We’re the only elopement team that operates in both Squamish, British Columbia and Queenstown, New Zealand. Same team, same philosophy, two of the most extraordinary landscapes on the planet.
Couples ask us all the time: which one should we choose?
The honest answer is that they’re both incredible, but they’re different. Here’s an in-depth comparison to help you decide.
The Landscapes
Squamish, BC
Squamish is where the mountains meet the ocean. The landscape is defined by granite — the massive Stawamus Chief, the walls and crags of the Sea to Sky, and the peaks that rise straight out of old-growth rainforest. Below them, Howe Sound stretches like a fjord toward the Pacific.
The palette is green, grey, and blue. Dense coastal rainforest. Moss-covered rocks. Waterfalls dropping hundreds of metres through mist. When the sun breaks through, the granite glows warm and the ocean reflects the sky.
Best for: Forest ceremonies, waterfall backdrops, granite summit vows, ocean-meets-mountain scenes, rainy-day atmosphere.
Queenstown, NZ
Queenstown is alpine drama on a scale that’s hard to comprehend. The Remarkables mountain range towers over a glacial lake that stretches 80 kilometres. The surrounding peaks are treeless and exposed — tussock, rock, and sky — which creates a completely different visual language from the forest-dominated Sea to Sky.
The palette is gold, blue, and stone. Tussock grasslands. Turquoise lakes. Snow-capped peaks against blue sky. Ancient beech forest in the valleys.
Best for: Mountaintop helicopter ceremonies, alpine lake vows, vast open landscapes, golden tussock scenery, dramatic elevation.
Season and Timing
Squamish
- Peak season: June - September
- Shoulder season: May, October (excellent conditions, fewer people)
- Off-season: November - April (beautiful but wet and cold)
- Daylight: Up to 16 hours in summer, 8 hours in winter
- Wildcard: August smoke from forest fires can impact visibility
Queenstown
- Peak season: November - February (NZ summer)
- Shoulder season: March - April, October (autumn colours in March/April are extraordinary)
- Off-season: May - September (NZ winter — stunning snow but limited access)
- Daylight: Up to 16 hours in summer, 8.5 hours in winter
- Wildcard: Weather changes rapidly in the mountains — clear sky to cloud in 30 minutes
The Dual-Hemisphere Advantage
Because we operate in both locations, we can offer elopements year-round. When it’s winter in Squamish (December - March), it’s summer in Queenstown. When Queenstown’s winter hits (June - August), Squamish is in peak summer.
No off-season. No “we’re not available that month.” Just pick the hemisphere that works for your timeline.
Getting There
Squamish
- 45 minutes from Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Direct international flights to Vancouver from most major cities worldwide
- Drive up the Sea to Sky Highway (one of the most scenic drives in Canada)
- No domestic connecting flight needed — drive straight from the airport
Queenstown
- Queenstown Airport (ZQN) has direct flights from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane
- International visitors typically connect through Auckland (2-hour flight to Queenstown)
- Some international flights arrive in Christchurch (5-hour drive to Queenstown, but spectacular)
- The flight into Queenstown is itself stunning — mountain views on approach
Winner for accessibility: Squamish. Easier to reach from North America and Europe. Queenstown requires more travel but the journey is part of the adventure.
Legal Requirements
Squamish (British Columbia)
- Marriage license: $100 CAD, both partners apply in person, same-day processing
- No residency requirement
- No waiting period
- Licensed officiant required (Lana is licensed in BC)
- Two adult witnesses required at ceremony
Queenstown (New Zealand)
- Notice of Intended Marriage: filed online, at least 3 working days before ceremony
- No residency requirement
- Marriage license issued by a Registrar (we coordinate this)
- Licensed celebrant required (Lana is registered in NZ)
- Two witnesses required (18+ in NZ)
- International visitors may need NZeTA visa waiver ($23 NZD for most nationalities)
Winner: Roughly equal. Both jurisdictions make it easy for international couples.
