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Finding the perfect location to confess your love and celebrate this new chapter in your life is a big decision. If you have been thinking about eloping in Canada, I'm sure you've realized it’s HUGE! Finding the best places to elope can be overwhelming, but I’m here to help.
“ A lot of people say planning their wedding is a very stressful experience, we can't relate because Krystal planned everything making our experience completely stress free and a total dream! “
Your job is to make memories that last a lifetime, my job is to capture those!
Hi! I’m Krystal - the Boss Lady at Fly Free! I will personally be by your side, every step of the way - from planning the nitty-gritty to capturing the final moments as the sun sets on your special day. My soul adores adventure, travel, and capturing treasured moments on film.
My team and I will be your photographer, videographer, day-of coordinator, DJ, trusted resource, best friend, planning partner, location scout, and more - we are in this together.
So, grab a hot drink and get ready to dream with me, I want to share a list of the best places to elope in British Columbia and Alberta. These stunning elopement sites will help you narrow down your list. Plus, you’ll get the information you need to decide if your elopement is a “just us” occasion or an intimate wedding in the perfect location.
Best Places to Elope in British Columbia
There are so many stunning British Columbia elopement spots! You will find our favorite BC elopement locations below. If you’re considering British Columbia for your elopement destination, you’re in luck!
This region of Canada features greenery, waterfalls, mild winters, and thick forests. There truly aren’t any bad spots in BC!
Before you ask, yes, we do travel so we can help you figure out where to elope in British Columbia and capture the memories for you. Discover our favorite scenic elopement locations in British Columbia below.
1. Crowsnest Pass (near Fernie, British Columbia!)
One of the best places to elope in British Columbia is Crowsnest Pass. It’s less than three hours outside Calgary and easily one of the best-kept secret elopement spots in BC. If you’re interested in a private location with incredible views, Crowsnest Pass is where to elope in British Columbia.
This area is made up of five small towns: Coleman, Bellevue, Hillcrest, Frank, and Blairmore. Each town has a unique history, perfect for exploring and filled with epic landscapes for exchanging vows. Crowsnest Pass refers to itself as “naturally rewarding” and it’s 100% true!
Check out Chels and Tylers's 10th-anniversary shoot we did there. This location is so dreamy and we only scratched the surface of all the possibilities in the area.
2. Fernie, BC
Fernie is famously known as a powder town with over 30 feet of snow annually during the winter season. If you love winter activities and you’re hoping for a winter wedding, come between November and April. That’s when Fernie is the best place to elope in British Columbia for snowy wedding day memories!
During the summer months, Fernie is still one of the most stunning British Columbia elopement spots. There’s a large mountain biking community that’s perfect for unique elopement ideas. Plus, you’ll find some of our favorite venues in Fernie:
3. Vancouver, BC
Vancouver is huge! There are so many different places to elope on the mainland and the island, but the best thing about eloping in Vancouver is Cherry Blossom season! I know it’s Canada, but sometimes a Vancouver spring can feel like Japan.
Since most of us can’t afford to travel to Japan to elope, we can get the same feeling in Vancouver in the springtime. Here are some of the best places to take advantage of the cherry blossoms for your wedding day:
The Cherry Blossom Grove at Queen Elizabeth Park
4. The Okanagan, BC
Do you love vineyards? If the idea of eloping in a vineyard appeals to you, you’ll want to check out The Okanagan. It’s one of the best places to elope in British Columbia. A large section of BC called the Okanagan is known for its wine.
The Okanagan is the perfect spot for an Italy-inspired wedding! The main cities of Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, and Merritt feature different locations that are all perfect for a romantic wedding in British Columbia.
Hidden Chapel Winery near Oliver offers a romantic venue for an elopement with beautiful gardens and romantic vineyards for small, elegant ceremonies. The gorgeous chapel nestled among the pines is the perfect spot to say your vows.
Another beautiful elopement destination in the Okanagan is Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. This magnificent 140-acre vineyard and winery features on-site accommodations that are ideal for an elopement in British Columbia.
5. Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park elopements are becoming more popular. Just a short drive past Lake Louise, you’ll reach beautiful Golden and Emerald Lake, British Columbia. Golden is a cute little mountain town with helicopter weddings and tons of lodging.
It’s one of the best places to elope in British Columbia if you’re hoping for a day trip adventure or planning to have guests. We love meeting couples in Golden because there are so many incredible locations!
