Okanagan Elopement Guide
Everything you need to know about How to Elope in the okanagan
I’m so excited you’re considering eloping to the Okanagan Valley in beautiful British Columbia! Elopements these days are no longer just a secret trip to the courthouse. More and more people are craving the relaxed, fun and romantic experience of eloping. You can elope just the two of you or even invite those closest to you to make it a hybrid micro-wedding elopement.
It lights me UP showing couples how they can make their elopement or intimate wedding an experience that feels authentic to their relationship. I want you to feel giddy and excited for your elopement and all that you have planned for it.
You still deserve something epic and memorable even though you’re not having a big guest list! And don’t worry, if you hire me to capture this whole adventure, it doesn’t mean an 8-hour photoshoot (nobody wants that! Haha). We’ll make sure the timeline has room to breathe and checks all the boxes for the two of you.
I hope you find this list helpful! I can’t wait to chat with you more and help brainstorm ideas that align with what you love to do together. I’ve got many more ideas where this came from! ; )
First Steps for Eloping to the Okanagan.
First things first! Sit down with your partner and ask yourselves, “If we could plan the most epic day together, what would we want to do?” Write down all your ideas and have fun with it! Would you rent a helicopter to visit different wineries, finishing on a beautiful mountaintop or alpine lake to profess your love (yep, this is an option!)? … OR plan an epic day trip by car up or down the Okanagan Lake to a romantic spot somewhere to say your vows (with fun stops along the way!)? Let your imagination run free!
When is the best time of year to elope in the Okanagan?
Have a think about what activities you want to do and what look you want for your photos to help determine when. If you’re able to elope on a weekday, many venues have weekday deals for elopements. You will also have less people at the spots you visit than you would on a weekend. Double-win!
PERKS OF EACH SEASON:
Spring: Lush greens and spring flowers. Lots of daylight for activities. Great for hiking and exploring with less heat. Get shoulder season deals on accommodation too!
Summer: Golden grasses and warm, late summer evenings. Dryer weather and the option for more water activities.
Fall: Cozy vibes, vibrant leaf colours, vineyards starting to turn golden and the glowy low sun that happens with shorter days. It’s like having evening golden hour light for most of the day! More shoulder season deals.
Winter: Dramatic landscapes blanketed in snow at world-class ski resorts. Ski or snowboard down to your ceremony site or helicopter to a glacier. Follow it up with some ice-skating and portraits with the beautiful landscapes and alpine trees. Then flip to cozy vibes with your first dance next to a fire.
how do i obtain a marriage license in Kelowna?
Marriage licenses can be purchased at London Drugs for $100 (follow instructions carefully). However, you do need a marriage officiant, celebrant, pastor or commissioner to legally marry you in Canada. We do not have the option in Canada for a friend to go online and quickly be able to marry you. Unless they want to spend months getting certified, make sure to hire a professional if you want it to be legally binding.
A lot of people who have gotten a friend who filled out a 5 minute form online to marry them get a surprise later when they find out they aren’t actually married!
how do i find an elopement officiant?
Have a think on whether you’d like to hire an officiant or celebrant who will really customize and personalize your vows or if you prefer to focus on saying your own personal vows. I send a list of my favourite vendors to all my booked clients.
Choosing your vendors
For elopements, you don’t need as many vendors as a larger wedding but you might still want some key vendors alongside your officiant, like hair, makeup, and perhaps a private chef curating a special meal for the two of you. Photography takes on even more importance for elopements as it is the single documentation of your wedding day and will be the main way you share this big day with family and friends who don’t attend. That’s not to say you can’t invite anyone though! You can totally make your day a hybrid elopement/micro wedding. 🙂
All my clients get sent a list, upon booking, of my favourite vendor recommendations to help with the choosing process.
When we first have a casual chat to get to know each other a bit more, I help you brainstorm ideas from the list you created above. If you decide to book me from there, I will then help customize your elopement photography timeline so it has room for spontaneity and all the fun things you want to do.
Central Okanagan Elopement Locations
Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country & Peachland
The Kelowna area is a fantastic, central location and jumping off point to do and go anywhere in the Okanagan for your elopement day. You can either stick right in Kelowna to say your vows at a beautiful winery, beach or mountaintop or venture 40-60 mins in any direction to have a totally different experience. If you like biking (yes we can incorporate this into your elopement!), drive 40 minutes North to rent e-bikes in Oyama and bike along Kalamalka Lake (bring your swimsuit!); OR 40 mins east to Myra Canyon to bike along the trestles.
If wineries are your jam, you have heaps of incredible options right in Kelowna and the rest of the wineries in the Okanagan are just a day trip away! You have Knox Mountain a few minutes from downtown as well as countless other great nature options!
Kelowna Helicopter Elopement
You might be surprised to find that Heli Elopements are more affordable than you might think. With great options around $1000 (pricing updated for 2024), you can get married on a mountaintop and bring me along to capture it all! Valhalla Helicopters can also plan a longer, more custom day that includes landing at wineries for wine tastings or other nature spots. Jumping in a helicopter is such a thrill and cool addition to your day.
