A Banff elopement often makes it to the top of the list for couples planning an intimate mountain wedding and for good reason. Those iconic turquoise lakes and snow-dusted peaks have earned their reputation as world-class destinations. But after 9+ years as an elopement photographer, here’s my best-kept secret for one of the most sought-after destination wedding locations in Canada: the perfect Banff elopement might not be in Banff National Park at all.

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The Best Kept Secret for a Banff Elopement

Why Cathedral Mountain Lodge is the Perfect Elopement Location

Need Inspiration? Venus and Chris’s Mountain Elopement Itinerary

FAQs for Planning an Elopement in Banff & Beyond

Skip the Banff Elopement and Head to Yoho National Park Instead!

The secret’s out—the best spot for a Banff elopement is actually in British Columbia.

Most visitors to the Canadian Rockies never venture beyond the borders of Banff National Park which is exactly why you should. While Banff gets all the fame (and all the tourists, nearly 4.3 million people in 2023/24), Yoho National Park in British Columbia sits quietly next door with just 695,000 visitors a year, but just as impressive scenery to explore.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I completely understand the pull toward places like Lake Louise and other iconic Banff views. In fact, a quick search on my blog will show you that I’ve photographed plenty of weddings inside of the park. But as nature tourism continues to rise, so does the difficulty of a stress-free elopement experience. As of 2024, having a ceremony at Lake Louise is nearly impossible unless you book through the hotel and I don’t even recommend going there for portraits because it’s become overwhelmingly busy.

Though have no fear, I’m not here to squash your dreams, but rather offer you a proposal for the best of both worlds. Because they share a border, you can easily mix in some of the famous scenery of Banff AND still have a quiet, private elopement getaway in the mountains. A bonus? You’ll be surrounded by lesser-known dramatic waterfalls, breathtaking views, and yes even those glacial blue lakes, too!

This brings me to my favourite recommendation for couples planning an elopement in the Banff area…

Why Cathedral Mountain Lodge is the Perfect Elopement Location

In an area dominated by large resorts, Cathedral Mountain Lodge has that cabin-in-the-mountains feel while also giving you every luxury worthy of a wedding getaway. While it is certainly not a budget option (the Banff area isn’t known for its affordability), it offers something other hotels in the area don’t—peace and quiet. And for what they offer? It’s the best value around if you ask me. Which is why it even earned a spot on my best small wedding venues in BC list!

What makes Cathedral Mountain Lodge so special for elopements:

Cabin-meets-luxury experience: Their high-quality log cabins are one of my favourites for an indulgent vacation meets escape into nature. There’s a delicious restaurant on-site, canoeing, horseback riding, and plenty of package options to make your stay wedding-worthy. (But if you’re on a tight budget or want something more low-key, there is this campground just across the road!)
Prime location: It's incredibly close to the areas of Banff most people want to visit like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. But you're close to all the BC attractions too—Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, Kicking Horse River, and other beautiful spots are all close by, plus if you’re looking for a hike to wow you, you should absolutely enter the Lake O’hara lottery!
Private ceremony spots: You could have a simple ceremony along the river if your group is small. This is a big bonus because one of the trickiest things (and it's getting harder and harder) is finding gorgeous views that offer privacy in the Banff area. It's nearly impossible, and Cathedral Mountain Lodge offers that!!
Shuttle services: They even have a Moraine Lake shuttle—a huge advantage given how difficult parking has become there.

Some things to keep in mind when planning:

The lodge is seasonal. This isn’t a spot for the winter as it’s only open from late May to early October.
This isn’t a wedding venue. If you’re looking for all of the perks that come with a traditional wedding venue, this isn’t a great fit. The restaurant doesn’t take large party reservations and while they do have access to great private ceremony spots, they’re limited to ten people at maximum. It’s ideal if you’re eloping just the two of you or only have a few guests!

Want Inspiration for Your Elopement? A Look into Venus and Chris’s Day

With truly unlimited options for a mountain elopement in this region, it can be hard to choose. But if there’s a day that could help guide you as you plan, it’s the one planned by Venus and Chris. Why? Because they’re wedding vendors themselves!

These two are wedding videographers who met on Coffee Meets Bagel, fresh out of college. It’s always an honour to be chosen by fellow wedding pros, so when they reached out about a day spent at Cathedral Mountain Lodge and exploring both Yoho and Banff, I was 100% in.

It’s also the perfect example of the perfect blend of intimate family celebration and epic mountain adventure (yes, you can have BOTH)! Their day started with first looks followed by a riverside ceremony and cozy little picnic with their family on the deck of the main lodge. Then off we went with just the two of them, their videographer (the talented Kord & Co who I love working with), and me for some hiking elopement adventure!

