How to elope in Banff National Park: Everything you need to know
Banff National Park: Elopement Guide
Have you always dreamed of eloping in front of a bright blue lake and the towering mountains of Banff National Park? With its dramatic scenery it’s the perfect setting for an otherworldly mountain elopement. But where do you start? How do you choose the perfect location? What about permits, logistics, and making sure your whole day runs smoothly Planning an elopement in Banff National Park can be tricky and feel overwhelming, but I am here to help!
Forget the constant searching online – this guide is packed full of information to help you plan your dream elopement in Banff. From permits and transportation details, amazing locations, places to stay, and general info about Banff, I’ve covered it all! Think of it as your personal guide to effortlessly planning your dream elopement in one of the world’s most stunning destinations!
Table of Contents
- Why choose Banff for your elopement
- Best times to visit Banff National Park
- How to get to and around Banff NP
- Best Locations for eloping in Banff
- Making it legal
- Permits
- Where to Stay
- Hiring an elopement photographer
1. Why Choose Banff for your elopement
Banff National Park is known for its jaw-dropping landscapes – snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes, lush forests, and rugged terrain. Imagine exchanging vows with the backdrop of turquoise waters like Lake Louise, or on a cliff overlooking the majestic Rockies. The scenery creates an unforgettable, romantic setting. Banff National Park is beautiful in every season. Whether you’re dreaming of a snowy winter wonderland, spring wildflowers, summer’s lush greenery, or fall’s vibrant foliage, you can find something magical no matter when you plan your elopement.
For couples who love adventure, Banff provides plenty of outdoor activities. You can explore the park together after your ceremony, whether that means hiking, canoeing, skiing, or taking a scenic gondola ride for breathtaking panoramic views. It makes for a great place to then immediately be on your honeymoon! Also, Alberta, where Banff is located, has relatively simple marriage licensing laws. You can easily obtain a marriage license from a registry agent, and the process is very straightforward.
2. Best times to visit Banff National Park?
Although the Canadian Rocky Mountains are incredible all year round, the scenery changes a lot depending on what time of year you come. Most couples looking to elope in Banff want a mountain experience with open lakes, which makes the best timing somewhere between June and September. If you are looking to hike, this time frame gives the best chance for the least amount of snow on the ground.
Summer (June-August) – Best for open blue water, wildflowers, warm temperatures, and long daylight hours
Fall (September-October) – Larch season and beautiful fall colours
Winter (November-March) – Snowy winter wonderland and frozen lakes
Spring (April-May) – Snow lingers on the mountaintops, varying ground conditions, less crowds
3. How to get to and around Banff National Park
Airplane – Flying into Calgary is the closest and easiest option to access the mountains. The mountains are then a 1-2 hours drive from there.
Renting a car – The most popular way to get to Banff is renting a car and driving. There are so many amazing places to visit and lookouts to see along the Trans-Canada Highway and driving is the easiest way to visit them all. The Icefields Parkway is also know as Canada’s “most beautiful highway”.
Private Transportation – If you want to visit places like Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Peyto Lake, the best way to ensure easy access to these lakes is to hire private transportation. These roads are becoming extremely popular and due to overcrowding, some lakes are now inaccessible to private vehicles. On your elopement day, the last thing you want to be doing is standing around waiting for shuttles.
Shuttles – not only are there shuttles that take you to all the popular Banff mountain destinations, there are also shuttles from Calgary to Banff and back. This is a great option for guests and for days before or after your elopement.
4. Best Locations for eloping in Banff
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is one of the most iconic and breathtaking spots in Banff National Park and one of the most photographed lakes in the world. From the striking turquoise waters that looks like Gatorade, to the incredible mountains of the Valley of the Ten Peaks that reflect in the water, this spot is absolutely stunning. Being a very popular and touristy spot, it comes with some extra logistics to elope here, but I am happy to help you navigate those!
