While you might be tempted by the famous views of Banff National Park, don’t let the nearby town of Canmore slip under the radar when planning your Alberta elopement. With fewer regulations, more privacy, picturesque mountain views, and plenty of cozy accommodation options, eloping in Canmore is the ideal spot for getting married in the mountains! Just ask Justina and Taylor, who celebrated forever together at a sunrise ceremony without another soul in sight.

An elopement couple embraces in front of a lake and snow dusted mountains with an alpen glow as the sun rises over canmore, Alberta

Why Canmore is the perfect alternative to planning a Banff elopement

It’s no secret that Banff National Park is a popular mountain elopement location! The park itself has more than 4 million visitors each year, flocking to catch a glimpse of the turquoise glacial waters of Lake Louise, gawk at the Canadian Rockies, and explore the quaint towns with impressive snow-capped mountain view backdrops.

But if you’re an out-of-towner planning a destination wedding or elopement, you might not realize that Canmore sits just a 25-minute drive east of the town of Banff! It is a dreamscape for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike, full of cozy cabin rentals, relaxed vibes, and insane mountain views. While both towns have their advantages, Canmore holds the promise of fewer crowds on the trails and in the town, as it sits just outside of the national park rather than inside of it. This bit is especially helpful for planning your Alberta elopement, as you don’t have to stress about permits and registration that come along with getting married in the park.

But don’t think you’ll have to skip a trip to the park itself, it’s an easy drive for a post-ceremony adventure session as well. This is exactly what Justina and Taylor planned for their sunrise elopement in Canmore!

Eloping in Canmore, Alberta: sunrises, bagels, and oh so epic mountain views!

One day you’re at the gym, getting in your workout as usual. The next, you’re in front of the Canadian Rockies promising forever to your favourite person! At least, that’s true for Justina and Taylor. They met at the gym, realized they had a few mutual friends, and hit it off just as the pandemic sent the world into lockdown. While the restrictions of 2020 brought chaos and separation to so many, it brought Justina and Taylor closer together. The rest is history.

Quite an epic history if you ask me! When it came time to tie the knot, they quickly realized that a big, traditional wedding wasn’t their thing. Neither of them loved the idea of being the center of attention and when it came to their budget, they valued experiences way more than throwing a big social gathering. Ding, ding, an elopement was for sure the winner for these two! And while they didn’t want to plan a big wedding, they also didn’t want to get married without their loved ones. That’s the beauty of eloping! You can do whatever you want, wherever you want, with whoever you want. From there, you just have to pick the right place for you.

So at the end of June, Justina and Taylor, along with their immediate family coming in from Ontario, headed to the rugged wilderness of Alberta for a day full of love, adventure, and some seriously sweet moments I had the honour of capturing. This time of year is a treat in Canmore, as the lakes have fully melted but oftentimes the mountains are still dusted in snow, giving those awe-worthy views the area is known for. The trade-off is that the weather can be a bit unpredictable, one day is cloudy, and the next blue skies. The same was true for their Canmore elopement, as the day before was, dare I say, miserable. But when the time came, the clouds cleared and gave way to scenery that was meant to be for a wedding day.

Justina and Taylor are early risers and decided a sunrise elopement ceremony was perfect for them. And while sunrise ceremonies might not be for everyone (those alarms go off quite early), they give you a chance to beat the crowds and have even super popular spots all to yourself.

So they got married at sunrise with only their family, one of the best officiants around (shout out to Cole!), their photographer (hey, that’s me!), and a sneaky little alpine glow as a very welcomed wedding crasher. Even with chilly weather, spirits were high, eyes were teary, and the sunrise elopement was the perfect start way to start their day. After the ceremony, they headed to Rocky Mountain Bagel Co, a local favourite with killer spreads and my personal recommendation, bagel juice (aka fresh squeezed OJ)!

With full bellies, Banff National Park was the next stop! A quick 25-minute drive to Lake Minnewanka gave way to more spectacular views, just outside of the town of Banff. On the way, I asked Justina and Taylor what kind of music they wanted to listen to, and an enthusiastic “Morgan Wallen!” was the answer. Now every time his music comes on over my speakers, I think of their day in Canmore, the adventure session in Banff, and the beautiful memories (and photos) that came from it!