Cost Comparison
Squamish
- Our packages start from $4,500 CAD
- Accommodation: $150-$350 CAD/night
- Meals: $50-$100 CAD/day per person
- Marriage license: $100 CAD
- Flights to Vancouver: varies by origin ($200-$800 from within North America)
- No helicopter needed for most locations (hike or drive access)
Queenstown
- Our packages are priced in NZD (contact for current pricing)
- Accommodation: $200-$500 NZD/night
- Meals: $60-$120 NZD/day per person
- Marriage fees: ~$180 NZD total
- Flights to Queenstown: varies widely ($300-$2,000+ depending on origin)
- Helicopter access: from $2,500 NZD for mountaintop ceremonies
Winner for budget: Squamish. Lower travel costs for North American couples, no helicopter expense for mountain locations (you hike up).
Winner for splurge: Queenstown. Helicopter elopements on Coromandel Peak or Cecil Peak are genuinely once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Location Variety
Squamish Highlights
- Shannon Falls — 335m waterfall in ancient forest
- Stawamus Chief Summit — 700m granite monolith with panoramic views
- Sea to Sky Gondola — 885m viewpoint with suspension bridge
- Smoke Bluffs — World-class climbing crags for rock climbing elopements
- Porteau Cove — Ocean beach with mountain backdrop
- Garibaldi Lake — Turquoise alpine lake (18km hike)
- Nexen Beach — Estuary with mountain reflections at sunset
Queenstown Highlights
- Coromandel Peak — Iconic 1,578m ridge above Lake Wanaka (helicopter)
- Cecil Peak — Alpine plateau above Lake Wakatipu (helicopter)
- Glenorchy — Ancient beech forest on Lake Wakatipu
- The Remarkables — Dramatic mountain range with alpine lakes
- Moke Lake — Secluded alpine lake, golden at sunrise
- Arrowtown — Historic village with autumn colour (March-May)
Winner: Both are extraordinary. Squamish has more diversity (ocean + forest + mountain + waterfall + climbing). Queenstown has more drama at scale (helicopter access opens up peaks that are inaccessible on foot).
Unique Experiences
Only in Squamish
- Rock climbing elopement — Squamish has 3,000+ routes on world-class granite. Aaron is a certified guide. Get married at the top of a climb.
- Waterfall ceremony — Shannon Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in BC. Stand at its base for your vows.
- Old-growth forest — 500+ year old trees create a cathedral of green.
- Stay at Southside Lodge — Our own property in Squamish, ideal for elopement couples.
Only in Queenstown
- Helicopter mountaintop ceremony — Land on a peak that almost no one has ever stood on.
- Lord of the Rings landscapes — Glenorchy was used as a filming location. The scenery is literally cinematic.
- Autumn gold — Arrowtown in March-April is wall-to-wall golden foliage.
- Adventure capital activities — Bungee, jet boat, skydiving — Queenstown has more adrenaline activities per square kilometre than anywhere on earth.
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Squamish if…
- You’re based in North America and want to minimize travel
- You want a rock climbing elopement
- You love forest, waterfalls, and ocean as much as mountains
- You want to hike to your ceremony location (earning the view)
- You prefer a road trip over a flight
- Budget matters (no helicopter cost for mountain locations)
- You want to elope during Northern Hemisphere summer (June-September)
Choose Queenstown if…
- You want a helicopter mountaintop ceremony
- You’re drawn to vast, open, treeless alpine landscapes
- You want a true destination elopement (the journey is part of it)
- You want to elope during Northern Hemisphere winter (December-March — it’s NZ summer)
- You love the idea of New Zealand (many couples have it on their bucket list)
- You want to combine your elopement with a multi-week NZ trip
Choose Both if…
Yes, some couples do a ceremony in each location. Elope in Squamish with your BC family, then do a second celebration in Queenstown with friends from overseas. Same team, same quality, two unforgettable experiences.
Still can’t decide? Talk to us. We know both landscapes intimately and we’ll help you figure out which one fits your story.