Battle of the Mountain Towns: Why You Should Choose Jasper Over Banff to Elope
So you’re engaged and you know you want to elope in the mountains. You’ve started to google “eloping in the Rockies” or “how to elope in Canada” and you get hit after hit about eloping in Banff. Let’s settle this once and for all - Jasper is hands down, the best place to elope in the Canadian Rockies. Bye, Banff.
Now, don't get us wrong — Banff is stunning with its picturesque views and Instagrammable (very, very busy) spots. However, when it comes to declaring your eternal love, Jasper might just capture your heart faster than you can roll your eyes at the tour buses. So, let's dive into why eloping in Jasper offers a genuine Rocky Mountain Elopement experience without the hassle of fighting off a gaggle of influencers for those views.
The Untouched Wilderness Awaits
Jasper is (relatively) untouched - isolated by its distance from an international airport - and ruggedly beautiful. It's like nature's best-kept secret for couples seeking an intimate escape. Surrounded by landscapes that belong on postcards, Jasper National Park is a colossal playground (and our backyard, lucky us!) where you can exchange personalized vows with only your echoes—and maybe a curious elk or two.
Small-Town Charm, Big-Time Feels
Jasper boasts small-town charm with a capital C. What does that mean? Local smiles at every turn and a laid-back vibe that naturally slows you down to a "just married" pace. Unlike the bustling streets of Banff, Jasper keeps it cool, calm, and intimate, turning your elopement into a private party in paradise.
Getting Around Banff is a B@*%#H
Trust us, you don’t want to waste your day away driving on busy highways to all the best views, and navigating the hectic streets of Banff on your elopement day. As iconic as that shot down Banff Ave is, Ashley will have to spend hours photoshopping the tourists and buses out of your precious portraits so just imagine what that would feel like IRL. Yes, summer is also busy in Jasper but it’s pace is a lazy Sunday drive compared to our friends down the Icefields Parkway.
Spots So Secret, Shh...
While Banff showcases stunning views, Jasper reveals secret spots galore. Trust us, there are hidden nooks everywhere, perfectly designed for romance and tying the knot without a tour bus in sight. Eloping in Jasper means discovering unique ceremony spots that will have your friends back home swooning over your photos and hopping on the next flight and then a 4-hour drive - did we mention we are far from any hustle and bustle?
Mother Nature Turns It Up a Notch
From sun-drenched meadows to turquoise lakes, some pretty epic canyons, and a couple top notch glaciers, Jasper's natural and isolated beauty is cranked up to eleven. We also get some pretty sick Northern Lights for some lucky visitors. Not always guaranteed but when they show up, they SHOW UP.
Stargazing Like Nowhere Else
Speaking of stars, Jasper doesn't mess around. It's a Dark Sky Preserve because of our extremely low amount of light pollution. This means you get a nightly light show courtesy of the cosmos. Talk about a stellar backdrop for professing eternal love.
Foodies Rejoice
Jasper's culinary game is legit the real MVP, folks. We have everything from the complex layers of flavour that Monica builds into every dish at Kimchi House to the melt-in-your-mouth seafood at Fiddle River (srsly, how do you make seafood in the mountains THIS GOOD, you guys?) to the insanely creative dishes served up alongside the best local beer at Jasper Brewing Co. And hey, it’s all about that shop local, eat local life in Jasper. You’re not just treating your taste buds; you’re high-fiving the environment and local entrepreneurs with every delicious bite; almost every restaurant in town is locally owned save for one that shall remain nameless. Jk, it’s Montanas and you won’t dare see us choosing a chain over our friends down the block. Also, we have a wicked food tour, run by long-time local Estelle - in case you want more than just one bite.
Community over Competition
Jasper, being a bit more low-key than Banff, has fostered a unique community of creative wedding vendors focused on personal touches. Lynn at Coco’s; where do you even start? She makes our small wedding cakes here at JPE but she’s more than just a pretty parfait maker. Her sourdough might be the food item we pack first and then fight over in an apocalypse. Colleen over Alpenflora is a megawatt talent and our go-to flower friend. She’s here to help us all live our best FLOWERFILLED LIFE. We’re all friends here. How lucky are we?
We could go on for days about why we choose Jasper over Banff and we haven’t even stated the obvious - THE BEST ALBERTA MARRIAGE COMMISSIONER AND ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER/ELOPEMENT PLANNERS call this place home; yup, that’s us.
