Eloping in the Mountains: Whistler Winter Elopement Ideas at the Audain Art Museum
Eloping in Canada is marvellous no matter the season, but a Whistler winter elopement brings a certain level of magic that is hard to top. This world-famous mountain destination boasts incredible wedding venues, stunning landscapes, and otherworldly excursions for the adventurous at heart. If you’re looking to elope in the mountains, get ready to be inspired by Fify and Paw’s spectacular winter wedding in Whistler!
The Perfect Whistler Wedding Venue for Your Winter Elopement
Tucked into the quiet forests of Whistler sits the Audain Art Museum, a truly unique event space with a modern black exterior and a warm interior with incredible wood beaming in plenty of natural light. Whether it’s just the two of you or you decide to bring a few of your closest loved ones, this venue is ideal for small ceremonies and even receptions. For Fify and Paw, it was the ideal spot for their elopement ceremony.
As a Vancouver wedding photographer, this space is a dream for a Whistler winter wedding. Clean lines of perfectly planned interior design allow for interesting photo opportunities that you normally wouldn’t get with an outdoor elopement. And this venue is in the heart of Whistler, so there’s still plenty of nature to explore for your portraits if you’re dreaming of some notorious mountain views!
It’s no secret that winters in Whistler are snowy and cold, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider a winter elopement. In fact, eloping in the mountains can be an epic experience as long as you’ve planned for the elements. That’s why I highly recommend booking a wedding venue in Whistler for your ceremony and then heading off for whatever adventure you choose! This allows you (and your guests) to stay warm while getting married, feel comfortable despite whatever weather might be happening outside, and add variety not only in your experience but in your photos as well! The Audain Art Museum is at the top of my list for whistler wedding venues! (Keep reading for more recommendations as well!)
Fify and Paw’s Whistler Winter Elopement: Helicopters, Mountaintops, and More
While Fify and Paw chose an indoor wedding venue for their winter elopement, they still incorporated plenty of that quintessential Whistler adventure into their day. It started with a first look and some photos at the Audain Art Museum followed by a sweet ceremony officiated by Natasha (who also happens to be a very talented hair and make-up artist!!). Following their ceremony, we hit the trails around the museum with their pup and family members for more photos.
The weather, despite being a bit cold, was the ideal winter day with plenty of sun and little clouds in the sky. Which was an amazing treat as Fify and Paw planned a helicopter tour with Blackcomb Helicopters to celebrate the first hours as husband and wife. This is an extremely popular addition to take your Whistler wedding and turn it into an absolute adventure as you explore the remote mountaintops this region is known for. There are a few things to consider before booking a helicopter elopement though, so make sure to read my blog on how to book a helicopter elopement if you’re thinking about it!
After a quick intermission at the hotel, Fify and Paw headed to the helipad to be whisked off to Rainbow Mountain. Winter elopements in Whistler allow for a rare chance to catch the sunset while you’re on the mountaintop, something that isn’t possible in the summer because of how late it sets. The winds stayed calm and the sun took the bite out of the cold air, allowing Fify and Paw to relish in every moment of their time as they watched the sun dip behind Wedge Mountain. Their photos prove a Whistler winter elopement is not only possible, but beautiful as well.
3 Reasons to Opt for a Whistler Winter Wedding
You can plan your wedding in a shorter amount of time.
If you’re ready to elope in the mountains and haven’t planned a year out, a winter wedding might be for you. For summer weddings in places like Whistler, you’ll likely need to start booking vendors and accommodations at least a year out. The region’s popularity means venues and hotels book more quickly and with a heftier price tag in the summer than in the winter.
Unique experiences that are only possible in winter months.
With colder temperatures and snowy forecasts, Whistler transforms into an absolute winter wonderland. From ice caves to skiing and more, it’s a playground for adrenaline junkies, adventure seekers, and snow lovers. Here are some favourite ideas if you’re looking for a unique Whistler winter elopement idea!
For the lovers who ski, take the gondola up the mountain and ski down! As a skier myself, I’ve been wanting to capture this experience with the right couple! I’ve got the gear and I’m ready to go. Who’s up for it?!
Explore the ice caves. Another adventure on my winter wedding bucket list! If you’re a fairly experienced skier, you can ski to an ice cave on Blackcomb. If you’re not comfortable with skiing, you can opt for a helicopter ride to the ice caves as well. Pack a picnic, snack in the wild ice formations, and soak in the majestic winter experience.
Go off the beaten path with snowmobiles or dog sledding! Canadian Wilderness Adventures offers thrilling winter options to explore Whistler by land. Sure summer is stunning, but how often do you get the chance to ride off into the snowy mountainside on a dog sled or snowmobile???
Winter in Whistler is truly a treat.
The wintery white views of the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are unbeatable. The forests of pines dusted with snow is pure magic. Plus a chance of snow is a much better option than a chance of rain; a wedding in a blizzard isn’t a bad thing. Trust me on this one!
Things to Consider for Whistler Winter Wedding
The Sea to Sky Highway can be unpredictable. Winter weather obviously brings some risks with transportation and safety delays. If the weather forecast is looking bad, consider delaying your trip because the road can shut down completely. You can monitor real-time road conditions with the Sea to Sky Road Conditions Facebook Group or the DriveBC website. This is why it’s a good idea to…
Be flexible. Building in backup days and excursion options is an excellent idea for winter weddings. If you’re really banking on a helicopter tour or mountain views are a must, building in backup days will allow you a better chance to get exactly what you want. You’ll thank me later for this one, I promise.
Consider traffic on popular travel days. Friday evenings, early Saturday mornings, and Sunday nights are very popular travel days for skiers coming in and out of Whistler. Think like a winter sports lover who lives in Vancouver, when would they be travelling? Plan around that for an easy journey.
Elope on a weekday. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the ideal days for your elopement, especially in a place as popular as Whistler. It’ll save you money and more availability on accommodations and venues, plus help you avoid huge crowds that flock to the resort town on the weekends.
Book a venue for your ceremony. It’s ultimately up to you, but with Whistler winter weddings, I’d highly suggest a venue with an option to avoid the weather and elements. Especially with guests! Here are some of my favourite Whistler wedding venues for a winter wedding!
Audain Art Museum - obviously!
Fairmont Chateau Whistler - An iconic hotel in Whistler with a pretty rooftop offering both indoor and outdoor options for your ceremony.
Nita Lake Lodge - A boutique resort and retreat center with a covered outdoor space perfect for an elopement or intimate wedding.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre - A stunning space with lots of natural light celebrating the rich indigenous culture of the region.
Dress for the season. It’s winter in the mountains, so boots and layers are always a good idea! Long-sleeved dresses and shaws are perfect for winter elopements. Avoid heels or dress shoes and opt for boots with good grip to make sure you’re dry, cozy, and comfortable for your wedding day.
Let Fify and Paw’s Winter Elopement in Whistler Inspire Yours!
Keep scrolling for a stunning example of what it’s like to elope in the mountains of Whistler in the wintertime! If you’re looking for more adventure elopement ideas or inspiration for your wedding in British Columbia, go explore the rest of the blog for tips, information, and more! And if you’re ready to start planning your elopement in the Sea to Sky or beyond, I’d love to capture your day full of adventure and love! Let’s do it! Tell me all about your plans here.