A Vancouver Elopement Twenty Years in the Making: Clint & Karyn
Photography by Sean Dalin Photo.
So many love stories are straightforward. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, they get married. No shade on that if that’s your story.
But this love story is different. Clint and Karyn's. Going through twenty years of seasons together with a proposal in Florence, Italy (YES!) and a soundtrack that spans Reliant K to Tom Petty to Djo, these two had a wedding day that completely reflected them.
Their story has been a long time coming in the best possible way and we’re honoured to tell you their story from our perspective.
Twenty Years, Four Seasons
C + K met at a Christian summer camp near Cultus Lake in 2005. As teenagers. Karyn thought Clint was a big flirt with a lot of bravado and Clint thought Karyn was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen and was terrified of ruining it. Neither of them admitted they liked each other for two years.
But once they did, they'd been dating ever since — on and off, in seasons, like the Netflix show. Each chapter of their relationship even has its own soundtrack: Reliant K for the first time, Tom Petty for the second, Faces for the third, and Djo's End of Beginning for the fourth — because their last first date was in Chicago in 2023.
Now, there's a book that matters deeply to both of them — My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok — in which the main character is told repeatedly by his mentor that "Florence is a gift." Clint & Karyn had always promised each other they wouldn't go to Florence without the other, even during the years they were apart, so when Clint finally proposed, he flew them to Florence for ten days and got down on one knee on a plaza overlooking the city.
Twenty years of almost, and then: Florence.
Photography by Sean Dalin Photo.
Why They Chose to Elope
Karyn has done the big wedding. She knows exactly what it costs — not just financially, but in energy, in presence, in the ability to actually be there for your own day. The planning pressure, the family expectations, the way the whole thing can slide out from under you before you've had a chance to hold it.
Clint is a private person who has built his life and career from the ground up, entirely on his own terms. A photographer himself, he's shot over sixty weddings. He knows what they look like from the outside. He wanted something different for his own.
Together, they wanted the focus to be on them rather than logistics. They were able to do just that with the two of them, and their closest friends woven into their day!
They sealed the deal on the edge of the water in West Vancouver, with dinner afterward at Nightingale with a small crowd of their favourite people. That is the vision that they get to hold onto and enjoy! WOW!
The Day
Clint and Karyn started the morning the way they always said they would — slowly. They had room service at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in the Coal Harbour Corner Suite while they watched the city from above. Then they had some spa time at the Fairmont before Hanna arrived to execute some beautiful hair and makeup on Karyn. During this time their florals were delivered — colourful and a little unusual, just like Karyn had described: art that's a little strange and beautiful.
Once they were all done up, they had a private first look in their suite, just the two of them before heading out into the city with their best friend Sean as their photographer for photographs downtown by the hotel and the courthouse. Then they stopped for a snack at Breka before heading to Mount Seymour, which holds a particular kind of weight for them as it was their first date spot.
Photography by Sean Dalin Photo.
West Vancouver: The Ceremony
When Clint and Karyn rolled into West Van, they arrived the way they do everything — in style. All-black rental SUV, with two of their closest friends alongside them, vibes high after a full day of adventures together. Our coordinator Jodie was there to meet them, and the moment Karyn stepped out of the car Jodie was immediately taken with her dress — the Saba by Eva Lendel — a sleek, drop-waist gown with a dramatic train and those long fabric panels that move beautifully in photos. One pop of a bustle button and the full drama of the dress was on display. Clint was sharp in a custom black suit from Sartorial Shop. Jodie fixed his boutonniere — flopped sideways after a long day of adventures — and they were ready.
In the back of the SUV they had a cooler with a couple of beautiful bottles of Prosecco, which were recommended by a mutual friend who knows their taste. They even brought proper Rydell glasses, purchased specifically for the day! Jodie (our coordinator) noticed quickly that the florals had been THROUGH it — a full day of portraits will do that to a bouquet — so Jodie did a quick edit, removing the floppy blooms and bringing things back to their best.
Tom Petty was already playing through the speaker Jodie had set up when they made their way down the winding staircase to the ceremony site — Jodie had DM'd with them that morning to find out what they loved, and had the radio feature running so it flowed seamlessly from Tom Petty into everything adjacent to Tom Petty.
Now since Clint and Karyn wanted their long time friend to marry them, we had Janice, a government officiant, ready waiting at the beach to perform the legal portion of the ceremony. And here's a detail worth noting: the legal ceremony Janice led was so warm, so thoughtful, so genuinely beautiful that Karyn started crying. Misty-eyed, right there at the water's edge, surrounded by her two best friends, with the man she's loved on and off for twenty years standing in front of her.
Clint, as a professional photographer himself, stepped in to photograph the marriage license signing so their photographer could witness it properly. A small and lovely exchange of roles.
Then Cam — Karyn's friend, their chosen officiant for the symbolic ceremony — took over. And the tone shifted entirely. Inside jokes. Laughter. Clint's vows had the whole group chuckling. They loved each other's vows so much they kept sneaking in kisses after each one before the official moment arrived. Which is the best way to do it.
