So you’ve made your plan – you’re eloping in Banff National Park! Excellent choice, Banff needs no explanation when it comes to whimsical views like something right out of a mountain fairytale. But the park is filled with stunning spots, so how do you even choose where to share your I Dos? Well, Erica and Adriel’s Bow Lake elopement might just give you some inspiration!

When eloping in Banff, you might feel drawn to places like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake – two incredibly popular spots to get married. But don’t be fooled, there are a few spots in the park that have far less crowds with equally incredible views and you won’t have to bring your hiking sticks to get there. And as a Vancouver elopement photographer, I’d almost always suggest choosing to venture a bit off of the beaten path.

Erica and Adriel also had some trouble choosing where to get married in the park, but ultimately decided on one of my all time favourite views. Just about an hour drive from the town of Banff, down an insanely scenic parkway, sits Bow Lake. A short walk along the lakeshore from the parking is all it takes to reach those quintessential Banff views of the glacier fed river and Rocky Mountain range. It made for a breathtaking background for Erica and Adriel’s elopement ceremony. Along with a small group of family, the two got married right there on the lake shore and brought along champagne for a post-vow toast!

But if you’re eloping in Banff, chances are you’ll want to explore more than just one area. Erica and Adriel felt the same. Just down the road you’ll find Peyto Lake, yet another absolutely epic view with a glistening turquoise lake and the Canadian Rockies lining the horizon. When we arrived the upper parking lot was closed, so we did have to work a bit harder to get to Peyto Lake than Bow Lake. But with about a 15-20 minute walk uphill, it was perfect since they wanted a little exploration to be included in their day.

The newlyweds were enjoying their time so much that we decided to stay even after sunset for portraits and play with some lanterns for some after-dark photos – which was pretty epic if you asked me! Along with the brilliant videography done by Emery from Kord and Co Films, I couldn’t have imagined a better day getting married in a national park! Their gallery is proof enough that you can’t go wrong with eloping in Banff.

While it’s an overwhelmingly beautiful spot for a wedding, you will want to keep in mind a few things about getting married in Banff and plan accordingly. It’s a national park so the rules are a bit tricky and the crowds can be intense. Don’t worry though, I’ve learned a thing or two over the years of elopement photography and I’m sharing them with you below!

Tips for eloping in Banff National Park at Bow Lake area:

The Icefield Parkway provides numerous gorgeous spots with about half of the crowds of places like Lake Louise. There is less infrastructure, but if you want to elope with some privacy, definitely check out this area.
If you do choose to head out the Icefield Parkway for your ceremony, it’s often best to stay in Lake Louise or just across the provincial border in BC at Cathedral Mountain Lodge as there aren’t many accommodations close by. However, if you are up for a drive, Banff is only an hour away as well.
Elope on a weekday. This area is incredibly popular with over 4 million people visiting Banff National Park every year. The weekends are pretty busy and it can be hard to feel any sense of privacy at those times. In my opinion, a weekday is the only good choice.
The sunset in Banff varies greatly over the year. In the summertime, the sun sets at late as 10pm in some areas. This could alter your timeline if you are looking for those dreamy sunset photos in the mountains.
September is the best month to elope in Banff, with August or early October as a close second. In September, the lakes have melted, but glaciers are still visible, there are far less people, and the sunset isn’t so late.
If you’re worried about crowds, you could opt for a sunrise elopement. Do keep in mind that this will be early in the summer. A sunrise ceremony is also affected by the direction of the sun on the mountain and can drastically change the lighting scenario. Make sure your photographer knows the area and you do research on the ceremony location!
If you are bringing guests, do your research on the area and how much space is available. For Bow Lake ceremonies, there is a great area that allows for plenty of guests. However at Peyto Lake, for example, there is truly only space for 4 or 5 comfortably.
Want to head somewhere a little less known? I’ve got some more places for you to check out! Just across the border into British Columbia, you could explore places like Emerald Lake Lodge, Takakkaw Falls, and Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park. If you venture down the highway to Jasper, check out Glacier View Lodge – a gem in the mountains.
For more details about the logistics of getting married in Banff National Park, head over to the blog! I’ve got a packed blog with plenty of tips for eloping in Banff!