We hit up their favourite spots, first around Yoho before hopping over the provincial border into Banff National Park. This included:

Takakkaw Falls - The second tallest waterfall in Canada is found right here in Yoho but is somehow overlooked by the tourist crowd. It’s a great option if you want to include some adventure without much effort, as it is super accessible with minimal hiking. The only potential challenge is parking, so I’d recommend a late afternoon visit to easily snag a spot!
Constellation Lakes - We took the shuttle to Moraine Lake from the Lake Louise town area (a must nowadays unless you’re staying at the Moraine Lake Lodge). The start of this hike is crowded, especially mid-day as that’s when most people come to the area. About 45 minutes in, you’ll see why it’s well-loved. You wind through a gently sloped forest path and you end up gazing on a gorgeous alpine lake with glaciers in the background. We arrived and had the place to ourselves!
Moraine Lake - When we returned to Moraine Lake in the evening, the crowds had disappeared. But because we took the shuttle and didn’t need to worry about the parking lot closing, we headed in as others were heading out. We were able to stay until sunset, take in the blue hues that make this lake famous, and get some gorgeous lantern photos at dusk!

Fun Fact: The lake's famous turquoise color shows best when the water is still, as wind can affect how the sky's reflection appears in the water. So the less wind, the better!

So if you are dreaming about soaking up all of the beauty of Banff AND still find some privacy for your wedding day away from swarming crowds—Venus and Chris are proof you CAN! The secret? Venture beyond where most tourists go, time your visits strategically and get insider information as you plan.

As someone who's photographed countless elopements throughout the Canadian Rockies, I can tell you that where and when matters. That’s why I help my couples with specific location recommendations, timing strategies, and booking tips to make their day as stress-free as possible! If you're considering a Cathedral Mountain Lodge elopement (or anywhere in the Banff/Yoho area), know the perfect mountain elopement is absolutely possible—it just takes a little know-how. And I’d love to be the one to help plan and photograph it all! Reach out here for more information!!

Until then, here’s the most common questions answered when it comes to planning your elopement in the Banff area!

FAQs For Planning an Elopement in Banff National Park & Beyond

Is Yoho better than Banff?

It's not about one being "better" than the other—they're different experiences with their own advantages! Banff offers those iconic, bucket-list locations you've seen all over Instagram, while Yoho provides equally stunning landscapes with significantly fewer crowds. For elopement ceremonies specifically, I often recommend the Yoho side because privacy is easier to find and keeps your ceremony stress-free. In my humble-yet-very-experienced opinion, the best approach combines both: stay in Yoho for the cozy mountain elopement, then strategically check off Banff locations during less crowded times.

How far apart are Banff and Yoho?

They're right next to each other and share a border! The drive from Cathedral Mountain Lodge to Lake Louise is only about 30 minutes. From the lodge to Moraine Lake is approximately 45 minutes. Most couples are surprised at how easy it is to experience both parks in a single day. This proximity is exactly what makes staying in Yoho such a brilliant strategy for elopements—you get the privacy of the less-visited park while still having convenient access to Banff's iconic spots.

What is the best time of year to get married in Banff / Yoho?

The most popular time is mid-June through early October when all the lakes and views are accessible. July and August offer the warmest temperatures but also the largest crowds. Shoulder season (June or late September) has slightly fewer tourists with some good weather still to enjoy. Winter elopements (December-March) can be magical with that snowglobe-type backdrop, but many parts of the park aren’t accessible due to road conditions. Also note that some accommodations are seasonal, like Cathedral Mountain Lodge.

Do I need permits to get married in the national park?

Yes! Whether you choose to get married in Banff or Yoho, you need to fill out an application form. Private property locations like Cathedral Mountain Lodge may have different requirements, so always check specifically for your chosen ceremony spot. I have a full blog on How to Get Married in Banff National Park that is useful for any national park elopement in Canada!

How do we access Moraine Lake since parking is so limited?

My top three recommendations for going to Moraine Lake on your elopement day would be to:

Stay at Moraine Lake Lodge (the only way you can bring your vehicle up to the lake parking lot)
Stay at Cathedral Mountain Lodge and use their shuttle service
Book a private shuttle that leaves from the Lake Louise town area.

You can also use the Parks Canada shuttle system (but be aware these fill up quickly and are limited to peak hours) or take your chances at an early morning arrival (before 5 am). To be clear, these aren’t recommended by me, but are still options to consider!

Have more questions about choosing your location, getting married logistics, or finding an elopement photographer for your beyond-Banff elopement??

Contact Me for more info