A BC hiking elopement vow renewal in the alpine.

Madison and Will didn't need a reason to go back to the mountains.
But, we did so any way!
One year earlier, these absolute beauties become the first couple ever married at Wedge Mountain Lodge - a ceremony I had the honor of officiating. They're Squamish locals, climbers, and athletes. People who thrive soaking up the goodness of Sea to Sky’s outdoor offerings, and who aren’t shy to some vertical gain. The mountains are more than a pretty backdrop for them. They're home!
So when their first wedding anniversary came around, they didn't book a restaurant… They laced up their boots!
A Vow Renewal That Didn't Need an Audience
Their original wedding wasn’t exactly traditional either - a 10:30am ceremony followed by brunch, guests heading home by early afternoon so they could savor a quiet evening together.
Intentional from the start.
So their vow renewal followed suit. This time, they had no guests - just the two of them, their wedding attire stuffed into a pack, and a September afternoon in the alpine.
This is what a hiking elopement in BC looks like when it's designed around a couple rather than an experience for the guests - both are great for different reasons, but if you’ve found yourself on this page, so let’s talk about their hiking elopement / vow renewal!

The Adventure Begins

We met in town before heading toward the trailhead together - who is we? There were five of us: The couple, Madison and Will! The photographers, Cam and Abi from Summit + Sage, and myself.

We piled into a car, then hit the road, buzzing with excitement as we chatted away. On the drive in, we spotted two gorgeous grizzly bears in the meadows (from the safety of the car) - an awe-inspiring reminder that this is real wilderness!

After unloading packs and tying laces, we began the hike in practical layers and sturdy boots. I make a packing list for all my hiking elopement couples -obviously the hiking snacks is one of the most important parts of the day, right?!

So, what were we about to embark on… When couples inquire about a BC hiking elopement, one of our first conversations is about effort level. What kind of hike feels exciting, not exhausting? Well, Madison and Will are literal athletes - but even so, we chose something high reward without turning the day into a summit push. This hike is about an hour from the car to open alpine - yep, that’s it! A beautiful effort-to-view ratio, especially when you can drive to decent elevation before you even begin walking.

“What Do We Do With Our Wedding Attire?”

This is one of the most common questions I get for hiking elopements! I offer a pop-up change tent, but for hikes, honestly, most couples just duck behind a boulder or tree and make it work!

Madison and Will hiked in practical clothing, then changed into her dress and his suit in the alpine. There’s something deeply joyful about the logistics of it - laughter, a bit of wind, boots beside a wedding gown!

Then, comes that special moment. Where they see each other in their wedding attire. For vow renewals, it’s when they see each other in their wedding attire, AGAIN* - those memories from their special day come rushing back.

Once they were dressed, we frolicked through the alpine to one of the gorgeous lakes, then started the ceremony. As I’d done Madi + Will’s ceremony the year before, there were some new words, but also some language that nodded to their OG wedding. After the ceremony, they shared a kiss and a dip. Then, we found another location for their private vows. Honestly, how gorgeous are they?! You can just see the love between them.

Choosing the Right Hike for Your BC Hiking Elopement

For most couples, somewhere between 4- 8km round trip hits the sweet spot. If you select the right spot, you get alpine terrain without turning your ceremony into a sufferfest! Having said that, if you’re genuinely excited about a longer objective, we can design around that. I also have a few 15-minute-walk locations that feel remote without the mileage. When couples book a full-service Squamish elopement package with me, we talk through: fitness and comfort level, season and trail conditions, privacy preferences, accessibility, lighting direction, backup plans, if your dog is allowed on the trail, and permit requirements.

When to plan your hiking elopement?

Weekdays are almost always best. Avoid long weekends, and school holidays!
The month will depend on what hike you select, so consult a local who specializes in elopements (HI).

Planning an Adventure Elopement

As an all-inclusive elopement planner and officiant based in Squamish, this is where my work becomes invaluable. Planning a BC hiking elopement isn’t just picking a trail! It’s knowing when the Sea to Sky Highway closes for major events, which weekends book out every hotel in town, what nooks of which trails will deliver privacy, what areas require permits, when golden hour hits different basins, and how weather typically shifts in shoulder season (although, no one knows what exactly the weather will do in the PNW! But we plan for that).

I typically handle:

Location scouting
Timeline design around light and weather
Ceremony creation
Vendor coordination
Backup planning (because mountain weather ALWAYS gets a plan B)
Permit considerations

connect with jude

Why Couples Choose a Symbolic Hiking Elopement

Because Madison and Will were already legally married, this was a symbolic ceremony. In this instance, we didn’t need witnesses. However, if you're planning a legal wedding as a hiking elopement in BC, it's simpler than most people think! You need a licensed officiant (that's me) and two witnesses. Your photographer and other vendors can legally fill that role if you're keeping it private. Photographers Cam and Abi from Summit + Sage often step into that role when couples choose to elope privately!

How Much Does a BC Hiking Elopement Cost?

Hiking elopement packages vary depending on:

Length of hike
Planning complexity
Vendor selections
Travel logistics
Photography coverage

My full-service adventure elopements in BC begin around $3,750+ CAD, with final investment shaped by how involved the experience is, and your vendor selections. (Amount of photography coverage, if you want florals / hair + make up, what hike you select). I can work within a budget, so feel free to reach out and we can find solutions to suit your desired experience.
Price current at the time of writing.

FAQs: Planning a Hiking Elopement in the Sea to Sky

**How far should we hike for an elopement?**
For most couples, 5–8km total is ideal. It allows for scenery without draining your energy before the ceremony. If you're experienced hikers and excited about more, we can design around that!
**Can we legally get married during a hiking elopement?**
Yes. In BC, you need two witnesses for a legal ceremony. Your photographer or other vendors can act as witnesses if you’re eloping privately.

**What if the weather changes?**
Every mountain elopement I plan includes backup plans - alternate timing, alternate locations, or flexible pacing. Weather shifts are part of the alpine experience, and we build around that.

**Do we need to be hardcore hikers?**
Absolutely not. Many of the best alpine elopement locations near Squamish are accessible with moderate fitness and thoughtful planning - I even have some absolute gems that are just 15 minutes either way, but look like you hiked for hours. Then some that involve a full day adventure.

Are the mountains calling you?

If you feel most alive in the mountains, a BC hiking elopement might be calling you! And if you’re looking for someone who handles the logistics, planning, ceremony, and location curation - so you can just show up and breathe it in - that’s what I do :)

Get started

Photography by Summit + Sage

The images in this post were captured by Cam and Abi of Summit + Sage, an adventure photography duo. They love being outside and adventurous elopements are their thing! Check out their gorgeous portfolio on their website or Instagram. I’ve worked with them several times and they’re just such great people who not only capture the day beautifully, but add to the experience with their warmth, humor, and heart.