Banff, Alberta

Lisa Pugsley
Staff Writer

Imagine majestic mountain views for your wedding pictures.

One of the most challenging decisions in planning a wedding in Banff National Park, or anywhere in the Canadian Rockies, is choosing from hundreds of beautiful locations. There are almost limitless options for getting married inside Banff.

Banff National Park offers breathtaking wedding locations

There are hundreds of beautiful locations in Banff for wedding ceremonies and receptions.  Depending on what kind of scenery you want for your backdrop, Banff offers a location to fit your needs.

A Banff wedding is an affordable option for practically all budgets. Not only are these locations stunning, but the price tag won’t break the bank either with proper planning and research.

Recommended Mountaintop Wedding Locations

Quarry Lake is only a few minutes drive from the town of Canmore and offers a stunning 360 degree view that is spectacular in all directions. If accessibility is an issue, Quarry Lake is a good option for both young and older guests.

Quarry Lake is also a popular location because it offers accommodations for larger weddings as opposed to most other places in Banff National Park.

Tunnel Mountain Meadow, located in the town of Banff is another good option for larger groups.

If you want a mountain top location, the Sulfur Mountain Gondola will take you straight to the top. The Gondola is easily reachable and makes a mountain top wedding accessible for guests of all ages as well.

The Gondola ride offers incredible views of the Canadian Rockies and only takes eight minutes to reach the top.  At the end of your ride, you will be 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level giving you an inexpensive but amazing backdrop of majestic mountain scenery for your wedding.

In Banff National Park, there are no shortages of beautiful mountain backdrops.

Winter and Summer Wedding Recommendations

Banff is the perfect place for a winter wonderland wedding.

Every winter when Lake Louise freezes over, an ice castle is built, offering a magical and whimsical location for a wedding. The masterpiece is carved out of a solid block of ice every year by the chef at the Chateau Lake Louise providing a winter wonderland backdrop for your wedding.

For those who prefer a warmer temperature, Two Jack Lake is a great option for a summer wedding. The lake is only a short drive into the park from the town of Banff and offers a wilderness setting complete with big-horned sheep roaming the mountainsides.

Lodges and Hotels for Weddings

In addition to Quarry Lake, a popular place to hold a larger weddings is The Juniper Hotel & Bistro in Banff. This location is especially popular with mid-sized weddings.

In the town of Banff, Buffalo Mountain Lodge is also popular for accommodating larger weddings. The lodge is home to a large building names the wapiti, which has open beam ceilings and a gigantic stone fireplace.

If you are looking to get off the beaten path, try Emerald Lake Lodge and the Num-Ti-Ja Lodge located on Bow Lake.  Both of these beautiful locations were built with the nature lover in mind, especially those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle.