Tips for Planning a Banff Winter Wedding

Perhaps you are reading this because an alternative to a summer wedding sounds appealing. Or perhaps the idea of a monochrome landscape backdrop sounds delightful. I hope this is a guide to planning a winter wedding or elopement that celebrates you both, keeps the experience enjoyable and warm, and celebrates all the wonderfulness that is an outdoor winter wedding.

I am a wedding and elopement photographer based in Canmore, Alberta, just outside the Banff National Park gates. The Canadian Rockies are my home, and winter is celebrated here. There is a wild and rugged beauty to a winter landscape and I so adore when couples fall in love with this as well. There is this vastness and simplicity in winter wedding images where the couple commands the viewers’ attention even when they are a smaller part of the frame. There is an extra level of coziness when couples cuddle in, and here is to the novelty of frolicking across frozen lakes or empty downtown streets. I have always found winter weddings to embrace a feeling of togetherness. There is an ambiance that contrasts coolness and warmth that photographs beautifully. The silence of the surrounding when the snow is falling during portraits is only what I can describe as calming and romantic. Whether it is 5C or -35C, you have a winter playground at door.

These are ideas compiled from years of photographing winter weddings in Canmore and Banff. If you are planning a winter wedding in the Canadian Rockies and looking for a photographer, I’d love to hear more about you two and your day.

What to Wear for a Winter Wedding

Being prepared for the elements is the best way to make the most of your wintery wedding day. As long as you are cozy, have footwear that keeps your toes warm, and gives you traction on those icy bits, even a -30C day can make for delightful images for you to look back on. Here is what I recommend couples consider bringing.

Layers

Practically a Canadian motto, but the most important thing is layers. Throw some long johns on under that dress, they can be taken off before the reception. Put on some woolly socks before your boots.

For outer layers, I recommend ladies wear cloaks, capes or shawls rather than jackets. Particularly if showing off the top of your dress is important to you and you are brave enough, sleeveless outerwear comes off and goes on more quickly than jackets and therefore makes the most of your time. Your photographer will likely be taking photos as you move from location to location as well, sometimes just walking and holding hands makes for the best images, so you want whatever you are wearing to be what you want to see in the final gallery. Definitely check out your local vintage shops or online stores for some ’50s and ’60s fashion goodness in this department. You can even personalize them by putting a family brooch or pin on it. For the gentlemen, your wedding is a solid excuse to invest in a topcoat or overcoat. Oh, and perhaps a stylish scarf (but practice how you want to tie it before the day).

Footwear

Likely the biggest difference between a summer and winter wedding in the attire department is footwear. You’d think high heels would be the biggest issue, but gentlemen listen up, your dress shoes are actually skis. I have seen brides and bridesmaids a plenty navigate slippery slopes by digging their heels in, as grooms and groomsmen go flying by at the mercy of friction and gravity. So check out your treads, take them for a test run, and consider bringing some stylish boots to change in to. For those wearing dresses, if they are full length, you can wear whatever pair of footwear under your dresses. Pull out those clunky winter boots, your summer hiking shoes, whatever will keep your feet warm, dry and gives you traction.

Traction Cleats and Snowshoes

Alright, these are completely optional and absolutely not needed for city weddings but for mountain winter weddings, they aren’t bad to have on hand. Cleats for navigating slopes and icy pathways, snowshoes if you want to go off the beaten path in knee deep snow, like this couple at their Bow Lake elopement. One of the biggest limitations during winter weddings is accessibility and these solve that problem.

Hand Warmers

An absolute must that doesn’t cost a lot but makes a world of a difference. Grab some hand warmers for your boots, throw them in a jacket pocket, include them in gift packages for your guests. But don’t forget, it takes them a while to warm up so test your set beforehand to determine when is the right time to activate them. You don’t want them just reaching ample warmness as your portrait session wraps up.

