If you’re looking for the perfect place for an intimate summer ceremony in British Columbia, a Manning Park wedding should be on your list! This easily accessible, insanely gorgeous spot in the centre of the Cascade Mountains is nothing short of awe-worthy. Surrounded by sweeping mountain views and endless wildflower blooms, Lillian & Max eloped.

A wedding couple kisses along the heather trail in the alpine meadows of manning park with a view of the mountains at sunset

This Manning Park wedding was sweet as could be. Not only are Lillian & Max two of the kindest people, but the location is also absolutely stunning. E.C Manning Provincial Park is about two and a half hours drive from Vancouver. The park is home to mountain views, winding rivers and plenty of trails to explore, but the real gem of Manning Park is its sub-alpine meadows.

For just a few months of the year, temperatures rise enough to melt the heavy snow off of the mountainside. Those sunny months give life to an incredible display of wildflowers. Though beautiful, the ecosystems of the meadows are rather fragile. So while I’ll always encourage you to get married in places off of the beaten path, in this case, you’ll need to stay on the trails.

In the case of Lillian & Max’s elopement, they were able to get married in front of loved ones, capture beautiful wedding images and even have an elegant picnic, all while respecting Leave No Trace principles!

Their wedding story came full circle with a first look at Lightning Lake, the same area where Max proposed. After that, we headed to a lookout point in the alpine meadows for the ceremony! This was an extra-special moment for me, too. Years before I photographed Lillian & Max, my husband, Mitch, proposed to me at the same lookout. I knew that it would be awesome for a ceremony, so when Lillian & Max told me they wanted to get married in Manning Park, I was excited!

They had two family members, a best friend, myself and an officiant at their ceremony. Although it felt small and intimate, it was really all the meadows could handle. This area is definitely not meant for a large wedding. But it was just right for Lillian & Max! The overlook is just a five to ten minute walk from the parking, making it easily accessible for all guests.

After they said their ‘I do’s,” we ventured down an old service road, away from the meadows, to set up for the most aesthetically pleasing picnic reception I’ve seen. The sweetest part? The set up was from Lillian’s neighbour!

These two were truly the kindest, most thoughtful couple. It’s no surprise that family members traveling from abroad to be with them. Or that their neighbour helped in their elegant picnic. They even brought goody boxes for the officiant and remembered that I was a vegetarian! It’s couples like Lillian & Max that make my job feel like a dream.

Are you ready to see these incredible meadows for yourself? Scroll down to see the magic captured during this day! Don’t forget to check out their picnic, either. If you love this elopement as much as I did, you might be interested in knowing a little more about making a Manning Park wedding a reality! Here are some tips to make it happen.

Tips for a Manning Park wedding:

Keep it intimate! Alpine Meadows has a very fragile ecosystem. There are only a couple of months of the year warm enough to melt the snow, allowing the area to fill with the most spectacular wildflowers. It’s incredibly important not to disturb the vegetation, which ultimately limits the options for your elopement. You need to stick to the marked trails, so no frolicking through fields for portraits or space for larger groups during the ceremony. Luckily, Lightning Lake is nearby with stunning views and plenty of room for a larger ceremony! The Manning Park Resort hosts weddings as well.
Don’t worry about accessibility! It’s wild how easy it is to get to the sweeping mountain views in the area. No hiking involved! Just park and walk a few minutes on the trails. If you are more of a hiker, there are plenty of backcountry options for you as well!
Consider going at sunset! Generally, this area isn’t super busy, but you should always have a plan if there are a lot of people. I suggest sunset for the best views!
Think about the season! The road to Alpine Meadows is only open certain times a year (generally late May to October). The road is not open in the winter, so I’d suggest summer elopements only! However, if a winter wedding is the dream, the Manning Park resort is open all year round.
Bring necessary provisions! Although extremely accessible, there isn’t much in Manning Park. There’s no town, just the resort. You’ll need to bring everything you need from outside of the area (including gas)!
Check the smoke forecast! If you choose a summer elopement in Manning Park, keep in mind that the tail-end of the season is fire season. Wildfire smoke can travel for miles and can really affect views. Make sure to check the forecast and keep updated on fires in the area.