Headlamps ‘n’ Hennessy: J + M’s Elopement at Mystic Beach on Vancouver Island
Photography by Mad Magic Co.
Some elopements just radiate West Coast magic, and J + M’s barefoot Mystic Beach elopement on Vancouver Island was one of them.
J and M’s Mystic Beach elopement felt like it belonged on a tourism billboard for Vancouver Island. The golden light, the sea cave, the barefoot ceremony, the sweet chaos of toddlers, firelight, and laughter echoing off the cliffs... it was cinematic in every sense of the word. These two have a kind of love that’s relaxed, joyful, and beautifully genuine. It was a total honour to help them bring their perfect wedding day to life!
From Portugal to the Pacific
J and M met in Portugal while they were both travelling. Theirs is really one of those “right place, right time” kind of love stories. J is originally from England, and M tagged along on a last-minute trip with her flight attendant friend. And now, years later, here we are: on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, celebrating the kind of love that only happens when two adventurous souls collide.
They were part of our winter giveaway and won the photography portion of their elopement (shoutout to our wildly talented Stacey of Mad Magic Co.). From the beginning, J and M were invested in creating a day that felt true to them. That meant hiking, getting sandy, sharing Hennessy on the beach, and planning something that felt deeply connected to nature.
The Most Logistically Complex Timeline I’ve Ever Pulled Off
Real talk: this day was my most complex elopement timeline to date. I’m talking ferries, tides, forest hikes, headlamps, toddlers, sunset lighting, backcountry rules, bathrooms, firewood, basically everything you’d find on a planning list for both a wedding and a backpacking trip. But honestly? It was my favourite.
I love handling the chaos and turning it into a seamless experience. The challenge of juggling so many moving parts made the day feel like an adventure in itself. Seeing everything come together perfectly, from the golden hour photos to the cozy campfire, was incredibly rewarding. It always reminds me why I love what I do.
I’m so grateful when couples trust me to handle the heavy lifting so they can focus on the magic. Which was exactly what J and M did. They brought the heart… I brought the spreadsheets.
Photography by Mad Magic Co.
The Day Before + The Morning Of
I arrived in Jordan River the night before with our amazing hair and makeup artist, Hannah. J and M had already been exploring the area for a couple of days and even hired a private chef to cook them dinner the night before the wedding. The morning of, Hannah drove just up the road to start hair and makeup for the bride and the couple’s sisters and mom. The couple had upgraded their package to have additional hair and makeup services for their sisters and mom. So, while Hannah was doing that, I pre-hiked the trail to Mystic Beach.
Even though I’d done this hike years ago with my now-husband when we were dating, I wanted it fresh in my mind since I’d be guiding the group that evening. It was rainy and misty that morning (classic West Coast vibes), and you couldn’t see a thing over the ocean. I crossed my fingers for a clearing… and spoiler alert: we got it. The light that evening was unreal!
After my hike, I popped in on both J and M at their Airbnbs. They were right next door to each other in Jordan River, grilling lunch and soaking in ocean views. Everyone was in such good spirits. I even helped do the bride’s mom’s hair, which was a really sweet moment.
Photography by Mad Magic Co.
The Hike Begins (with Toddlers in Tow!)
The rest of the team arrived around 3 PM. Stacey for photos, Beka for video, and J’lene, the couple’s officiant. Stacey had picked up the florals from Victoria so they would be fresh. We all rallied at the trailhead, backpacks stuffed with everything from sparklers and firewood to snacks, rings, and vow books… oh, and two twin toddlers, who were absolute troopers.
The hike down took about an hour, with Stacey and Beka capturing candids the whole way. We arrived just as golden hour was starting to glow through the trees.
Photography by Mad Magic Co.
A Barefoot Beach Ceremony in the Sand
Once we hit the beach, we headed left to a sea cave alcove where I set up a portable changing tent while everyone transformed into their wedding attire. Meanwhile, I built the beach campfire, and Stacey captured the details: M’s dress, the rings, the ocean behind it all.
The ceremony was everything! The guests formed two lines to create a “beach aisle.” J walked down first to a song chosen by his mom, who couldn’t be there in person. It was such a touching moment and such a special way to involve her.
During the ceremony:
J’lene found a heart-shaped rock, wrote J+M on it, and had the couple toss it into the ocean as part of their ceremony.
They passed the rings around the circle so every guest could say a prayer or blessing over them.
J and M shared heartfelt personal vows.
After the kiss, they handed each guest a small glass vial to collect sand as a keepsake. And each one came with a personalized note about why that person is special to them. (Cue all the tears.)
Everyone was barefoot. The couple. The guests. The team. Even me. It felt exactly as it should: real, grounded, joyful, present… and magical.
Photography by Mad Magic Co.
Golden Hour, S’mores, and Sparklers
After family photos (complete with screaming toddlers, haha), J and M ran off for a portrait session while I tended the fire and brought out the food. Once they returned, we toasted marshmallows, shared stories, and lit sparklers in the fire.
Then came the Hennessy shot, just before the hike back. The title of this blog, “Headlamps ‘n’ Hennessy”, was born right then and there.
The Hike Home
Once everyone was changed back into hiking gear, we strapped on headlamps and made our way into the dark forest. M’s mom needed a little extra support, so we took it slow, singing songs and creating new inside jokes the whole way.
My favourite? Every time there was a root or rock on the trail, I’d call out “dodgy root!” and it would get repeated all the way down the line. Even J, way at the back, kept yelling it… despite having no one behind him. It really caught on, and soon we were calling out dodgy Roots, dodgy steps, dodgy Bridges all the time… everything was dodgy. A few times, we even called double dodgy! “Dodgy roots” became one of my fave inside jokes of the night, and probably the trip.
We arrived back at the parking lot tired, happy, and full of memories.
Photography by Mad Magic Co.
Elopement Goals, Achieved
J and M’s Mystic Beach elopement was a wonderful, one-of-a-kind experience. The kind of day that reminds me why I do what I do. It was meaningful. It was perfect.
If you’re dreaming of a barefoot beach elopement on Vancouver Island, complete with ocean views, forest hikes, and golden hour magic, I’d love to make it happen. Let’s start planning your Mystic Beach wedding adventure today.