One excellent spot in Golden is Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. This venue can accommodate winter elopements with access to a gondola, which is especially appealing if you're looking for panoramic Rocky Mountain scenery. The resort also offers summer elopements. Couples seeking adventure can even opt for a ski elopement.
6. Emerald Lake
The iconic Emerald Lake is also located near Golden. This amazing venue is known for stunning turquoise waters, vast mountain views, and dreamy wedding photos in every season. Check out our Emerald Lake adventure session with Greg and Laura to see what’s possible at this location.
Emerald Lake is one of my favorite places to shoot because it’s so diverse! Not only does it have a beautiful lake to canoe across, but there is also a natural bridge with a gorgeous waterfall within hiking distance. It’s so worth it!
Check out Emerald Lake Lodge, an award-winning dining destination on the shores of the lake featuring rustic accommodations you’ll love. With centuries-old fireplaces and an oak bar from a Yukon saloon, there’s no shortage of history inside these walls. If you’re searching for a secluded mountain elopement, Emerald Lake Lodge is the ideal location.
Top Elopement Spots in Alberta
Alright, now on to my backyard! I'm so excited to share with you some of the stunning places you can get married in this beautiful province! There are SO many locations that all have a unique twist to them, no matter the season you want to get married in you can find something that works.
Keep in mind that some of our roads through the mountains are closed from Oct or Dec. 15 until May due to the large amounts of snow our mountains get.
1. Canmore, AB
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Canmore offers a breathtaking backdrop for couples seeking a romantic and picturesque wedding. Only an hour and 20 minutes from Calgary's International Airport ( YYC ), it offers stunning mountain views, charming alpine town atmosphere, and a plethora of unique venues.
Canmore is a dream destination for couples looking to tie the knot. If you have considered Canmore, check out some of our favorite venues.
2. Banff National Park
I'm sure no matter where in the world you are from, you have heard of Banff National Park. It truly is Alberta's tourist hot spot! Yes, it’s stunning but those breathtaking views come with loads of people. If your heart is set on Banff, you can check out our top 10 Banff wedding venue list.
There are tons of other Canadian Rockies elopement locations outside of town if you don't want to be surrounded by strangers or deal with the hustle and bustle. We have a list of hidden elopement spots in Alberta we go through while planning with couples. Another popular location in the park is Moraine Lake, and for good reason - which is why we offer Moarine Lake Packages.
3. Kananaskis, Ab
If you want to stay in Alberta and close to Calgary, you can hardly find more beautiful places to elope than in Kanasakis. Depending on where you want to go, it's only a short 1-1.5 hour drive from Calgary. The same mountain range you find in Banff, but with a fraction of the people.
Yes, there are fewer accommodations, but it’s so beautiful and filled with options! If you want to get married beside a lake at sunrise or climb a mountain to say your "I Do's", they are both options in Kananaskis. Here is a list of some of my favorite venues.
Plus, Don’t miss our LOCATION FREEBIE for a 20+ page comprehensive list of all our favorite Alberta and BC locations with photos you can use while planning your elopement. Ps. There are a few bonus locations not in this blog.
4. Calgary, Ab
Calgary is the place most people fly into when coming to Alberta. It is a big city with tons of different wedding venues.
If you are on the hunt for something just outside the city there are tons of options for you as well! Many of them can even get you closer to the mountains. There is a mixture of rustic and elegant depending on what you want your day to look like.
Discover our comprehensive list of the Top 20+ Calgary Wedding Venues to get ideas for your Calgary wedding or our small wedding venue list if you know you want a venue that's a bit more outside the box! I know you’ll find something you love for your wedding day!
5. Drumheller, Ab
In my opinion, Drumheller is the most underrated location in Alberta. With a multi-day photo package, you can have both the mountains and the unique Drumheller landscape for memories that last a lifetime. More about this awesome location in the freebie!
Looking for the Best Places to Elope in Canada?
The most romantic elopement destinations in British Columbia and Alberta could fill a book! These are just a few of our favorite places to elope in Canada. Fly Free Photography travels all over Western Canada (and beyond!) regularly.
I love being a part of the planning - if you need some tips on last-minute wedding planning - I’ve got you! I am here to make it as easy as possible for you to marry the one you love. If you are looking for a simple, experienced, and committed photographer to capture your precious wedding moments let me know and have a peek at my wedding packages.
If you're ready for a new wedding bestie, I'd love to chat with you more and see if we'd be a great fit. Feel free to check out our exclusive elopement packages for more information if you are looking for a more, outside the box feel for your wedding day.
Yours Truly,
xo Krystal