Choosing to elope with family doesn’t mean you can’t still pack every bit of adventure into your wedding day. While it might seem that an elopement implies getting married somewhere just the two of you, more people bring along family than you might think. If you keep things intimate and small, you can create a truly epic day with the people you love most by your side. Yes, even if that epic day includes a hike.

A wedding couple hugs among pink field of flowers with Whistler Peak in the background

How to get married at the top of Whistler (Raelyn and Daniel’s Version)

The truth is there are hundreds of incredible ways you can plan a Whistler elopement. But for Raelyn and Daniel, there were a few key factors that ultimately landed them with a sunrise hiking elopement and trip up Peak 2 Peak Gondola to explore Whistler Blackcomb with a handful of their family and friends.

Before we get into the details, we’ve got to have a little chat about the weather and flexibility. When you’re eloping in BC, there is always a chance of our infamous moody rains. The week of Raelyn and Daniel’s Whistler elopement, it was particularly wet. I happened to have the day after their date free asked if they would consider moving their wedding one day later to avoid the rains.

Adventure elopement photographer advice #1 - be flexible and keep an open mind!

But ultimately they made the switch and boy was it worth it! Here’s the details of their stunning elopement…

They stuck to their plan of getting legally married the day before and had another symbolic ceremony to exchange vows on their elopement day. We headed out with a gorgeous rain-free morning for first look at Lost Lake, followed by their ceremony on the dock. Raelyn’s brother officiated, which added an extra special layer of love on their already super personalised and sweet vows, ones that were chalked full of science jargon and insider anecdotes from their lives together. They wrapped it up with some hot chai toasts with the fam in the parking lot before we picked up breakfast at Portobello and hopped onto the Blackcomb Gondola which conveniently dropped us off near the Rendezvous Lodge so we could officially start our hiking elopement shenanigans.

After breakfast, we started off on the easy to moderate hike to Blackcomb Lake. It is an easy incline that offers those quintessential views of British Columbia while still being super accessible for family members of all ages. Everyone in Raelyn and Daniel’s family tagged along, a packed picnic in tow, and lots of excitement about the chance to celebrate surrounded by nature.

Next we hopped back onto the gondola to head over to Whistler Mountain for a change of view, a peek at the Cloudraker Skybridge, and, of course, plenty of photos along the way. While it wasn’t the sunniest of mountain elopement days, the looming clouds stayed clear enough so we were able to get those big views of Whistler Blackcomb you know and love. Plus who doesn’t love moody elopement photos on a mountain top??

How do you elope but still include family? Especially for a hiking elopement?

It’s easy to take one look at the impressive peaks around Whistler and think planning a hiking elopement with family isn’t a feasible option. But in reality, there are a handful of accessible hikes that are doable for people of all ages and experience levels!

But it’s super important to make a few considerations before deciding whether it’s right for you and your family! Here’s some things to think about..

Does your family usually go on hikes? If you’re the lone outdoorsy person in your family, suggesting an entire group heads up on a hike might not be the most ideal or safe scenario.
What difficulties and lengths are they capable of? Don’t forget about kiddos or older folks. In some cases, there might be a great way to compromise and give the option for part of the group to hike and the others to stay back for a cocktail or grazing hour. (This is particularly great at Blackcomb because they can enjoy the lodge and all it has to offer!)
Will inviting family and/or friends on a hike enhance your day or make it more stressful? A group hike can sound fun, but the reality is that it’s often a lot to organise.

If you’re thinking, “heck yes, my fam would LOVE this!” then it sounds like this will be an amazing time! However experienced they may be, it’s incredibly important to debrief the group on your plans and make sure they’re adequately prepared for the day. You can even get creative and send out a “what to pack” checklist with your Save the Dates or gather some welcome gifts that include useful hiking items! Here’s what I would add to that checklist:

Comfortable shoes
Weather appropriate clothing
A jacket (even in the summer, the alpine can get chilly)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses or a hat
Food or snacks
Water (more than you think you’ll need)
Basic first-aid

Of course your needs will vary depending on the season, length of the hike, and more. Luckily if you’re planning a hiking elopement similar to Raelyn and Daniel’s there are bathrooms, food, and water at the top of Blackcomb Mountain! Which is why it’s one of my top suggestions for super family friendly elopement ideas!

Lastly, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time. You might be young newlyweds with plenty of energy, but oftentimes family members won’t be quite as spritely. Giving yourself more time than you need ensures you can really soak in the day without feeling rushed or stressed.

Eloping with family can be an absolute blast! There’s no right or wrong way to include family on your day, but you definitely won’t regret being as prepared as possible. If you have more questions, check out the FAQ below or inquire to chat about whether your vision is possible for Whistler or elsewhere in BC!

Quick FAQs for planning your hiking elopement in Whistler:

Is the gondola in Whistler worth it?

In my humble (but very experienced) opinion, it is 100% worth it. Most people think you have to go on long backcountry treks or book a helicopter tour to see Whistler from above, but that’s not true. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola offers some seriously astounding views without the hefty price tag of a helicopter or the experience level for a strenuous hike. Of course it has its limitations, especially with its seasonality and operating hours. Read more on the gondola here!

Can you get married at the top of Whistler?

Yes! Raelyn and Daniel opted to get married elsewhere, but the mountain top is absolutely an option for your wedding or elopement ceremony! There are plenty of venues if you want something with more amenities for your ceremony or you can pick a spot to exchange vows that just feels right! For more general information, here’s a detailed blog on how to elope in BC!

How do I hike in my wedding attire?

Whether you hike in your wedding attire is entirely up to you. Think of it this way: is your hiking elopement more about capturing a stellar viewpoint at the top or more about the journey and being in nature along the way? This might help you decide. Often if you’re headed on a long, strenuous hike to a secluded view point, the couple chooses to pack their attire and hike in more comfortable clothes. In this particular adventure elopement, the couple decided to wear their wedding attire because it was an easy hike and more about being with family in a beautiful place for a couple of hours! While we’re on the topic, I have a lot of good information on how to pick an adventure wedding dress if you’d like to take a peek.

What are other ways I can elope but still include family without hiking?

Hiking elopements with family aren’t for everyone! The most important part of your day is doing something that brings your joy – whatever that may look like. If it means definitely including family who aren’t as up for a hike as you are, my number one suggestion for Whistler is looking into a 4x4 jeep tour with Canadian Wilderness Adventures!

Still deciding whether eloping with family is right for you?

I’ve photographed hundreds of couples in British Columbia over the years and love a hiking elopement maybe more than the average photographer. I’m happy to share any insight or experiences that might help you decide on the plan for your day – from inviting family to the best places to elope and more! Contact me and let’s get to it!

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