Bow Lake
Bow Lake is a stunning glacial lake located along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. It is known for its vivid turquoise waters and breathtaking backdrop of the Bow Glacier and massive Crowfoot Mountain. It is less popular than other locations and has an expansive beach shore allowing visitors to spread out. This is my favourite option if you are bringing a few guests or if you want to ensure privacy for your ceremony. It is also accessible for wheelchairs, and only a short walk from the parking lot.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is another stunning, glacier-fed lake located in Banff National Park, famous for its distinctive wolf-head shape when viewed from above. A short hike from the parking lot will bring you to a rocky outcrop with incredible views. I love this spot, especially at sunrise and sunset!
Lake Louise
Another icy blue lake with incredible mountain views is Lake Louise! On this lake you can enjoy activities like canoeing in the summer or ice skating in the winter, making it a great spot year-round. There are also several amazing hiking trails, which provide stunning views of the lake and glaciers. The luxurious Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, located right on the lake’s shore, is a great place for some pampering or treating yourself on your honeymoon.
Tunnel Mountain Reservoir
Due to the restrictions within Banff National Park, you are limited to 20 guests at any location for your ceremony. If you want to have more than that in attendance, you can book Tunnel Mountain Reservoir and even set up chairs or an arch. With the beautiful Mount Rundle in the background, this spot doesn’t disappoint! It is also close to other locations so you can easily zip off before or after for photos at an alpine lake.
A Mountaintop
Always my personal favourite! If you are willing to hike (or heli) we can have a mountaintop all to ourselves. Imagine towering mountains, wildflowers, epic views, a peaceful calm, and that feeling of being completely immersed in nature’s beauty. If you are wanting a truly intimate and private elopement with unique views, let’s work a little to get to them ;) I have a long list of favourite hikes, and would love to help you find the perfect backdrop for your elopement!
5. Making it legal
Even if you are not Canadian, you can still legally get married in Alberta. In the province of Alberta you need:
An officiant to perform the legal ceremony. Check out my Vendor Guide and get in touch with one of my recommended officiants for more help. If you prefer, you can have a friend or family member (must be an Alberta resident) perform the ceremony if they apply to be a temporary marriage commissioner, good for one day. HERE is the link and info for that.
Two witnesses to sign the papers. I can act as one witness, so you will need one more. If the thought of having to choose one friend or family member to be the other witness makes you start to stress, I can always help find someone else to tag along.
A marriage license. You will need to pick this up at any Alberta Registry office, which are good for 90 days from date of issue.
6. Permits
Luckily, it is quite easy to elope in the mountains. There are a few permits to look at depending on where your elopement will take place:
National Parks Pass
Buy Here
When in Alberta, if you will be entering any of the National Parks (Banff, Yoho, Waterton, etc) you will need to purchase a park pass. The fees can be found HERE. You can get a daily pass or a yearly one if you will be visiting park for several days. You can purchase this beforehand, or at the gate when entering Banff.
Ceremony Permit
More Info
You also need to get permission if you are getting married in Banff National Park. You need to sign a quick form letting them know that you are aware of certain conditions and restrictions. If you have more than 20 people attending you legally have to book a location and can’t just have a ceremony anywhere.
7. Where to Stay
Here are a few of my favourite spots to check out!
Hotels:
Juniper Hotels – cabin accommodations in Banff
Baker Creek by Basecamp – cabins close to Lake Louise
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – perfect for pampering or a honeymoon
Paradise Lodge And Bungalows – cozy cabins in Lake Louise
Moraine Lake Lodge – why not stay right at the lake
Buffalo Mountain Lodge – right across from Tunnel Mountain
Moose Hotel and Suites
Favourite Airbnbs:
Rustic Chic Mountain Home in Banff
Banff Log Cabin
Banff Mountain Suite
Other options:
Banff Glamping – rustic but cozy
8. Hiring an elopement Photographer
You may be the first among your family or friends to decide that eloping is right for you, but you aren’t alone! Eloping can be amazing, but most couples don’t know where to start – and that’s OK! This is where I come in. As your photographer and self-proclaimed elopement expert, I am here to help give suggestions, share advice, and connect you to the people you need in order to make this dream come to life. I love helping couples every step of the way, to plan a perfect and intentional day. I have photographed 100+ elopements in are around the Banff area, and would love to photograph yours! Check out my pricing HERE, or if you are ready to reach out, you can contact me HERE. I can’t wait to hear from you!
