Introduction
We’ve compiled a list of the best places to elope in the Okanagan Valley from the perspective of a husband and wife photo and video team. The Okanagan Valley in central British Columbia is one of the most picturesque regions in Canada, known for its warm climate, lakes, vineyards, and incredible mountain scenery.
It’s accessible from both Vancouver and Calgary, though it’s around two hours closer to Vancouver. The Okanagan is known for its wineries, huge lakes, and mountain views. To us, it feels much more untamed and wild than many other places in North America.
If you’re thinking about eloping in the Okanagan, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’re sharing some of our favourite locations for elopements in the Okanagan Valley based on scenery, accessibility, season, and the kinds of activities you can include in your day.
Before we get into the locations, we’ll cover a few helpful things to know about getting married in the Okanagan and British Columbia in general.
If you’re looking for a full guide to planning an elopement in BC, click here.Map of Our Favourite Places to Elope in the Okanagan Valley
Locations included in this guide
We’ve created an interactive map so you can quickly see where each location in this guide sits across the Okanagan Valley.
- Kelowna
- Myra Canyon
- Johns Family Nature Conservancy
- Cedar Mountain
- Fintry Provincial Park
- Big White Ski Resort
- Kalamalka Lake
- Ellison Provincial Park
- Naramata
- Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park
- Vaseux Lake
- Osoyoos Desert Centre
What’s the best time of year to Elope in the Okanagan Valley?
The Okanagan Valley has four distinct seasons, with hot, dry summers and winters that are milder than many other parts of Canada. Snow usually arrives in early December and is mostly gone by March, apart from higher elevations.
Here’s a simple seasonal breakdown:
Spring: March – June
Summer: June – September
Autumn: September – November
Winter: December – February
From our experience the scenery and activities available will vary significantly depending on the season you choose. Each season offers something different.
Our favourite time to photograph elopements in the Okanagan is autumn, especially early to mid October. The leaves begin to change colour, the light is beautiful, and the temperatures are usually more comfortable.
That said, winter in the Okanagan can be incredibly special. The first time we visited the Okanagan in winter, we drove in from the Vancouver side and watched the lake appear beneath snowy peaks and glowing winery lights. It was an incredible moment and made us fall in love with the idea of winter elopements here.
Spring is another great time to elope in the Okanagan Valley. The temperatures are mild, nature is waking up again, and many summer activities like paddleboarding and boating begin to open for the season.
Summers are hot and dry in the valley and can sometimes bring wildfire risk, so it’s worth having a backup plan just in case. That said, summer also offers the widest range of activities and long golden evenings by the lake.
How to get to the Okanagan Valley?
There are two main ways to get to the Okanagan Valley: flying or driving.
If you’re travelling from within Canada, you may be able to fly directly into Kelowna International Airport. This is usually the quickest option, and you can rent a car either at the airport or in the city.
If you’re travelling from the United States or another international destination, you’ll likely connect through Vancouver International Airport, Abbotsford International Airport, or Calgary International Airport. In some cases it can be cheaper to rent a car and drive from one of these cities instead.
Driving to the Okanagan is a great option if you want the journey itself to be part of the experience. The drive from Vancouver takes around four hours in good conditions, while the drive from Calgary takes roughly six hours.
Both routes are incredibly scenic, so it’s worth allowing extra time for stops along the way.
Do You Need a Permit to Elope in the Okanagan Valley?
Provincial parks in the Okanagan often require a permit if you plan to hold a ceremony, though the exact rules vary by location. It’s always best to check with the park authority before making final plans.
When applying for a permit, parks will usually ask for details such as:
- Guest count
- Vendor count (photographers, videographers, officiant, etc.)
- Whether chairs, arches, or other décor will be set up
- Whether anything will be attached to trees or structures
- The exact location and timing of the ceremony
Drone use is also typically restricted in provincial parks unless you have specific permission.
In many cases, it can actually be easier to elope just outside park boundaries, where regulations may be more flexible. Fortunately, the Okanagan has plenty of incredible locations both inside and outside provincial parks.
If you want a more detailed breakdown of permits and legal requirements, you can read our full guide on How to Elope in British Columbia.