I’d do this elopement over and over again if I could. So who’s planning an Alberta elopement and has Canmore on their list?! Sign me up because I couldn’t imagine anything better.

Is Banff or Canmore better for your Alberta elopement?

For out-of-towners, Canmore often gets lumped in with Banff, so let’s chat about the area first!

Most often when someone says “Banff”, they’re referring to Banff National Park, which is a huge area covering over 6,600 km (2,500 miles). Like I said, HUGE! But within the national park borders, there is the towns of Banff and Lake Louise. To stay in or visit either, you’ll need a park pass to first enter the park and then visit the town. Banff (the town) is a well-known resort town, with chateau-style hotels, boutiques, and souvenir shops galore. These are highly trafficked areas, as mentioned earlier, the park gets over 4 million visitors a year.

Canmore sits just outside of national park borders, just west of Calgary. With a charming main street, a plethora of hiking trails, and so many hidden-gem accommodations, Canmore sits as the home base for many vacationers headed to Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, and many provincial parks.

So is Canmore or Banff better? It’s impossible to say. It completely depends on your vision for the day! Here are the main differences between Canmore and Banff when it comes to weddings and elopements:

Canmore

Outside of national park borders, does not a park pass or permit
More AirBnBs and cabins
More emphasis on big mountain views, with hikes to glacial lakes requiring some effort
Closer to the main airport
Less crowded than Banff or Lake Louise

Banff

Inside Banff National Park, requires a park pass and permits
Big mountain views with turquoise glacial lakes easily accessible
More hotels and resorts than AirBnbs and cabins

When it comes to choosing the right location for your Alberta elopement, it all depends on the vision and plans for your day!

FAQs for planning a Canmore elopement

What is the best time of year to elopement in Canmore?

The warmer months of June to September allow you to fully explore the wilderness of the area. June and September are my personal favourites, as they are considered shoulder season and tend to be slightly less busy. Opt for June if you want a bit of snow on the mountains or September while the leaves are turning and before the lakes freeze for the winter! July and August bring beautiful days, but with that comes the busiest part of the season, so if you don’t mind crowds and want warmer weather, those might be your pick!

Which is a better place to elope, Canmore or Banff?

If you prefer more privacy, big mountain views versus glacial lakes, quick access to multiple scenic locations, and more remote hiking options, Canmore should be your pick! If you want striking blue lakes, easy views with less hiking, and don’t mind crowds, Banff is your place! One isn’t necessarily better than the other, though many couples choose Canmore because of its intimate Airbnb options, the easy drive to the airport, and overall budget as it tends to be more affordable than Banff in general.

Can I rent an Airbnb in Canmore for my elopement?

Absolutely! While Canmore does offer less expensive options than towns in the park like Banff and Lake Louise, it is still a costly place to visit. If budget is a concern, look into shoulder seasons for more affordable options! However, keep in mind that unpredictable weather could be the trade-off.

Can I bring my dog to my elopement in Canmore?

Yes! Canmore is extremely dog friendly, with many walking areas around, as long as you keep your furry friend on a leash. Don’t forget to double-check with your accommodation on their pet policies!

How far is Canmroe from Banff?

The drive time from Canmore to Banff (the town) is about 25 minutes. For Banff National Park, the travel time varies greatly, as it’s a big place and the scenic spots tend to be spread out. For example, if you are heading to Bow Lake, it is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Canmore. But that is what makes this region so spectacular! The ample amount of wilderness brings so much opportunity for adventure, though it comes at the cost of travelling through it to get to the iconic locations that might be on your bucket list.

Can my friend perform my ceremony for my elopement in Canmore?

YES! How cool is that? Alberta has a program where a friend can become an officiant for a day and perform a legal ceremony. The friend must be a permanent resident of Canada, be over 18 years old, and can only perform the ceremony in Alberta. Check out the information on registering as a temporary marriage commissioner here!

If I am eloping in Canmore, which airport should I fly into?

You should fly into Calgary International Airport. It’s by far the closest option, only about an hour away from Canmore. Calgary is a great airport and the city offers everything you could need before you head into the mountains for your elopement!

Want to plan your own Canmore, Alberta elopement?

YAY! You couldn’t pick a better location for getting married in the mountains. The possibilities are truly endless, so let’s get to planning! Contact me if you’re looking to book a photographer to capture every moment of the best day EVER, I’m here to help you however I can!

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