportunity to eat cake!
If you would like elopement vendor recommendations - please get in touch!
Where to stay in Whistler for your Elopement?
As a world-famous year-round destination resort, Whistler has plenty of options for places to stay for your elopement - from five-star luxury hotels with spas and fine dining to cozy cabins by the river, there are so many options! You’ll be able to find a list of Whistler accommodation and Lodging guide here.
Here are some of my recommended hotels to stay at in Whistler for your elopement:
Nita Lake Lodge - A luxurious boutique hotel in Whistler’s Creekside and only 500 metres from the base of Whistler mountain, Nita Lake Lodge has incredible dining and spa treatments to offer. It’s a beautiful building on the shores of Nita Lake - great for ice-skating in the winter or paddleboarding in the summer. Nita Lake Lodge is also a favourite wedding venue in Whistler!
Fairmont Hotel - A large luxurious hotel at the base of Blackcomb mountain - great location if you are skiing/snowboarding! In the summer there is an amazing golf course close to the hotel. The Fairmont can also host weddings with a small rooftop chapel perfect for an elopement!
Four Seasons Resort - Also located near the base of Blackcomb mountain the Four Seasons Resort is a year-round getaway with an amazing spa and beautiful fine dining!
Summit Lodge - Located in the heart of the Whistler village, the Summit Lodge hotel is a quirky boutique hotel with all the Whistler amenities on your doorstep.
As well as hotels, there are plenty of Airbnb rentals ranging from small and simple for just the two of you, or a large house that could double up as an elopement venue!
Additional Ideas For Your Elopement In Whistler
Make Coffee
If you like to take it slow first thing and want to wake up and enjoy the morning before the day’s activities, then making coffee at one of the local parks could be fun. Bring along a camping stove and stovetop espresso maker, then sit by the lake taking it all in! Alternatively going to one of Whistler’s many cafes to enjoy a latte or americano!
Canoeing/Kayaking/Paddleboarding on a Whistler lake
You could canoe/kayak/Paddleboard to a private elopement location or just for fun as an activity on your special day! There are multiple locations to rent but if you have your own even better! I’m a little obsessed with paddleboarding - especially first thing in the morning. Some of my favourite lakes to float on are Green Lake and Alpha Lake.
Picnic
Who doesn’t love a picnic? Whether you make your own or use one of the local picnic/grazing board companies. Picnics can be packed small and taken to most remote places. Or why not get a planner involved to set up a unique setting for you and your new husband/wife to enjoy after your elopement ceremony. Here are a few Whistler picnic companies:
Heli-Picnic with Paddleboard! (How amazing does this sound!)
Helicopter Elopement in Whistler
This is an amazing option any time of year! If you’re looking for that WOW factor on your elopement day then a Heli-elopement is definitely something to consider. There are many different options for a helicopter tour in Whistler - you can land on glaciers, mountain tops and near remote alpine lakes. Blackcomb Helicopters operate Heli-weddings in Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton - with many landing options and flight times. You may want to get married in the valley then take one of their tours after(like their Heli-Picnic with Paddleboarding!). You can check out more information about Blackcomb Helicopters Heli-weddings and elopements here.
Camping
Camping is a beautiful way to experience an intimate elopement for outdoor lovers, if you’re on a budget then it’s also a great alternative to hotels or AirBnbs.
Maybe you want to hike to a remote location - camping allows you more time to explore and as a bonus, you get both sunrise and sunset - the most magical times of day for photos! If you’re looking for something a little less adventurous there are a few campgrounds in and around Whistler - the closest one to town is the Riverside Resort, they also have yurts and cabins as alternative accommodation! There’s also Whistler RV Park and Cal Cheak Recreation sites - both located roughly 15-minutes south of Whistler.
Glamping is another great option - Wild Havens Pop-Up Glamping offers luxury canvas bell tents furnished with beds, carpet, lanterns and floor cushions - Check out their website for more information.
First Dance
A first dance can be a moment some couples find stressful - they don’t want to be the centre of attention, but during an elopement it’s different. It can be just as impactful as it would be in front of a large wedding party - it’s a special moment dancing to your favourite song. Bring along a speaker or even better hire a musician to play for the two of you! If you’re interested in hiring a musician get in touch for recommendations.
Visit a Brewery on your Elopement day
Are you both beer lovers like me? Whistler is lucky to have a few awesome breweries and what’s better than enjoying a flight of craft beer with your lover on your elopement day?! Visiting a brewery could be the main venue for your elopement or just a short visit during the day. Coast Mountain Brewing is a boutique craft brewery and my personal favourite! My current favourite beers from them are ‘The Cook & The Brewer’ English Pale Ale and ‘Hope you’re Happy’ IPA. Around the corner is The Whistler Brewing Company - so you could make a mini brewery tour during your elopement in Whistler! Pemberton has a few great breweries too - The Beer Farmers and Pemberton Brewing Company.
Visiting a brewery on your elopement day in Whistler is a unique celebration in a cozy, relaxed way!
Bring your dog/pet along on your elopement!
If you have a special furry friend in your life then bringing them along to your elopement is worth considering. I’m a huge pet lover and will always tell you to bring them along, but this can be a stressful thought for some! You could have your pet there for part of your day - a really awesome dog sitting company in town that I use for my pups - Whistler Dog Sitting, can assist with looking after your pets, giving you peace of mind that your furry friend is in good hands!
Watching the sunset
You could plan all your activities for earlier in the day and end with watching the sunset - there are a couple of great spots in Whistler to watch the sun go down - why not bring a bottle of bubbly to enjoy too!
There’s no shortage of activities and ideas for your Whistler elopement day, you can do what you want when you want! An elopement in Whistler can be as unique as you! It’s up to you what you wear - you want to wear jeans - great! A big white wedding dress - awesome!
With amazing wedding vendor options, you can relax and trust that your Whistler Elopement will be everything you’ve dreamed of … and more!
Please get in touch if you have any questions or if you would like to start a conversation with me - I’m always thinking of fun random ideas!
If you’re interested in seeing more of my work - below are links to my portfolios.
