Stacey and Wayne's Vancouver Elopement: A Quiet English Bay First Look and a Stanley Park Rose Garden Ceremony

Photo by Janessa Alicia Studios.

Stacey and Wayne wanted a day entirely about just each other. They are private people, and when they decided to get married, they knew they didn’t  want a big scene or a spotlight. They wanted a calm, beautiful day that was theirs alone. So on August 6, 2026, they had a quiet first look at English Bay, right where their story began, and married in the Stanley Park Rose Garden with only their photographer and coordinator as witnesses. It was simple, it was warm, and exactly what they wanted.

Here is how their intimate Vancouver elopement came together, and why keeping it small and private was the whole point.

Two people who took their time

Stacey and Wayne met on a dating app, which was new to both of them. What surprised them most was how much they had in common and how easy it felt, even on those first phone calls before they met. They built their relationship slowly and thoughtfully, letting people into their world one step at a time. Wayne had a sweet way of putting it. Once they started telling people, he said, now we have to share our secret.

Their proposal was just as low-key and lovable as they are. They were staying at the Sylvia Hotel over the May long weekend and walked the seawall from English Bay. Over lunch at a pub, Stacey turned to Wayne and said, I think we should get married. They still laugh that she was the one who proposed. It simply felt like the natural next step.

They are an art-and-football, reading-and-baking, long-walks-with-coffee kind of couple, with two cats named Rosie and Kikko at home. If you asked them for their song, they would give you a few, including a couple by Elbow that hold a lot of memories. On this day, all of that quiet history came together.

Photo by Janessa Alicia Studios.

Their vision: easy & private

When Stacey and Wayne came to us, their vision was refreshingly clear. Easy going, enjoyable, fun, and private. They did not want to be the center of attention or make a production of the day. At this point in their lives, they knew that getting married is, most importantly, just for the two of them. They plan to gather everyone for a party down the road, and this day was just for them.

They were drawn to the Stanley Park Rose Garden for how it felt tucked away and private, even inside a busy park. And they loved English Bay, since that is where their story started. My job was to weave those two places together in a way that felt natural and unstaged, and to handle everything behind the scenes so they could simply enjoy it.

Just across the street

Stacey was clear that she did not want anything big or dramatic for their first look. So we designed the softest possible version. Wayne got ready first and walked over to English Bay, just across the street from the Sylvia. Our lead coordinator Destinye kept Stacey in the loop by text, letting her know the moment Wayne was in place, so Stacey only walked over when everything felt calm and ready.

This turned into their first look which was gentle and unhurried, exactly the way they both wanted it. I’m a big believer that the most understated moments are the most romantic ones.

Photo by Janessa Alicia Studios.

The behind-the-scenes work they hired us for

Stacey and Wayne told us plainly that a big part of why they hired a planner was for the timeline, the permits, and the technical support, so they never had to touch the stressful parts. That is exactly what we did.

The biggest lift happened quietly with the City of Vancouver. Getting married in the Stanley Park Rose Garden means working through tiered permitting and strict insurance requirements, including a certificate of insurance that has to be worded exactly to the city's standards. There was a lot of back and forth between our office, the city's events team, and the insurance broker to get every detail right. Stacey and Wayne never saw any of it. They simply knew their permit was secured and their time in the garden was theirs, fully protected and above board. That is what a planner is for.

There was a floral moment too. Stacey had her heart set on hydrangeas, and our partners at Floralista gently illuminated a real concern; since hydrangeas wilt quickly without a water source and would not hold up through a full day outdoors. We bridged that conversation and reassured Stacey that her vision could still shine if she trusted the florist's eye. She did, and the result was a bouquet that stayed gorgeous from the first look all the way through to their final portraits, with no mid-day wilting to worry about.

It’s not glamorous, but it does matter. It is the quiet, unseen work that lets a couple show up and simply be present.

A ceremony just for them

From English Bay, they made their way to the Stanley Park Rose Garden, where Angela was waiting to lead their ceremony. There were no guests, just Stacey and Wayne, our photographer Janessa, and coordinator Destinye. They exchanged their own vows and their rings, shared a kiss, and signed the registry, with our team as their two witnesses.

Stacey & Wayne were as funny and easygoing as you would hope, joking that maybe one day they would tell people they had eloped. They did not want a lot of photos, so we took exactly as many as they wanted and no more. They even paused in the middle of the day to head back to their room for a little break before the ceremony, which is the kind of relaxed pace you can only have when the whole day is built around you. In the end, we wrapped a little early, because they had everything they wanted.

They closed the day the way they started it, quietly and together, with a drink back at the Sylvia and a calm evening as newlyweds.

Photo by Janessa Alicia Studios.

Can you achieve privacy in the city?

Stacey and Wayne didn’t need a big wedding to know what they have. They wanted a day that honored what matters to the two of them, in a beautiful setting, with none of the noise. A simple first look at English Bay and a private ceremony in the Rose Garden gave them exactly that, and a celebration with everyone else can happen whenever they are ready.

If you are private people who want to be married without the spotlight, a small Vancouver elopement might be exactly your kind of day. When you are ready, I would love to help you plan it.

Vancouver Elopement FAQ

Can you get married in the Stanley Park Rose Garden?

Yes. The Stanley Park Rose Garden is a beautiful, tucked-away spot for a ceremony, and it requires a permit from the City of Vancouver along with specific insurance. The permitting is detailed, so it helps to have a planner handle the paperwork and insurance wording for you, which is exactly what we do for our couples.

Do you need a permit to elope in Stanley Park or a Vancouver park?

Yes. Ceremonies in Vancouver parks like the Stanley Park Rose Garden require a booked permit, and popular spots have tiered rules and insurance requirements. We manage the permit, the certificate of insurance, and all the back-and-forth with the city so you never have to.

Can you elope with just the two of you and no guests in BC?

Yes. You can absolutely marry with no guests. BC law requires two witnesses, and your planning team can serve as your witnesses. For Stacey and Wayne, our photographer and coordinator signed as their two witnesses, so it truly was just the two of them plus us.

How many witnesses do you need to get married in BC?

You need two witnesses who are old enough to understand what they are signing. They can be family, friends, or your vendor team. If you are eloping just the two of you, we can witness for you.

Can out-of-province or American couples get married in Vancouver?

Yes. BC has no residency or citizenship requirement, so couples from anywhere in Canada or the United States are welcome to marry here. You need valid photo ID for both partners and a BC marriage licence.

Do we need a marriage licence to elope in BC?

Yes. A BC marriage licence costs around 100 dollars, is valid for three months, and has no waiting period, so you can marry as soon as you have it. You buy it ahead of time from a licence agent, and we point our couples to the closest and easiest option.

Where can you elope in downtown Vancouver?

Downtown Vancouver has some gorgeous, easy-to-reach spots for a small elopement, including English Bay and the West End near the Sylvia Hotel, and the Stanley Park Rose Garden just a short ride away. These work beautifully for couples who want scenery without a long drive or a hike.

Is a Vancouver elopement good for a private, low-key couple?

It is perfect for it. A city elopement can be as quiet and unhurried as you want, with a first look tucked away on the seawall and a ceremony in a private garden corner. We build the whole day around your comfort, so private couples never feel on display.