Planning an elopement in British Columbia is one of the most exciting ways to start your marriage. From glacier peaks and turquoise alpine lakes to rugged coastlines and ancient rainforests, BC offers some of the most spectacular wedding locations in the world.
One of the first questions couples ask is:
“How much does it actually cost to elope in BC?”
The answer depends entirely on the experience you’re looking for. While it’s possible to have a simple ceremony for under $1,000, many couples today are choosing fully planned adventure elopements that combine their wedding, honeymoon, photography, accommodation, and unforgettable experiences into one incredible trip.
Average Cost of Eloping in BC
For most couples, the total investment for a BC elopement falls somewhere between $5,000 and $18,000. Some luxury adventure elopements can exceed this, particularly when helicopters, private yachts, or remote lodges are involved.
Here’s a general guide:
| Type of Elopement | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| DIY ceremony | $500–$2,000 |
| Simple ceremony with photographer | $2,000–$5,000 |
| All-inclusive elopement package | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Luxury adventure elopement | $10,000–$20,000+ |
Although those numbers may initially seem high, it’s important to remember that many all-inclusive packages combine what would normally be separate wedding and honeymoon budgets.
What Makes Up the Cost?
Every couple’s priorities are different, but most BC elopements include some combination of:
- Marriage commissioner
- Professional photographer
- Flowers
- Hair and makeup
- Wedding cake
- Ceremony décor
- Planning and coordination
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transportation
- Activities
- Honeymoon
When booked individually, these services add up quickly.
For example:
- Photography: $2,500–$6,000
- Florals: $300–$1,000
- Officiant: $150–$500
- Hair & Makeup: $300–$800
- Accommodation: $300–$1,000 per night
- Fine dining: $200–$500
- Wedding planner: $1,000–$4,000+
Comparing Popular BC Elopement Packages
There are many fantastic companies offering elopements throughout British Columbia.
Urban & Mountain Elopements
Companies like Elope BC specialize in beautifully designed ceremonies in destinations such as Kelowna, Revelstoke, Vancouver Island, and the Lower Mainland.
Packages generally begin around:
- Pop-Up Elopements: from $3,500–$6,000
- Heli Elopements: around $6,850
- Private Micro Ceremonies: from $9,000
These experiences typically include the ceremony itself, planning, photography, florals, and a short celebration lasting a few hours.
For couples who already have accommodation and honeymoon plans, these can be an excellent choice.
A Different Approach: Wedding and Honeymoon Together
Many couples are now looking for something more immersive than a one-day ceremony.
Rather than flying somewhere for the wedding and then travelling elsewhere for their honeymoon, they’re choosing destinations where both experiences happen in one unforgettable trip.
That’s where remote wilderness lodges offer something unique.
Firvale Wilderness Camp’s Honey-Lope Package
At Firvale Wilderness Camp in the Bella Coola Valley, the philosophy is simple:
Why plan a wedding and then organize a honeymoon somewhere else when you can combine both into one incredible adventure?
The Honey-Lope package is a 5-night, all-inclusive experience for two that includes:
- Private luxury dome accommodation
- Gourmet meals
- Marriage commissioner
- Professional photography
- Wedding cake
- Fresh florals
- Ceremony décor
- Planning assistance
- Guided wilderness adventures
- Grizzly bear viewing (seasonal)
- Hiking, river floats and exploring the Great Bear Rainforest
- Five nights in one of Canada’s most spectacular wilderness destinations
Current pricing is $13,500 for two guests.
Unlike many traditional elopement packages that conclude after a few hours, the experience continues for nearly a week, allowing couples to relax, explore and celebrate together without rushing back to everyday life.
Is It Good Value?
Every couple values different things.
If you’re looking for a beautiful ceremony in your hometown, a shorter elopement package may be exactly what you’re after.
However, when comparing total costs, it’s worth asking a different question:
What would it cost to book everything separately?
Consider the combined cost of:
- Five nights of accommodation
- Photography
- Wedding planning
- Ceremony
- Flowers
- Cake
- Fine dining
- Guided adventures
- Honeymoon accommodation
- Wildlife experiences
For many couples, combining all of these into one package offers excellent overall value while eliminating months of planning and coordinating multiple vendors.
More Than a Wedding Day
One of the biggest differences between a traditional wedding and an adventure elopement is the pace.
Instead of spending months planning a single day that can disappear in a blur, adventure elopements focus on creating several unforgettable days together.
Many couples tell us their favourite memories weren’t just saying “I do”—they were watching a grizzly bear fishing in the river, paddling through pristine wilderness, sharing quiet dinners under the stars, or waking up together surrounded by mountains with nowhere else to be.
Those are the moments that often become the real honeymoon.
Is an Adventure Elopement Right for You?
Adventure elopements aren’t for everyone.
But they’re perfect for couples who:
- Prefer experiences over big guest lists.
- Love nature and the outdoors.
- Want a stress-free wedding.
- Dream of combining their wedding and honeymoon.
- Value intimate moments over formal traditions.
- Want incredible photographs in truly wild places.
If that sounds like you, British Columbia offers some of the most spectacular places on Earth to begin your next adventure together.
Final Thoughts
The cost of eloping in BC can range from just a few hundred dollars to well over $20,000, depending on the experience you want.
The important question isn’t simply, “What’s the cheapest option?”
It’s “What experience will we remember for the rest of our lives?”
For some couples, that’s a mountain-top ceremony followed by dinner in the city.
For others, it’s spending five unforgettable days together in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, celebrating not just a wedding day, but the beginning of a lifetime of adventures.
