Kananaskis Sunrise Adventure Hiking Elopement

Getting ready for a first look at sunrise in Kananaskis

Anyone who’s hiked for a summit view for sunrise will tell you it’s worth it, let alone for their mountain top elopement ceremony. If you haven’t had this experience before, we know exactly what goes through our couples minds when we say we’ll meet at the trailhead at 2am to start hiking! Everyone feels it and there’s always that shadow of a doubt. “Are we sure we want to do this?” “Do we need to get up that early?” Trust us, we’ve been up for countless sunrise hikes (with and without couples) and it is always worth the extra effort. These two traveled from Ottawa to elope in the Canadian Rockies and they couldn’t have mapped things out any better.

Ready, waiting and keen to get going at 2am at the parking lot, these two had really done their homework for their special day. We spent a little while at the cars, making sure everything was packed up and ready for the hike and we set off into the night. With headlamps lighting the way, we made short work of the hike to Rawson Lake and enjoyed sharing stories along the way. As we started to ascend, the ambient light was shifting from night to dawn and the views of our surroundings were starting to show.

We reached the ridge and decided to set up our own mini basecamp, putting packs down and giving S & S some personal time together to watch the sunrise before getting ready for their mountain top first look. These two certainly picked a favorite hike of ours to enjoy their sunrise hiking elopement at Sarrail Ridge.

Exchanging private vows on a mountain top in the Canadian Rockies

With some nerves settled, S & S were able to fully relax with jaw dropping scenery to exchange their handwritten personal vows to each other. Even with the epic morning light, these two stole the show and reminded us why these personal mountain top moments are so special.

Hiking elopement photos with Kananaskis Adventure Elopement Photographers

Once their ceremony was over, we spent some more time on the ridge and made the most of our morning views. The best part was that there wasn’t a single soul in sight. Even with sunrise hiking becoming more popular, we had the summit to ourselves for the entire morning. It wasn’t until our return hike home that we saw the first of the morning hikers, a curious mountain goat and not one, but two grizzly bears searching for their breakfast! This was a quintessential Canadian Rockies hiking elopement and we were stoked to be a part of the celebrations.

For those wanting to know a little more about what an experience like this might feel like, get in touch and let’s jump on a call to help paint a picture. We know it’s not for everyone but perhaps there’s a way for you to have your dream wedding at a venue in Banff and get some mountain top pictures a day or two before, or after your wedding day.

Kahli & Leo

Wild Alpine Image Co.