What Is Eloping? The Modern Guide to Eloping in BC (Without Running Away From Your Life)

Photography by Unspoken Photography.

What Is Eloping?

(Spoiler: It’s Not Running Away Anymore)

If the word elope still makes you picture teenagers sneaking off to Vegas, we need to have a chat.

Modern eloping is less “secret shame wedding” and more intimate, intentional, zero-nonsense celebration that actually feels like your relationship… not your family’s guest list.

Let’s break it down.

What does “eloping” actually mean?

Eloping today means you’re choosing an intimate, intentional wedding day that’s centered on the two of you. It’s usually a small guest list (or none), a meaningful location, and a day built around your relationship rather than expectations, traditions, or seating charts.

Eloping is about prioritizing your connection and experience. It can be hiking to a viewpoint, renting a cabin, taking a helicopter, or saying your vows by the ocean. The common thread: it feels like you, not a template.

Is eloping just “running away to get married”?

No. Modern eloping is not about running away, it’s about opting out of what doesn’t feel like you. You’re not dodging responsibility; you’re choosing a wedding day that actually matches your values, budget, energy, and relationship instead of defaulting to the big white wedding machine.

Most of my couples tell their friends and family. They still celebrate, they still wear outfits they love, and they still sign the legal paperwork. The difference is: they don’t spend a year planning an event they secretly resent and go into debt for, just to keep everyone else comfortable.

Photo by Unspoken Photography.

How is eloping different from a small wedding or “micro wedding”?

Eloping is less about guest count and more about intention. A micro wedding is a small version of a traditional wedding; ceremony, reception, formalities, just with fewer people. An elopement is a fully customized day built around your experience first, then whatever guests you actually want there.

Both are beautiful. With an elopement, you’re not just shrinking the guest list, you’re questioning everything:

• Do we actually want speeches?

• Do we want to spend 4 hours posing for photos or hiking together?

• Would we rather eat pizza on a mountaintop than do a plated dinner with centerpiece drama?

Why are so many couples choosing to elope in BC?

Because British Columbia is an elopement playground! You’ve got mountains, ocean, forests, lakes, and moody weather that looks like a movie, plus straightforward legal requirements and tons of intimate-friendly locations.

For couples who want a stress-free elopement or Sea to Sky wedding that feels like an adventure, BC makes it easy to trade ballrooms for coastal cliffs, old-growth forests, and high-alpine viewpoints.

Is eloping legal in BC?

Yes. Eloping is 100% legal in BC as long as you follow the same rules as any wedding. You’ll need: a BC marriage licence, a licensed officiant, and two witnesses to sign after your ceremony. Once everything’s signed and registered, you’re legally married; adventure elopement or not.

Where you actually say your vows - mountaintop, beach, forest - is flexible. The law cares that the right people are present, the right words are said, and the paperwork gets signed, not whether you’re in a church or on a cliff.

Photos by Mad Magic Co.

Can you elope and still have guests?

Yes. You can absolutely elope with guests. Many of my couples bring 2–20 of their favorite humans. The point of eloping isn’t to exclude everyone, it’s to only include people who make you feel more like yourselves.

You can:

• Have a tiny ceremony with a few loved ones, then go off for private vows.

• Elope just the two of you in BC, then throw a party at home later.

• Invite a handful of VIPs to a full-day adventure elopement and let them witness your real, personalized love story up close.

What does an elopement day actually look like?

An elopement day is a full wedding day, just not scheduled around 150 people. You still get ready, have a ceremony, take photos, maybe share a meal and a first dance. The flow just revolves around how you want to feel, not when the caterer needs you seated.

A Sea to Sky elopement might look like:

• Slow morning coffee in a cabin, rehearsing your vows

• First look in the forest

• Helicopter or hike to a viewpoint for your intimate ceremony

• Champagne, picnic, and portraits with wild views

• Sunset on the ocean, a cozy dinner, maybe a hot tub and stargazing

A totally full day. Still a real wedding. Just…stress-free and actually fun.

