The Wickaninnish Inn sits on the shores of Chesterman Beach in Tofino, British Columbia. An island known as a reprieve from city life, just across the ocean from Vancouver, was the perfect spot for Allison and Micheal’s intimate wedding.

A married couple walks on chesterman beach on their wedding day with their reflection in a tide pool

So how’d they choose the Wickaninnish Inn? When it came time to imagine their day, Allison and Micheal pictured somewhere near the coast, with good food, and surrounded by their closest loved ones. Tofino checked all of their boxes plus some. Not only is it beautiful, but there is also a really popular skate park where Micheal couldn’t wait to visit, as he is an avid skater. Come to find out later, he met one of his idols at that very park while visiting! A sure sign Tofino was the right choice.

But with a frequent chance of rain here in the Pacific Northwest, the couple didn’t want to risk weather ruining their day. Their solution? Book a wedding venue that could help them prepare a plan B, while still providing an intimate setting for their wedding day.

The grounds of the Inn are incredible. Surrounded by old-growth cedar forest, there is a walking path that twists and turns through some of the most serene forests you’ll find. If you are a tree-lover and envision a forest setting for your wedding, this spot can’t be missed. And while there is definitely magic tucked within the trees, the Wickaninnish Inn sits directly on Chesterman Beach, adding an extra layer of beauty for the wedding venue. I mean, could you ask for something more spectacular than that???

A & M’s Wickaninnish Inn Intimate Wedding Day

For Allison and Micheal, getting married in Tofino was a bit of a destination wedding. Coming in from High Level, near the border of Northwest Territories, they brought their closest friends and family to celebrate their day. The Inn, perfect for a wedding weekend getaway, hosted their sweet, intimate wedding ceremony which was officiated by first their close friend (unofficially) and then later an officiant married them (officially).

We can’t write this blog without mentioning both Allison and Micheal’s wedding attire, who both looked incredible for their day. Allison, who has the most incredible sense of style, wore the best booties with a dress from Reclamation that deserves attention in itself. (Keep reading to hear more about its unfortunate fate.) She did her makeup herself, like hello what a rockstar! And we can’t forget about her florals were magnificent.

While Allison looked regal in her dress, Micheal looked like the coolest groom you ever did see. Sporting his signature Vans, he wore an awesome suit with orange socks and a killer hat in the accessory department. Both bride and groom looked entirely themselves, which I love so much. Don’t be afraid to wear what you feel most comfortable in on your wedding day!

For their portrait photos, they did their first look in the forest around their airbnb first, then off to the beach with their very small wedding party. It was a beautiful day in Tofino and the beach was a fun time for portraits.

We hopped in the car to continue our portrait session adventure, but what we didn’t know was Allison only managed to get most of her dress into the car. When we got out at the next stop, she realized that her dress had ripped during the drive! Luckily it was rather textured dress with a bunch of lace so it was insanely noticeable, but I won’t lie to you, this was the most damage I have every seen on a dress…ever. In that moment, even I would have had trouble getting emotional over the dress, but Allison? She didn’t let it ruin her day! I was so inspired by her reaction and her ability to move past the imperfections or mishaps of the day in order to really enjoy it and be present. Everyone should be more like Allison.

After portraits, they headed back to the Inn where they had their ceremony, family pictures, a few speeches, some yummy food for the reception, and a good time with the ones they love most. Their day was simple, but so special, and one of my favourite weddings of the year. You’ll understand when you scroll through their wedding gallery below! Which shot is the shot for you?

And if you’re here looking for some inspiration for your elopement or intimate wedding in Tofino, you should check out this Tofino beach elopement with Tara and Stephen! Plus you know I’d never leave you without a few tips for planning your day.

Tips for a Wickaninnish Inn Intimate Wedding or Elopement:

Why choose the Wickaninnish Inn? The specific spot we used for forest photos is on the Inn’s private property. It was KILLER! It can be used for ceremonies as well, and is only accessible to guests!

If you want to get married on Chesterman beach, public beaches in Tofino don’t require a permit for a ceremony, but you do have to be mindful of others while you’re there as you’ll still have to share the space.

Check on road conditions! The roads to Tofino are quite an adventure with frequent construction and closures. Make sure to factor this in and let others visiting know as well! To find out the road closure schedule, simply search Highway 4 Drive BC to get up-to-date info, or check out this link.

Be prepared for weather! That’s why booking a venue like the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino is a great idea! Even with an outdoor ceremony or reception planned, you’ll always have an indoor backup.

Take advantage of the area! Incorporate something local into your day. Tofino is the perfect place for surfing, picnics on the beach, biking along the coast, stopping at Tacofino for some yummy bites, boat rides, helicopter tours, and even going to the skate park! Here are some vendors to check into!

Helicopters - Tofino Air | Atleo Air

Boat rides - Ocean Outfitters | Northwest Ocean Adventures

Bike rentals - Tofino Bike Co | TOF Cycles

Surf rentals - Long Beach Surf Shop | Pacific Surf Co

*****PLEASE NOTE*******: Wickaninnish Inn NO LONGER offers special event services on the beach shown in this blog post where the couple had their ceremony and reception. For up-to-date wedding/elopement offerings, please check out their website.