Activities to include in your Okanagan Elopement
Visit a Winery
Wine tasting or visiting a winery can absolutely be part of your elopement day. Kelowna has some amazing options, and further south around Naramata and Penticton there are even more incredible wineries. There are also a few great spots up near Vernon.
A winery visit can work really well either before or after your ceremony, especially if you’re looking for a relaxed activity to celebrate together.
A few wineries we’d recommend include:
- Mission Hill
- Frind Estate
- Poplar Grove
These locations offer beautiful scenery and vineyard views, which can make for some great photos during your elopement day.
Boating
Okanagan Lake is absolutely huge and has countless spots you can explore by boat. With so many rental options available, you can either charter a boat yourselves or have someone else captain it for you.
This is one of our favourite activities for an adventure-style elopement. Being out on the water gives you incredible views of the mountains, the vineyards, and the towns along the shoreline.
Sunset on the lake can be especially beautiful and makes for some amazing photos.
Airbnb Chef
This is an idea we absolutely love. You can either hire a private chef to cook for you or prepare a meal together yourselves.
One idea we like is for each of you to cook what you think is the other person’s favourite meal, then surprise each other with it.
For this kind of experience, we’d recommend staying somewhere with a great outdoor setting and comfortable seating. Ideally somewhere with an outdoor fire pit, as it creates a really nice atmosphere and also looks fantastic in photos.
Kelowna
Kelowna is the main city in the Okanagan and one of the best places to elope in the valley. There are also smaller towns nearby such as Vernon, Peachland, Penticton, and West Kelowna. However, there are some truly amazing spots within the city of Kelowna itself for your elopement.
We love Kinsmen Park. It offers some really nice views of the city and the nearby mountains across the lake. And of course, the lake itself looks absolutely stunning. This location is particularly great for sunsets, as the sun sets on the other side of the lake, giving you those amazing golden hour shots.
We’d also recommend checking out the Kelowna Marina. Walk along the pier and get some amazing shots down by the boats. Maybe head to Amore Mio for some gelato before you head out there on your romantic walk.
There are also many great urban spots in the city for photography and video. Many streets also have mountain views, which can make for some awesome shots.
We’d recommend staying in this jungle themed tiny home in the city. Your photos and film here are going to look unreal, and it’s very accessible being in the city.
If you want more of a hotel-style experience, we’d recommend Kelowfornia Lakeview Retreat for some amazing views of the mountains and lake from your window.
Johns Family Nature Conservancy
This is one of the best elopement spots in the Okanagan Valley for sunrise ceremonies. Because the sun rises in the east over downtown Kelowna, you get beautiful golden light coming through the trees or across the open grassy areas.
We’ve also found this spot to be really nice in the evening during and just after golden hour, as the sun hits the peaks around Kelowna.
The incline on the trail isn’t too bad at around 60 metres of elevation gain, so depending on where you choose to elope here, you may even be able to wear heels.
We especially love this spot in the winter when there’s snow on the surrounding peaks on a clear day. You can see for miles.
The only downside you might find is during the summer, when there isn’t much shade protection from the sun, so bringing something like an umbrella can be a good idea.
Cedar Mountain
This is one of the closest spots to downtown Kelowna and works really well for both sunrise and sunset elopements. There are some great rock formations here, with wide open scenery in the background.
The hike to the best viewpoints is very easy from the parking lot, making this a good option if you want great views without a long walk. It’s also a relatively unknown spot, so you’ll usually have a good amount of privacy on the trails.
The main view looks out over downtown Kelowna and Okanagan Lake. Late summer into early autumn tends to be the best time for this location, when the skies are clear and visibility across the valley is at its best.
As with many spots in the Okanagan, there isn’t much natural shade in the exposed areas, so bringing something like an umbrella can be helpful on hot days.
Myra Canyon
The canyon is one of our favourite spots in the entire Okanagan Valley. It’s about 30 minutes from downtown Kelowna. The road up to the trailhead is not paved and may require some careful driving, particularly during the winter months.
One of the best things about this location is how quickly you reach the scenery. Amazing views are only about a 10 minute walk from the parking lot, and the entire trail is flat because it follows a former railway line. There are also plenty of viewpoints just off the main path.
