Best Places To Elope In Banff National Park
Why Banff is the Perfect Elopement Location For Adventurous Couples
Towering mountain peaks, dramatic waterfalls, amazing Canadian wildlife, vast wildflower meadows, alpine lakes so blue they don’t even look real – this is Banff National Park, and it’s the perfect location for adventurous couples who are searching for a captivating and epic elopement experience. Banff National park is also jam packed full of fun outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, skiing, and mountain biking, making it the perfect spot for couples looking to add little adventure to their elopement. It also makes it the perfect place to elope and immediately be on your honeymoon! Hello hot springs, spas, and fine dining!
Choosing Your Location
Choosing your elopement location is one of the most important decisions and having helped couples through hundreds of elopements in Banff National Park, you could say I know a few things about choosing the best elopement location! Banff has no shortage of amazing places to elope, no matter what kind of adventure you’re looking for. Whether you want to do a multi-day backpacking trip to a remote location, bag a mountain peak, or simply drive right up to some amazing views, Banff has it all and I have photographed it all.
Your Vision
The first thing you need to do once you have booked a photographer is decide what your perfect elopement day looks like. Do you want to hike up a mountain in the dark for those epic sunrise shots? Do you want to head to a backcountry campsite where you can be all alone with just a sky full of stars? Do you want to rent a cozy cabin with a warm fireplace and get married in the forest? Or perhaps you want a picnic at an alpine lake? I am here to help you figure out what suits you best so you can have an intentional and intimate day.
My Top 6 Favourite Locations to Elope in Banff National Park
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake in Banff National Park is one of my favourite location in the Canadian Rockies and it is perfect for small elopements. It does require a short easy hike to get to the best lookouts, and I can show you some less busy spots that most tourists don’t know about. Peyto Lake is typically frozen from late October until early June, but is also a good option in the winter as you can snowshoe the short distance to the lookout. As well, there is a hike right down to the lake if you want a variety of views!
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is the rapidly becoming the busiest location in Banff National Park with the road in often closing by 7am because the parking lot is already full. If you are dreaming of having your elopement ceremony there, I highly recommend shooting at either sunrise or sunset to avoid the crowds and snag a coveted parking spot. Moraine Lake is only open from Mid-May until early October. There are also a few seriously epic hikes in the area which you could add on to your elopement to also get those amazing mountain top photos.
Bow Lake
Bow Lake is approximately 30 minutes north of Lake Louise, off the Icefields Parkway. This huge lake provides amazing mountain views regardless of the time of day. Both sunrise and sunset are incredible, and there are so many options for photos here. It is much less touristy and therefore can be a great option if you want something more intimate.
A Mountaintop
Often my couples talk about how their journey to find each other has been an adventure in and of itself, so climbing a mountain to elope is perfect symbolism. Life has it’s up and downs, hardships and fulfillment, and plenty of adventure, so why not make your elopement day just the same! Plus hiking to the top of a mountain will guarantee you those insanely epic photos that will take your breath away. My favourite hikes take place at sunrise or sunset, meaning we either hike up or down in the dark. This usually means we have the mountaintop to ourselves and take pictures in the best light. I have a long list of my favourite hikes that I reserve for my clients that I have personally scouted. These are my all time favourite hikes that would provide an incredible backdrop for any elopement. In my document I list the lengths, elevation gain, difficulty level, along with lots of photos to inspire and help guide you to the perfect hike. Get in touch if you are interested in a hiking elopement and I will make sure you have the perfect adventure!
In the Backcountry
This option allows us to do photos on multiple days and getting to do both sunrise and sunset photos at different locations. I am especially passionate about helping couples find hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path, stunning “locals secret” types of locations in Banff to say their vows. Imagine waking up in your tent, boiling some water for coffee, getting ready together, and heading to an alpine lake for an intimate ceremony. After that we can throw on some hiking boots at head to a mountain top for some epic sunset pictures. As Banff National park has become busier and busier, my family and I have started camping in the backcountry to avoid the crowds. We even backcountry hiked and camped with our 8 month old daughter! I love finding unique and secluded places that tourists could only dream about finding, and I would love to help you find that perfect spot.
An Alpine Lodge
This is a perfect option for those looking for both an adventure elopement and a little but of pampering. Banff National Park has a few amazing full service lodges that are located in the most beautiful areas of the back country which means that most of them aren’t accessible by car, meaning you can hike or helicopter in, and then still be treated to a comfortable bed and 5-star dining. This option also is very intimate as only a few people can stay at the lodge, thus giving you insane views to elope in front of with minimal people. It is the perfect way to have an intimate backcountry elopement without having to hike in with tons of gear. My favourite option is Mount Assiniboine, which has some of the best mountain views in the Canadian Rockies!
Send me an email or reach out if this type of day sounds perfect for your elopement and we can start planning! If you want to see even more ideas and spots to elope, I am happy to pass on my in depth location guide to all couples that book with me. Let’s plan an amazing day that is a perfect representation of you and your partner.