How to Elope in Banff National Park, Alberta: A Guide

Are you looking to get married in one of the most beautiful places on Earth? Look no further than Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada! Nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountains, Banff has everything you need for an unforgettable elopement. From incredible scenery to unique venues, here’s a guide to help you plan the perfect elopement.

1 – Choose Your Venue/Location
Banff is home to some truly stunning locations and venues. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cabin or an aquamarine colored alpine lake, there’s something for every couple. For example, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel offers breathtaking views of the Rockies and luxurious accommodations for your guests (if you are having any). Lake Louise also offers luxury with a stunning view but there’s honestly so many hikes, lakes and picturesque spots that offer romantic settings with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Ask me how I can help you come up with the perfect elopement location(s) to elope in Banff National Park. Contact Me

2 – Organize Your Wedding Party
When it comes to planning an elopement, size matters. When you elope in Banff, do you want to have just the two of you? Maybe just your closest family members? Or do you envision having your closest friends join in on the fun? Figure out who you want present at your ceremony and make arrangements accordingly. If you’re inviting friends and family from far away, remember to provide them with plenty of notice so they can make travel plans ahead of time.

3 – Get Your Paperwork In Order
Before tying the knot in Canada, there are certain legal requirements that must be met by both parties getting married. Make sure that all necessary paperwork—such as marriage licenses and birth certificates—have been obtained and filed correctly with local authorities prior to your wedding day. You may also need special permission from Parks Canada if you plan on holding your ceremony at a national park site such as Lake Louise or Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, so you will need to apply for a permit.

4 – The Legal stuff
Alberta has recently (in the last few years) relaxed their laws surrounding getting married and you have a couple options now. You can either hire a legally appointed Marriage Commissioner or Religious Figure (ie: Pastor, Priest, etc), or you can have a friend or family member temporarily authorized online (so long as they do not take payment for the service) to officiate your ceremony. You do also require 2 witnesses of the legal age in Alberta, which is 18+, to witness your vows and sign the marriage license; so you can either bring a couple people along, but if you are doing a big adventure and you don’t want guests or to trouble anyone with a big hike, etc then your photographer team can act as witnesses or you snag a few hikers in the area and ask them to do you a favor. 😉

5 – Consider the time of year/season you want for your elopement
When is the best time of year to elope in Banff Alberta? Let’s dive into this question and explore the different seasons to help you decide the best time for your wedding day!

The Summer Months
The summer months are a great time for outdoor weddings in Banff. The days are long with average temperatures hovering around 25°C (77°F). This means you can spend more time outdoors exploring some of the province’s incredible natural attractions while being able to enjoy your wedding ceremony later in the day without having to worry about getting cold or wet. Plus, June through September also tend to be dry months so there hopefully won’t be any rain interfering with your ceremony!the Winter

The Winter Months
Don’t let the cold weather put you off if you choose to have a winter wedding in Banff! While average temperatures dip down significantly (as low as -12°C / 10°F), winter brings its own unique beauty with snow-capped mountains and sparkling frozen lakes. You’ll also find plenty of cozy places indoors where you can celebrate your special day together. Plus, with fewer crowds during this season, your elopement will be even more intimate than usual!

Fall/Spring
If you don’t like extreme temperatures either way and prefer something more mild, consider planning an elopement in Banff during either Fall (September – October) or Spring (April – May). Both seasons bring warm days and cool nights that create a romantic atmosphere perfect for an elopement. Plus, both times of year are known for their beautiful colors—from fall foliage to vibrant wildflowers—which make for stunning photo opportunities.

6 – Be Prepared!
No matter what, you need to be prepared for anything in the mountains! The time of year doesn’t matter when it comes to it being possible for anything to happen or be thrown at you in the mountains, mostly from weather, but also wildlife and other users of the park areas. Weather is mostly unpredictable in the mountains, especially the Alberta Rockies where we sometimes experience all four seasons of temperatures and weather in one single day!
I am always finding inspiration in the mountains and we may explore a little beyond what we planned. For this reason I strongly encourage hiking boots, headlamps, warm layers, a compass (not your phone), and lots of snacks! There is lots more though so if you want to check it all out click here: Eloping in Alberta (scroll down to near the bottom for the list)

Conclusion:
Eloping in Banff is truly an unforgettable experience that will create lasting memories for years to come! With its breathtaking natural beauty and vast array of venues, it’s easy to see why so many couples choose this incredible destination as their place of nuptials. With these tips and tricks in mind, planning your own elopement should be a breeze! Happy planning!

If you want to know more about how to elope in Banff National Park or anywhere else in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and hire me for your Alberta Elopement, check out what I offer all my couples (hint – it’s more than just pictures *wink wink*): Services