Backpacking Elopement in Banff National Park

Backpacking elopement in Banff National Park | Hiking wedding inspiration | Film & Forest adventure wedding photographers

This backpacking elopement in Banff National Park will have you throwing on your hiking boots and strapping a bouquet to your pack in a heartbeat! Rugged mountains and alpine meadows were the showcase for Jamie and Sean’s epic overnight backpacking wedding to Egypt Lake in Banff National Park.

Their Backpacking Elopement was Inspired by Banff Mountain Film Festival

Jamie’s first ever gift to Sean was tickets to the screening of Banff Mountain Film Festival in their hometown, and a few years later it was perfect backpacking elopement inspiration for their adventure of a lifetime. As Jamie put it, “Sean and I have both wanted to go to Banff for a long time, but neither of us have ever been, so it will be a new place for us to experience together. We also decided we wanted to pick a place we could go back to over the years, not a far away destination like we first contemplated with Patagonia.”

Backpacking to Egypt Lake Shelter

We hit the trail to Egypt Lake shelter on a perfect September day for their backpacking elopement in Banff National Park. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and the crisp colours of early fall trickled into the alpine. With an eye for design, Jamie matched her hiking boots and backpack perfectly to the burgundy tones of her bouquet by Wild Magnolia Floral. We crested the top of the pass, where Jamie and Sean changed into their wedding clothes for their first look.

These two did an overnight backpacking elopement, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to hike on your wedding day!

Check out this hiking elopement for more adventurous wedding inspiration!

Reading Letters from Loved Ones

Even though they chose to have a backpacking elopement just the two of them, they still wanted to incorporate their loved ones. Jamie and Sean read letters to each other from their families with tears of joy as blue hour washed over the mountains. And afterwards we celebrated with a personal sparkler show!

Darkness fell and it was time to pack up and hike down to the cozy hut waiting for us at the bottom. We settled into the Egypt Lake shelter and swapped stories by headlamp over beers and pad thai (thanks REI 😜).

Personal Vows at Egypt Lake

The next morning, we woke up early for the main event of their backpacking elopement in Banff National Park; exchanging their personal vows to one another at Egypt Lake. The sun illuminated the lake and revealed the beautifully serene place that had been hidden to us the night before. After their vow exchange we said goodbye to the little hut and hiked out, feet sore but hearts full.

Canoeing on Their Backpacking Elopement in Banff National Park

Showers and naps later we all met back up to make things official with our favourite Banff officiant Robin White. Nestled away in a forest grove, Jamie and Sean said “I do”. Traditionally couples hop in a limo on their wedding day, but true to their adventurous style these two hopped in a canoe instead! The perfect way to finish Jamie and Sean’s backpacking elopement in Banff National Park.

Featured:

This backpacking elopement in Banff National Park was featured in Rocky Mountain Bride!