How to Elope in Banff: My Top 10 Tips
If you’re wondering how to get married in Banff, that means you’re probably dreaming of the turquoise waters of Lake Louise or the sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies. It also means you’re my kind of people. Banff is the gem of Alberta and is an incredible place to plan an intimate wedding ceremony! Skip the endless Googling and let me help you check off some boxes on your elopement planning list. This post will tell you step-by-step how to make it happen!
After photographing in Banff year after year, I’ve got a few tips for how to elope in Banff with more ease and less stress. Here we go!
Secure your marriage license
Those pesky legalities are probably on the top of your to-do list. The good news is that it’s rather easy to get a marriage license for your Banff elopement. For the quick overview version, you’ve got to apply for your license within three months of your date and bring ID to a Banff Registry Agent when you arrive in the area. Plus, there are no citizenship requirements, so anyone from any country can get legally married in Alberta. You can read all of the information in-depth here!
I recommend showing up at least a couple of days before the ceremony to make sure you’ve got everything in order! The fee is only $40! You’ll need to give this to your officiant the day of your ceremony, so make sure you don’t misplace it. If you have any issues, a registry agent can help you through it! If you’d rather get legally married wherever you are in the world and then have a symbolic ceremony the day of your elopement, that would work too!
2. Submit your registration form to Banff National Park
Just when you thought the boring legalities were over with, I came at you with another form. Unless you are renting a private venue in Banff or Lake Louise, you’ll need to fill out a registration form that can be found here and it’s completely free! It’s just to acknowledge that you understand the conditions of getting married in all of the beauty that is Banff National Park! Some of the conditions include a maximum of 20 people in attendance, a park pass is required, and understanding that it does not grant exclusive rights to the area, so everyone needs to respect other visitors and wildlife in the area.
Simply download the form, fill it out, and send it via email or mail to the addresses at the bottom of the linked page. This will take you just a couple of minutes to complete! Easy peasy. I recommend doing this about 2-4 weeks before the date just to make sure they can respond to your request in time.
3. Find your officiant
Not just anyone can marry you in Alberta and self-solemnization isn’t an option. So you should find and book an officiant for your elopement! I’ve got a few I can recommend, but you can also search through the registry here. A person must be legally authorized by Vital Statistics to perform your marriage ceremony. Both civil marriage commissioners and religious clergy are eligible to be your officiant!
Have you thought about possibly having a friend marry you instead? Good news! Your friend or family member can become a temporary marriage commissioner for a day! It’s free and and fairly simple. The person you choose will have to fill out and submit a form at least 4 weeks before your date, and after approval will be sent an instruction package on how to proceed. This person must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Canada, and cannot charge anything for their services. You can find all the details for this here. And just like I mentioned earlier, there’s always the option to get legally married where you live and have a symbolic ceremony! Either way, we’ll make it happen.
4. Choose your witnesses
Alberta, like much of the rest of the country, requires two witnesses for your ceremony. Don’t overthink this one though, it’s really as easy as it sounds. You just need two adults to be physically present to sign off on your marriage! Oftentimes, couples invite close loved ones to be their witnesses, but that’s not always the case! I’ve been a witness before.
And a couple of times, it was me and a helicopter pilot that signed. I have even had strangers who happened to be in the area sign for couples who were in a pinch for a witness! There are ways to sign off on the legalities and still do your day just the way you want to. If you need some creative ideas, shoot me an email! I’d be happy to help.
5. Choose your date
But before you choose a date for your Banff elopement, I first want you to consider the season. Weather in the mountains of Banff can be different than you’d expect. It is very cold in the winter season and many locations are inaccessible. In the summertime, the area can be extremely crowded and rather warm. While I am here to help you make your dream a reality, some factors are just larger than us.
The weather is one of them. I’d recommend the shoulder season if you are looking for mild weather and weekdays for less crowds. Keep in mind, accommodations and vendors also book super quickly in peak season during the summer months, so plan early if that’s your dream! My personal favourite time to be in Banff is mid-September because of the beautiful autumn colours, fewer people, and the lakes are completely thawed!
