If you’re planning to elope in Vancouver, you better be planning for rain!
Even if your Vancouver elopement is bright and sunny, it’s always good to have a rain plan in your back pocket. You never know what’s going to happen in the Pacific Northwest, so it’s best to always plan for rain…just in case!
Below, we’re sharing some of our favourite options for a last minute rain plan for your Vancouver elopement. These aren’t indoor venues you’ll need to book years in advance, but places you can pivot to if the rain clouds are looming. Because rain or shine, we are going to get you married!
Need even more elopement location inspiration? Check out 31 rainy day elopement locations in Vancouver (both venues you need to book ahead and some last minute options), places to elope in Vancouver off the beaten path, and places to elope in the city of Vancouver.
PS: While we have had luck holding last minute rainy day elopements at these places, we always advise our couples to look into regulations ahead of time. Not every place may be available or free to use at the last minute. Please consult each location’s website for up to date information.
Let’s check out where to head if it rains on your Vancouver elopement!
The arches outside of the Vancouver Public Library, Central Library
We love the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Library location as the perfect spot for a last minute rain plan. Not only is this building beautiful with lots of covered archways, but it’s also downtown and a short distance from many popular outdoor elopement spots, like Stanley Park and English Bay.
Plus, if you’re lucky, they may let you take a few wedding photos inside. Perfect for book lovers!
Under the Golden Ears Bridge
Golden Ears Provincial Park is one of the most popular spots for Vancouver elopements out in nature. But what happens if it rains? If you can’t find a good spot to run for cover in the park, check out the Golden Ears Bridge. We love this industrial look and the total protection from the elements.
Anywhere with good forest cover
Just because it rains on your wedding day doesn’t mean you have to head inside or call the whole thing off. You can still elope outside in the rain – just look for somewhere with good forest coverage. We particularly like the Cathedral of Trees in Stanley Park – a beautiful spot under nature’s umbrellas!
The pavilion at Portal Park
Portal Park is one of the best locations for a Vancouver elopement: it’s downtown and has a pavilion with a glass roof, covering you from the rain. Following your ceremony, you’ll find lots of photo opps nearby from busy downtown streets to water views and parks covered in flowers.
The “bus stop” at Queen Elizabeth Park
Officiant Jane stumbled upon this spot at Queen Elizabeth Park – perfect for a last minute rainy Vancouver elopement. We’ve nicknamed this place the bus stop and, like a bus stop, it provides great coverage. Once the weather clears up, you can venture back out into the park for more photos.
Your hotel suite
If it’s too miserable to get married outside, why not bring the party indoors? Since you’re eloping, you won’t need to rent out a whole hotel ballroom. You can simply host your ceremony in your own hotel suite! Some hotels even allow couples to use their common spaces or a beautiful garden area for their elopement or photos.
Your home
Local to Vancouver? Then instead of a hotel suite, you can tie the knot at home! That way your elopement will be rain-free and super personal. We’ve married lots of couples in their backyards, living rooms and covered patios. Check out our tips for an intimate at home wedding!
The greenhouse or gazebo at Sendall Gardens in Langley
Sendall Gardens is a new find for our team and we love it as an elopement location, rain or shine. This park in Langley provides lots of options for a rainy day like their greenhouse, for complete coverage, or gazebo, for partial coverage.
All around university campuses
University campuses are a great spot to tie the knot and offer lots of options to take coverage from grey clouds. Both UBC and SFU have lots of areas our Vancouver elopement couples have fallen in love with. If you’re planning to show up last minute, make sure you look into any restrictions (certain university venues will need to be booked in advance) and don’t get in the way of any students rushing to their midterms!
The gazebo at Lonsdale Quay
If you want to tie the knot in North Vancouver, the area around Lonsdale Quay is perfect for a rainy day elopement. You’ll get beautiful views of the water and can head for the large gazebo on the pier to take cover from the elements.
Around Granville Island
Granville Island is another one of our favourite places to elope in Vancouver. If it’s raining, you’ll find no shortage of areas where you can escape the rain or hide out until the worst passes. You could even hop on an Aquabus for a completely covered option on the water.
Under the Granville Street Bridge Chandelier
Speaking of Granville Island, why not elope under the stunning chandelier under the Granville Street Bridge? We love this idea for an urban city elopement with total cover from the rain. Plus, if you time it right, the chandelier may even spin for you! The nearby Seawall offers lots of options for photos after your ceremony.
Grab an umbrella for a rainy day Vancouver elopement!
Our favourite last minute rain plan for a Vancouver elopement? Umbrellas!
Umbrellas allow you to elope wherever you want – you won’t have to change your plans or move the party inside. They also add an element of fun to your elopement and make for the best photos. Opt for white, clear or brightly coloured umbrellas that will stand out in photos – instead of dark umbrellas that will hide your faces.
No matter where you choose to elope in Vancouver, don’t let the rain ruin your wedding day!
Get in touch to book your Intimate Elopement + Photography in Vancouver. We’ll get you married, rain or shine!
