A Pacific Spirit Park Elopement (And Yes, Everything Was Georgia): Georgia & Vincent's Wedding Day

Photography by Chelsea Abram Photography.

Georgia was born in Georgia. She went to the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. When she served in the US Peace Corps, she lived in a village with the same name as her last name. On her wedding day, she walked down the aisle on the Salish Trail. Her reception was on West Georgia Street. Near the Strait of Georgia.

She loves a theme. We love a theme.

And if there is one thing that describes Georgia and Vincent as a couple, the people, not the state, it's that they find joy everywhere. In the details. In the puns. In the woods. In each other. This was a wedding day that felt ALL THE WAY AUTHENTIC: warm, funny, deeply intentional, a little artsy, and full of REAL love.

Who Are Georgia and Vincent?

They met on Tinder. Vincent, as he tells it, super-swiped. Their first date lasted until 1am. Their second date went from 7pm Saturday to 7am Sunday. They deleted the app together at a bar on date two because they already knew.

Two logical, sarcastic, jaded people crying in a corner booth over love at first sight. That's them.

They've been through a lot together. May 2020 was one of the hardest months of their lives. Vincent lost his mom, they moved in together, the pandemic hit hard, he lost his job, and they squeezed into a 500 square foot duplex next to a chain-smoking Vietnam vet with two meth houses within a block. (EXHALE) They got through it. They always do.

They also adopted a kitten during the pandemic — Avocado — which Georgia secretly arranged, disabled the doorbell cameras for, and then revealed by telling Vincent "she was adopted... by us." He held that kitten so long she peed on the comforter. They have three cats now: Avocado, Butternut, and Zucchini. The Veggie Patch.

Vincent makes things with his hands. He built their wedding rings from scratch. Georgia makes things too! She designed their Save the Dates and brought custom shoes and personalized tattoo and sticker favours for every guest. These are people who care about allllll the details, and it shows.

Photography by Chelsea Abram Photography.

Why Vancouver? Why This Day?

Georgia's parents live in Canada. Vincent's family is in the US. Getting everyone in the same place — really in the same place — has never been easy. This was the first time both families had ever been in the same place. The first time Georgia's whole family had been together in Canada at the same time. The first time the in-laws met.

A traditional wedding in Virginia (where they’re from) wasn't going to do that. A destination elopement in Vancouver could.

Pacific Spirit Regional Park was the right choice the moment they saw it in their location guide. It reminded them of the Pacific Northwest, where they met. All those lush old-growth trees, that moody green light, the quiet of a forest trail. Georgia wanted dramatic and artsy. The park delivered.

Getting here took a year and a half of planning and 238 emails — and that's not counting the texts and phone calls. When Georgia and Vincent first started looking at flights and accommodation, FIFA 2026 had just come to Vancouver and prices were jumping. A huge shout-out goes to the Metropolitan Hotel, who went so far above and beyond for this couple that I'd recommend them to anyone coming to Vancouver for an elopement. They were an absolute rockstar team.

Photography by Chelsea Abram Photography.

The Details That Made This Day

Before I tell you about the ceremony, I need to talk about what Georgia and Vincent brought to it.

Vincent made both of their rings by hand. Not had them made — made them. With his OWN hands.

Georgia brought custom shoes, personalized temporary tattoos and stickers as guest favours, their invitations, and the Save the Dates she designed herself. She sent second-hand Fuji rainbow cameras for guests — salvaged from a landfill — because they care about the planet and also because disposable cameras are incredibly fun!

There was a floral chair piece at the ceremony — placed as a tribute to a friend who had passed. This was a surprise that Vincent coordinated with me without Georgia’s knowledge. Destinye, our coordinator, made sure it was one of the first things set up when she arrived. It was waiting, quietly, when everyone else arrived.

And there were the microphones — little wireless mics so that every word of the ceremony was clear, not just for the guests standing in the trees, but for everyone joining the live stream from wherever they were in the world. We set up a live broadcast so that all the people they love who couldn't be there could still be there.

Are you not already in love with who these two are?!

Photography by Chelsea Abram Photography.