By the time Cam concluded the ceremony, the light had shifted — the sun had dropped behind the mountain line, the tones going cooler and more cinematic. Jodie put on Wildflowers by Tom Petty as an informal recessional. They popped the Prosecco and cheersed. Before the sun went down completely, they found spots on the boulders facing the water. Karyn's dress has these long fabric panels — wings, essentially — and Jodie worked them like a veil, creating movement and drama in the evening light.
And then, because they'd been taking photos since morning, they simply stopped. Finished their Prosecco. Stood on the beach together. Let the day settle.
It was one of the quieter, sweeter endings to a wedding day I can think of.
Then they were off — dinner at Nightingale with the rest of their crew, late and celebratory and exactly how they'd imagined it. The bath was drawn when they got back to the Fairmont. Their favourite song played. First dance, just the two of them, while the tub filled.
The next morning they headed off to Sparkling Hill Resort.
Twenty years, and they finally did it right.
Photography by Sean Dalin Photo.
Thinking About Eloping in Vancouver?
Sea to Sky Elopements plans one-of-a-kind, planner-led elopements across British Columbia — from the North Shore to the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and beyond. If Clint and Karyn's day has you imagining your own version of this, I'd love to hear from you.
FAQ: Eloping in Vancouver & North Vancouver, BC
Can you elope in Vancouver, BC?
Absolutely. Vancouver and North Vancouver offer a remarkable range of elopement settings — ocean-facing parks, mountain lookouts, lush forest trails, and iconic urban backdrops — all within close proximity to luxury accommodations, world-class restaurants, and everything you need for a full, elevated wedding day experience. Gulf Beach Park, Deep Cove, Lighthouse Park, and the Lynn Valley area are just a few of the North Shore locations worth considering.
What is a symbolic ceremony vs. a legal ceremony in BC?
In BC, a legal ceremony is performed by a licensed marriage commissioner or officiant and results in a legally recognized marriage. A symbolic ceremony is led by anyone you choose — a friend, a family member, someone who knows you well — and carries personal meaning without legal standing. Many couples choose to do both: a brief legal signing and a fuller, more personal ceremony led by someone close to them. Clint and Karyn did exactly this, and ended up with two genuinely moving ceremonies in one evening.
Do you need a government officiant to get legally married in BC?
Yes. In BC, your marriage must be solemnized by a licensed marriage commissioner or religious official to be legally valid. A friend can lead a meaningful symbolic ceremony, and many couples combine both — legal first, then the ceremony that actually sounds like them.
What should we wear to a Vancouver elopement in spring or early summer?
The Lower Mainland in late May is generally mild, but evenings near the water can cool down quickly. Layering is smart — a beautiful wrap, coat, or cover-up can be both practical and stunning in photos. Karyn wore the Saba by Eva Lendel, which moved beautifully in the evening coastal breeze. Clint wore a custom black suit from Sartorial Shop. Classic, intentional, and completely them.
What are the best elopement locations in North Vancouver?
North Vancouver has some of the most diverse elopement scenery in the Lower Mainland. Gulf Beach Park offers water views and a serene, tucked-away feeling that photographs beautifully in golden hour light. Lighthouse Park is dramatic and forested with rugged coastline. Deep Cove is charming and intimate. Lynn Canyon has old-growth forest and suspension bridge access. And Mount Seymour offers mountain views within easy driving distance of downtown. Each location has its own character, accessibility considerations, and permit requirements — working with a planner who knows them well makes all the difference.
What does a full Vancouver elopement day look like?
Clint and Karyn's day is a great example of what's possible: a luxurious getting-ready morning at the Fairmont, spa time, hair and makeup in the suite, florals delivered, a private first look, downtown portraits, golden hour at a meaningful location, a sunset ceremony at the water, and a late dinner with close friends. An experienced elopement planner builds that arc for you — so the day has shape and intention, not just a ceremony followed by nothing.
What makes Sea to Sky Elopements different from just hiring a photographer?
A planner designs, coordinates, and leads your entire day — not just the ceremony. That means location strategy, timeline architecture, vendor sourcing and management, day-of coordination, weather contingencies, and an experienced presence who knows how to hold a day together when things shift. Clint and Karyn's coordinator Jodie fixed the boutonniere, revived the bouquet, set the music, guided Karyn down the stairs, facilitated the legal signing, managed the flow between two ceremonies, and made sure everyone felt at ease — all so Clint and Karyn could simply be present for every moment of their own wedding day.
How far in advance should we book a Vancouver elopement?
For popular spring and summer dates, 4–6 months ahead is a good baseline. Some couples book 9–12 months out, especially if they have a specific date, location, or vendor team in mind. The sooner you reach out, the more options we have to build something exactly right for you.
Clint & Karyn were married on May 29, 2026 at Gulf Beach Park in North Vancouver, British Columbia. This elopement was coordinated by Jodie Garneau for Sea to Sky Elopements, with planning by Jocelyn Bacon.
