Moraine Lake Hiking Elopement Inspiration

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Moraine Lake is a truly stunning location in Banff National Park and is absolutely perfect for adventure elopements. Between the turquoise blue lake and larches in the fall, it’s evident why it’s one of the most visited places in Banff.

My husband Bim and I road-tripped to Banff back in fall 2020 for our honeymoon, and one of our most memorable adventures was our hike through Larch Valley. (image from that day below)

It was easily one of the most awe-inspiring and stunning locations I had ever seen. There were a sea of golden larches, with towering peaks in the back. I knew that I absolutely HAD to come back here for an elopement. Fast forward to fall of 2021, I had planned another trip back to Banff with my siblings and saw that fellow elopement photographer Liv H was putting on a styled hiking elopement at Larch Valley! And it happened to be on the evening of the day I flew in – it was meant to be!

We met with Sat and Dan at the Moraine Lake parking lot and geared up for our hike to Larch Valley. The forecast had initially called for sunny weather, but as mountain weather is unpredictable, it quickly changed to a mixture of rain and snow. Despite low visibility, we layered up and hiked on anyways, Sat and Dan making the steep switchbacks look easy. Once we got to the valley, they helped each other get ready and got dressed into their wedding attire.

It continued snowing for the rest of our hike, and although the landscape looked wildly different than my time in 2020, it was still just as beautiful. Sat and Dan embraced the elements and looked every bit of flawless for the entire evening. This evening was a reminder that if you’re willing to embrace the whatever comes your way, you’re bound to have an amazing experience, no matter what.

There were so many talented creatives that contributed to putting this together, and I’m so grateful to have been able to document this dream of a day.

Before we get to the photos, I wanted to share a few tips if you’re considering eloping at Moraine Lake!

Tips For Planning Your Moraine Lake Elopement

1) Decide on a ceremony location

While the stunning Moraine Lake lake is just steps away from the parking lot, there are other options to consider for your ceremony location. From the short and easily accessible trails to the longer and more challenging hikes, there is an option for everyone! Regardless of what you choose, all of the trails are incredibly beautiful.

2) Decide on time of year

Moraine lake is one of the most highly trafficked locations in Banff National Park. To access the lake, you’ll need to drive up a mountain road, which is well-paved and only opens from May to October each year (avalanche conditions during winter). And for those 6 months, the parking lot is often full well before sunrise, even on weekdays! Since most visitors go at sunrise, it tends to clear out by evening and so sunset is actually a great time to go!

3) Remember to get a Banff National Park Pass & Permit

For your elopement, you can have maximum 20 people, including your photographer, officiant, etc. The permit is free, but you’re still required to submit paperwork that guarantees you will follow all rules of the national park.

You can see all the information on the park’s website here.

For more tips on eloping in Banff, be sure to check out my Banff Elopement Guide!