Kelowna Sunset Sailing Cruise
Book a 2 hour private cruise on Okanagan Lake for a super reasonable price. Feel the wind in your hair as you sail during the prettiest time of day. If you don’t like the idea of saying your vows on a boat, we can always add a cruise on just to take portraits of the two of you!
Private Hot Air Balloon Elopement
How romantic would it be to say your vows while in a colourful Hot Air Balloon floating above Kelowna? It makes for such a colourful backdrop for doing portraits on the ground before or after your take-off as well. Let’s goooooo.
Knox Mountain Park, Kelowna
Knox Mountain is an affordable and beautiful option for elopements booked through the City of Kelowna.
There are two main ceremony locations; the lower Crowne Lookout and the Pioneer Pavilion. The Crowne Lookout looks over Kelowna and is halfway up Knox Mountain Road (renovated in Spring 2024!) and the Pioneer Pavilion is at the top of Knox facing West, with a covered area.
There are also heaps of gorgeous backdrops for portraits. As a local and avid hiker, I’m pretty confident I know them all. ;D
More Info
Knox Mountain Dr, Kelowna, BC
Tantalus Vineyards, Kelowna
Tantalus Vineyards is located in East Kelowna and has sweeping views of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake. It’s perfectly situated for dreamy golden hour sunset photos in the vineyard.
Tantalus Vineyards hosts elopements and small weddings on a case by case basis depending on timing and group size. Your odds of booking at this gem are especially high in the shoulder season.
Venue Website
1670 DeHart Rd, Kelowna, BC
Sanctuary Gardens, West Kelowna, BC
Sanctuary Gardens is a lovingly-cultivated acreage in West Kelowna with tranquil views over Okanagan Lake. The open-air timber frame gazebo truly feels like a sanctuary – such a peaceful vibe!
The sisters also own and run a vineyard at the back of their property (accessed by a different road) called The Gallery which hosts small events as well. Get in touch to reserve this beautiful, private spot.
Venue Website
3792 Carrall Rd, West Kelowna, BC
Kalamoir Park, West Kelowna, BC
With trails right along the shore of Okanagan Lake, and some higher up, you have the best of both worlds with beachside spots and amazing views! And heck yes, you can totally take a dip (in a swim suit OR your dress!). ; ) Kalamoir Park is beautiful year-round and there is a secret beach that is usually pretty quiet during the week..
3041 Collens Hill Rd, West Kelowna, BC
Bertram Creek Park, Kelowna, BC
This is an awesome elopement option with super pretty, rocky lakeshore and beautiful views. It is a popular spot for families in the summer so keep in mind July and August will be busier with people enjoying the beach and park. I may know a secret spot to have privacy for saying their vows too but I need to save that one for clients. ; )
Priest Creek Winery Kelowna, BC
From above, East Kelowna looks like a patchwork quilt of cheery, beautiful vineyards and fruit orchards stitched together. Nestled amongst it, is the picturesque boutique family winery Priest Creek, located on the South Kelowna Wine Trail. Get in touch through their website for more details.
Venue Website
2555 Saucier Rd, Kelowna, BC
Kuipers’ Peak, Kelowna, BC
Do you want an epic mountain-top view that is only 10 minutes to reach but feels like you’d have to hike for hours to get to for how amazing the views are? Kuiper’s Peak is IT! It has a super romantic vibe and it’s an amazing place to watch the sunset.
Keep in mind it’s not a bookable spot so it’s first come, first served. You’ll increase your chances of having it to yourselves by going here on a weekday. Wear your hiking footwear to the top. Heels are not safe at this spot so bring flats to change into or rock your hiking boots. 😉
Benvoulin Heritage Park, Kelowna, BC
This heritage park has the cutest church in Kelowna! If you’re getting married in a colder or less picturesque month (hello March lol) Benvoulin Heritage Park is a great option. Built in 1892, it has lovely circular pews and rich woodwork throughout. It has lots of natural light and an antique, vintage flair!
Venue Website
2279 Benvoulin Rd, Kelowna, BC
Big White, BC
Only a 40-minute drive from Kelowna, I had to include Big White for elopements! It’s fantastic for winter weddings of course but it’s also becoming a more popular summer destination with fantastic hiking and mountain biking trails. With snow being sporadic down in Kelowna, if you want a snowy wedding, your best best is to have it at Big White!
More Info
5315 Big White Rd, Kelowna, BC
South Okanagan Elopement Locations
Penticton, Summerland, Naramata, Okanagan Falls, Oliver & Osoyoos
Driving south along Okanagan lake is so transporting. The views across the lake of Okanagan Mountain Park and Naramata as you drive to Summerland will take your breath away. As will the views FROM Naramata, of Summerland… you get the idea. haha. Everywhere you turn there is beauty and the copious amount of wineries and cideries to visit will keep you busy! I love poking around the cute downtown areas of each town too. Definitely check out the Saturday Market in downtown Penticton – it’s epic!