The summer months do receive a lot of visitors. However, the further you continue past the trestle bridges, the fewer people you’ll see.
We wouldn’t recommend this location for mid-day elopements, as that’s when you’ll see the most traffic. Instead, it’s a great spot for either sunrise or sunset photos. In the evening especially, you can get a beautiful view of the sun setting over Okanagan Lake with Kelowna in the foreground.
There’s also a great tunnel about 20 minutes into the walk that can make for some amazing photos, especially silhouettes. This spot looks particularly good in mid to late October when the surrounding hills turn golden with autumn colours.
Fintry Provincial Park
This is one of our favourite waterfalls in the entire Okanagan Valley. The walk isn’t too difficult, but if you want to reach the waterfall itself, we’d definitely recommend bringing good footwear.
We especially love this spot in the spring. From our experience, mid-April is one of the best times to elope here.
This location also has a lot of open grassy areas if you’re looking for more space, with mountains and forest in the background. We’d recommend having your ceremony with the waterfall behind you.
Big White Ski Resort Elopement
This is somewhere winter lovers are going to want to elope. Big White Ski Resort offers phenomenal slopes for ski enthusiasts and anyone who loves winter scenery.
Rhonda Lake Trail offers some amazing views of the nearby lake and mountains, and it looks especially good in winter when the lake is frozen.
We’d recommend a ceremony amongst the trees with snow on the ground. This is exactly what you imagine when you think of a winter wonderland wedding.
Where to stay at Big White Ski Resort
You’re mainly going to find a lot of condos here. We’d recommend finding one with an awesome view, a traditional log cabin interior, and if possible, a hot tub. There’s nothing better than a hot dip on the balcony while it’s snowing.
We’d recommend the Cozy Ski In and the Beaverdel Apartment.
Vernon
Kalamalka Lake
If you’re looking for turquoise water, mountain views, and easy access to amenities, Kalamalka Lake is one of the best places to elope in the Okanagan Valley. The lake is most easily accessed from Vernon, though it’s still within reach of Kelowna if you’re exploring multiple locations in the region.
There are several great options for an elopement here. One idea is renting a boat from OK Lakeside Boat Rentals and heading out onto the lake for photos with constantly changing backdrops.
We’d also recommend Juniper Bay Beach for your ceremony. This area offers incredible views of the lake, surrounding mountains, and interior BC forest. It’s a great location if you want a variety of scenery in one place.
Kalamalka Lake works well in spring, summer, and autumn, especially if you want to include activities like paddle boarding or boating as part of your elopement day. Yes, some of our couples paddle board on their wedding day, and yes, it’s amazing.
Ellison Provincial Park
Located near Vernon (about 20 minutes away), Ellison Provincial Park offers a very different feel from many other lakeside spots in the Okanagan. The rocky shoreline gives it almost a coastal atmosphere, with a lot of variety in a relatively small area. You’ll find cliffs, small coves, and plenty of classic Okanagan forest surrounding the lake.
In our opinion, it has some of the best scenery in the North Okanagan and, from our experience, it’s much quieter than many other lakeside locations in the region. That makes it a great choice for elopements throughout the year.
If you’re looking for an elopement location with water in the Okanagan, this is definitely one of the best options. It’s hard to beat how quiet the park can feel considering the quality of the beaches and shoreline.
We’d recommend bringing good footwear if you plan to explore some of the best viewpoints, as they require walking down a few rocky paths that aren’t ideal for heels. The walks to these spots are not long, though, and many beautiful areas are still quite close to the parking lot.
Penticton
Naramata
All the way down near Penticton is Naramata, famous for its amazing wineries. This is somewhere we’d recommend eloping in either the peak of summer or the beginning of autumn. The colours on the trees around here in the autumn are inspiring.
We’d recommend doing some wine tasting on your elopement down here. We’ve listed a couple of wineries we’ve been to and would recommend both for tasting and for the breathtaking scenery. This is also a great option for some photos out in the vineyards, which we are big fans of.
The most scenic time to elope near a winery in Kelowna would be during harvest season, which is September and October. From our experience early October is the best time to get the autumn leaves and the harvest.
