Adventure Elopement Photoshoot at Moraine Lake (with a difference!)

For anyone getting married or eloping in Banff, it’s usually fair to say that Moraine Lake wedding photos are top of the bucketlist. Donning your fanciest clothes and climbing the famous rockpile is almost a rite of passage here.

Believe me, visit Moraine Lake on any day of the week and you’re virtually guaranteed to see at least one couple dressed to the nines, clambering about as they capture their special wedding photos.

And for good reason; The backdrop at Moraine Lake is absolutely jaw dropping.

Turquoise glacial water that looks photoshopped, towering snow capped peaks, and verdant, lush forests in every direction make for absolutely spectacular couple photos. Almost every married couple I know in Alberta has a framed photograph of themselves in wedding gear at Moraine Lake!

The hunt for unique elopement photos

But for some couples, having those same photos from the same locations can feel like a cliché. They still want epic photos from a few iconic viewpoints, but they also want to work with their photographer to create something unique and memorable.

Or, in other cases, the photos might not be as important to them as finding somewhere quiet and intimate - where they can say their vows or take a few photos without the distractions and chaos of the typical overcrowded viewpoints.

So it becomes a challenge; find a stunning, iconic viewpoint that nobody really knows about!

When couples like this come my way, I really struggle to contain my excitement. As a photographer, finding new locations and facing new photographic challenges is what keeps things interesting, so when someone comes along and asks me to find somewhere unique, epic and special, it’s a rare opportunity to create something spectacular.

S and A’s Banff Elopement Shoot

S and A came to me looking for an opportunity to do a spectacular Moraine Lake elopement photoshoot. We talked about the usual locations, but after chatting with them a little bit, it became clear that they really wanted something a little more unusual;

They didn’t want to have to deal with crowds, they were very experienced hikers and they weren’t afraid to get their hands a little dirty (literally in this case).

We batted a few ideas around and eventually decided on something a little more ambitious than normal; a sunset wedding photoshoot at the top of the Tower of Babel - one of Moraine Lake’s most epic scrambles.

Getting to the top of the Tower of Babel

For our shoot, we decided that sunset would the best time to take our photos, so we made a plan to shoot until the sun went down and scramble back down again in the dark.

(Have I mentioned how much I loved working with these guys yet? When you can throw a night scramble at your couple and they don’t even blink, you know you’re onto a winner)

To prepare for our hike, S had her hair and makeup done earlier in the day in Calgary, and we all met at the parking lot at Moraine Lake at around 6pm.

For our shoot, we’d have to hike the usual challenging route (about 1.5 hours), only this time we’d be carrying extra camera gear, flowers and two sets of wedding outfits! Making sure A and S still looked good by the time we reached the top was a major priority, so I carried most of the gear and we hiked extra slowly.

Any time anyone felt sweaty we took a break.

It was slow progress, but the important thing was that A and S made it to the top without looking like they’d been through a hedge backwards! It also helped that S’s hair and makeup artist did an amazing job with her waterproof makeup!

We even managed to get our bouquet up to the top in one piece!

Our unforgettable elopement shoot above Moraine Lake

Once we’d reached the top of Babel, S and A were finally able to see the views they’d been anticipating for so long, and it was a really special moment for them both. On one side, amazing top down views of Consolation Lakes. On the other, a once in a lifetime aerial view of Moraine Lake.

And even better? We had the entire place to ourselves!

It’s a truly breathtaking and romantic spot in Banff that 99.99% of visitors never experience. To be able to witness a couple sharing that special moment together was really something unforgettable for me.

Babel is the perfect place for a romantic couple shoot in Banff because it’s so quiet, yet absolutely mind-numbingly beautiful. What’s more, it still incorporates Moraine Lake and involves a BIG adventure. What could be more special?

The Elopement Photos

For our shoot, S and A decided to bring two outfits; one western style wedding outfit, and one Indian wedding outfit. I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely in love with how these photos turned out!

Thanks to everyone that was involved!

Flowers by Banff Mountaintop Flowers @Banffmountaintopflowers | Hair and Makeup by @MadebyPG (Instagram) | The happy couple @aman.shai.xox (Instagram) | Photographer: Me @robintuck1 (Instagram)

Planning your elopement or wedding shoot in Banff

If you’re thinking of planning an elopement or wedding shoot in Banff and are in need of a photographer, I’d love to help you shoot your special moment! It doesn’t have to be a hardcore hike like this, but if that’s something you want to try then let me know and we can work together to figure out your perfect location.

If you’d like to discuss a romantic couples shoot, engagement or elopement in Banff, and want a few ideas for locations, please feel free to contact me on my contact form or email robin@tuckmedia.ca

Things to know about Babel if you’re going to try it yourself

Tower of Babel is not an easy or even moderate hike. It’s a scramble with plenty of exposure and serious risk of injury if you fall. We only agreed upon this location after we’d discussed it at great length and I’d made sure the couple was aware of the risks and skill involved. I’ve hiked this many times before and it also helps to have someone experienced with this route. I would never recommend doing a sunset hike up here if nobody in your group has done it before.

Things to remember:

1. bring a helmet

2. let someone know where you’re going

3. Check the weather forecast before you go

4. Turn around if it’s beyond your abilities. There’s no shame in retreating so you can live to fight another day.

5. Take someone with you that knows the route. There’s definitely the easy way and the hard way.