Whistler Elopement Weddings - Your Comprehensive 10-Step Guide to Organising Your Own Magical Elopement Wedding in Whistler BC

Whistler is one of the most breathtaking wedding destinations in the world. Surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, pristine fresh water lakes running through the valley and lush evergreen forests at nearly every turn, Whistler makes the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable elopement wedding.

If you’ve been dreaming of tying the knot in the mountains of Whistler but are keen to avoid the extra planning and higher expenses of having a large wedding, then a micro elopement wedding in Whistler is the ultimate choice for you!

To help you know where to start when planning your Whistler elopement, we’ve created an in depth, 10-Step Guide to DIY eloping in Whistler - offering three different wedding budgets falling between $3000 and $11,000.

Read on to learn how a Whistler elopement wedding really doesn’t have to break the bank and can be planned in just a few weeks!

1. Choosing the Perfect Time of Year for You

Whistler’s beauty shines year-round, but the best time for an elopement depends on your preferences for weather, scenery and your budget. Both accommodation and Whistler wedding vendors will usually offer the most inviting rates on midweek dates (Monday - Thursday) in Whistler’s off-season, which is usually April & May and October & November.

Winter (December to March): Perfect for couples who love snow and winter sports. Imagine saying your vows with snow-capped mountains in the background or even taking your wedding photos on the slopes, which some Whistler wedding photographers are more than happy to accommodate.

Spring (April to May): A quieter time in Whistler with blossoming flowers and fresh green landscapes, there is still snow in higher elevation areas if you’d like your wedding photos or your ceremony location up in the Alpine. You can purchase a Whistler-Blackcomb sightseeing pass for access to the gondola or book a heli-ride. You can also find great deals on hotel stays and restaurant dining during this time.

Summer (June to September): Warmer temperatures, lush green forests and (usually) clear skies, this time of year is ideal for outdoor ceremonies and wedding elopement adventures like heli-rides, canoes excursions and hikes. Things get booked up early, so make sure to plan ahead - 12-18 months in advance for your wedding photographer, wedding officiant and accomodation.

Fall (October to November): Picture-perfect foliage with BC’s beautifully vibrant fall colors, this is often an extra quiet time for many Whistler wedding vendors so it’s worth asking if they can offer a fall or midweek discount. You can also find great deals on hotel stays and restaurants during this time.

2. Choosing Your Ceremony Location

Whistler offers a variety of jaw-dropping spots for your ceremony, depending on the particular vibe you're after. Your wedding photographer will likely know all the best spots to take wedding photos at, so asking their advice on shoot and ceremony locations is key. Have a look through their wedding portfolios and make note of any locations you really like in their photos, to add to your preferred location list.

Many photographers charge an hourly rate and more time with them equals more locations to shoot at, so carefully consider your photography budget and how many Whistler locations you would ideally want to visit to take wedding photos at. If you consider how much you’re saving on having an elopement wedding in Whistler instead of a much larger traditional wedding, perhaps it’s a good idea to set aside a little more cash in your budget for your wedding photographer, as they’re the key to capturing special moments that will last forever.

Visiting a few different photo locations is also way more fun and offers a more adventurous vibe to your wedding day. Here are some suggested Whistler elopement wedding locations to ask your wedding photographer or wedding officiant for more information on:

Mountain Top Views: Take a gondola or a scenic chairlift ride up to Whistler Mountain or Blackcomb Mountain, depending on what’s open and when. You’ll get panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys and it can make the perfect spot for an unforgettable mountain-top ceremony.

Stone Circle at Alta Lake: For couples looking for a more rustic setting, this stone circle offers a backdrop of Alpha Lake which works well in both summer and winter. In the winter, don’t forget to consider that the stone circle may need shovelling in advance of your ceremony / photos. In the summer, you might find Alpha Lake to be busy with swimmers, paddle boarders and bikes using the valley trail network.

Lost Lake Park: Just a short drive from the village, this tranquil lake is surrounded by forest and is ideal for nature-loving couples who want a peaceful atmosphere. Take photos by the lake or on the dock. This area can sometimes get busy in peak summer months as it’s a popular spot for swimming, walking and biking so check with your wedding photographer for the best time to take photos.

Green Lake: A ten minute drive north of Whistler village by car, Green Lake has a very secluded beach spot that is a great location for a small ceremony and photos, with no risk of a crowd.

