How to Elope At Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
You’ve decided to elope at Emerald Lake! What are the next steps?
Congratulations on your engagement and deciding to elope!! I truly believe that choosing to elope is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make (after deciding to marry the person of your dreams of course)! Emerald Lake is one of the most stunning locations on earth to elope in, however there are some things you should be aware of before you just show up in a wedding dress and suit to elope (as there are with any national park)!
Discover the ultimate guide to eloping at Emerald Lake! Our blog post unveils the breathtaking beauty and intimate charm of this iconic destination. Learn insider tips, stunning photo spots, and essential logistics for crafting your dream elopement. Say 'I do' amidst nature's grandeur at Emerald Lake, where love knows no bounds.
Planning your elopement should not be stressful! I’ve put together some resources that I hope help to inspire you and eliminate some stress.
How to Elope at Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park
You’ll need a Marriage License
You can pick you a marriage license at any Service BC. I recommend going to the the one in Golden, which is only a 55 minute drive from Emerald Lake. You and your partner do not need to go together but one partner will need to apply in person with primary identification for both of you. You need to be over the age of 18. The fee is $100.
Your license is valid for 90 days and you can pick it up at anytime within 90 days of your elopement date. If you change your date you will need a new license. The license will be filled out with your officiant and witnesses on the day of your elopement, so make sure to bring it along with you and don’t fill it out before hand.
Registration for Yoho National Park
In addition to your marriage license you will also need to fill out this Park’s Canada registration form to let them know when you’ll be eloping and to agree to their terms of use for the park. The permit is free. Make sure you submit this form in advance so they have time to reply, I would recommend filling it out 4 weeks ahead of time at least. Some of the terms include having a maximum of 20 guess attend your ceremony, you and your guests complying will national park regulations at all times, everyone will need a park pass and must understand that you do not have exclusive rights to any area. If you are not having your ceremony at Emerald Lake or you are having your ceremony at Emerald Lake Lodge you don’t need this permit.
There are two places you can have an outdoor ceremony at Emerald Lake
You don’t need a wedding permit but there is a fee to reserve one of two ceremony spots (View Point and Cilantro Patio)
There ceremony spot is reserved for you
There are inside options
You can have 20+ guests
You can use chairs
Anywhere around the lake
You can choose anywhere around the lake
No venue fee
You need a permit
You are limited to 20 or less guests
No chairs
You’ll need a park pass
To enter into Yoho National Park you need a park pass. You can buy a day pass or a Discovery pass that is valid for 12 months and basically pays for it’s self in a week, so it’s a great option if you are planning to explore Yoho National Park or Banff National Park either before or after your elopement. You can buy one ahead of time here or at the park gates.
Find your officiant
There are specific requirements for who can officiate your elopement in BC. An officiant must be a legal officiant appointed by the Government of BC, a member of a church, or a Canadian resident who is over 18 years of age who has applied for and decided day of licensing for your ceremony.
You can find a list of BC officiants here
You can find all the information on having a friend or family member officiate your elopement here
If you are already legally married you do not need an officiant.
Choose your witnesses
You will need to have two witness over the age of 18 present for your ceremony and they must be available to sign your marriage license. Your witnesses must be fluent in English or a translator must be present. If you aren’t having any family or friends present you still need two witnesses! You can consider having your photographer and videographer (or other vendors) as witnesses. I’ve signed a few marriage licenses over the years.
Choose a location
Yoho National Park has stunning mountains, lakes and forests. There are literally endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a location for your elopement. Some locations require hikes or varying length and difficulty, so you should consider the level of accessibility you are comfortable with for your elopement. The Emerald Lake Loop hike goes all the way around the lake, is 5.2km and takes an average of 2 hours to complete at a walking pace. There are also a lot of locations that offer unique experiences like dog sledding in the winter, helicopters, or canoe rentals right beside the lake for $90 per hour, June through October. You can also bring your own canoe. There are also guided horse back riding tours through the mountains, skiing at Lake Louise or Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Takakkaw waterfall and a wolf sanctuary in Golden. Some other things to consider are time of year and week. Emerald Lake looks vastly different from summer to winter and is busiest during the summer and on weekends. You can drive almost right up to the lake but parking fills up very quickly.
SummerFall
Winter
Spring
Book accommodations
Make sure to book accommodations well in advance, Emerald Lake is a popular tourist destination and things book up quickly! Accommodations can be very pricey in the Rocky Mountains but are usually a little cheaper in the shoulder season. The closest airport is the Calgary International Airport which is 234km from Emerald Lake, so to make your life easier and more stress free you’ll probably want to book accommodations in Lake Louise, Field, or the surrounding area. Travel times can significantly vary based on weather. Rental cars can be picked up from the airport and there are also group transit options. Keep in mind that if you are renting a car in Alberta there will be a charge for driving into BC with the rental car. BC and Alberta also may have different requirements for tires depending on the season.
Air Bnb’s
Find your dream vendors
Working with talented vendors who can help you create your dream elopement is key! Here are some recommended vendors.
Find your dream vendors here.
What should you bring with you?
Hiking shoes
Water and snacks
Bear spray
A sweater or jacket. It can get chilly in the mornings and evening and the weather can change rapidly in the mountains
Headlamps
Rain jacket and or clear umbrella’s. I recommend checking the forecast frequently leading up to your elopement and bringing along rain gear and having it in your car even if there isn’t rain forecasted
Crampons if you’re eloping in the winter, spring or late fall
Props, this can include vows books, hand written letters etc
You deserve the elopement of your dreams! It should be 100% about you, your way.
Reach out to start planning the elopement of your dreams.