Banff National Park elopement guide – where to get married in Banff

In the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada, you’ll find Banff National Park – with stunning terrain made up of glaciers, mountains, and turquoise blue lakes. For couples looking for a wedding experience that isn’t like the traditional wedding mold, who want to tie the knot outdoors instead of in a venue, and who want to adventure together, a Banff National Park elopement might be perfect!

This guide will tell you where to get married in Banff for the most epic views, and give away some of my favorite hikes and elopement locations in the park! 

1) The Best Easily Accessible Places for an Elopement Ceremony at Banff National Park

If you aren’t feeling like hiking on your elopement day, and want a stunning view without too much sweating, here’s where to get married in Banff!

a- Moraine Lake

When it comes to where to get married in Banff, Moraine Lake is a really popular one! The lake is bright blue, with mountain peaks lined up behind it. The views are certainly epic, but one thing to be aware of is that there will be crowds, no matter when you elope. I recommend staying in the Moraine Lake Lodge nearby, so that you can walk to the lake and not worry about parking.

For a little more privacy, there are several hiking trails that begin at Moraine Lake, and offer incredible scenery, without as much crowding.

b- Lake Louise

This is one of the most popular places in Banff, with mountains surrounding the turquoise blue lake. In the summer, you can tie the knot in the meadow by the lake, and in the winter, you can even get married on the ice! Though Moraine Lake sees more crowds, you’ll still need to make sure to get to Lake Louise bright and early to avoid having to wade through too many visitors for your ceremony.

c- Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake can be reached with a 10 minute walk – but disclaimer, it is a steep one! Though it’s not quite a hike, it can be difficult for some, so be aware before falling in love with this elopement location. At the top, there’s a viewing platform above the turquoise water, giving you incredible views of the mountains.

d- Tunnel Mountain Reservoir

The Tunnel Mountain Reservoir is a gorgeous meadow located in the town of Banff. It’s perfect for bigger celebrations, as it’s easily accessible and can accommodate more guests! But, it’s a great place to elope in Banff because of the gorgeous views. You’ll have a lot more privacy here, and are able to set up an arch and some chairs if needed.

e- Storm Mountain Lodge

A cabin is a great place to get married in Banff, as you can have a private location with gorgeous views outside! At Storm Mountain Lodge, you can tie the knot at the lodge or just outside the rustic wooden cabin. You can also go explore in Banff National Park, then come back to the lodge for a cozy place to stay.

2) The Best Hikes for an Elopement Ceremony at Banff National Park

If you want to work a little harder for the views on your elopement day, here are the best hikes in Banff National Park, and some incredible places to get married!

a- Parker Ridge

Parker Ridge is a hike in Banff National Park, and when it comes to where to get married in Banff, this is one of the best options for low effort, high reward views. The trail is 5.4 kilometers (3.3 miles) long, and gains 250 meters (820 feet) of elevation – so compared to many other hikes, it’s an easy trek! The views at the ridge are incredible, revealing several peaks and a beautiful vista.

b- Healy Pass

This is one of the best places to get married in Banff National Park – and it includes a unique experience! There’s a gondola that takes you 500 meters (1,640 feet) up to the beginning of the hike, so you can fly over the mountains of Banff on your elopement day. From there, you’ll hike through gorgeous meadows and mountain views. In late July and early August, the wildflowers bloom, creating a stunning landscape – and no matter when you elope, you’ll have incredible views of the Continental Divide.

c- Lake Annette

This is one of the best hikes in Banff, and one of the best places to get married if you want a more secluded, less traveled location. Here, you’ll find a pristine alpine lake, surrounded by cliff walls and glaciers, with towering mountains in the backdrop. The trail is 11.4 kilometers (a little more than 7 miles), though you can hike a little further to get to Paradise Valley for waterfall views.

d- Helen Lake

The Helen Lake hike will take you through the forest before emerging at the gorgeous ridgeline above the lake. At 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) roundtrip, it’s a moderate hike for your elopement, and will give you some incredible views of mountains and wildflowers!

e- Cory Pass

Hiking to Cory Pass is difficult, but the view is one of the most breathtaking, making it an incredible place to get married in Banff National Park. As you come over the ridgeline, you’ll be greeted with incredible views of Mt. Louis. The hike is a 13 kilometer (8 mile) long loop that circles around Mt. Edith!

3) Permits to Get Married at Banff National Park

In order to tie the knot and get married in Banff, you will need to get a permit. This is called a wedding registration form, and can be found here. The permit is free and does not need to be approved – it’s just to let the park know that you plan to have a ceremony!

There are no restrictions on where you can elope in Banff, but the ceremony is limited to 20 people, including the officiant, photographer, guests, and the two of you. The form needs to be mailed or delivered in person, so while there is no official time requirement, make sure you do this early enough so the park has the information on file before the ceremony!

Along with the wedding registration form, any photographers or videographers working in Banff National Park will need a separate business license. Be sure to hire vendors who are aware and can get this license!

Ready for Your Banff National Park Elopement?

One of the most important things you need to elope at Banff National Park is an experienced photographer!

As an elopement photographer, I help my couples with every part of the day – from finding the best place for them to get married, to making sure we get the right permits, and building a custom timeline for the day, I want to make sure your elopement is unique, and a perfect reflection of you.