Getting engaged is one of the most important moments in your life and opens the door to the brand new, exciting adventure of planning your wedding. As a celebration of your journey so far and all of the wonderful experiences that have yet to come, your wedding ceremony helps welcome a new chapter in your love story and captures the joy of dedicating yourselves to a life full of memories together.
While large-scale events used to be the most in-demand wedding, many modern couples are embracing a much more intimate style of nuptials that allows your love and devotion to shine through without the added pressure (or expense!) of entertaining countless guests. Elopement-style ceremonies, like the packages offered by Elope in Banff, allow you to focus on the most important part of your (little) big day: your love. Our team is pleased to offer ceremonies at some of the most iconic locations in Banff for wedding parties of 10-20, as well as true elopement-style ceremonies (just the wedding couple) all year round.
If you’ve been considering eloping in the Rockies, below are a few things to consider when planning your ceremony, as well as some of the top reasons to partner with our team and let us plan your special day. Read on to learn more!
Choosing the Perfect Location
Your location and your venue play a huge role in helping to set the ambience and the tone for your special day. One of the best parts of planning an elopement is that with fewer guests (or even without any at all!), it’s far easier to plan a destination wedding that allows you to “say I do!” surrounded by your dream backdrop.
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is a picture-perfect locale for couples looking to swap vows surrounded by the majesty of soaring peaks, crystal blue lakes, and more. Elope in Banff is proud to offer our couples access to ceremonies in some of the most beautiful spots you’ll find in Canmore, the Town of Banff (fancy getting married in Canada’s Castle in the Rockies, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel?), Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake.
*Moraine Lake ceremonies require couples to use the private transportation arranged by Elope in Banff (note: transportation costs are only for the eloping couple) to access the location in accordance with new government regulations regarding public access.
View our full list of locations here.
Crafting Your Guest List
As we mentioned above, the intimacy of elopements is part of what makes them so magical and heartwarming. Having a limited number of guests, or forgoing guests altogether, allows you to make sure you have your closest family and friends surrounding you on one of the most important days of your life. Whether you opt for a true elopement with just the two of you or include a small group of attendees, determining your guest list early on (as well as who will act as your witness, should you desire) will help streamline the planning process and ensure your elopement reflects your wishes.
Preserving the Memories
Recording the precious moments of your wedding is essential to ensuring you’ll have lasting memories of your special day. Photography and videography help capture each emotion and give you beautiful pictures to cherish throughout your lifetime together.
At Elope in Banff, there’s nothing we love more than helping couples create lasting memories. That’s why we include photography in each of our packages to ensure you get as many memories as you want from your big day.
Navigating Legal Requirements
If you’re planning on making your ceremony “official” and legally binding, it’s crucial to make sure all relevant paperwork is properly filed, including your marriage license and more. At Elope in Banff, we know that most eloping couples travel from out of town and that handling legal documents is usually the last thing on your mind when getting ready! Our team handles the less “fun” details by gathering and submitting essential documents, so all you have to do is show up, sign on the right line, and be wed! We’ll guide you through each step, including what additional documentation we may need from you (i.e. proof of divorce where applicable, etc), and ensure you have a registered officiant on hand to make your nuptials legal.
Adding Personal Touches
Elopements remove many of the cumbersome considerations from wedding planning, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make your ceremony truly yours. Writing your own vows is a great way to honour your personality and unique love story, as is the music you walk down the aisle to and play at your reception. Small mementoes can often be integrated into your venue as well, though it is worth noting that items need to be approved by the venue hosts (in the case of the Banff Springs Hotel) and compliant with all National Park regulations with regard to materials used, etc.
Elope with Peace Mind with Elope in Banff
Eloping is a beautiful way to celebrate your love and commitment in a personalized and intimate setting. At Elope in Banff, we’re here to help you through every step of the planning process, ensuring your elopement in the Rockies is a magical and unforgettable experience. We cherish the opportunity to work with you to create the perfect (little) big day for you and are proud to offer incredible indoor and outdoor venues like the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Heli-weddings atop Marvel Pass or Mt. Charles Stewart, Lake Louise, and multiple scenic outdoor sites.
Contact us today to start planning your dream elopement in Banff National Park!