Planning an elopement is faster and easier than planning a traditional wedding — but it still takes some thought. Here's everything you need to do, in the order you need to do it.

Step 1: Get Your BC Marriage Licence

Before anything else, you need a marriage licence. In BC, you can get one from any ServiceBC centre, most registry agents, or some travel agents authorized to issue them. The licence costs around $100 and is valid for three months from the date of issue.

You'll both need to show up in person with government-issued ID. If either of you has been divorced, bring your divorce certificate. If a previous spouse is deceased, bring the death certificate.

One thing people often miss: the licence must be signed by two witnesses at the time of the ceremony. These can be friends, family, your photographer, your officiant's assistant — anyone over 19.

Step 2: Find a Licensed Officiant

In BC, your ceremony must be performed by a licensed marriage commissioner or a registered religious official. A quick search for "BC marriage commissioner Vancouver" will turn up plenty of options, most of whom are very comfortable with elopements and small ceremonies.

Some officiants specialize in outdoor ceremonies and elopements specifically — they'll hike to your location, keep the ceremony as short or as personal as you want, and handle the paperwork. Budget around $200–$400 for a good one.

Or, if you'd rather keep it to just the two of you, a civil self-solemnization option exists in BC — but it requires a specific process. Worth checking the Vital Statistics Agency website for current rules.

Step 3: Choose Your Location

This is the fun part. Vancouver gives you an extraordinary range of settings — old-growth forest, mountain backdrops, ocean shoreline, urban architecture — most of it accessible without a permit or venue fee.

A few things to factor in when choosing: What time of year are you getting married? (Joffre Lakes is magical but inaccessible in snow.) How far are you willing to travel? How much walking or hiking is involved, and does that work for what you're wearing? Is the location accessible to everyone who's coming?

If you're unsure, ask your photographer. We've shot in most of these locations multiple times and can tell you exactly what works and what doesn't in different seasons and weather.

Step 4: Book Your Photographer First

Counterintuitive advice, maybe — but your photographer determines what you'll actually have from this day. The rings, the dress, the location, the flowers — all of it disappears into memory. The photos don't.

Book your photographer before you finalize your date if you can. The best photographers in Vancouver book 6–12 months out, especially for peak season (June through September). Once you have your photographer locked in, they can help you choose a location and optimize your timing for light.

Step 5: Plan Your Timeline Around the Light

Golden hour — the hour or two before sunset — is when outdoor photography looks its best. In Vancouver, that can mean anything from 5pm in January to 9pm in July. Sunrise sessions are also stunning and mean you'll often have locations entirely to yourselves.

Midday light in summer is harsh and flat. If you're getting married outdoors in July or August, avoid scheduling your ceremony at noon.

Your photographer will help you build a timeline. Give them your preferred location and date, and they'll tell you when to be there.

Step 6: Figure Out What You're Wearing

One of the best things about elopements is that the dress code is entirely up to you. Full bridal gown in the forest? Yes. Jumpsuits? Yes. Linen suits? Yes. Hiking boots under a wedding dress? We've photographed it. It looked great.

The one practical consideration: think about the terrain. If you're hiking to a waterfall, a cathedral-length train is going to make your life harder. If you're barefoot on the beach, stilettos are going to sink. Dress for both what you want to look like and where you're going.

Step 7: Tell People (or Don't)

Some couples tell everyone and have a celebration dinner the night before or after. Some couples tell no one until it's done and announce it over brunch with a photo. Some couples keep it entirely private and never share it publicly.

All of these are valid. The day is yours. How much you include other people — before, during, or after — is entirely your call.

What an Elopement Day Actually Looks Like

A typical SimplyWed elopement day: you arrive at your location around golden hour. We spend 60–90 minutes photographing — ceremony, portraits, whatever quiet moments happen between. The whole thing is relaxed, unhurried, and genuinely fun. Afterward, couples usually go to dinner somewhere they love.

It's a great day. Not a complicated one.

Ready to Plan Your Vancouver Wedding?

SimplyWed Studio is a Vancouver wedding photography studio specializing in weddings and elopements throughout the Lower Mainland and BC. We know these locations, we know the light, and we love showing up for couples who want their day to feel real.

Get in touch and let's figure out what your day looks like.

SimplyWed Studio photographs elopements and intimate weddings throughout Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and BC. Based in Vancouver.