Embrace Colour

The landscape, both in the city and mountains, are more monotonous in the winter months so it’s a great opportunity to embrace those pops of colour. Whether it means louder lipstick, florals, a patterned cloak. Dresses with colour, shimmer or texture photograph marvellously against the snow, and oh man, a suit with some colour in it, perfection.

How to Host a Distanced Outdoor Winter Ceremony

(2021 Update: Alberta currently has no wedding restrictions, but in case they are reinstated I will leave this little guide) With the current (November 24, 2020) gathering restrictions in Alberta of weddings with a maximum of 10 people (the couple, witnesses, officiant and guests are included in the 10, additional vendors are believed to not be included in the count although the wedding community is seeking clarification on this), and no receptions allowed, you may feel limited on options for a wedding between now and April. At this time, indoor wedding restrictions are not clear. With event spaces being closed, and households being limited to household members only, perhaps planning a fully outdoor wedding is advisable. Below are alternative outdoor winter wedding ceremony setups, and ideas on how to make it the most enjoyable winter experience for your family and friends.

Arrange Separate Transportation

When choosing a location for your winter wedding ceremony, keep in mind transportation and your guests comfort level of driving in adverse weather conditions since they will need to stay in their family vehicles. If their vehicles aren’t properly winterized, perhaps consider a ceremony location that can be walked to from their accommodation. Such as staying at Kananaskis’ Mount Engadine Lodge and walking into the meadow for a ceremony. Or staying at Banff’s Buffalo Mountain Lodge and booking the Tunnel Mountain Reservoir ceremony location across the street that overlooks Mount Rundle. In Canmore, there are hidden forest lined ceremony spots along the Bow River that are easily accessible by family members of all abilities.

When driving to a ceremony location in winter, I’d always recommend a location that has a designated parking lot. Roadside parking on what are already haphazardness roads is not recommended. Leave plenty of extra travel time and perhaps have a backup location planned in case of adverse road conditions.

Seated or Standing Ceremony Arrangement

Not only do you have the choice of holding a seated or standing ceremony, but with the current restrictions, you need to ensure each grouping of your guests are separated by at least 2 metres. That’s quite the challenge indeed! For that reason alone I’d highly recommend entertaining the idea of a standing ceremony. Your guests will stay warmer being able to wrap their arms around their live-in family, being able to sway to stay warm. There is something absolutely beautiful about having your guests enveloping you (distantly) in a circle around you, as you can see in this Sundance Canyon wedding. For a standing ceremony, no chairs need to be brought out, no seating areas need to be shoveled – it limits the amount to coordinate and adds so much heart.

That said, of course not having chairs may not be an option for some of your guests. If you prefer all your guests to be seated consider a circular ceremony set up, same as you would for a standing – be mindful that no guest is directly behind you and your partner though.  Or have the typical ceremony setup with chairs arranged in cohorts. Perhaps consider a mix of standing and seated ceremony layout.

When choosing a ceremony location, consider perhaps using a slope of a hill for your guests to stand – it helps to amplify your voices, and ensures everyone has a good view, such as this Peyto Lake intimate wedding at the lookout.

What to Provide Your Guests

A little care package consisting of scarves, blankets, hand warmers, and a hot chocolate or coffee (and perhaps some Bailey’s) a winter ceremony in the outdoors with a snow globe backdrop is doable and quite an experience. Arrange for these to be delivered to their room if you are staying at the same hotel, set on their chairs, or picked up distantly upon their arrival at your ceremony. You can see blankets left on the guests’ chairs much to everyone’s delight at this Lake Louise wedding on the Victoria Terrace.

Personalize blankets and scarves to their aesthetic, include a little bottle of liquor to pour into a mug they were requested to bring. Consider this an opportunity to personally thank each of your guests. We wrote (admittedly absolutely awful but in the most delightful way) haikus to each of our guests on their reception place cards. Take this idea and include a haiku note in their winter ceremony care package. In place of favours, this is an opportunity to dote on your favourites.

