The Ultimate Guide to a Luxurious Multi-Day Celebration
Over the last few years, we’ve loved seeing the rising trend of multi-day wedding celebrations. Instead of the traditional one-day wedding, couples are reimagining and embracing the idea of designing a series of days with various experiences built around their wedding celebration. This is especially brilliant when you have your dearest family and friends travelling from all corners of the world to gather with you. Rather than limiting the festivities to one single day after all the effort of guests travelling to the wedding, many couples are choosing to extend their wedding into a full weekend, or even an entire week, intentionally creating more opportunities for connection, celebration, and unforgettable moments.
This multi-day wedding experience approach allows couples to share one-on-one moments or intentional activities with loved ones, host gatherings through the form of a lively Welcome Party or an intimate Rehearsal Dinner, and cap off the experience with a Farewell Brunch the morning following the wedding day. By spacing out their events, couples and their guests are able to enjoy a more relaxed and immersive experience, blending adventure, relaxation and celebration. Whether it’s a spa day with the bridal party, an afternoon of hiking or golfing, or cozying up by the fire with close family, if you are dreaming of enjoying the ultimate wedding celebration in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, then a Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Wedding week or weekend is without a doubt our top recommendation, and we’re going to spend this blog explaining exactly why it should be at the top of your consideration for hosting your multi-day wedding nestled in the beautiful Canadian Rockies.
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel: A Luxury Castle in the Rockies
To begin, if you’re not already familiar with the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, it’s known as The Castle in the Mountains, and for good reason. Nestled above the town of Banff, Alberta, right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this world-renowned hotel offers breathtaking scenery, luxury spa and golf experiences, and the elegant charm of historic architecture. With endless on- or off-site opportunities for every type of interest and activity, it’s decidedly the ultimate setting to plan the ultimate, immersive and personalized multi-day wedding to create meaningful, lasting memories beyond your wedding itself.
Now let us paint a picture of what your gorgeous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel wedding celebration could be! First, we’re going to describe a glorious, multi-day wedding experience for celebrating your love with all your favourite people. Then, we’ll give you all of our favourite Banff and area ideas for on- and off-site activities, cuisine and experiences. There are endless opportunities for photo locations around the site, but we’ll slip you our all-time favourites, regardless of the weather!
Your Perfect Multi-Day Fairmont Banff Springs Wedding Itinerary
Okay, without further ado, imagine, will you, what an unforgettable Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel wedding experience the following ideas could create…
After months of working with your planner and excitedly anticipating your wedding, you and your partner are welcomed into the lobby of The Castle in the Mountains to check-in. The next several days will be an experience to remember for decades to come, because they’ve been intentionally designed and chosen around your love, the things that bring you joy, and being together with your dearly loved family and friends – who, by the way, will also begin to trickle into the same lobby to check in very soon!
Day 1: Welcome & Relaxation
You check into one of the newly renovated, gorgeous Fairmont Gold or Signature Suites, and are engulfed in the best hospitality – impressive designs and furnishing, precision to detail in crisp, clean warmth, and your planner has even prepared the most thoughtful, personalized welcome gift. (Psssst, if you want to know a couple of our favourites, photography-wise, check out the Fairmont Gold 1 bedroom suite & the 1500 square foot Crown Suite. They are *chef’s kiss*)
The first day is about relaxationandreconnecting. You play tourist downtown on Banff Avenue with your closest family, sipping coffee as you explore, stopping for lunch at Park Distillery Restaurant, or indulging in some treats along the way. That afternoon, you embark on an adventure with your family for a Lake Minnewanka Cruise. The Minnewanka area, just minutes from Banff, is filled with hiking trails, picnic spots, and breathtaking viewpoints.
Day 2: Bridal Party & Rehearsal Dinner
The Groom and his crew enjoy a fresh morning getting your best swing on at the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, breathing in the beauty of one of the world’s most scenic golf courses. Meanwhile, the bride and her team enjoy a luxurious morning of relaxation at the Fairmont Banff Springs Spa. Just imagine the bliss of catching up with your besties while pampering, unwinding and soaking in the slowness of time.
Your rehearsal is this afternoon, and things start to feel very real— your wedding day is just about here! You feel gratitude with your heart overflowing at how wonderful this experience has been already, all the while anticipating your I-Dos and lively parties to come. Following your rehearsal tonight, you take a Banff Gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for your rehearsal dinner at Sky Bistro, a breathtaking dining experience with panoramic mountain views. It’s a spectacular way to share an intimate meal with your wedding party and closest family members.
Day 3: Welcome Party & Guest Arrival
You wake up with butterflies because today, the rest of your guests are arriving! You’re officially kicking off the festivities this evening with your Welcome Party. Depending on your style, either at Hello Sunshine (if incredible Japanese cuisine with modern, clean design + good music is your vibe) or High Rollers (if you prefer a perfect party blend of bowling + delicious food). Either way, watching your worlds collide—all of your favourite people gathered together—feels truly magical.
Day 4: Wedding Day
You wake up refreshed and ready to do this! Your people are here, you’ve have a chance to actually unwind and enjoy so much life and love this week. And now, you get to marry the love of your life. Your magical Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel wedding day has arrived, and it’s Go time. Everything about the day unfolds wonderfully.
