How To Elope in Canmore, Alberta
You’re eloping in Canmore, Alberta, we are so excited for you!
Let me tell you, you’ve made an amazing choice.
I’ve lived in Canmore for 5 years now and it still doesn’t get old. I absolutely love it here.
Prior to Canmore I lived in Banff and Lake Louise for 1 year each until I moved to Canmore to get out of the hustle and bustle and I haven’t looked back.
Canmore used to be a place people simply drove by to get to Banff, it wasn’t a site to see for many considering it was a mining town and still isn’t internationally recognized the way Banff is.
However, it has gained popularity for good reason.
With less tourists, more intimate locations and the same charm as Banff minus the crazy amount of tourists, it is a place many couples now choose to elope and stay while visiting the Rockies.
Getting hitched in the Canmore, AB will be an experience you never forget.
At the end of this blog you will have a clear understanding of the benefits of this location and how to prepare for your Canadian Rockies elopement, so let’s get into it!
Secure Your Marriage License
Let’s first understand the legalities!
This is the biggest question most have and the most daunting, but worry not! We’re here to help.
Once you finish our 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, any country, you are able to get married in Canmore, AB.
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 Canmore Registry.
Canmore Registry Address: 119-104 Kananaskis Way
Banff Registry: 211 Bear St #103
*Prior to going to the registry, make sure you choose a date & location for your elopement.
Head to either the Canmore or Banff Registry to apply together.
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. Ceremony Permits
For your elopement in the Bow Valley, AB, it's important to consider whether you'll need a ceremony permit based on your chosen location.
After selecting your location, visit Alberta Parks to determine if a permit is necessary. If so, apply online no earlier than 12 months from your date.
Processing Times;
November-April (SLOW SEASON); 30 days
May-September (HIGH SEASON); 30-90 days
Please note you must select your date and location 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 helicopter, 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 decrease with the lighting.
Sunrise or sunset will give you that soft glow and even know it is extra effort, it will be so worth it. In fact, we do not hike unless it is sunrise or sunset because the effort simply isn’t worth it.
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?
They can become a temporary marriage commissioner for a day and, drumroll please, it’s free!
It’s pretty straight forward as well. 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’ve worked 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 signing your certificate.
If you have family and friends attending, perfect! If its 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. Local Florals
Wondering where to get local florals? Here are my tops 3 favorites!
Bringing 28 years of experience in the international floral business, specifically from Brazil and Europe. They have had the opportunity to learn from the best and most renowned floral design teachers of Europe.
Their designs are inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds this little piece of heaven. They are committed to quality, affordability and bringing your unique vision to life.
Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, pride themselves on having European influences and purchasing our fresh product direct from the Netherlands.
8. Rocky Mountain Weather Tips
Mountain weather can shift quickly so be prepared to avoid it impacting your day negatively and make sure to have a go with the flow attitude!
If you’re eloping outdoors, which 99% of the time is the case, make sure to have a back up plan incase it rains!
‘If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes’, is the good ol’ classic saying here for a reason.
The weather can shift frequently from showers to sun, heat to chilly so be prepared and flexible.
Even if it’s calling for hot sun, bring something warm and something incase it rains.
9. Places to Stay
Not sure where to stay? We’ve got you covered. You have so many options in Canmore. Here are some of our favorites.
Bear & Bison Inn
BONUS
Charming Kananaskis Accommodation:
10. Activities To Do In Canmore
Curious on what to do in Canmore? Let us give you some ideas!
Let’s start off with a couple beautiful little strolls for the times when you want tom grab a cup of coffee and take a leisurely walk. Some of my favorite are;
‘Historic Railway Bridge’ aka The Engine Bride which connects you will a full loop of The Bow River
Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk which although short, is right downtown and perfect to pop out onto Main street.
Three Sisters Pathway note you will have to drive up to Three Sisters, but it’s worth it!
If you visit during summer and like golf, you have to check out these local golf clubs!
Other summer activities could be renting paddle boards or kayaks and heading out on the Bow River, or renting an E-bike and cycling the Banff Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff which is so fun!
You can rent all of these things through Bow Valley SUP. You can also rent canoes in Canmore here.
Are you into mountain biking, hike/trail running, disc golf, fat biking during winter or cross country skiing? If so, you should definitley visit the Nordic Centre!
Ready To Plan Your Canmore Elopement?
Did we mention we will also be your photographer, videographer and planner?!
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, 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 Canmore, Alberta.
‘’Jasmine wildly exceeded our expectations!’’- Kady & Alex
‘’Jasmine is a WIZARD!!! She captured how magical our day was.’’- Lindsey & Edward
‘’Being an Indian wedding the feelings, the colors, the magic of the environment were all brought together in a way we could not have even imagined possible’’- Mansi & Kael
