Erin + Matt - Salt Spring Island elopement 

A Salt Spring Island elopement is one of the simplest ways to marry well: two people, a stretch of coastline, and someone to hold the space while the words are said. Erin and Matt chose exactly that. They exchanged vows in Ruckle Park and wandered the neighbouring farm for a few quiet photographs, and Folklore photographer Kelly Zantingh was there to document all of it.

Why choose Ruckle Park for a Salt Spring Island elopement?

Ruckle is the oldest working farm in British Columbia and one of the most beloved corners of the island, all arbutus, weathered fence line, and water on three sides. Erin and Matt held their ceremony in the park, then borrowed a few frames against the fields of our venue partner, Ruckle Farm, where the light came in low and gold across the grass. It is the kind of place that asks nothing of a couple except that they show up and pay attention. You can read more about the setting on our Ruckle Farm page, and about eloping across the region on our Salt Spring Island planning and elopements guide.

Who photographed the day?

These photographs are Kelly's. She has a gift for staying out of the way, for catching the small exchanges between two people who forget, briefly, that a camera is anywhere near them. If you would like to see more of her work or ask whether she is free for your date, her photographer profile is the place to start. Kelly is one of several photographers, filmmakers, and planners who make up the collective; you can meet the rest of us on our about page.

After the ceremony there was a picnic, and it was a good one. WoodShed Provisions put together a basket that suited the afternoon exactly: proper island food, laid out on the grass, no fuss. It is a reminder that an elopement does not mean going without the pleasures of a bigger day. It means keeping only the ones that matter and eating them somewhere beautiful.

Who held the ceremony space?

Katie Brennan held the space for Erin and Matt, guiding the vows with a steady, warm presence that let the couple be fully in the moment. A good officiant does quiet work: making room for two people to speak plainly to each other while the coast keeps its own counsel in the background. Katie did exactly that.

What do the Salt Spring Island elopement packages include?

Our In A Moment packages are made for days like this one: a curated elopement built around a small guest count, a single meaningful location, and a team that plans and documents as one. We handle the pieces that turn a plan into an afternoon, and we work with island partners like Ruckle Farm, WoodShed, and officiants such as Katie so you are not stitching it together alone. You can find out more about a coastal ceremony of your own by visiting our Gulf Islands weddings guide or reaching out through our contact page. If you want to understand the landscape first, BC Parks keeps a helpful overview of Ruckle Provincial Park.