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(Sidebar: Your vendors truly make a difference. Because you’ve chosen a dream team of professionals, they will gracefully handle any minor or major hiccups, allowing you to remain stress-free and completely present. If you’re still in the planning stages, let’s chat! We have recommendations for vendors who are both incredible at their craft and genuinely wonderful people.)
As the bride & Co. sip bubbles and gets pampered in the Crown suite, the groom & Co. clink a cheers in Rundle Lounge. You get to share the most relaxed, intimate first look with each other in the Conservatory, where the light is soft and glowy, and there’s no one else around. This is followed by portraits with your best people before you head to the altar. You say your I-Dos in front of the most breathtaking view off the Banff Springs Outdoor Terrace, followed by hugs with a few sweet family portraits to cherish. Depending on the time of year, your cocktail hour delightfully unfolds either on the glorious croquet lawn, just steps away from the Outdoor Terrace, or in the spacious, light-filled Riverview Lounge, overlooking the Outdoor Terrace.
You and your newly acquired spouse take a quick drive over to Surprise Corner for the classic photo op: an iconic, timeless portrait of you with the grand Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in the background. Your evening party is about to begin – and it’s going to be better than you could have ever imagined. If the party is large, you head to the grand Cascade Ballroom. If you have a smaller guest count, you head to Mt. Stephen Hall. There’s food and wine, laughter and tears, dancing and hugging, all nestled in a personalized, intentionally and beautifully designed space.
Day 5: Farewell Brunch
The next morning, you gather one last time for a Farewell Brunch in Banff Springs’ Vermillion Room, still glowing from the magic of the past few days. It almost feels like a dream where — everything— was perfect. Your vision for your Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel wedding came to like just as you hoped it would. And you will cherish the memories for years to come.
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Did we get you excited? Can’t you just feel the magic of a multi-day Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel wedding? ✨ We’ll end by sharing a few on and off-site ideas for planning your multi-day wedding in Banff.
The Best On-Site & Off-Site Activities for Your Banff Wedding
On-Site Experiences at Fairmont Banff Springs
- The Fairmont Banff Springs Spa – Offers luxurious treatments, mineral pools, and serene spaces to unwind before or after the wedding
- The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course – Renowned for its panoramic beauty, the course is a captivating and challenging layout set in the heart of Canada’s Rocky Mountains
- Afternoon Tea at Rundle Bar – the classic tradition of afternoon tea in the most spectacular setting
- Rundle Bar or Riverview Lounge – for pre-ceremony toasts, welcome party, or cocktail hour, offering stunning views, hand-crafted drinks and delicious appies
- Fairmont Banff Springs Bowl Vally – an on-site after party 5-pin bowling option to keep the festivities going at Five Pin & Pints
- Farewell brunch in The Vermillion Room – a Canadian twist on the classic French brasserie and fantastic for a flux of post-wedding party breakfast seekers
- Suggestion for getting ready suites that are perfect for photos: Fairmont Signature + Gold Suites
- Rooms for a large reception setting: Cascade Room, Riverview Lounge, Alhambra Room, Alberta/New Brunswick Room
- Rooms for a mid-size to imitate setting for receptions or other events: Mt. Stephen Hall, Ivor Petrak Room, Norquay Room, Conservatory, Angus Room, Strathcona Room
Top Off-Site Activities in Banff
- Open-Top Touring – Vintage tours with a modern twist – an open-top, vintage tour bus for spectacular views
- Banff Gondola – Climb to the top of Sulphur Mountain in minutes to enjoy a panoramic view of the Rockies. Sky Bistro is also found at the top.
- Lake Minnewanka Boat Tour – a lake cruise between the breathtaking views of mountain peaks, a serene adventure on the water
- Sunshine Gondola – In the summer, a quick way to right up into nature, with alpine trails to explore at the top
- Bow Falls + Surprise Corner – Two iconic points of interest to visit! There’s an easy hike at Bow Falls which are open year-round, and Surprise Corner is a stunning stop for a photo of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
- Scenic or adventure hiking – If you’re into more outdoor adventure, there are so many incredible hikes for all levels in the Banff area. Here’s a list to get you started:
- Banff Upper Hot Springs – relax for a soothing soak in the hot, mineral-rich outdoor pool while you take in the jagged peaks or Rundle and Cascade mountains.
- Banff Avenue Shopping – Browse through shops and cafes along Banff’s famous shopping street.
Our off-site Food Recommendations:
Sky Bistro – fine dining perched on the summit of Sulphur Mountain
Hello Sunshine – Japanese cuisine with clean, modern design + karaoke
High Rollers – 10 pin bowling mixed with delicious food
Chuck’s Steakhouse – the best beef experience in Banff / highest quality, locally sourced steak
Park Distillery – back-country-lodge inspired craft distillery with campfire-inspired food
The Bison – premier venue for intimate events, local, farm-to-table taste of Alberta
If you’re dreaming of a magical mountain wedding, one where every moment is extraordinary and beautifully curated, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is where your vision can become your reality.
Through it all, we’re here to help you have the very best wedding experience possible! From vendor and venue recommendations to feedback in building a realistic timeline (it’s a win when timelines are great because you don’t have to worry about rushed portraits either!). We also have endless ideas for locations at the Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel as well as in the general area. For example, if you want to have portraits (engagement session or wedding) featuring the gorgeous sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies, we’d recommend checking out these great locations.
If you’re planning your Banff wedding, we’d love to connect!
Xo,
Breanne & David
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