So you’re decided to Elope - that’s great! You can make the day all about the two of you and not about all the people watching. Eloping also means that you are usually able to keep the costs of your wedding very low without sacrificing making great memories. We offer an affordable wedding package officiant (Justice of the Peace) and professional photography service that allows you to keep your entire wedding cost under $1000, including your license.

We have a lot of clients that choose a free location to have their small wedding so they can splurge on something else they want for their special day - some pampering before the ceremony or a nice meal at a restaurant afterwards.

We get asked a lot about what are some great wedding locations that don’t cost a thing, and here are our top choices:

Year after year, the most popular location is Point Pleasant Park. 

The park is super convenient and centrally located on the peninsula yet still offers a wide variety of locations and views including beaches, military ruins, ocean views, and monuments .
If you are up for other locations, here are 9 other great spots!

L to R: 
Sir Sandford Fleming Park: This urban park is locally known more as Dingle tower - there is a large tower in the centre of the park as well as nice gazebo overlooking the water of the North West Arm. The park is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Halifax.
Sullivan's Pond: Located in downtown Dartmouth this park features a pond with geese and ducks as well as the novelty of a palm tree. The park is a manicured park with lots of flowers and a fountain. The park is also a 10 minute stroll from the restaurants and Dartmouth waterfront for you celebrate with a nice meal after. Approx 10 minute drive or a 15 minute ferry crossing from Downtown Halifax). 
The Dartmouth Waterfront Trail: The waterfront trail in Dartmouth is truly a hidden gem. The trail goes from the downtown Dartmouth core to the Woodside Ferry Terminal. On the long paved trail there are a variety of views including artistic graffiti, rail lines, and views of Downtown Halifax and the MacDonald bridge that are stunning around sunset. Approx 10 minutes drive or a 15 minute ferry crossing from Downtown Halifax). 

L to R: 
The Dartmouth Common: This urban park is a large urban park with many sections including a gazebo overlooking the Halifax harbour, groomed flower gardens, and a wood pizza oven that you can rent very affordably. Approx a 7 minute drive from downtown Halifax.
Your home (or a friend's!): This is always a super popular option. Having a wedding at your house doesn't have to be tons of stress when it is a small intimate affair. Plus, you will always have the happy memories every time you look at the spot you were wed. If you don't have a place that you would be happy with, feel free to ask a friend or family member for the use of their space.
Hemlock Ravine Park: If you are for the classic romance style - this may be for you - Hemlock Ravine park has an actual HEART SHAPED POND! The park is not just the pond, it is actually over 200 acres with over 3km of trails.  Approx a 15 minute drive from downtown Halifax.

So you’ve decided to have a small wedding. Congrats!

You’re doing just the parts that matter:
The love.

The two of you.

Making memories to start off your married life together.

We love it!

A lot of times we are working with couples that are just looking to celebrate their love and have no fuss. That usually also means having a short and simple ceremony. About 90% of our clients end up choosing a location that is free for their ceremony, which we love.  In Nova Scotia there are lots of places you can have a beautiful and scenic wedding venue at zero or low cost, like parks and beaches, but we always want to make sure that couples consider the following 3 pieces of advice while considering their options:
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Who are your GUESTS? 
If you are asking your great grandfather who has mobility issues to attend, choosing somewhere that has an accessibility level that will work is important. You don’t want the added stress of figuring how to safely get him down a small path without his walker. This consideration may also apply to things like having children with small bladders and no easy bathroom access, or a friend not comfortable with crowds being in a busy area.

Is it PUBLIC? 
Public use of municipal and provincially owned parks allows you to hold your ceremony for free, as long as it doesn’t inhibit the use of the park for others. 

Although this isn’t an actual park guideline, I usually say this means no huge groups. MY rough guideline is  that fair park use would be no bigger than you would have a picnic with.  This also means no complicated set up like chairs, decorations, or a tent. If you are choosing to have a small ceremony with just a few witnesses, public parks are always a great option. There are lots of great park options listed in our Favourite Free Wedding Locations in Halifax list.  Being in a park or beach also allows for GREAT pictures for the ceremony as well as after. 

If you are choosing somewhere public to hold your ceremony, like a park or beach, you should remember that everyone else is allowed to use the space as well. This may mean people stop and watch (and even cheer!), but generally people are very respectful and positive when they see a ceremony happening. If you are looking for an ultra private experience, these options may not be for you.


What about WEATHER? 
The majority of our weddings are within the typical May-October wedding season, but even when it is supposed to forecasted to be nice Nova Scotia often has weather that can be unpredictable. If you are choosing an outdoor venue, it's good to have a backup plan if you are stuck with a bad forecast. We often have our married couples going out for a meal after the ceremony to celebrate. There are lots of private rooms at great local restaurants that can accommodate small parties and would be happy to offer a backup location for your ceremony before you eat if you get rained out. 


Overall, there are lots of beautiful choices in our city and surrounding areas. You can check out our Top 10 Free wedding locations.

  If you want some help figuring it out, please feel free to contact us and we can help! 
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