Wedding ceremonies

Elk Island National Park offers a spectacular setting for wedding ceremonies. While there is no need to obtain permission to be married in the park, there is, however, a need for Parks Canada to manage the park to allow appropriate uses and prevent user conflicts. Persons interested in holding a ceremony in the park must comply with the following:

• Be in compliance with visitor guidelines and National Park regulations at all times.
• The maximum number of people attending the ceremony not exceed 25 people.
• At no time does an event have exclusive rights to an area. The function must not displace regular visitors' enjoyment of the park and its facilities.
• All participants and guests require a valid National Parks Pass.
• There must not be any significant impact on the park's natural and cultural resources. Do not pick the flowers; stay on pathways; no shelters or chairs are to be set up in the area. (A few folding chairs for the elderly or infirm are allowed.)
• The event must comply with the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act of Alberta. No liquor is permitted in public areas.
• A thorough cleanup of the site must be done immediately after the event. Organizers accept full responsibility for any incidents, and/or costs of clean up or site rehabilitation resulting from the event. Nothing shall be thrown or scattered: no confetti, rice, flower petals, no butterflies, birds or balloons released.
• Decorated cars are not permitted. Decorations blow off and litter roadways.
• Erecting signs is not permitted.
• The person responsible for the event will attempt to keep vehicular traffic to a minimum. Carpooling or group transportation is preferable.
• All businesses operating within a national park require a business licence for that national park, including wedding photographers.
• No gas-powered generators are allowed.
• No excessive noise, horn honking, loud music or sound amplification (P.A.) systems are permitted. Consider quiet music such as acoustic guitar, flute, or harp.

Parks Canada does not keep track of weddings in the park, however, local marriage commissioners can be helpful in advising of when other weddings are scheduled.

For questions or further details about weddings and special events in Elk Island National Park please contact the special events team at: permiselkisland-elkislandpermits@pc.gc.ca

Further information about the regulations governing events in national parks: National Parks of Canada Businesses Regulations - Licences