Nighttime Winter Ceremony

It’s the year of pivoting and alternatives right? In Canada the daylight hours are limited and daylight is gone before 5pm. Consider a nighttime ceremony. Whether in your backyard, or in a secluded forest (albeit it close enough to an outlet) consider hanging cafe lights – the ambience is like no other. You can see an outdoor Jewish wedding lit by cafe lights at this Ontario camp wedding. Consider contacting an outdoor skating rink that is lit at night – see if it can be booked for a private event.

Alternatives to an Indoor Reception

Among the newest Alberta restrictions, the lack of reception is perhaps the heaviest on my heart. Receptions are an opportunity to thank your guests, to provide them a meal and an enjoyable evening. During the winter it is the most delightful to end the day awash in warm light and your guests collecting for good conversation and drinks. So while receptions may be on hold, this doesn’t wholly mean you can’t celebrate with them.

Outdoor Skating Party

For your guests organize an outdoor skating party, but maybe after the day if you are wary of their skills to avoid any broken bones. Whether the conditions are just right to skate on wild ice at Johnson Lake, or Lake Minnewanka, or you prefer the meticulously cared for ice at Lake Louise. Or perhaps The Pond in Canmore, or the field of ice behind the Banff Springs (I’m still not entirely sure this one is being made this winter). While ice conditions are typically good from beginning of December until late March, be mindful of ice depth on wild ice.

Dog Sledding

Arrange a dog sledding tour with a reputable dog sledding company such as Snowy Owl in Canmore. They have implemented procedures to insure a socially distanced experience for their guests. How delightful would it be to marry along Spray Lakes then immediately be whisked away by numerous dog sled teams across frozen lakes?

Outdoor Firepit Hangouts

While a cozy reception with a fireplace backdrop may be out for the winter of 2020, consider booking an outdoor fire pit. Bring your chairs, bring your drinks, stay apart, and enjoy that good conversation. Arrange for a charcuterie board for each grouping of guests, or support the local French bakery Le Fournil with their delightful sandwiches for a lunch reception out.

Northern Lights Viewing

While they may be a more fickle and slightly less plannable option, download an app and keep an eye on their activity. If the skies align with your wedding date, head on over to Lake Minnewanka or up the Icefields Parkway for nature’s greatest show.

Mountain Snowshoe Hike

After a morning ceremony, lunchtime hangouts around a firepit, rent some snowhoes or cleats and head for one of Canmore or Banff’s easier (and avalanche free) winter trails. Whether that be Grotto Canyon, Chester Lake, or Johnston Canyon (although be mindful this path is narrow and may be difficult to properly social distance)

Winter Ceremony Locations in Banff, Canmore, and Kananaskis

A handful of locations to hold a winter wedding in the Canadian Rockies. If you decide to get married in Banff National Park, familiarize yourself with the guidelines here.

Lake Louise 

Accessible, iconic, beautiful, and popular for very good reason. Lake Louise is an absolutely wonderful winter wedding ceremony option. Whether you choose to get married on the Lakeside Terrace or Victoria Terrace on the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise grounds, or walk yourself out to the middle of the frozen lake, Lake Louise will deliver a memorable experience whether you chose to elope or include your close family and friends.

Lake Louise can be busy but I have found if you walk five minutes towards the back of the lake away from the skating rink, you may very well find the place all to yourself. Please be mindful that areas of the lake are prone to avalanches and to insure you and your guests are no where near these zones as marked by signs at the front of the lake. Also, don’t step in the cross country ski tracks laid on the lake.

Bow Lake

Increasingly becoming more popular for wedding ceremonies is Bow Lake. Located thirty minutes north of Lake Louise up the Icefields Parkway, you will find yourself in an expansive landscape, able to walk to the second story of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on snowdrifts with the help of snowshoes, with only a handful of skiers returning from their ventures on the Wapta traverse. The snow can (and will) get very deep here later in winter – snowshoes are highly recommended.

Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake

Fifteen minutes from the Banff townsite, surprisingly unknown by many Alberta locals, is Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. Lake Minnewanka is one of the latest lakes in Banff National Park to freeze, largely attributed to it’s size. Until late December you can have an open water backdrop with Mount Inglismaldie rising from the waters, or in the new year another expanse of pristine ice and snow to explore. Two Jack Lake, the smaller lake on the loop drive overlooks the sloping peak of Mount Rundle, and can host some pretty spectacular hockey games. You can see a late winter season Two Jack Lake elopement with portraits at Lake Minnewanka on Alana and Paul’s day.

Fields along the Bow Valley Parkway

There is something to be said for the understated. For views that aren’t easily identifiable – ceremony spots that are all your own. That is where the Bow Valley Parkway comes in. Closed for the entirety of 2020 until just recently, is the scenic road between Banff and Lake Louise, with winding roads lined by towering lodgepole pines, and numerous pull offs, is the opportunity to venture and find a secluded ceremony spot.

Baker Creek Mountain Resort

Nestled along the Bow Valley Parkway between Castle Mountain Junction and Lake Louise ski hill is Baker Creek Mountain Resort. With log lodges and cabins, it is the perfect place for a secret winter getaway with an elopement thrown in. Just a walk away are delightful ceremony spots, or a short drive to Lake Louise, it’s become a bit of an obsession for small weddings and elopements like this.

Banff Gondola

If a wintery mountainous skyline is a bucket list item for your Banff winter wedding, the Banff Gondola outdoor Rooftop Terrace is an accessible a stunning location for your ceremony. They have implemented protocols to allow for increased safety, sanitizing gondolas after each use, and only household groups may ride together.

Tunnel Mountain Reservoir

Bookable through the Banff townsite website, is the Tunnel Mountain Reservoir. Conveniently located across from Buffalo Mountain Lodge and other accommodation on Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain, Tunnel Mountain Reservoir overlooks Mount Rundle an the Bow Valley towards Canmore.

Emerald Lake

Alright, I am cheating a wee bit with this one since Emerald Lake is in neither Banff, Canmore, or Kananaskis, but just across the Alberta/BC border. You may choose to stay at Emerald Lake Lodge, and hold your ceremony on the Cilantro patio or their more private ceremony terrace at the back of the lodge. Or, you may have a ceremony in the middle of the lake on your own volition and planning. With an outdoor fire pit, and cozy rooms, it may be a perfect option for those planning an intimate wedding during this COVID winter.

Upper Kananaskis Lake

Kananaskis is where the locals go, and for good reason. It is less busy than Banff, has magnificent views, and is a wonderful way to show off the more hidden parts of the Canadian Rockies. Upper Kananaskis Lakes can be accessed by Highway 40 between Calgary and Canmore – an hour south is Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes. You may want to consider Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge as your base if you decide to elope or have a wedding in Kananaskis.

Spray Lakes

Located up a mountain road just south of the town of Canmore is Spray Lakes – stretching seemingly forever down the mountain valleys with numerous stops from which to choose a ceremony location. For the more adventureful, perhaps even consider snowshoeing up to Chester or Rummel Lake.

Mount Engadine Lodge

It’s no secret I absolutely adore Mount Engadine Lodge. Not only is it the best place to spot a moose in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, but their charcuterie board is legendary, and their new yurts are delightful. Perfect for an elopement, or an intimate wedding, you can be inspired by Lottie and Jack’s early winter elopement.

Bow River in Downtown Canmore

I can attest from daily dog walks that right in the heart of Canmore are numerous ceremony locations that are secluded yet easily accessible, some with grand views, others intimate in snow-laden forest settings. Explore the numerous pathways, from old mining locations with wide open fields, to riverside meadows.

Other Winter Wedding Considerations

On the photography side of things, be mindful of dry skin that tends to be more prevalent in the winter months, particularly if you are travelling in from a warmer and more humid climate. Consider having makeup handy for touchups if you tend to flush in the cold, that’s for both men and women. Your photographer will likely mention this if the temperature falls in this range, but just be prepared they may ask you to watch your breath – you don’t want to see it in the form of smoke in every image. When you are cold it’s natural for your shoulders to tense up, so don’t stress if your photographer kindly reminds you to relax your body or just shake it out a bit.

