How to Get Married in Squamish
A complete 2026 guide for couples who want to get married in the Sea to Sky, BC.
I commonly speak with couples who assume they need to weave down the 99 to Vancouver City Hall to make it official. This is not the case! You can tie the knot right here in Squamish.
And it's honestly quite an easy process!
It has a simpler process than many other countries: no residency requirements, no waiting periods, no complicated paperwork.
This is everything you need to know, step-by-step!
Photo by Gabi Le at one of my favorite easy access viewpoints.
What Do You Need to Get Married in Squamish?
Short answer: not much! To legally get married in Squamish (and anywhere in BC), you only need:
A valid BC marriage licence
Two witnesses
A registered wedding officiant (like me, hi!👋)
How to Get a Marriage Licence in Squamish
To get legally married in British Columbia, you’ll need a BC marriage licence. In Squamish, it's the Service BC, located on Pemberton Ave in downtown Squamish (Opposite the Shopper’s / SaveOn parking lot). They are open Monday - Friday, 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 4:30pm.
If you’re elsewhere in BC, use this link to find the one closest to you.
Here’s what to know:
You can either go together, or one party can go in alone, as long as they have valid government-issued ID for both parties. (If you have time to go together, make a date of it and get a Fox&Oak donut on the way home, haha)
The licence costs $100
It’s valid for 90 days from the date of purchase, so don’t get too excited and get it in advance, as it will expire.
Witness Requirements
You’ll need two witnesses present when you meet with your officiant. The requirements around who can witness is pretty flexible - there is no strict minimum age set in practice (they just need to understand what’s happening) so I’ve even had a couple’s eight year old daughter sign.
They don’t need to be Canadian residents, and they also don’t need to speak English. I've had a couple whose parent flew in from Mexico speaking only Spanish: completely valid, absolutely lovely.
If you're eloping without guests, no stress - I can help arrange witnesses for you. (When couples elope, often, their photographer acts as one witness)
Where Can You Get Married in Squamish?
Pretty much anywhere. Unlike some countries, BC doesn't require a licensed venue - which is ideal when you live somewhere this beautiful! Squamish is kind of perfect for this: you’re surrounded by ocean, mountains, and endless tucked-away spots. You can even legally get married on top of a mountain.
There are a few locations that require permits (like provincial parks) but they’re easy and free to obtain - email me for the form.
It’s worth checking in advance or working with someone who knows the area well, and why working with a local officiant and planner is ideal! Local elopement planners who actually live in the area will also know things like windy times, when the sun goes behind the mountains, etc.
Photo by Oliver Rabanes at one of my helicopter elopement packages.
Ceremony options: what does the day actually look like?
There are many way’s to get married: from a quick legal signing, to an intimate, river-side ceremony, a full elopement package, or a full-blown wedding celebration! Here's how I help:
Just the Legals The minimum requirements to make your marriage legal in BC.
This is popular with couples planning a bigger celebration later (e.g. a destination wedding overseas), couples who've been together 10+ years and want zero fuss, or couples whose friend or family member is performing their wedding ceremony on their wedding day (because in BC, your loved ones cannot legalize marriage, it has to be a registered officiant).A wedding Ceremony I have a few options - see my wedding ceremony page for more info. In summary, my Sweet + Simple ceremony is short, warm, and great for couples who want something modern and lovely without the frills. Or I can craft a fully Custom Ceremony built around your story and how you actually want the day to feel. This is very personalized, memorable, and fun!
All-Inclusive Elopement Packages: I’m really proud of the packages I’ve developed! I draw on 10+ years of planning experience and my local knowledge as someone who lives in the area, to take the stress out of eloping in the Sea to Sky. From the perfect location to vendors who match your vibe, I make it streamlined and personal. See my elopement page for more info.
Common FAQs About Getting Married in Squamish
Do we need to be Canadian residents to get married in Squamish?
No - there are no residency requirements. Couples travel from across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Europe, and beyond to get married in the Sea to Sky. You just need a BC marriage licence, and you don’t need to be a resident to get one.
How much does it cost to get married in Squamish?
At a minimum: $100 for the marriage licence, plus your officiant's fee. Beyond that, it depends on whether you want a quick legal signing, an elopement experience (packages are around $2,750 + gst), or a ceremony ($425 - $899 + gst).
How quickly can we get married once we have the licence?
Same day, if you want. There's no waiting period in BC - once your licence is in hand, you're ready to go! My record is three hours, but it’s nice to have as much notice as possible.
Can we get married anywhere in Squamish?
Yes, but some locations require permits. It's best to check in advance - or ask your officiant, who will likely know the current requirements and the best spots.
Tips for getting married in Squamish, from a local elopement expert
I have a few tips I share with my couples who want to get married in the Sea to Sky! Here are just a few notes:
Mountain lighting:
Golden hour happens earlier than other places, as the sun dips behind the mountains before the official sunset time. This is why finding local vendors who know precise timings can help.
(Note: Some vendors with ‘Squamish’ or ‘Sea to Sky’ in their business name do not actually live here)
Weekend vs weekends:
Weekends in summer = traffic on the 99! If you want to elope, a weekday is a better idea as you’ll see way less traffic, and the quiet elopement spots have less people visting them.
For full weddings, this doesn’t matter as much, since you’ll have a venue. Still, always google when events are on - For example, for the Gran Fondo they totally close the highway for periods, which can throw a monkey wrench into your plans.
Busy weekends, like the Arcteryx weekend, or oceanfront weekend, can make accommodation more difficult for your guests.PNW Weather: If you’re eloping outdoors, weather shifts quickly - always have a backup plan! For full weddings, make sure your venue has a plan B you LOVE. Here, you can get sunshine in January and an atmospheric river in August, so this goes for year-round.
Windy weddings: Squamish means ‘mother of wind’ for a reason! Keep it in mind for your hair styling / and if you want a veil, veil weights work a treat.
Photo by The Koebels at Sunwolf BC (aka weddings at Fergies)
Want to chat?
If you’re not sure what direction you’re leaning yet, feel free to reach out - I’m always happy to point you in the right direction 😊
Cover photo by Miranda Anderson