Wedding Day at Pacific Spirit Park

Our coordinator Destinye was on-site early. It's a good thing she was — in the most charming possible way, not a single guest parked in the right spot. The location pin was perfect (duh). People just found creative alternatives ;) Destinye collected everyone, got them sorted, and had the ceremony site ready before the couple arrived.

Georgia and Vincent arrived separately for their first look. And Georgia, in Destinye's words, was giving full Vogue. Stunning. Dramatic. Artsy. Everything she'd hoped for.

The first look happened in the trees and there were tears. Happy tears. The kind that happen when two people who have been through a lot finally get to stand in front of each other in a forest in Vancouver and realize they actually made it here.

While portraits were underway, something happened that I have to include in this story.

A woman who lives near the park had seen there was an elopement happening that day. She wasn't on the guest list. She wasn't anyone's friend or family member. She just came. She walked up to Destinye carrying a printed photo — a painting she had made, originally for her sister — of trees, looking up toward the sky. It looked like Georgia and Vincent's day. Like someone had painted it specifically for them.

She gave it to them. Just because.

That's Pacific Spirit Park. That's Vancouver. That's also just what happens when good people get married.

Insert tears of absolute pure joy.

Photography by Chelsea Abram Photography.

The Ceremony

The ceremony started a little late — Fifa traffic from downtown had Georgia’s sister running behind, which is completely forgivable. Destinye's wedding kit fell and broke one of the legs off the livestream phone stand, which she quietly fixed while everything else kept moving, because that's what a great coordinator does.

Georgia walked down the aisle to Ray Charles singing Georgia on My Mind. Obviously.

Her dad John walked beside her. The trees were all around them. The light was coming through the way it only does in old-growth forest in June.

Their officiant Colleen led the ceremony, and Vincent and Georgia read their vows to each other — personal, funny, full of love, full of everything. People cried. People laughed. Both at the same time. 

Vincent placed the ring he made on Georgia's finger. Georgia placed hers on his.

The whole thing was streamed live so that everyone who couldn't make it to Vancouver was still, in their own way, there.

After the ceremony, Georgia did something that tells you everything about her. She made sure every family unit that was present — not just her family, not just Vincent's, but every small group — got their own proper portrait. Because how often do families actually get a photo together? She thought about everyone. So caring. 

Photography by Chelsea Abram Photography.

After: Dinner, Drinks, and an Invitation We Didn't Expect

The group headed to Sequel restaurant on West Georgia Street — because of course they did — for a private dinner with toasts and table energy that happens when people who love each other finally get to be in the same room for the first time!

Georgia and Vincent had invited us to join them for dinner. (ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!)

I want to say that again: after a full day of being the couple at the centre of everything, they extended their celebration to us! That is not something every couple does. That is something Georgia and Vincent do, because that is who they are. Hearts of gold.

Destinye said it best: these are her favourite kinds of weddings. When it just comes together with people who love love, and love their families. When the laughter and the tears are the same thing.

A Note for My American Couples Eloping in Vancouver

Georgia and Vincent flew up from Virginia. We planned this from Vancouver while they were across an international border, in the middle of FIFA season, and we pulled off one of the most beautiful, detail-rich elopements we've ever done. If you're an American couple thinking about eloping in BC — here's what's worth knowing.

You need a BC marriage license before your ceremony. It cannot be obtained in the US and cannot be backdated. If you're arriving in Vancouver, London Drugs Insurance Services on Granville Street has a convenient downtown location and extended evening hours. You get it in person, and it's valid for 90 days.

Pacific Spirit Regional Park requires a permit for elopements. It's one of the most beautiful ceremony locations in Metro Vancouver — old-growth forest, quiet trails, stunning light — and it's very much worth doing properly. I handle the permit process as part of every package.

Getting to Vancouver from the US is easier than you think. You can fly into YVR, drive up from the Pacific Northwest, or take the Amtrak Cascades from Seattle. If you're driving from Portland or Seattle, it's a straightforward border crossing — just bring your passport and allow extra time.

Accommodation matters more than you think. Vancouver in summer is busy. For Georgia and Vincent, FIFA 2026 pushed hotel prices up significantly after they started planning. Booking accommodation early — especially if there's a major event in the city — protects your budget. The Metropolitan Hotel was exceptional for them, and I'd recommend it without hesitation.