Most importantly, leave extra travel time. For winter weddings I plan to arrive at any venue outside of my own town, an hour or more before I start. Winter road conditions can mean temporary road closures and driving slower to accommodate icy sections. Advise your guests to do the same.

For photographers, on particularly chilly days I’d recommend leaving a camera (or at least a lens) in the venue during any outdoor portraits so you have gear you can easily switch to if (and ultimately when) your lens fogs up on account of condensation and the temperature change. There are a whole bunch of tricks and tips like putting your gear in a Ziploc bag when coming indoors, but weddings don’t tend to accommodate that downtime. Also, have more batteries than you think you’ll need and absolutely bring a battery charger. For outdoor portions, I keep a couple of batteries in a pocket on the inside of my jacket rather than in my satchel. Snow isn’t nearly as much of a nuisance for gear as rain (source: I lost my camera in a snowbank for five minutes and it worked swimmingly afterwards), but it’s not a bad idea to have a towel handy to clean off your camera every once in a while.

Winter weddings may require packing an extra bag of seasonal items, but it’s worth it.

What time is best for a winter wedding ceremony? Well, I have good news. Winter light is fricking amazing. There may not be a lot of it in Banff with a total 7.5 hours of daylight in the depths of winter, those numbers not even accounting for mountains blocking the light. But what we don’t have in quantity more than makes up in quality. Regardless of bluebird clear days or snowstorms that hang in the valley, winter light is a photographer’s dream throughout the entirety of the day. Most photographers will dread midday sun in the summer, yet in winter even at high noon the sun sits low in the sky. This means you can pretty much have your portraits whenever and receive amazing results. However, if you are having a late afternoon or evening ceremony, you should definitely consider doing portraits beforehand since the sun sets so early. Of course, check with your photographer as they may do things differently.

Have any questions or planning a winter wedding in the Canadian Rockies and are in need of a photographer? I’d love to hear from you.

Banff and Canmore Real Winter Wedding Inspiration

Curious what a winter wedding in the Canadian Rockies may look like? Here are a collection of winter weddings and elopements I have had the pleasure of photographing to inspire you.

Grace and Shane‘s winter wedding at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise the day after the lake froze over.

Lottie and Jack‘s secret winter elopement in Kananaskis Country at the incomparable Mount Engadine Lodge.

Maxine and Arthur‘s fireside micro wedding at Storm Mountain Lodge.

Jana and Guy‘s Game of Thrones inspired wedding at the Banff Springs with a Mt Stephen Hall ceremony and portraits at Lake Minnewanka.

Morgan and Kurt‘s winter adventure elopement along the Icefield’s Parkway, ending at a bowling alley, brought to you by snowshoes.

Raissa and Chris‘ snowy destination wedding with an outdoor winter ceremony on the Victoria Terrace and reception in the Lake Louise Sun Room.

Marissa and Jim‘s family-only elopement at Emerald Lake Lodge on the spring equinox.

Loring and Ryan‘s 1940s inspired wedding at the historic Post Hotel in Lake Louise.

Alana and Paul‘s alternative micro wedding on the shores of Two Jack Lake in late winter.

Additional Winter Wedding Planning Resources

Activities and Top Sights for Guests Attending a Wedding in Banff and Canmore

Unique Banff Venues for Small and Intimate Indoor Weddings

Banff and Canmore’s Best Private Dining Restaurants for Small Weddings

Things to Consider when Planning a Hiking Elopement in the Canadian Rockies

Backcountry Camping Elopement Ideas in Banff and Assiniboine

Six Things to Consider when Booking a Wedding and Elopement Photographer

Best Getting Ready Locations in Banff, Yoho, and Kananaskis

Parts of this winter wedding planning article were originally written for Wedding Bells Magazine.