There are so many gems in this area that my brain is short-circuiting about which to focus on. Definitely heaps of different options if you want to plan a full-day elopement with me to be candidly captured by me.
Munson Mountain, Penticton
Located right above the famous PENTICTON sign Munson Mountain is a steep but quick 5-minute hike to the top where you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views of Penticton and Naramata all around you. Oh la la! There is a gazebo that can be rented through the City of Penticton.
More Info
630 Munson Mountain Rd, Penticton, BC
See Ya Later Ranch, Okanagan Falls, BC
With 170 acres of vineyard, See Ya Later Ranch has plenty of stunning options to have your ceremony and take photos, including their cute 1930’s barn. Included in their elopement package is the use of their lovely bridal suite and a Brut toast following your ceremony.
Venue Website
2575 Green Lake Rd, Okanagan Falls, BC
Playlist Lavender Farm and Guest House, BC
Naramata is one of those places that is so beautiful that my eyes are constantly roaming everywhere in total delight. Add lavender to the equation and I can’t contain my excitement! Playlist Lavender Farm has an awesome guest house to rent for two people, with a private jacuzzi on your deck overlooking Naramata and lake views!
There are a few spots on the property where you could say your vows, including with the lavender, in front of fruit trees or right on the deck. Contact Playlist Lavender to see if it would be a good option for you elopement!
Website
640 Boothe Rd, Naramata, BC
La Punta Norte Guest House, Summerland, BC
Not only does La Punta Norte have epic views of the mountains across from Okanagan Lake, each room has a balcony with a private hot tub!! Sign me UP. The architecture and decor of La Punta Norte is Mexico-inspired and fits in so well with the dry, hot, desertous summers we get in the Okanagan. They have a private beachfront that can be rented for an additional fee that is the perfect size for an elopement.
La Punta Norte Guest House has 6 rooms (2 people/room) and the option to add a cot to up to 4 rooms. With an occupancy of 12-16 people, this makes it a great option for eloping with family or close friends. Imagine having this whole place to yourself!
Venue Website
365 BC-97, Summerland, BC
North Okanagan Elopement Locations
Vernon, Coldstream, Enderby & Armstrong
My eyes are always peeled to Oyama as soon as I come up over the highway from Lake Country and see that unique strip of land cutting across Kalamalka Lake and Wood Lake. From there it’s unreal views of mountains with the emerald colour pop of Kalamalka Lake in the foreground.
One of my favourite summer activities is to rent bikes in Oyama and bike the rail trail alongside Kalamalka (stopping for a swim along the way of course!).
If you continue on, you’ll find treasures like Silverstar Mountain and the Enderby Drive-In movie theatre to enjoy! So much variety!
Revelstoke Helicopter Elopement
Want to say your vows on a glacier? What about an alpine lake beside a wild meadow? Let a helicopter do the hiking for you and safely deposit you at a gorgeous spot to say your vows and I’ll be there to capture it all! Year round options available!
Silverstar Mountain Resort, BC
Silverstar Mountain Resort has awesome options for weddings year-round. They have a cute gazebo for summer weddings and “The Winter Meadow” for snowy months. It’s not available during peak times, so make sure to contact in advance to make sure your date can be accommodated.
More Info
123 Shortt St, Silver Star Mountain, BC
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, BC
The emerald waters of Kalamalka lake are so uniquely beautiful. There are a few special spots around Kalamalka lake for elopements which I’ll totally fill you in on if you book with me and want to learn more.
Mackie House, Coldstream, BC
This historic home, built in 1910, is perfect for outdoor garden weddings. Mackie House is bursting with charm and character. The grounds and gardens are so pretty as well. It’s such a fantastic spot for elopements and micro-weddings!
Venue Website
7804 Kidston Rd, Coldstream, BC
Sparkling Hill, Vernon, BC
Sparkling Hill no longer hosts weddings but with their 20km of surrounding trails, elopements are still a possibility. It would make for a romantic stay and they have a helicopter pad that you can book in advance to get picked up by helicopter to say your vows elsewhere or incorporate some adventure and unique photo backdrops into your elopement!
Website
888 Sparkling Pl, Vernon, BC
There’s More Where That Came From!
I hope you’ve found this resource helpful! There are of course more options to elope but this really is a highlight reel of so many of my faves. There are also so many more beaches in the Okanagan as well as nature spots and lakes surrounding the Okanagan. Some of these include Oyama Lake, Chute Lake, Ellison Lake Provincial Park, Mabel Lake and Hydraulic Lake Provincial Park. Many of them have campsites, cabins or lodges to stay at.
Hopefully you feel inspired to elope to the Okanagan and feel like you’re leaving this post with a good grasp on some of the many options you have.
If you’d like to chat more about potentially having me photograph your elopement, please get in touch! I’d love to chat with you more.
Disclaimer: Some locations that are not specifically wedding venues (like parks, etc) still need to be booked in advance. Some require a wedding permit and some do not. I go over this more in depth with clients. There is usually a solution or workaround.
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