Rebagliati Park is situated very near to Whistler’s village centre, so it’s very accessible and provides a secluded grassy park area and plenty of forest surrounding it.

Canadian Wilderness Adventures 4x4 Jeep Tour offers a great elopement option with a 2-hour Jeep excursion up to the Alpine on Blackcomb Mountain. It can be booked at a time that suits you on the wedding day - usually 10am, 12.30pm, 3pm and 5pm. On a bluebird day, going up for the sunset or when the sun is lower in the sky can offer an amazing ‘sunset glow’ vibe for your photos. Why not order a Picnic Whistler lunch, take a cosy blanket and a bottle of champagne and enjoy a mountain top picnic with panoramic views of the valley below. Budget around $1000 for the Jeep tour to include a spot for your photographer and officiant.

Helicopter Elopement: For a truly extraordinary experience, consider a helicopter elopement with your officiant and photographer. You’ll be whisked away to a remote alpine location, weather dependent, offering an awe-inspiring backdrop for your vows and a set of unforgettable photos.

Remember you can only fly if the weather is good enough - low clouds, rain and high winds may result in your flight being cancelled a few hours before departure, so it’s best to always have a back-up ceremony and valley photoshoot plan.

With Blackcomb Helicopters, expect to budget around $2500 for an hour’s helicopter experience which includes a 12-minute return flight time and 45 minutes at your alpine ceremony location. This price is for up to five passengers, which could include your wedding officiant, wedding photographer and wedding hair and makeup artist, who could also serve as an additional witness for your ceremony and also take some extra photos or video footage of your ceremony for you - if you ask nicely!

Other packages are available from Blackcomb Helicopters which include a longer flying time or the option of adding more passengers.

3. Booking Your Whistler Accommodation: High-End Luxury or Basic Value Options

Most often, engaged couples who are eloping for their Whistler wedding are happy to splash a little more cash on a luxury hotel as a little wedding gift to themselves. However, Whistler has plenty of budget-friendly options available too (often still offering good views, great locations, pool and hot tub facilities) if you’re not feeling too fussy on where you lay your heads!

At the higher end of the accomodation scale in Whistler, check out The Fairmont Chateau (Whistler Upper Village), Four Seasons Resort (Whistler Upper Village), The Westin Resort (Whistler Village) and Nita Lake Lodge (Creekside - a five minute drive south of Whistler Village). Expect to pay between $500 - $1000 per night and enjoy the on site dining, spa facilities and room service that these top notch hotels have on offer.

If you’re on a lower budget for accommodation, check out Crystal Lodge (Whistler Village), Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel (Whistler Village) and Pinnacle Hotel (Whistler Village) where you can find rooms for as little as $130 per night, for some midweek off-season dates. Air BnB often has some great deals when booking accommodation at the last minute, as Whistler owners use flexible and adaptable pricing for their Air BnB listings, depending on seasonal demand.

4. Hiring a Whistler Wedding Photographer and Videographer

Hiring the right photographer and/or videographer is essential to capture the best of your Whistler elopement wedding memories. As mentioned, your photographer is the key to recommending the best spots for your ceremony and photographs.

Whistler wedding photographer Emily Serell offers a 2-hour elopement photography package from $1200 and a 4-hour elopement package from $2400. Other wedding photographer options in Whistler include Darby Magill, Logan Swayze, Leah Kathyrn and Ink Photography. Get in touch via their websites for pricing details.

If you want to add a beautifully edited video of your elopement wedding to keep forever and share with family and friends, Whistler Wedding Videographer Cameron Videography offers Whistler elopement packages from $2500.

5. Wedding Officiants in Whistler: There’s plenty of choice!

While a DIY elopement allows you to keep things personal and relaxed, you’ll still need someone to officiate your ceremony for you.

Marriage Commissioners: In British Columbia, you can hire a Marriage Commissioner to legally officiate your ceremony. They can be religious or non-denominational and will personalize the ceremony to fit your wishes. A base civil ceremony usually includes one hour for ceremony preparation, a meeting with you, a rehearsal, travel time and performing the ceremony with a base fee of $80. Marriage commissioners are permitted to charge additional fees for additional time spent, mileage and parking so allow $100-200 for this service.