6. Find a perfect location
Banff is full of epic locations for your ceremony. Mountains, lakes, forests - the options are endless! If you are having trouble choosing a location, ask yourself a few questions! What level of accessibility is needed for you or your guests? Do you have a place that holds sentimental value? Do you have a certain vision for our photos? Are you wanting to add any activities to the day like hiking, helicopters, or picnics? This might help you narrow down what is possible for your day.
For example, Karen and Emmanuel wanted a location that was stunning and accessible for their family to be a part of their day. So Moraine Lake was a no brainer! Check out the gallery of their Moraine Lake wedding at sunrise and tell me that Banff isn’t one of the most stunning places on earth!!! Some of my other favourites include Minnewanka, Peyto Lake, and (while not technically in Banff) Quary Lake in Canmore. If you’re struggling with choosing a location, I’ve got some secret spots up my sleeve and would love to help you as your elopement photographer!
7. Book your Accommodations
You’ll want to book your stay sooner rather than later! Banff is an extremely popular tourist destination and therefore accommodations book up rather quickly, especially in the summer and on weekends. Staying in Banff and Lake Louise is the most convenient option, though you’ll likely pay extra for the convenience.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, Canmore is a perfect option for you! Choosing a place to stay is another great reason to plan your elopement during the week. Lodging tends to be easier to find and much cheaper during the week! Here are some of my favourite accommodations for your Banff elopement!
Base Camp Resorts in Canmore
Juniper Hotels - cabin accommodations in Banff!
Banff Glamping - because who doesn’t love to glamp?
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - an obvious luxury spot!
Paradise Lodge And Bungalows - cozy cabin feels in Lake Louise!
Glacier View Lodge - comfort looking onto a Glacier!
Favourite Airbnbs:
8. Choose vendors who genuinely understand your vision
There is no shortage of wedding vendors in the area, it’s true. But are they the right vendors for you? That’s for you to decide! Banff has so much to offer for you elopement and your vendors can help create an incredible experience for you. With inside knowledge of the region and expert skills in their craft, I can’t stress enough how important this is. These vendors may (or may not) include..
Adventure Companies (helicopters, canoes, horseback riding, etc)
9. Remember that it’s YOUR day
While there are some “musts” when figuring out how to elope in Banff, there are also a whole lot of unique possibilities! If you really wanted something for your elopement, but it’s not on this list, that’s completely okay. In fact, it’s why I love elopements so dang much! They are completely customizable and unique to the couple and what you love to do. Check out my blog full of unique elopement ideas for just some examples of what you can incorporate for your day!
There is truly no right or wrong for planning your elopement. As long as you are creating a day that will make you happy, honor your love, and stay true to who you are - it’s going to be amazing!
10. Create your master to-do list
A little organization can take the stress away from navigating how to elope in Banff! Over the years, I’ve worked with many couples and everyone does it a little differently. But if you’re here looking for a little guidance, here’s what order I’d suggest for you to use as you plan your elopement!
CONTACT/BOOK PHOTOGRAPHER (4-18 MONTHS OUT)
PICK DATE & LOCATION (4-18 MONTHS OUT)
CONTACT OFFICIANT (4-12 MONTHS OUT)
BOOK TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS (4-11 MONTHS OUT)
ORGANIZE/ORDER BIG WEDDING ATTIRE ITEMS (3-10 MONTHS OUT)
BOOK A HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST (3-10 MONTHS OUT)
BOOK YOUR FLORIST (3-10 MONTHS OUT)
GET LOCATION PERMITS (1-4 WEEKS out)
OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE (1-3 WEEKS OUT)
ORGANIZE WITNESSES (1-2 WEEKS OUT)
As I said, this is just a suggestion. But I do have a reason for why this timeline looks the way it does. Remember when I said vendors book rather quickly for Banff? I wasn’t kidding. Photographers often book more than a year out and officiants are in high demand. Also why worry about your marriage license in the beginning when you can only apply for it within 3 months of your date? I do have a method to my madness, I promise. And if you’re ready to get started planning and would love for me to photograph your elopement, I’m ready for you! You can fill out my contact form here or just answer the questions below.
Don’t forget to check out other blog posts for more great information!
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