Naramata Winery Elopement Recommendations:
Places to stay in Naramata
We always love staying at Naramata Inn when we visit the area. It’s a little far from Kelowna or Vernon (the other larger towns in the region), so we’d recommend staying either in Naramata itself or down in Penticton, which has a few more accommodation options.
Where you choose to stay during your elopement is another opportunity to add activities to your wedding day. One thing we absolutely love is couples making each other breakfast in the morning, which can be a little difficult in a hotel.
That’s why we’d recommend this home in the town for a more personal touch.
If you’re looking for more adventurous elopement ideas, we have a guide with 6 ideas for an adventure elopement in British Columbia.
Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park
Located just outside of Penticton in the South Okanagan region, Skaha Bluffs is known for its dramatic rock formations and cliffs. The scenery here feels very different from the North Okanagan, with a much drier, desert-like landscape, especially during the summer months.
The best views are found around the mid to upper sections of the hike. The elevation gain is roughly 200 metres, so if you’re planning to elope near the higher viewpoints, we’d recommend bringing good footwear.
For ceremony locations, we’d suggest one of the rock viewpoints overlooking Skaha Lake. There are also plenty of flat spots just off the trail where soft sunlight filters through the trees, which can make for beautiful photos.
Vaseux Lake
Vaseux Lake is a little further south than Naramata, below Penticton and just before Osoyoos. Down here you’ll get the lakes and rock formations of central British Columbia that make this region so unique, but without the crowds.
We would actually recommend visiting the lake during winter. The lake is absolutely stunning when it’s frozen over, with snowy peaks in the background. It’s so magical.
The lake is also one of the quietest lakes in the region, so if you are looking for somewhere with less crowds that still has that Okanagan feel, this is it.
Osoyoos Desert Centre Elopement
This is definitely one of our top picks. At the extreme southern end of the Okanagan Valley is the town of Osoyoos, known for its record-breaking summertime temperatures and the warmest lake in Canada.
The Desert Centre lies just to the west of Osoyoos Lake. The town and the desert area are accessible from the north via the Okanagan Highway, and from the south through Highway 97 in the United States.
Like a lot of the other locations on this list, you could opt for a lakeside wedding with some of the amazing Okanagan rock formations. What we’d recommend here, though, is heading up onto the wooden path and picking a spot along the boardwalk.
If you time it right and have your elopement about an hour before sunset, you’ll see the full majesty of the warm Okanagan summer evenings on display. Osoyoos is one of Canada’s warmest towns year round, with mild temperatures in the winter. But really hot temperatures in the summer, take this into account when planning time outside.
The area is also incredible in autumn as the trees turn shades of orange. Winter, especially when there is snow on the ground, is also very impressive.
Best places to stay in Osoyoos
This private wine country log cabin is one of our favourite places to stay in the whole of the Okanagan Valley. It also looks amazing for your photos and film. If you want that frontier feel, this is the place for you.
Imagine having a fire outside and toasting s’mores on the evening of your wedding day.
If you’re looking for something a little more modern, this lakeview cottage has a little more space and some amazing views. These two options are close to the locations we’ve recommended in both Osoyoos and Penticton.
How’s it going?
We’re Emily and Thomas
Your Elopement photo & video team! We help couples plan their elopement in BC and Alberta.
Since 2018 we’ve been helping couples elope all over the world. We’ve visited over 35 countries and shot over 250 weddings.
We’re Thomas & Emily
Elopement photographer and videographer team in the Okanagan, Kelowna and beyond.
We help couples elope in Kelowna every year, and all over BC and Alberta for that fact. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with decisions and don’t know where to start. We’d love to help you. Below you’ll find information to contact us if you want a helping hand with starting your wedding journey in one of the best places in the world.
Okanagan Valley Elopement Packages
Click here for a free elopement planning consultation. Anywhere in the Okanagan region, from Vernon in the north all the way to Osoyoos in the south.
Includes:
$4,600 for all of the above including 4 hours of photo and video coverage
$6,800 for all of the above including 8 hours of photo and video coverage
Full day, multi day and custom packages available.
No added travel fee. No hidden fees of any kind