British Columbia is such a unique province, just perfect for an elopement! Whether you like mountain views or ocean vibes, it has plenty of breathtaking landscapes to offer. But BC is so much more than that: secular trees, crystal lakes, surf towns, dreamy waterfalls, rich vineyards, and even desert scenery. The options are so many that it is not going to be easy to pick one! That is why I decided to help you out with this list of the best places to elope in BC. The locations that I picked are mostly close to Vancouver since the city is very accessible from all over the world (YVR airport is only 20 minutes from downtown) and in Vancouver Island because it is just the perfect place for an elopement. British Columbia has lots of other stunning locations to elope!

Best Places to Elope in BC advertising showing two brides kissing on the day of their elopement with view of Squamish on a sunny day

TOFINO, VANCOUVER ISLAND

Are you thinking to elope on Vancouver Island? The number one elopement location in British Columbia is in my opinion Tofino (https://tourismtofino.com). A small and remote surf town in Vancouver Island. I am definitely biased since this is the place where my wife and I decided to elope but I’ve never seen such magnificent and surreal sunsets. The light, the ocean breeze, the wide beaches, and the majestic views make Tofino a unique location for an elopement. If you dream to get married right on the beach, this is the perfect location for you! The beaches are open year-round and you don’t require a permit.

If you are more adventurous, I recommend checking out Cox Bay Lookout Trail (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/cox-bay-lookout) where you can see Tofino from above. The short hike can be muddy and technical but the view with the sunset is just stunning. Also, the trail is not so popular so you most likely will have that view all for yourself.

Some suggestions to better plan your elopement in Tofino: it rains a lot but the summer is surely drier, make sure to plan in advance because you are not the only one in love with it! Also, Highway 4 (https://www.drivebc.ca/mobile/pub/events/Highway4.html), the only road that connects Tofino to the rest of the island, is oftentimes close at certain times of the day so make sure to check any update.

Cox Bay Beach in Tofino during sunset with surfer walking with their surf board — Cox Bay Beach

Cox Bay beach in Tofino view from above — Cox Bay Beach Lookout

MYSTIC BEACH, VANCOUVER ISLAND

Oh, where to start to describe Mystic Beach. Can I just say that there is a waterfall that pours straight off the cliff into the ocean?! Doesn’t that intrigue you? Because it does to me! This is another place to have an epic adventure elopement day. In about one hour's drive west from Victoria, you will enter the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park (https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/juan_de_fuca/) and you will find the hike for mystic beach shortly after (https://www.victoriatrails.com/trails/mystic-beach/). The hike is fairly short, 2 hours roundtrip, and pretty easy (it can be muddy). On the way to the beach, there is also a lovely suspension bridge where you can stop to take some photos.

A handy tip if you plan to elope at Mystic Beach: the location it’s pretty remote and there is no cell service.

LGBTQ+ couple eloping on the beach in Vancouver Island

Couple on the day of their elopement standing on the bridge in Vancouver Island

Mystic Beach in Vancouver Island during golden hour from above

UCLUELET, VANCOUVER ISLAND

Not as popular as Tofino, Ucluelet (https://www.discoverucluelet.com) is another perfect location to elope 45 minutes driving from Tofino. The vast waves that crash on the characteristic black rocks make it an even wilder and remote landscape. The advantage of opting for a less popular location is certainly having less crowded beaches and Ucluelet offers many of those. Florencia Bay is my favorite. An easy short hike will bring you to a vast but quiet beach in the Pacific Rim National Park (https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim).

Image of the trail to go to Florencia Bay in Ucluelet in Vancouver Island

Foggy morning on Florencia Bay beach in Ucluelet during a summer morning

WHYTECLIFF PARK, WEST VANCOUVER

Whytecliff Park (https://whytecliffpark.com), in West Vancouver, has scenic views of Howe Sound. It’s a great elopement spot for those that don’t want long hikes but would still love epic scenery.

The summer months are the busiest but you can reserve a private ceremony spot (https://westvancouver.ca/parks-recreation/special-events/weddings-parks).

