Experience an Unforgettable Mountain Wedding
Near Blue River Guest Ranch, Cranbrook. Photos Courtesy of Kat Hadford Photography
There is no one-size fits all answer to planning the perfect mountain wedding. Flipping through bridal magazines, it’s not uncommon to find stunning images of couples in front of the Chateau Lake Louise or the iconic Banff Springs Hotel. As glamorous as these weddings are, they don’t necessarily reflect the diverse tastes of couples who choose to get married in any of Western Canada’s majestic mountain parks. In fact, there are hundreds of unique locations and venues that just don’t get near the amount of buzz they deserve, despite their potential to make some guests wish they could have a do-over of their wedding. In no particular order, here are 8 of our favourite venues that might appeal to wedding couples wanting to break the mould on their big day.
1. Goldeye Conference Centre, Nordegg, AB Just outside of the town of Nordegg, adventure and fun await the couples who choose Goldeye Convention Centre for their wedding. A summer-camp style centre complete with a ropes course, zipline, field house, kayaks and canoes, this unique venue offers an action-packed wedding weekend to be had by all. Lodgings range from basic dorm-style cabins to more traditional hotel-like rooms. A full-service kitchen serves up 3 meals a day for all who choose to stay. A woodsy amphitheatre nestled in the trees provides a shady seated area for a
ceremony, or couples can opt to hold the ceremony anywhere on the grounds, from lakeside to indoors. There are plenty of options for the reception as well, including a cozy log-cabin style dining hall. But in a location like this, who wants to stay indoors anyways? goldeye.org
2. Heather Mountain Lodge & Cabins, Glacier National Park, BC Picture tons of natural light streaming in through the many windows of a contemporary alpine lodge with a red tin roof, vaulted open-beam interior, and a 2-storey stone fireplace. Bright and airy with a rustic elegance, it can accommodate a reception of up to 90 people. The resort is set just off Hwy 1 and provides a backcountry vibe without sacrificing all the creature comforts your city folk guests might come to expect (hello Wi-Fi, heated flooring and soaker tubs in the cabins!) Locally-sourced cuisine is served up alongside an impressive list of BC wines and brews. heathermountainlodge.com
3. Hillside Lodge and Chalets, Glacier National Park, BC Just 13 km west of Golden, Hillside Lodge and Chalets offers a completely different aesthetic compared to its neighbours at Heather Mountain. While both have the panoramic vistas of the Rockies in the background, Hillside offers a timeless barn
36 | Enter Our Photo & Selfie Contests
