Planning a Whistler Elopement?

This post is directed for those of you who are planning a Whistler elopement, or anywhere in the Sea to Sky really. As someone who made the choice to elope too, I thought I could bring attention to a few things that I think are overlooked. I also wanted to highlight different ideas for those that are considering going this route.

The Adventure Elopement. This here, is for those that want their day to be truly unique and completely them. This may mean a little bit of extra effort to get to an incredible spot. Think hiking in the mountains to your favourite alpine lake, to a back country cabin, or an epic waterfall. You could go the backpack camping route, or do the car Glamping scenario. I high recommend renting one of Wildhavens canvas tents for a touch of luxury. I did this, and it was awesome. You could just do a little day trip too, no need to make it a camping mission at all, but it definitely speaks to some. Not sure where to go? If not, your photographer or planner can help you dream up some incredible locations. Whistler has a plethora of locations that are perfect for an adventure elopement. Of course, not all officiants are game for these excursions, so picking one that isn’t afraid to get off the beaten path is important.

The Heli Elopement. This is for those that want to elope on top of a mountain top, without the effort of hiking. Probably one of the more popular trends these days. Blackcomb Heli or Black Tusk Heli have several areas to choose from. The most popular location is Rainbow Glacier, but there are some other incredible spots to consider. In Pemberton, you’ve got the well known Mt. Currie, and then the lake with the bluest water, Marriage Lake. This spot is best for later in the summer when the lake has thawed, to really capture the colours of this magical place. The Ipsoot Glacier has a dramatic landscape, and Beverly Lake is beautiful too. The morning light really benefits this spot, so something to consider for there. Flying out of Squamish? Well the Tantalus Range is pretty breathtaking. If the weather isn’t ideal for flying to the peak, they can fly you up the river into the Squamish Valley, for a different yet equally gorgeous PNW vibe. I always suggest booking the latest spot in the day, or the earliest. For winter, this means you’re up there close to sunset which is pretty incredible. High noon in the summer can cast unfavourable shadows under your eyes, so I’d recommend avoiding that if at all possible. The lower the sun is in the sky, the better, always.

The 4×4 Elopement. This one I really love. Reason being is Canadian Wilderness can take you on a Jeep tour to the top of Blackcomb for sunset. You get more time (3 hours), so plenty of different photo opportunities, as well as being able to structure your day around the best possible light. I cannot stress this enough. Light plays such an important part to how your photos will turn out. To be able to be on top of a mountain at sunset, is so incredible, and it’s not something you can do in the summer with heli’s unfortunately.

The Valley Elopement. This is also a very popular choice for Whistler specific elopements. It’s easy and you don’t have to put a whole lot of effort in. It can be tricky to find somewhere super unique, without mass amounts of humans in the summer, but there are places. The Stone Circle is a popular choice. I have a few forest locations that I personally love, and there are a few other lakeside places in the valley that are great options. You may have to walk a tiny bit, but nothing too crazy. Definitely chat with your photographer about options, as they all work a little differently depending on weather and light.

The options for elopements in Whistler and the surrounding areas are endless. And don’t feel you need to stick to certain traditions. Make it your own. I had a couple who eloped on the first legal 420 a few years back. She wore a Madonna inspired dress, and they sparked a joint after they made things official. You could have your two best friends join you as your witnesses or maybe just your parents. Include your dog. Hire a videographer. Bring a bottle of crappy bubbles and a nicer one to drink. Spray the cheap one everywhere for fun celebatory photos. For a winter elopement, think fun, faux fur jackets to keep you warm and comfortable shoes. Always bring flats, if you plan on wearing heels. If you planned for a heli elopement, and the weather wasn’t on your side, re-book portraits for a better day. Perhaps the next day is meant to be sunny. If your photographer is available, they will gladly go up with you for more portraits.

Here are a few snaps from our elopement. One of the most important things for us, was good light. As a photographer, I know how much it plays a role in how your photos will look so we based the whole thing around when the light would be at it’s prime. I wanted that dreamy backlit vibe. That meant holding off on our ceremony til 6:30/7pm mid-August, with photos taken before and after. No guests, meant we could be as flexible as needed. Since we were keeping things pretty low key in terms of how weddings go, we opted for a stunning floral arch created by Erin of Bliss Events + Design just to add a little glam to the setup. Of course there is always the chance that the weather isn’t on your side, but we lucked out. We glamped, and ate a casual meal of charcuterie and cheese by the fire. It was perfectly us. Photos by my dear friends at Tara Lilly Photography.

For more Whistler elopement ideas, click here.