How to Plan a Banff Elopement (Updated for 2025)
This is a guide to planning a Yosemite elopement including ceremony locations, permit requirements, elopement vendors near Yosemite, and locations within the park where you can get stunning mountain views.
Table of Contents
Why have a Banff elopement?
Banff wedding permit info
Permit cost
The Best Elopement Locations in Banff
Wedding venues in Banff
Hiking elopement locations in Banff
Locations that don’t require hiking
Banff elopement vendors
Accommodations in Banff
Why plan a Banff Elopement?
Being from Colorado, I’ve lived my whole life surrounded by the Rockies, but the Canadian Rockies surrounding Banff are a whole other world. Banff and the surrounding areas are just full of Moraines, gatorade blue water, glacial valleys, wildlife, and expansive views that you just don’t see anywhere else in the world. I just couldn’t get over how vast the landscape was and how the mountains just never seemed to end. There’s no where in the world that can hold a candle to the beauty of the picturesque views you find around Banff, so there’s no better backdrop for your elopement.
Banff Wedding Permit Info
If you didn’t know, in order to marry in Banff, YOU NEED A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, which is about $40. You don’t have to be a Canadian resident to elope in Banff, but if you’re from the states, it might be cheaper and easier to do it officially at home, depending on what state you’re from. You can marry pretty much anywhere you want in the park, but make sure to follow Leave No Trace Principles.
Rules for eloping in Banff
No more than 20 people in attendance (including all vendors)
Aquire permit
No blocking off an area for your ceremony
Check Banff’s website for all updated permit requirements
Marriage Laws in Canada
Aquire a marriage license
Pay the fee (usually $100 in Alberta)
No waiting period
Valid for 3 months
Banff is on the border to British Columbia- if you’re eloping in Banff, you need an Alberta license, if you’re eloping somewhere across the border in British Columbia, you need a British Columbia License.
The Best time of Year to Elope Banff
Summer- Mid June-August
Summer is one of the busiest times of year in Banff, but also one of the most beautiful. The weather in summer is best for hiking and camping, with wildflowers and long, long days of sun. High alpine locations are only going to be accessible in the summer and very early fall in Banff, as it starts snowing at higher elevations starting in August. The crowds are at their peak during this time, but if you just plan around less busy times of day and locations that aren’t as popular, you can still find a place to have a quiet moment for the two of you.
Fall- September-Early October
Fall in the Canadian Rockies is much less crowded, much cooler, and an absolute sight to see. The larches change in mid-September, which is the best time to visit if you want those golden autumn colors for your elopement. High alpine locations will have a dusting of snow, but the lakes won’t be frozen quite yet, so you can still see Moraine Lake and lake Louise in all their glory. Hiking will be more restricted than in summer later in fall, but the trails will also be less busy.
Winter- Late October-Early April
Winter can be rough in Banff, I won’t lie- it can get up to -31 F (-35 C) with nasty freezing winds. If you want to catch the snow before the lakes freeze and when temperatures are slightly warmer, late October to November is your best bet for a stunning scenery with snow and that blue lake water. December to March, you can walk and sometimes skate on the frozen lakes, ski, and warm up by the fire inside. Snow will stick around until May, but will start to get sticky and muddy by mid April.
Spring- April-Mid June
I don’t recommend spring in Banff, personally. It’s muddy and snowy until at least late June, making most trails and many other areas outside the ski resorts unusable. Ski resorts will stay open until about May when they close down from a lack of snow. Most of the lakes aren’t full, since the snow hasn’t melted, and the weather is really unpredictable. I’d recommend any other season over spring in the mountains. The up side to spring is that it’s the least crowded time to visit Banff, but many businesses will close for the season and accessibility will be more limited.
Banff Elopement Activities
Hike to where you’ll say your vows
Canoe in one of the iconic red canoes on of of the pristine blue lakes, like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake
Ride Horses to your ceremony location with Discover Banff Tours or Banff Trail Riders
Don’t want to hike? Ride a helicopter to where you’ll say your vows with Alpine Helicopter Tours, Banff Adventures, Banff Tours, or Rockies Heli Canada
Go dog sledding or snowmobiling with Banff Adventures
The Best Locations to elope in Banff
Wedding Venues in Banff
Hikes
Parker Ridge- 4 miles
Sentinel Pass- 7 miles
Larch Valley- 5.5 miles
Bow Glacier Falls- 5.6 miles
Aylmer Lookout- 14.4 miles
East Rundle- 3 miles
Locations that don’t require a hike
Moraine Lake
Lake Louise
Peyto Lake
Bow Lake
Tunnel Mountain Reservoire
Lake Minnewanka
Two Jack Lake
Emerald Lake
Healy Pass
Mount Norquay Lookout
Banff Elopement Vendors
Officiants
Florals
HMUA
Catering/Private Chefs
Accommodations in Banff
Still need a Banff elopement photographer?
Banff is one of the most beautiful elopement locations in the world. I’ve spent summer after summer helping couples plan the most epic adventure of their lives and guiding them through the rockies. I love showing couples all my favorite spots and helping them figure out the logistics of planning their day. if you wanna chat about what your dream elopement looks like and start planning it, reach out and we can talk!