A Squamish Micro-Wedding
Emily + Riley’s heartfelt celebration
Some couples dream of a big, elaborate wedding with all the bells and whistles… but for Emily and Riley, that just didn’t feel like them! The idea of juggling timelines, seating charts, and endless decisions made the prospect of a traditional wedding less exciting. Instead, they chose something simple, intentional, and deeply personal - surrounded by their favorite people and the beauty of Squamish.
When Emily found my elopement packages on Instagram, she kindly told me it instantly felt like the perfect fit: a way to create a meaningful celebration without the chaos.
So, let me start by introducing the sweetest couple: Emily and Riley’s story goes way back. They first met in high school, but started dating a touch later… Seven years on, they have built a life full of love, laughter, and adventure. Celebrating locally, in nature, surrounded by family and friends, was the perfect way to honor their journey together.
Tip: Before diving into logistics, take time to talk about what matters most to you as a couple - the feeling you want on your wedding day. Whether that’s adventure, connection, or calm, that clarity helps guide every decision, from your ceremony location to your guest list.
Choosing the Perfect Squamish Wedding Location
At first, we spoke about considering a helicopter elopement - and while a mountaintop ceremony sounded great, Emily and Riley knew that having their loved ones as part of the moment was going to be even more special. So, I sent over a few suggestions for ground-accessible Squamish elopement spots. They made a date day out of scouting the spots themselves (told ya they were cute) and they reported back, letting me know they fell in love with one of my suggestions: a quiet riverside clearing that felt private and magical.
The trail was an easy ten-minute walk from the parking spot, perfect for the ~30 guests who joined us. It’s one of those hidden gems that stays blissfully peaceful during the week -ideal for couples who want an intimate Squamish wedding location that feels secluded, but is still convenient to get to.
Tip: When choosing a Squamish micro-wedding location, think about accessibility for guests, parking, and lighting. Many beautiful forest and riverside spots look best in late afternoon light, which is ideal for golden hour photos.
Dream Team Vendors
Once the location was locked in, we chatted about the vendors.
Emily and Riley chose Leah Kathryn Photography, one of my favorite local photographers. Leah has a gift for capturing both the sweeping landscapes and those quiet, emotional moments. She also has it dialed in when it comes to getting the must-have photos - the ones that will hang on your wall for the decades to come.
Their bouquet and boutonniere came from The Wild Florists, run by two Squamish legends, Catherine and Anita, who grow all their blooms locally in the valley. I adored the long ribbon detail!
To make sure guests arrived safely and on time, The Shred Shuttle handled transportation, and after their ceremony, everyone headed to Sunwolf BC for a cozy dinner at Fergie’s Café, with family and friends staying overnight in the riverside cabins. It was the perfect mix of celebration and relaxation.
How to have a ‘first look’ when you elope
If Emily were an emoji, she’d be the yellow heart: bright, warm, and full of sunshine. I was so curious to see her wedding outfit! We had a plan to ensure she could arrive in comfort, and change on site for the first look moment.
She arrived at the trailhead in a chic white pant-and-blouse set with feathered sleeves (so fun!) and once we reached the ceremony site, I set up my pop-up change tent so she could slip into her wedding gown - I’d never seen a dress like it! It was shimmery, with beadwork and fringe… Classic AND fun at the same time! She changed and hung out in the tent for a few minutes while we positioned the guests.
By changing on-site, Emily got to have a true first-look moment - that magical instant when Riley and their guests saw her walking down the aisle in her beautiful dress for the first time.
Tip: If you’re inviting guests to your elopement, coordinating transport and accommodation early on is ideal. Especially in summer, when Squamish venues and Airbnbs book up months ahead. You’ll also want to check what’s happening at that time of the year - for example, Vancouver is hosting the FIFA world cup from June 11 - July 29, 2026, so accommodation is already scarce.
A Grounded Wedding Ceremony
Before the vows began, Emily and Riley kicked off their shoes, ready for a barefoot ceremony. I saw this, then kicked my own shoes off, too! It was the only time I’ve married a couple without shoes on, and it was so grounding and perfect. This gorgeous couple wanted to start their ceremony with intention, so we took a few grounding breaths together – a simple moment to arrive fully in the experience. It was deeply personal and perfectly suited to who they are as a couple.
After their vows came a champagne toast, family photos, and portraits that captured the light and love of the day.
Tip: We didn’t have a formal wedding rehearsal, considering there was no bridal party or complex elements to the ceremony. Instead, we had a video call before their ceremony to talk through the flow more casually.
Elopement vs. Micro-Wedding: What’s the Difference?
“What’s the difference between an elopement and a micro-wedding?” To me, there are two main factors: guest count and logistics. Here’s how I see it:
Elopement: Typically includes just the couple (and maybe a handful of loved ones). It’s simple, spontaneous, and usually involves fewer vendors - think adventurous mountain-top ceremonies or quiet forest clearings.
Micro-Wedding: A slightly larger celebration (often 10–40 guests) that requires a bit more planning — transportation, dinner reservations, florals, and photography.
Emily and Riley’s celebration was a perfect in-between: small and connected, yet filled with the warmth of their favorite people.
Kind words from Bride Emily
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We truly could not have asked for a better officiant than Jude. From our very first conversation, she made us feel SO, SO, SO comfortable and cared for!! She took the time to get to know our story and created a ceremony that felt so personal, heartfelt, and perfectly us.
On our wedding day, Jude brought such warmth, calm, and joy. She made us laugh, kept us grounded, and guided the ceremony so beautifully. So many of our guests told us how genuine and meaningful it felt, and that’s ALL THANKS TO JUDE :)
We’re endlessly grateful that Jude was part of our day and would HIGHLY RECOMMEND her to anyone looking for a thoughtful, kind, and incredible officiant. Thank you Jude <3”
Planning Your Own Squamish Micro-Wedding?
If you’re considering an intimate wedding or elopement in Squamish, I’d love to help you bring it to life. From choosing your ceremony location to recommending trusted local vendors and crafting a heartfelt script that feels like you, I’m here to make it easy and meaningful.
You can explore my elopement packages, learn more about how to get married in BC, or reach out here.
All photos taken by the incredible Leah Kathryn Photography
About the author
Jude Douglass
Founder of Sea to Sky Officiant & Adventure Elopement Specialist
This blog post was written by me - Jude! My passion lies in helping couples create beautiful elopements and wedding ceremonies that truly reflect them, all in the beautiful Sea to Sky region of British Columbia.
My ceremonies are crafted to be warm, modern, and joyful - balancing heartfelt moments with lighthearted ones. I’ve worked in the wedding industry in a few roles: from venue manager, to server, to wedding planner. I’m all about bringing my knowledge of the local area and wedding industry to make your day unique and true to you!
