If you’re dreaming of a Saskatchewan elopement, chances are you’ve got eloping in Waskesiu/Prince Albert National Park on your list! And good call, because it’s one of the most beautiful and convenient locations for a destination elopement in Saskatchewan.
I encourage you to start with this post for a complete guide to eloping in Saskatchewan. And if your heart is set on a Waskesiu elopement, you can find all the specific details below!
How to Plan your Waskesiu Elopement
Pick a date
If you’re planning on eloping in Waskesiu or Prince Albert National Park, keep in mind that it’s a very popular place! Choosing a weekday wedding date means you can dodge the weekend and holiday crowds. As a result, you may even have your chosen location to yourselves! It might also give you more options for accommodation, especially during the high season.
Make sure to check that no special events are happening on your date. If there are, consider them while you do your planning. They may affect the availability of accommodation. Also, what about the increased likelihood of strangers crashing your ceremony? Will it make it difficult to access the locations you want for photos?
You can find a calendar of events on Waskesiu’s website to help you choose a date!
Plan a timeline
I don’t need to tell you that Prince Albert National Park is full of things to do! If you’re considering eloping in Waskesiu, you’re probably a lover of outdoor activities. So, consider how you want to spend your wedding day, and make the time for an activity that you love to do together. Canoeing, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, and ziplining are just some of the adventures at your fingertips. Also, don’t forget to bring your photographer! In the evening, go for supper in town, have a catered supper delivered to you, or roast some wieners around the campfire. After all, it’s your day – why not do what you love!
Book your Waskesiu elopement vendors
Prince Albert is the closest city to Waskesiu, and is less than an hour away. Most people will have to pass through Prince Albert on their way north, so it’s the perfect place to stop for supplies and has all the vendors you will need.
Whether you just stay the night or you make a honeymoon out of it, there are plenty of options for accommodation. Elk Ridge Resort is a great place to centre your day. With a range of room and cabin options and restaurants on site, you will be well taken care of. On the other hand, if you’re after a more private cottage getaway, Lost Creek Resort and Kapawisin Bungalows are both well-equipped quiet hideaways. For the most adventurous, bring your RV or camp at one of the park’s campgrounds.
Fresh Hair is located right in Waskesiu for your hair and makeup, or opt for a Prince Albert makeup artist and hair stylist to come to you. The Hawood Inn offers off-site catering, or order from one of the many restaurants in town.
Choose a location
If you’re a long-time lake-lover, chances are you’ve already envisioned the perfect location for your ceremony and photos. One of the great things about eloping in Waskesiu is that you can get married pretty much wherever you want! Love hiking? Get married on a tree-lined trail deep in the forest. Prefer to have your toes in the sand? There are so many gorgeous lakes and options for a beach ceremony in Prince Albert National Park, and many are especially beautiful at sunset. If you’re a boater, you could travel out to a deserted island, and make your experience truly unique.
Once you have a spot in mind, consider the logistics of your elopement location. Accessibility is a big one, especially if you are bringing some guests. If you’re planning to hike, can everyone including your officiant manage the walk? Do you need to be near a bathroom? What will you do if it rains? There aren’t many places in Waskesiu to get married indoors unless you plan ahead – will you embrace the rain or go somewhere else, and if so where?
If you’re planning to elope, privacy and intimacy are probably important to you. You want to connect with and focus on each other, without an audience of strangers. But you’re in a national park – there will be tourists around! So, consider a sunrise or sunset ceremony (bonus – amazing light!). You could also hike in further off the beaten path, or explore the surrounding area for something quieter.
The options for locations are truly endless in Prince Albert National Park, but here are some ideas to get you started!
Beaches: There’s a big, popular beach right in town, but many quieter and more secluded ones a short drive away, ranging from long stretches of sand to wild rocky shores.
- Paignton Beach
- Birch Bay
- Trippes Beach
- Narrows Beach
- Murphy’s Bay
- Namekus Lake
Forest trails:
- Narrows Peninsula Trail (info | photos)
- Waskesiu River Trail (info | photos)
- Mud Creek Trail (info | photos)
- Boundary Bog (info | photos)
You could also be spontaneous – just get in the car and go exploring! Take a scenic drive up the Narrows Road, Kingsmere Road, or down Highway 263, and see what you can find! With so many beautiful places to elope in Waskesiu, it’s hard to go wrong!
Make it legal
There are currently two marriage commissioners living in Waskesiu: Jane Ganchar and Linda Archer. Both are a wealth of knowledge about the local area. You could also book a commissioner from Prince Albert or the surrounding area. There’s a full list of commissioners by community here.
Getting married in Prince Albert National Park requires a wedding permit. There is no fee, but the paperwork can take upwards of two weeks to process, so plan ahead! For all the information, contact Paulette Hodgson at the town office (306-663-4522 or paulette.hodgson@canada.ca)
All out of town vendors also need to have a business license issued by the park to legally work in the park. This includes your photographer! They can get one by contacting Paulette Hodgson.
Enjoy your wedding day!
Take a deep breath and soak in the beauty all around you. Leave room for spontaneity, be in the moment with your partner, and enjoy all the wonder this day has to offer. Celebrate a day that truly honors your commitment and reflects your relationship. Nothing else matters!
