Need help planning your romantic intimate Alberta Elopement? You are in the right place!
With covid-19 affecting weddings in Alberta, more and more couples are planning a smaller, more intimate wedding day and need inspiration & ideas. If you are looking for guidance on where to have your Alberta elopement or intimate wedding, keep on reading! I am here for you!!
I have compiled this list of 10 best places to elope in Alberta for you
to browse through and find a location that will fit your needs + wants perfectly!
An important thing to keep in mind – photographers, like myself spend countless hours researching, location-scouting and shooting ALL over. I have some of the best, most beautiful locations picked out around the rocky mountains for my couples! So if you haven’t already, reach out and I would LOVE to chat about your day and plan the day of your dreams together!!
One of the MOST popular (and instagram-famous) spots in Banff National Park is Moraine Lake. Known for it’s bright blue kool aid coloured water there’s a reason it’s such a popular spot – it’s absolutely freaking gorgeous! This location is perfect for you if you’re wanting a location with breathtaking, huge mountains but don’t want to go through a long hike to get the epic views. I do want to mention though, if you want a more private (non crowded) location… this might not be the best one for you because like I said above, it’s a very tourists popular spot. If you’re wanting photos taken here but still want a more private, intimate location for the ceremony part of your day, we can totally come here after/before your ceremony for some epic couple photos of the two of you!
Click here to see more photos from this elopement
Click here to see more photos from this engagement shoot
The Kananaskis area is one of my ALL-TIME favourite places for an elopement or intimate wedding or any engagement/couple shoots! It’s greenery is so lush and the area is so colourful. Over the past couple of years I’ve shot quite a lot in Kananaskis and there’s SO many lakes/mountains/views I have picked out and scouted for my couples! Kananaskis is perfect for an intimate private elopement feel.
Spray Lakes near Canmore feels kind of like a hidden gem. It is full of greenery, beautiful colours in the fall (see below), and lots of lakes and stunning views. Canmore isn’t as busy as Banff but has equally as breathtaking views and spots that are perfect for elopement locations. This area is a 20-30 minute drive outside of the Canmore town and the drive leading up to the lakes is so stunning. It is perfect for you if you’re looking for a spot that incorporates mountains views with crystal clear, Kool aid coloured blue waters.
Click here to see more photos from this elopement
Click here to see more photos from this couple shoot
Another area of the Rockies that is close to Banff but isn’t as exposed to tourism, is Canmore. Canmore is full of many lakes, rivers, forests, fields, mountain views, etc. There are cozy airbnbs that can also be rented out for your weekend getaway or elopement celebration! It also has multiple cute restaurants you can reserve and go to for a nice dinner at the end of your perfect elopement day!
Click here to see more photos from this couple shoot
Click here to see more photos from this engagement shoot
I like to think of the Badlands as Alberta’s flat, sand-toned, tan beauty. There are a lot of areas around Alberta where you can get to the badlands (there are some around Calgary, Three Hills, Drumheller area, etc). One of my all time favourite locations for that sandy monochromatic badlands feel is Horseshoe Canyon located right next to Drumheller. An elopement during sunset or sunrise (to escape the crowds and get that golden hour light) here would be absolutely beautiful and a perfect setting for a romantic elopement.
Lake Louise is one of the worlds most photographed glacial lakes! If you have googled ‘where to stay in Banff’, you have probably come across Lake Louise (known for its turquoise, glacier-fed lake) as it’s right in front of luxury hotel Fairmont Château. Similar to Lake Moraine mentioned above, this one is also quite a busy spot – but makes sense because it’s stunning!
Like I mentioned above, Kananaskis is a personal favourite location of mine to shoot at. What I didn’t mention is how it is also full of a lot of hikes! There are long strenuous ones and shorter easier hikes if you’re wanting to bring family along! If you are looking for epic mountain views that are unique to your elopement – a hiking adventurous elopement in Kananaskis is going to be perfect for you!
Click here to see more photos from this engagement shoot
Click here to see more photos from this engagement shoot
Waterton Lakes National Park is a national park located in the southwest corner of Alberta and borders Glacier National Park in Montana, USA. It is full of clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, rainbow-coloured streams and is surrounded by beautiful Rocky mountain peaks. The park has so much to offer and there are so many different types of locations here that would be perfect for an intimate, romantic elopement. These photos below were taken in Waterton. How gorgeous, right?!
One of the MOST popular (and instagram-famous) spots in Banff National Park is Moraine Lake. Known for it’s bright blue kool aid coloured water there’s a reason it’s such a popular spot – it’s absolutely freaking gorgeous! This location is perfect for you if you’re wanting a location with breathtaking, huge mountains but don’t want to go through a long hike to get the epic views. I do want to mention though, if you want a more private (non crowded) location… this might not be the best one for you because like I said above, it’s a very tourists popular spot. If you’re wanting photos taken here but still want a more private, intimate location for the ceremony part of your day, we can totally come here after/before your ceremony for some epic couple photos of the two of you!
Click here to see more photos from this engagement session
Click here to see more photos from this elopement
Some of the most special, intimate, intentional elopements or small weddings I’ve been a part of have taken place in people’s homes. A cute ceremony set up in your acreage (or a friends!) or garden, followed by a cosy delicious dinner in your backyard with string lights and minimalist, simple decor?! Sounds chill and kinda perfect, right? You can always plan for a post-wedding mountain shoot afterwards or if you’re headed to the mountains for your honeymoon, get photos taken then!
And finally…
No matter where or how you get married, what matters most in the end is marrying your best friend!
Chose your location based on you two and what feels most like you and is unique to your relationship. I am always here to chat and help you figure out what that looks like and would absolutely LOVE to help you plan the day of your dreams!
Click below to get in touch so we can start chatting about your day!!
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I’m based in Cochrane, Alberta but work with clients around the globe.
I’m Havie (short for Havilah) – a Alberta-based Elopement & Wedding Photographer, but I travel all around the world for my couples!
© 2025 | Havilah Heger Photography | Based in Calgary Alberta • Alberta Elopement & Wedding Photographer
