Jude Douglass, Sea to Sky Officiant

Hello! Sea to Sky Officiant was created to fill a gap I saw in the wedding industry. While working as a venue manager, I noticed ceremonies were either very religious or very government, and I wanted to create something fresh - modern, personal and centered around the couple, something that actually reflects who they are, while still honoring the commitment they are making.

What began as a solo officiant business has quickly grown into something much bigger. Demand grew, so I began offering adventure elopement planning alongside ceremonies, helping couples experience just how perfectly Squamish is geared for adventure and everything that makes the Sea to Sky so special!
That growth has now led to the upcoming launch of ELOPE Squamish, a dedicated adventure elopement brand.

The next stage is addressing another gap I have seen in the industry - I'm developing The Officiant Institute, which will provide professional training and education for modern, career officiants (and will be the first school of its kind in BC!)

Before starting, my goal was 5 weddings in my first year, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to make it a full-time job. I ended up booking ~120 weddings in that first year. I have also begun building a team of officiants, ready to welcome more couples to the region, with a bigger goal of putting Squamish on the international map as a world-class adventure elopement destination - up there with the Rockies, Colorado, and the Dolomites.

While I'm proud of my growth, something that is just as important to me is how that growth can benefit the wider community.
Many of my couples google “mountain weddings” and when they reach out to me, they are not aware of Squamish - I've had couples fly in from elsewhere in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the UK and beyond. Introducing couples to what is possible here creates a ripple effect throughout the local economy.
A single elopement might involve a photographer, florist, hair and makeup artist, videographer, hotel, restaurant, transportation company and adventure provider. My recommendations also go well beyond wedding vendors - I help couples discover cafes, breweries, local jewellery makers, activities, accommodation and restaurants, all tailored to their interests rather than handed over as a generic list.

Giving back is also important to me. Every October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I donate a percentage of sales to PearlSpace. As someone who has personally accessed their services, supporting the work they do for survivors, as well as queer and gender-diverse communities, is something I care deeply about.

What started as one idea has now grown into several interconnected businesses, but the purpose has stayed the same - create meaningful experiences, build something sustainable, help other local businesses grow alongside mine, and create more opportunities within the community I call home.