Whistler Wedding Officiants: Whistler offers a selection of professional wedding officiants who offer a slightly more in depth officiant service to help you create the ceremony of your dreams, including getting to know you as a couple and expert tips for writing your vows. For an experienced wedding officiant in Whistler, budget anywhere between $500 - $1000 for an elopement ceremony.

Some recommendations for great Whistler officiants would be Tracy Ann Kerr, Nicole at Lovely Day Events, I Do With Dom and Sea-To-Sky Officiant.

6. Wedding Flowers & Bouquet Preservation in Whistler

Even a micro elopement wedding in Whistler can be brightened up by some beautiful flowers which will add a burst of colour and greenery to your wedding photos. What’s more, new Whistler start-up Flora & Frame (launched in 2023) now offer bouquet preservation and flower framing services in Whistler, with an easy bouquet drop-off in Whistler, usually the day after the wedding.

Preserving and framing your wedding bouquet means you can keep your sentimental wedding blooms forever, pressed and dried on the wall at home. This is a great memento to show family and friends who may not have joined you at the wedding and a great talking point for any guests.

Although Whistler only has two actual physical flower shops you can visit - Senka in the heart of the village and Whistler Garden Centre in Whistler’s Function Junction neighbourhood - there’s a variety of other Whistler wedding florists online who offer bridal bouquet arrangements and other wedding flowers and offer delivery to your Whistler accommodation.

Whilst Senka is the most popular florist for most weddings in Whistler, check out the beautiful floral offerings from online Whistler and Pemberton florists Wild Bloom, Ninebark and Flower & Jules.

For an elopement wedding flowers in Whistler, budget between $150 - $400

7. Transportation: Getting to Whistler for your Elopement Wedding

Hiring a car from Vancouver and taking the scenic 2-hour journey up the Sea-To-Sky Highway to Whistler is a beautiful experience when the weather is on side.

If you don’t want to hire a car, you can travel to Whistler by bus and ask your wedding photographer if they are able to pick you up for your wedding ceremony and photos or use one of Whistler’s reliable taxi services, which can usually pick up within 10-15 mins.

If your accommodation is located somewhere central in or very near Whistler village, there might be little reason to pay for a hire car and you can also avoid daily parking tariffs that some Whistler hotels charge.

Bus transport options from Vancouver airport include Whistler Connection, Epic Rides and Skylynx.

8. Celebrating with a Whistler Wedding Day Meal

After your wedding ceremony and photos, it’s time to celebrate with a romantic meal at one of Whistler’s amazing restaurants.

Whether you're looking for high-end fine dining or something more casual, there’s something for every taste and vibe and listed below are some favourites. You can find great ‘Fixed Menu’ deals for $40-60pp in Whistler’s slow season, which usually run in April, May, October and November.

Il Caminetto - Surely Whistler’s best Italian restaurant in the heart of the village, expect excellent service, incredible Italian food and a delicious cocktail menu for around $150 pp or $44 pp during slow-season deals.

Wild Blue - Some seriously trendy and upscale decor give this restaurant a city cocktail bar kind of vibe and a buzzing, vibrant atmosphere that’s perfect for an extra special celebration. $150pp or $40pp during slow-season deals.

Rimrock Café -Despite its casual and homely atmosphere, this intimate Creekside restaurant is known for its upscale menu, next level quality and excellent service. Approx $150 pp or enjoy slow-season deals which usually run in April, May October and November and can work out up to half-price.

21 Steps - Casual dining, cosy vibes and reasonably priced menu for around $75pp

Alta Bistro - Situated in the Pinnacle Hotel, this cosy bistro offers top-notch menu and a great selection of wines alongside a great off-season deal.

Bar Oso - Trendy European city vibes punctuate this modern restaurant situated right on Whistler village stroll, offering Spanish-Influenced small plates, tapas, charcuterie and a great selection of handcrafted cocktails

Alta Bistro - Situated in the Pinnacle Hotel, this cosy bistro offers a top-notch menu and a great selection of wines alongside a great slow-season meal deal.

9. Add A Relaxing Post-Wedding Activity

After your elopement wedding, it’s time to unwind and deeply relax with a wonderfully tranquil spa day at Whistler’s favourite Scandinave Spa. Just a five minute drive north of Whistler village, experience an immersive journey through hot and cold therapy and relaxation rooms, all integrated into one of Whistler's most spectacular forest locations. Massages are available alongside refreshments at their health-focused cafe.