Photography by Mad Magic Co.

Why do people choose to elope?

Most couples don’t elope because they “hate people”, rather they elope because they love their peace, their relationship, and their bank account. Common reasons I hear:

• You want an intimate ceremony and don’t want to be the center of attention

• You’re overwhelmed by the pressure and politics of a big wedding

• You’d rather spend money on travel, experiences, or your future together

• You want a personalized love story moment, not a cookie-cutter script

• You’re craving an adventure elopement more than a ballroom party

If you’ve ever thought, “I just wish we could run away and do this our way,” that’s elopement energy.

Won’t my family be upset if we elope?

Maybe. And you’re still allowed to elope.

Your parents might be confused; your aunt might have Opinions™. But your wedding day is not a group project. You are allowed to choose a stress-free elopement over a day that makes you physically anxious.

Here’s what I tell couples all the time:

You can honour your family and honour yourselves. That might look like:

• Inviting a small circle to your elopement

• Reading letters from loved ones on the day

• Hosting a celebration later with photos and video

• Or simply being honest: “We’re having a small elopement because that feels right for us.”

Their feelings are valid. So are yours.

How do I know if eloping is right for me?

Eloping is probably right for you if the idea of a traditional wedding feels heavy, but imagining an intimate, adventure-forward day makes your shoulders drop 3 inches.

Ask yourselves:

• Do we feel more excited picturing a mountaintop, forest, or ocean than a venue ballroom?

• Do we care more about the experience or the show for our guests?

• Are we okay disappointing a few people in order to feel fully like ourselves?

• Does a Sea to Sky wedding day that’s simple, luxe, and well-planned sound like relief?

If you’re nodding along, that’s your sign.

Photography by Janessa Alicia Photography.

So… what is eloping, really?

Eloping is choosing yourselves.

It’s saying:

“We’re not going to build a whole wedding around what everyone else expects.
We’re going to build one intimate, meaningful, slightly rebellious day that feels like us.”

That might mean:

• A sunrise ceremony over Howe Sound

• A cozy cabin day with your dog and a handful of humans

• A helicopter-access adventure elopement with a champagne toast in the snow

There’s no one “right” way to elope, just the way that feels most like your love story.

Quick FAQ: “What Is Eloping?”

Q: What is eloping in 2026?

Eloping is an intentional, intimate wedding day focused on the couple’s experience rather than hosting a large event. It usually involves a small guest list, a meaningful location, and a personalized timeline instead of traditional reception formats.

Q: Is an elopement a “real” wedding?

Yes. If you follow the legal requirements where you’re getting married like having a marriage licence, officiant, and witnesses in BC, your elopement is legally and emotionally just as real as any big wedding.

Q: Can we elope with guests?

Absolutely. Many couples invite 2–20 guests to their elopement. The point is to be intentional about who’s there so you feel relaxed, seen, and free to be yourselves.

Q: Is eloping cheaper than a traditional wedding?

Usually, yes, but not always “cheap.” Most couples put their budget into location, photography, planning, and a beautiful experience instead of feeding 100+ people. You’re investing in a quality, stress-free day, not a giant production.

Q: Can we still have a party if we elope?

Yes. You can host a reception later, plan a backyard celebration when you get home, or throw an anniversary party. Eloping now doesn’t cancel your right to celebrate with your people later.

Ready to turn “What is eloping?” into “We’re actually doing this”?

If this has you quietly screaming “That’s us” at your screen, you’re not alone. So many couples are trading big, performative weddings for intimate, adventure-filled days that feel like them, and they’re not looking back.

If you’re thinking about eloping in BC and want to see what that could look like for you:

• Download my free “How to Elope in BC” guide for the legal checklist, location ideas, and planning steps.

• Or, if you’re already halfway in, reach out, and we’ll start planning your day! The day future you is going to be obsessed with, not recovering from.