Working with a planner who knows Vancouver saves you an enormous amount of time. I exchanged 238 emails over the course of this planning process. That's not a complaint — it's a feature. Every one of those emails was a question answered, a detail handled, a decision made without stress. When you're planning an international destination elopement, having someone local who knows the locations, the vendors, the permits, and the logistics is not a luxury. It's the thing that makes the whole day work.

Planning Your Own Vancouver Elopement from the US?

Sea to Sky Elopements works with couples from all over the world — and a significant number of our clients come from the United States specifically to get married in British Columbia. If the Pacific Northwest is calling you home for your wedding day, I'd love to hear from you.

FAQ: Eloping in Vancouver BC from the United States

Can Americans get married in Vancouver, BC?

Yes, absolutely. Couples from the United States can legally marry in British Columbia. You'll need to obtain a BC marriage license before your ceremony — it cannot be issued outside of Canada. You apply in person at a licensed issuer (like a London Drugs Insurance Services location in Vancouver), and the license is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. No waiting period, no residency requirement.

Do I need to do anything special at the border when coming to elope in BC?

Standard border crossing rules apply — bring your passport, and if you're driving, ensure your vehicle documents are in order. You do not need to disclose that you're getting married, and there are no special visa or entry requirements for a legal wedding in Canada for US citizens. If you have questions specific to your situation, it's worth checking current entry requirements at Canada Border Services Agency's website before your trip.

How far in advance should I plan an elopement in Vancouver from the US?

The earlier the better, especially if you're planning around a summer date or a period when Vancouver has major events (like FIFA 2026 in the summer of 2026, which significantly affected hotel pricing and availability). Georgia and Vincent began planning in March 2025 for their June 2026 wedding — that timeline gave us the space to secure the right location permit, build their timeline thoughtfully, and handle the 238+ touchpoints that go into a well-executed international destination elopement.

What is Pacific Spirit Regional Park and why is it a good elopement location?

Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a large urban forest in Vancouver, adjacent to the UBC campus. It has over 73 km of trails through second-growth and old-growth forest, and several areas within it offer the kind of dramatic, moody, tree-canopied scenery that photographs beautifully. It's accessible from downtown Vancouver without a long drive, which makes it ideal for couples who want nature without the logistical complexity of traveling far outside the city. A permit is required for ceremonies in the park.

What is the best time of year for a Vancouver elopement?

Late spring through early fall (May through September) offers the most reliable warm weather and long days. June is particularly beautiful — lush green forests, long golden evenings, and ceremony-friendly light that lasts until well past 9pm. That said, Vancouver elopements happen year-round. Moody winter and early spring light can produce extraordinarily atmospheric forest photos for the right couple.

Can we livestream our Vancouver elopement for family back home?

Yes, and it's a wonderful option for couples whose families are spread across different states or countries. Georgia and Vincent streamed their entire ceremony live so that loved ones across the US and beyond could watch in real time. We build this into the timeline and coordinate the technical setup as part of our coordination services.

What makes a planner-led elopement different from booking vendors on your own?

When you're planning an elopement from another country, the complexity multiplies fast. Location permits, vendor sourcing, marriage license logistics, accommodation recommendations, backup planning, timeline design, day-of coordination — every one of those things takes time, local knowledge, and experience to do well. Destinye managed parking logistics for 19 guests who all arrived at different locations, fixed a broken phone stand mid-ceremony, set up a memorial floral arrangement, coordinated a live stream, facilitated family photos, and handled the unexpected gift from a stranger — all without Georgia and Vincent being aware of a single thing that needed managing. That's what a planner-led elopement gives you.

Is it really possible to have a beautiful elopement with guests and still keep the intimacy?

Georgia and Vincent had nearly 19 guests and two small children — and their day felt deeply intimate from start to finish. The key is intentional design. A thoughtful timeline, a ceremony space that holds people without feeling like a venue, and a team that manages logistics invisibly so the couple and their guests can simply be present. An elopement isn't defined by guest count. It's defined by intention.

Georgia & Vincent were married on June 11, 2026 at Pacific Spirit Regional Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. This elopement was coordinated by Destinye Garbet for Sea to Sky Elopements, with planning by Jocelyn Bacon.