LGBTQ+ couple sitting on a rock celebrating their elopement while eating a cake

LGBTQ+ couple posing on the day of their elopement in Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver with two flower bouquets

DEER LAKE PARK, BURNABY

If you love fall as much as I do, you will love Deer Lake Park (https://www.burnaby.ca/explore-outdoors/parks/deer-lake-park) in October. The colors are so magical and if the sun is out, oh, it’s just so romantic and beautiful. If you want to increase the level of sentimentalism, there is also a boat rental service during the summer months until the last week of October (https://deerlakeboatrentals.com). The parking lot is right next to the lake but it gets pretty busy in the summer.

Couple on the boat in Deer Lake park in Burnaby on the day of their elopement during a sunny autumn day

Couple standing under a tree in Deer Lake park in Burnaby on the day of their elopement during a sunny autumn day

Couple kissing on the deck in Deer Lake park in Burnaby on the day of their elopement during a sunny autumn day

LYNN CREEK & LYNN CANYON PARK, NORTH VANCOUVER

Lusty green forest and clear water make Lynn Creek a stunning location for an elopement. Quieter than other locations but just as beautiful. There are many great spots to stop around the numerous trails to take photos. One of them is the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge (https://lynncanyon.ca).

Couple standing by a creek in North Vancouver on the day of their elopement

Couple kissing on the day of their elopement in North Vancouver in Lynn Creek Park

Couple walking around the creek with their feet in the water in Lynn Creek Park in North Vancouver

SQUAMISH

Squamish (https://www.exploresquamish.com) is only one hour driving north from Vancouver and it has a lot of great options for elopement locations. If you’re up for a hike on the day of your elopement, my favorite is the Murrin Loop at the Murrin Provincial Park (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/murrin-loop-and-jurassic-ridge-trail?ref=result-card). A very short hike (45 minutes loop) with a breathtaking view of the Howe Sound from Quercus viewpoint.

Two brides getting married in Squamish at Quercus Viewpoint

LIGHTHOUSE PARK, WEST VANCOUVER

Within a 5 minute walk from the parking lot, you’re in the middle of a lush green forest. Within 10-15 minutes, you’re standing on an epic rock overlooking the ocean. The Lighthouse Park (https://westvancouver.ca/parks-recreation/parks/lighthouse-park) is always quite an experience and offers unique views on the lighthouse and Vancouver’s skylight.

Two grooms hugging while watching the sunset at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver

Two grooms in a romantic pose sitting on the rock on a summer day at Lighthouse Park in west Vancouver

Two grooms watching the ocean from above holding hands at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver

JOFFRE LAKES

Is there anything better than a turquoise glacier lake? Well, yes! Three turquoise glacier lakes! The popular Joffre Lakes (just past Pemberton) are connected by a 10 km trail round-trip (https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/joffre-lakes/). The first lake is very close to the parking lot and the other two are closer to the end of the hike. The location is just perfect for an elopement every season. Unfortunately, in the summer it can get very busy so I recommend an elopement very early in the morning.

Trees, mountains and lake view of Joffre Lakes

PORTEAU COVE PROVINCIAL PARK

Porteau Cove is the perfect location if you want a perfect ocean view without hiking. This location is perfect if you would like to have a picnic, a barbecue or even camp for the night after you got married (https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/porteau/). The parking lot is right on the beach. If you are lucky you could spot some orcas in the summer time or the Northern light in the fall season.

Two brides watching the sunset while hugging in Porteau Cove

Table decorated for an elopement on the beach at Porteau Cove

Mountains view during sunset at Porteau Cove

Ocean and mountains view of Porteau Cove during a summer evening

This is not a comprehensive list. There are many other beautiful spots to elope in British Columbia. These are some of the places I discovered since I moved to British Columbia five years ago.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Have you visited any of the places listed above? If not, which one would you like to visit? Leave a comment below!

With amore,

Lorenza

LET'S PLAN YOUR DREAM ELOPEMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA