How To Elope In Banff National Park
You’re eloping in Banff, Alberta, woohoo!
Let me tell you, you’ve made an amazing choice.
I am a long time local here for a reason.
Once I arrived, I couldn’t leave! I came here 3 months with the intent to have a fun summer of hiking and make money for my winter travels, but all of a sudden I blinked and 7 years passed!
When you come across long time locals, we almost always have the same story. If you’ve been here before, you can understand it’s charm.
If you’ve never been here before, you are in for a treat! A mind blowing one in fact. The views here will truly, leave you breathless for a moment.
There is a certain pull here, an energy. Maybe it’s the density of nature that creates a feeling of peace within the mind, body and soul.
One thing is for sure, getting hitched in the Canadian Rockies will be an experience you never forget.
From the vast mountain peaks, to the turquoise lakes and the valleys of pine that go on as far as they eye can see, there are so many opportunities for the perfect ceremony location and stunning portraits.
There is so much fun to have in this Valley but let’s get into the logistics of things to help ease any stress or confusion you might have.
Secure Your Marriage License
Let’s first understand the legalities!
This is the biggest question and the most daunting, but worry not! We’re here to help.
Once you finish this blog you will walk away feeling confident, excited and know exactly what steps to take in order to bring your elopement to life, and have a solid plan.
I want to start off by saying that regardless of where you’re from, you are able to get married in Banff National Park. There is zero citizenship requirements.
It’s actually quite easy to get your marriage license when you arrive. It’s necessary to apply within three months of your date and both bring your ID to a Banff Registry Agent.
The Banff Registry is at Unit 103, 211 Bear Street, Banff, AB T1L 1A6.
Learn more about marriage licenses here.
Once you obtain your license, you will need to give this to your officiant the day of your ceremony.
Keep it in a safe place and do not lose it, this is a must to make things legal on the day of your wedding.
The fee is currently $40 but may be subject to change.
Documents To Bring:
Swear or affirm affidavits.
Provide personal details and the full names and birthplaces of your parents (including a parent's maiden name).
Ensure you're both over 18.
Bring government issued ID; driver's license, passport, birth certificate, or immigration document.
If you've been divorced, bring the final divorce document such as a Certificate of Divorce or Decree Absolute. Documents indicating a marriage dissolution in a certain period are not sufficient, as they must show the finalized status of the divorce.
2. Mandatory Registration Form
Although this form is mandatory, it’s free! So yay for that.
This form shows that you respect the rules and regulations that come with eloping in Banff. For example, knowing there is a maximum of 20 people, including your photographer, videographer, officiant, guests and you and your fiancé.
Be aware that this registration form does not grant you rights to the area and prohibiting others, respecting wild life and other tourists.
Click here for the link to submit.
Download the form, fill it out and send it via email or mail to the address at the bottom of the page. I recommend doing this no later than 3 weeks out from your date. Easy peasy!
Please note you must select your date prior to submitting your form.
3. Choosing Your Season
Have you already chosen a date?
If so, you can scroll past this section. If not, keep reading because there are a few different things to take into account when choosing the time of year to elope.
As you know, Banff is Canadas #1 destination and summer is the Valleys most popular time to visit. I’m sure you’re aware of this and the influx of tourists, tour buses and chaos that can be present. Especially at iconic locations.
Are you a summer lover?
In love with the charm of fall?
Intrigued by the magic of winter elopements?
First let’s chat summer. This is when tourist season is the heaviest, but even more so during the weekends.
If possible, choosing to elope on a weekday will greatly increase your chances for a quieter time both traffic and onsite wise. Especially if you’re choosing and world renowned location such as Moraine Lake or Lake Louise.
Secondly let’s chat fall. Are you wanting to elope when the colors are changing and capture the warm yellows and oranges? Mmm, one of my faves!
The last 2 weeks of September and first 2 weeks of October are the ideal times to catch the colors changing.
The most popular location for fall colors is Larch Valley.
Lastly, winter. Most peoples thoughts are, why elope in the winter when you could elope in summer or fall? Don’t let the winter scare you away.
Yes, it can be cold at times but let me tell you, the winter charm in the mountains is not your traditional winter. Bring your coziest, hand and feet warmer, some good boots, hat and gloves and you’ll be fine!
When the mountains are covered in snow and the peaks are glistening with the sun, snow slowly falling from the sky, it is something truly magical.
Plus, you will most likely have your location all to yourself. Iconic locations such as Lake Louise, Peyto Lake and Bow Lake are open all year round offering stunning ceremony locations.
Walking out onto Lake Louise is something my couples have loved to do. PS. Moraine is closed from October-June, just a heads up.
4. Find Your Perfect Ceremony Location
Haven’t decided on a location yet? Can’t choose between so many beautiful locations? I understand. It’s difficult. So let’s start with the basics.
Is it just you two? Or are you wanting family and friends present? If you do, what is their level of accessibility and comfort?
Do you have a certain vision for your back drop? Is there any locations that hold sentimental value?
Do you dream of sharing vows on a mountain peak? Soaring to new heights via helicopter to a 100% secluded area? The Bow Valley is you oyster.
If you’re interested in a heli elopement, eloping with Alpine Helicopters based in Canmore is my go-to. They’re absolutely lovely. Learn more here.
Eloping gives you so much more opportunity to get creative, have fun and not have the restrictions of a venue if you choose.
Knowing you can hike to a peak, hop on a heli, or even go for a relaxing stroll down to the Bow River, there are so many options from you to choose from.
If you’d like to hike, just know that we will be your guide. If hiking is something you are contemplating, we highly recommend hiking for sunrise or sunset.
Hiking in the middle of the day isn’t fun for anyone.
You’re likely to get sunburnt, the views decrease with harsh lighting and the quality of your photos and videos also decrease with the harsh lighting.
Sunrise or sunset will give you that soft glow, maybe some low cloud inversions if you’re lucky and even through it is extra effort, it will be SO worth it. Trust me. In fact, we do not hike unless it is sunrise or sunset because the effort simply isn’t worth the reward.
5. Choosing Your Officiant
In Alberta, it is required to have an officiant in order to legalize your marriage. Self-solemnization is not an option, unfortunately. However, if you’d like a more personal approach and a friend or family would like to marry you, this is an option! How fun!
How?
They can become a temporary marriage commissioner for a day and, drumroll please, it’s free!
It’s pretty straight forward as well which is great. They will have to fill out and submit a form at least 4 weeks before your date. An instruction package will be sent to them on how to proceed.
There are a few regulations for a friend or family member to play this role. Firstly, they must be 18+ and do this free of charge. No monetary exchange is allowed to take place.
You also have the option to have a symbolic ceremony where you don’t need a legal officiant for the day of your elopement. This just means you have to legally get married and go to the courthouse where you live prior to your date.
Here are my top 3 officiant recommendations I work with time and time again over the years who I believe will be a beautiful addition to your day;
6. Choosing Your Witnesses
In order to solidify your marriage license, it requires you to have two witnesses for your ceremony.
This doesn’t have to be complicated, it’s as easy as it sounds. Two adults, physically present to see you get married and sign your certificate.
If you have family and friends attending, perfect!
If it’s just you two, I’m assuming you will have a photographer and videographer present, and even though they are vendors, they are still two adults who fully quality to provide you with these signatures.
7. Places to Stay
Not sure where to stay? We’ve got you covered. You have quite a few places to choose from as Banff is flooded with hotels and cabins. The one thing they don’t have is Air Bnb’s as they are not allowed in Banff, if this is something you’d prefer, check out Canmore. Canmore has tons of selections as it is not considered a National Park.
Are you eloping at an iconic location such as Moraine Lake? Lake Louise? Bow Lake? If so, here are some options for on site accommodation for all 3 that are absolutely stunning.
Best Lake Louise Accommodations
Elopements allow for you to splurge more because you’re saving so much vs a wedding, right? So why not treat yourself to a luxury experience at the Fairmont Lake Louise Chateau?
If you’re not wanting to stay at the Chateau, here are a couple of my personal favorites in Lake Louise;
Storm Mountain Lodge Cabins
Onsite Moraine Lake Accommodation
Lake Moraine provides on site accommodation and this is a great option to ensure you have quick access, zero shuttle hustle n bustle and get to stay in cabins that are literally cradled by the roaring Rocky Mountains!
Learn more here to explore their accommodations, offering and activities to do in the area!
Onsite Bow Lake Accommodation
Does a secluded, nestled in the mountains accommodation sound perfect for you?
Nothing but nature, right at base of Bow Lake where you and your love can kick back for a couple nights and enjoy the peak and calm with zero traffic, hustle and bustle? If that sounds like something you want to experience, The Lodge at Bow Lake might just be perfect for you.
Heads up, this is not close to any entertainment, shops or town.
This get away is for a breath of fresh air and zero distraction, one to recharge and disconnect from the world and just be so don’t expect to have access to what you typically would in Banff or Canmore.
Here is a list of our top 5 accommodations to check out;
8. Activities To Do In Banff National Park
Curious on what to do in Banff?
There are so many sights to be and places to go!
From hiking, to taking the gondola the the peak of a mountain, canoeing at sunset, go for a horseback ride, a boat bruise at Lake Minnewanka or visit some hot springs, here is a list of many things to give you ideas and plan your trip accordingly to make the most out of your time in the Canadian Rockies.
Ready To Plan Your Banff Elopement?
Let us plan your entire elopement for you. Helping you decided where to stay, what activities to do, create a timeline for your elopement day and provide transport for you and your fiancé!
Say goodbye to stress and hello to a well rounded experience for your once in a lifetime elopement in Banff, Alberta.
‘’My biggest mistake was NOT having Jasmine there to capture the whole day!’’ - Jessica & Kristian
‘’All our family and friends have raved about our video!’’- Janice & Nolan
‘‘We couldn’t get through watching our videos without the waterworks for sometime.’’- Melissa & Ryan
‘’It was like a magic woven in a fairytale. She is now our family videographer! 10/10’’- Mansi & Kael
