Banff Wedding Bliss: From Moraine Lake to "I Do"

campsidephotos
Aug 15
3 min read

After weeks on the road, our hearts were already full from the adventure — but we had one very special stop before our wedding day. My maid of honor and her husband had been pillars in my life for so long, and as a thank you for everything they’d done for me, we treated them (and ourselves) to a stay at Moraine Lake Lodge.

The Beauty of Moraine Lake

No photo, no postcard, no Instagram filter could ever prepare you for the sight of Moraine Lake in person. That turquoise water, framed by towering peaks and glaciers, felt almost unreal. The lodge’s view made us feel like we’d stepped into a painting.

We decided to take a canoe out on the lake, which sounded romantic in theory, until my husband and I remembered we’re not exactly graceful on water. Every slight wobble of the canoe was met with nervous laughter (and maybe a slight panic), and when we heard rocks tumbling down the mountain in the distance, our already-tense paddling became comically frantic. Back to the dock we went, realizing we are more land creatures! Maybe one day we will try again and see if we can get up close to the 9 points on the mountain peaks. By evening, the crowds had thinned, and we soaked in the quiet, the lake reflecting the last light of day in perfect stillness.

And the food? One of the best meals of the entire trip. Every bite felt crafted with care — the kind of dinner you never want to end.

Into Banff

From Moraine Lake, we made our way toward Banff, the excitement building with each mile. Somewhere along the highway, we spotted a grizzly bear, causing a full-on “bear jam” as cars pulled over for a glimpse. It was a very Canadian traffic jam — the kind that makes you forget you’re in a hurry.

When we arrived in Banff, the festivities began. We unloaded our car full of goodies for our wedding planner — decorations, favors, and all the little details we’d been carrying across state and country lines. With the logistics handled, we could finally just be present — laughing with friends, hearing their first impressions of Banff, and watching our worlds collide as friends and family from different chapters of our lives met for the first time.

The Wedding Day

The morning of our wedding greeted us with a sunrise that looked like it was painted just for us — golden light spilling over the mountains outside our room at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Our photographer captured the day so beautifully that the images looked like they belonged in a fairytale. All the years of planning, the endless lists, the late-night brainstorming — it had all been worth it.

The day flew by in a happy blur. We loved, laughed, hugged, and maybe complained once or twice about how much our feet hurt. But more than anything, we were surrounded by love, joy, and the stunning backdrop of Banff.

Onward to Waterton

All too soon, it was time to say goodbye to Banff. As we packed up and pointed the car south toward Waterton, we knew this wasn’t the end — it was simply the next chapter. Waterton would be the start of our journey back home, and more importantly, the start of getting back to our puppies, who had been patiently waiting for our return.

Banff had given us the wedding of our dreams. Now, the road was calling us again.