Is Banff a Top Destination for Weddings?

While killing some time the other day I searched “Top 10 Wedding Destinations” and as expected a bunch of top 10, 50, 100 type articles popped up.  What surprised me though was that Banff, Alberta wasn’t on any of them.  While I do understand why beach destinations tend to dominate these lists, there were quite a few other non-beach locations listed and no mention of one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations. As a Banff Photographer I thought I would write a short article to outline why I think Banff should make most “top” lists for destination weddings.  For those unfamiliar with the area, the Town of Banff is in Banff National Park in the southwest part of Alberta.

First off, as all the best Wedding Photographers in Banff know, it is an epic location for photographing weddings.  Waterfalls, mountain tops, meadows, lakes etc.  I have been photographing weddings in Banff for over a decade and on the wedding day I always run out of time before I run out of options.  The hardest thing Banff Photographers deal with is making sure you don’t keep the wedding couple out too long on the portrait session!!

Banff Photographers never get tired of photographing wedding in the Canadian Rockies because the seasons are so different.  While this is a nice perk for those lucky few who get to work in Banff through all seasons, it is also great for prospective couples because it gives them a few more options.  Winter weddings in the Rockies are completely different than summer weddings, so much so its almost like they are two separate locations.  The summer months bring long days with sunsets at 9-10pm while durning winter months the sun can dip behind the mountains as early as 4:30pm.  Wildflowers in July are beautiful and amazing fall colors arrive by September.

Guests coming from non-mountain locations always appreciate visiting the area because its so different from what they are used to.  Those American guest visiting from the south get to escape the heat.  Most guests have been to a few beach destinations, so when you plan a beach destination wedding it can be hard to impress guests.

If you want to impress guests look no farther than the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.  Nicknamed “The Castle” it is no wonder so many brides have dreamed of being married there ever since their first visit as a little girl.  The best Wedding Photographers in Banff will be able to incorporate both the exterior and interior of the hotel into your wedding days photos.

Banff offers so many options to couples both in terms of landscape and venues and if that isn’t enough you don’t have to look too far for more stunning natural beauty. Banff photographers will have many options for couples within Banff National Park such as Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and even Peyto Lake, which can be reached on the wedding day with some planning.  All of this is an ease one hour drive from Calgary’s International Airport, making it an a simple location to fly into for most North America guests.

– Alan Maudie is a Banff Wedding Photographer based out of Calgary, Alberta.  He was born and raised in the Canadian Rockies and has a passion for documenting mountain weddings.