Jasper Weddings at Maligne Lake Chalet
Maligne Lake is known as a jewel in the Rockies, and the heritage Chalet is a unique venue for Jasper weddings. The iconic Spirit Island has become synonymous with the Canadian Rockies in the minds eye of people across the world. There are few places quite like it, and when it comes to having your wedding overlooking a crystalline, glacier fed lake in the Rocky Mountains, the experience at the Maligne Lake Chalet is truly unlike any other.
Getting Married at Maligne Lake in Jasper
Maligne Lake is about 45km from the Jasper townsite, and it takes close to an hour to drive there from town. The drive follows the Maligne River up past Maligne Lookout, the canyon and Medicine Lake, and there are plenty of amazing views the whole way. In the past Maligne Lake has seen less weddings than other areas in Jasper National Park; this is in part because of the distance from town and in part because there is no overnight accommodation or camping at Maligne Lake, or anywhere in the Maligne Valley. That being said, you can still have your wedding and wedding reception at the Maligne Lake Chalet!
Pursuit, the owner and operator of the Maligne Lake Chalet, does a great job of coordinating and catering weddings at Maligne Lake. Clients can have the venue until late at night, and shuttles for guests to get to and from Jasper townsite can be organized through Sundog Tours. Normally some vendors - such as marriage commisioners, djs, etc - might charge a small travel fee for the distance.
Pursuit also offers up the heritage cabin, right next to the Chalet, which can be used throughout the day for getting ready with the bridal party, family, or friends. Keep in mind, these amenities are only available in the late spring, summer, and fall.
Scenic Wedding Photo Spots at Maligne Lake
You can’t beat the view from the courtyard of the Maligne Lake Chalet, which is the perfect spot for a wedding ceremony. For photos of the bridal party and the lucky couple, there are plenty of great spots within walking distance of the Chalet. Some of these include the famous Curly Phillips boathouse, the lakeshore, and the boat launch. Some people even hop in a canoe, although experience is necessary for that one!
Another popular option is to drive a little ways to get photos along the Maligne River or Medicine Lake. If you are eloping and don’t have any guests waiting on you, you could always do something even more adventurous like hiking up Bald Hills or Opal Hills, or canoeing down to Hidden Cove. And of course, there is Spirit Island.
Getting Photos at Spirit Island
For those whose schedule allows it, or whose guests want an adventure during their day at Maligne Lake, boat cruises to Spirit Island can be scheduled for the couple or for the whole group. Just be sure to factor in the trip time with your other wedding timeline plans.
If you want to have wedding photos taken at Spirit Island there are a few very important things to know!
The fastest round trip is 1.5 hours. This gives you only about 15 minutes at the island with the rest of the boat passengers.
The 2 Hour Premium Cruise is probably a better option if you want to have time to get creative with your photos at the Island.
You need to book ahead of time for everyone who will be going (including your photographer!) to avoid disappointment. There are only a limited number of cruises per day, and they usually fill up.
You cannot go on the island itself, only on the shoreline and the short trail that loops to and from the boat dock.
Always follow Parks rules and regulations, as well as leave no trace principles.
Local photographers and vendors are your best bet to getting the best results. We also choose to put Nature First.
An iconic Jasper experience
Of all the incredible places to get married in Jasper National Park, Maligne Lake will always hold it’s own as one of the most beautiful and unique. From the historic boathouse to the heritage Chalet, peaceful cruises and breathtaking alpine meadows, there is no place quite like the Maligne Valley. Working with Jasper local vendors and coordinators will ensure that you can make the most of your wedding day, and relax and enjoy while letting the professionals take care of the rest. We at Kinfolk are happy to answer any questions you might have about getting married at Maligne Lake, or just about any other Jasper photography question you might have. Feel free to get in touch with us at the link below!