10. Legal Requirements For Your Wedding

Marriage License: Click here for information regarding obtaining a $100 marriage license in Whistler. Both bride and groom have to be present to collect the license and show government I.D, so it’s important to allow time for this ahead of the wedding or arrange to collect your marriage license from an alternative location in BC well ahead of time. After the license is issued, it’s valid for 3 months.

Witnesses: Remember you’ll need at least two witnesses to be present at the ceremony. If you don’t have anyone joining you for the wedding, many officiants can help arrange witnesses or you could ask your wedding hair and makeup artist if they are able to join, alongside your photographer as the second witness.

Wedding Event Permits: If you’re planning to hold your ceremony in a public space like a public park or on Whistler or Blackcomb mountain, you may need to apply for a special event permit from Whistler Municipality or Vail Resorts. Usually there is a small fee, depending on the wedding size, and ceremony location so potentially budget between $100-200 for your event permit. There are plenty of locations that don't require a permit, so double check with your photographer to know if you need to apply for one.

Conclusion

Eloping in Whistler offers the opportunity to create a deeply personal, unforgettable wedding experience which doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you're taking your vows on a mountaintop, in the forest or close to the heart of the village, Whistler provides the perfect canvas for your dream elopement. Keep it simple, focus on what matters to you and let the stunning scenery of Whistler be the backdrop to the most special day of your life.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to pack some extra clothing layers - weather in the mountains can change quickly, even in summer!

Working Out Your DIY Whistler Elopement Wedding Budget

To give you an idea of your Whistler elopement wedding cost, we’ve estimated the total expenses for three different elopement budgets below including 2 night’s accommodation in Whistler and dining on the wedding day. These are approximate costs based on 2025 wedding vendor pricing and are subject to change and GST.

Th budgets below exclude: Your transport to and from Whistler from Vancouver, your wedding outfits and accessories, wedding rings, a wedding coordinator / planner.

The $3000 Budget-Friendly Whistler Valley Elopement Wedding:

(Based on booking in April-May or Oct-Nov)

Wedding Photographer: $1200 (2 hours)

Wedding Hair & Makeup: $425

BC Marriage Commissioner: $300

Marriage License: $100

Budget-friendly Accommodation: $300 (2 nights)

DIY Wedding Bouquet (arrange yourself): $150

Wedding Bouquet Preservation - Pressing Only: $200

Wedding Day Breakfast & Dinner in Whistler: $325

The $6000 Mid-Range Whistler Elopement Wedding with Picnic and 4x4 Jeep Mountain Tour:

(Based on booking any time of year)

Wedding Photographer: $2000 (3 hours)

Wedding Hair & Makeup: $425

Whistler Wedding Officiant: $500

Marriage License: $100

4x4 Jeep Sunset Tour on Blackcomb Mountain: $1000 (4 people)

Mid-Range Accommodation: $600 (2 nights)

Mid-Range Wedding Bouquet: $250

Whistler Picnic Charcuterie Lunch: $200

Wedding Bouquet Preservation: $425

Wedding Day Breakfast & Dinner in Whistler: $500

The $11,000 Luxury Whistler Elopement Wedding with Alpine Heli Drop Ceremony & Added Wedding Videographer:

(Based on booking any time of year)

Wedding Photographer: $2500 (4 hours)

Wedding Videographer: $2500

Wedding Hair & Makeup: $425

Whistler Wedding Officiant: $500

Marriage License $100

Luxury Hotel Accommodation: $1000 (2 nights)

Heli Drop with Alpine Ceremony: $2500

Whistler Picnic Charcuterie Lunch: $200

Luxury Wedding Bouquet: $350

Wedding Bouquet Preservation: $425

Wedding Day Breakfast & Dinner in Whistler: $500

We hope you've found this guide helpful - please leave a comment if you have any feedback on the services and providers mentioned above!

If you're ready to go ahead and book your elopement wedding hair and makeup services in Whistler simply submit the inquiry form on the homepage and we'll be in touch, usually within 48 hours.

You can find out more about wedding bouquet preservation in Whistler and reserve a spot for your wedding bouquet at Flora & Frame.