Spring
Spring is the shoulder season in Banff National Park between the busy summer tourist season and winter ski trips. The lakes are beginning to thaw and the temperatures are warming up from winter’s cold. The road to Moraine Lake, Canada’s most iconic viewpoint, opens in mid-May so you can beat the summer crowds by eloping in the spring.
The weather can be unpredictable for spring weddings, but some of the best photos Banff wedding photographers have captured come from stormy skies and windy days. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at this epic stormy elopement in Banff and the way the bride’s Rue de Seine wedding dress flowed in the wind.
Summer
Lakes as blue as Kool-aid and alpine meadows covered in wildflowers make Banff one of the best places to elope in the world, and summer is when they’re at their finest. Summer offers the most ceremony location options for Banff weddings, and you’ll never run out of things to do or trails to explore while on your trip.
Summer is peak tourist season in Banff, so don’t be surprised if the area feels a little crowded. Being local Banff wedding photographers, we can help you escape the crowds for your adventurous elopement while still getting incredible views.
Fall
Fall is one of the best times to visit Banff National Park! The mountains change to bright gold as the alpine larches begin to shed their needles and summer crowds thin with kids back in school. The days grow shorter and sunrise isn’t until about 7:00am, so if you plan on a sunrise hike for your elopement you don’t have to get up ridiculously early like in summer solstice!
Autumn is our favourite time of the year as Banff wedding photographers because the Rockies are quieter and hiking Larch Valley in the fall is unforgettable. Larches are usually at their peak gold colour towards the end of September, so plan your trip around then. Don’t be surprised by early snow storms while here, too!
Winter
Winter is often overlooked by couples planning a wedding in Banff National Park, but it is completely underrated. There are zero crowds, the mountains are quiet, and accommodations are discounted! If you’re willing to brave the cold, you’ll be rewarded with Banff wedding photos that are as magical as a Frozen movie. Plus, with endless snowshoe trails, skating rinks, and three ski hills (with apres-ski beer!), Banff National Park is truly a winter enthusiast’s dream!