C & N’s Bluevault Pop-Up Elopement: A Laid-Back Day with Big Feels

Photography by Janessa Alicia Studios.

Some love stories don’t follow tradition, and we think they’re all the more beautiful for it. And trust me, this one has a twist you won’t want to miss. Between the heartfelt vows, an adorable dog, an iconic surprise second dress, and some of the most breathtaking photos we’ve ever taken, you’re going to want to read all the way to the end!

I’d been looking forward to our May Long Weekend Pop-Up Elopements at Bluevault in Pemberton for months, and it ended up being everything I dreamed of and more!

C and N have a love story that stretches all the way back to fourth grade, when they first met. They attended school together from elementary school through graduation, but they were never really close until senior year, when a friend pointed them toward each other for prom. From there, it was like they’d been waiting to find their way together. Their personalities just clicked… effortless, lighthearted, full of laughter.

Neither of them loves being the center of attention, so eloping was so right for them. They wanted something that was cost-efficient, easy to plan, and deeply meaningful, and that’s exactly what we delivered with our Pop-Up Elopements. It was a day full of real moments, intentional choices, and a whole lot of heart.

(If you missed the details on our pop-up event, learn more about what a Bluevault Pop-Up Elopement includes here: Say I Do at Bluevault)

A Venue Straight Out of a Fairy Tale!

Bluevault is one of those venues that just stops you in your tracks. Nestled on 135 private acres, it’s the perfect mix of countryside charm and castle-like elegance. On that rainy May afternoon, I arrived with Hanna (our hair and makeup artist) just after 1 p.m. for the first wedding of the weekend. We tidied up, prepped the space, and waited for the rest of the dream team to arrive.

The rain tapped softly on the windows as we watched cows lounging under the trees and spotted a black bear at the edge of the treeline. The whole scene was surreal, like we were in a storybook.

Photography by Janessa Alicia Studios.

Details with Heart

Before the couple arrived, Ariel from Within the Flowers delivered C’s bouquet and N’s boutonniere. The second C saw the flowers, she gasped, “Wow! This is exactly what I wanted!” And she meant it. Honestly, everything about the day just fit like puzzle pieces falling into place.

C arrived with her aunt, N’s mom, and his grandma. We hung her dress and brought in the white cake (chocolate on the inside!) adorned with tiny pearls, a detail that was intentionally woven throughout the whole day. Hanna set up in the dining room, which was flooded with natural light, and began getting C glammed up while her loved ones looked on with warmth and excitement.

We chatted while she got ready. I learned she works in construction (how cool is that?). She told us there had been a lot of weddings in the family this year, so this one had to feel true to them. Simple. Honest. Beautiful. A moment made just for them, not anyone else. Their family said so many times that day, “This is SO them!”

Photography by Janessa Alicia Studios.

The Groom, the Dog, and the Hockey Game

N arrived a little later with their very good boy, Bear, who proudly served as the Ring-BEAR-er in a tiny tuxedo. We set N up in the groom’s room (complete with a TV playing the hockey game. This was playoff season, after all!) to get ready in peace. It was chill, relaxed, just the way he wanted it.

As C finished hair and makeup, we brought over her dress and got her into her final look… and wow. She wore a veil with delicate pearl accents, and even her sandals shone with pearls to match! What did I tell you about these pearls, hey? The thoughtfulness in every intentional, cohesive detail made it feel elevated without ever feeling overdone.

Before the ceremony, C did a first look with Bear, who had been whimpering to see her all afternoon. It was the cutest thing. And, of course, his leash was made with pearls to match her dress!

Photography by Janessa Alicia Studios.

The First Look

And then came the first look with N…

At Bluevault, there’s this amazing architectural feature where the two decks are divided by a small jut of the house, so they were both outside, able to hear each other but not see one another. They were mic'd up by Beka for their video, so we captured all their adorable banter.

We guided N down the stone staircase toward the mountains, then fluffed C’s dress and sent her out to meet him. It was the moment we’d all been waiting for, and let me tell you, he lit up when he saw her. They couldn’t stop smiling as they soaked each other in. N spun C around, admiring all the details (pearls included!).

Ceremony Under the Willow Tree

We headed to the ceremony site under the sweeping willow tree, where Jude officiated with her usual calm grace. Their families stood nearby as C and N exchanged deeply personal vows.

I’ve heard a lot of vows in my time, but these two? Not a dry eye on the field. There was something so raw and emotional in what they shared. Their words felt like the lyrics of a love song.

It wasn’t performative, it was present. That’s what makes these intimate elopements unforgettable.

Champagne, Cake & A Surprise Dance

After the “I dos,” we snapped some family photos, toasted with champagne, and sliced that stunning pearl-covered cake. Then, in true C+N fashion, N pulled out his phone, queued up his favourite karaoke song, and the two of them shared an impromptu first dance.

We wrapped up the night with sparkler photos as the sun set under the stars, and we pulled out all the stops with lanterns and artificial fog while Janessa and Beka (our photo/video team) captured every cinematic second.

And just when we thought we were done…

Photography by Janessa Alicia Studios.

The Second Dress Surprise (And the Photos That Blew Us Away)

Then, C casually mentioned she’d change into her second dress. Second dress?!
We all paused. “Do you want to see it?” she asked. “I can change here. It’s kind of iconic.”

UHM. YES.

She emerged in a cocktail wedding dress with a giant bow and her mom’s wedding veil, also featuring a bow. It was such a touching and unexpected tribute that gave the night one more layer of meaning. 

By this point, the sky was black and the stars were out, and the moment was begging for one last set of photos.

We grabbed the atmosphere spray, aimed car headlights down the hill, and got the most incredible final shots of the night. The kind that makes your jaw drop. When we showed the photos to C and N, they both said, "How is that real?! We look like movie stars!"

Yes. You did look like movie stars.
And you gave us a night we’ll all remember forever.

These little unscripted moments are the magic we live for!

Photography by Janessa Alicia Studios.

Thinking of eloping your own way? 

Not into ballrooms or timelines? Neither were C + N.
They chose a stress-free pop-up elopement that felt like them. It was easy to plan, breathtaking to experience, and oozing with meaning.

If you’re dreaming of doing things differently, with less pressure and more intention… we’ve got you. At Sea to Sky Elopements, we execute custom, stress-free elopements that feel like a deep breath. You bring the love, we’ll take care of the rest!