Canada, Alberta - Fairmont Banff Springs

Located in Banff National park, the town of Banff sits along the raging Bow River in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. This is one of the most revered ski and snowboarding spots in the world, yet the queues at the snow lifts are virtually nonexistent by European standards. A gondola ride up the side of the mountain gives nature and snow enthusiasts a clear and safe view of the grizzly bears, elk and bighorn sheep that make their home in the alpine forests.

Snowmobiling, ice walks, ice fishing, sleigh rides and snowshoeing are just some of the winter sports on offer, perfect for activity-seeking couples. In summer, meanwhile this is superb hiking country. Banff is also renowned for the warm, mineral-rich waters of its famous hot springs, which help to soothe tensions away.

William Van Horne, former general manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway, is credited with recognizing the potential of Banff's natural hot springs. In 1886 he commissioned the successful architect Bruce Price to draw up plans for a hotel to be build above the confluence of the bow and Spray Rivers, overlooking the beautiful Bow Valley. Construction began in 1887 and the hotel officially opened on 1 June 1888. Castle & Son Manufacturing of Montreal made some of the original furniture, in the form of exact replicas of original designs from European castles and manor houses. The hotel was declared a historical site by the Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and today offers couples a combination of grand opulence and seclusion in an awe-inspiring mountain setting.

As everyone who has visited Banff will tell you, the people here are warm and friendly. They love where they live and this is reflected in their attitude to visitors, which makes the stressful business of arranging a wedding much easier.

Both civil and religious weddings are available. For a civil or simple Christian ceremony, the couple must obtain a marriage license, which requires stepping in to a register office in the province of Alberta and signing in person as well as showing proof of identity. A marriage license can be purchased in Banff at the Banff Bureau. The license is valid for three months the date of issue, and couples may be married on the same day if all documentation is in order. Couples from outside the province can arrange their marriage license in advance through the Banff Bureau. There are no blood tests or minimum stay requirements in Alberta. Most religious denominations in the area also allow foreigners to wed in their places of worship. In this case, couples need to speak directly to a representative at the place of worship in order to find out if there are any pre-marital courses they need to take or other requirements. The Fairmont Banff Springs website has a comprehensive list of local church contacts, from Anglican to United Reformed.

The 'Castle in the Rockies', as the hotel is known, adapts itself to any size of wedding, whether it be just the bride and groom or the wedding couple plus 250 guests. There is a choice of six rooms plus the Bow Valley Terrace, which is outdoors with amazing views but available only from May to September. The hotel will only host ceremonies accompanied by a food and beverage function, for which there is a choice of eight rooms, including two marble ballrooms for weddings of more than 220 guests. For intimate weddings, which is the case for many couples coming form overseas, the Strathcona Room is a popular choice, as it is the old part of the hotel and has an authentic castle feel. It holds some 10 people. The hotel's 12 restaurants and lounges can also be used for weddings.

Receptions can be ultra-traditional with white table linen and china, and a gift table. guestbook table and cake table. Most couples who wed in the snowy months play on the theme of a winter wonderland. One recent wedding had a welcome party at the hotel's skating rink. The couple rented skates for everyone, served hot chocolate and had guests roasting marshmallows at the fire.

A rehearsal dinner was held at the Waldhaus Restaurant with a fondue supper. The wedding itself had a winter theme with all the stationery, from the invitations to the menus, displaying a snowflake design. Rooms were decorated in soft white linens with white chiffon overlays. Silver candelabras formed the table centrepieces, with soft white flowers. The cake also had a snowflake motif and was topped by a snowman and snow-woman bride and groom.

Couples can also wed halfway through a horse-drawn sleigh ride or ski to a favourite spot and take their vows. Traditionally, guests hold up their skis to form an arch for the newlyweds to ski through.

Although most wear ski suits, it has been known for some to wear full bridal dress and tuxedo. For a more Canadian theme. Native readings may be used in the ceremony. For summer weddings, some couples incorporate a maple-leaf motif into their decor or create a mountains, and bonbonnières can be containers of maple syrup, a chocolate in the shape of a bear claw, or a book of pictures of the area.

Before and after the wedding, the Fairmont's Willow Stream Spa offers couples the chance to both prepare and unwind. The trump card here, as with everything at Banff springs, is the spa's setting. Couples can bathe in the outdoor springs and watch the sun set over miles of snowcapped mountains. A de luxe suite offers simultaneous massage treatments. The spa also specializes in bridal hair and make-up.

Among the 770 guest rooms in this hotel, couples can request a cosy room tucked away in a quiet corner or, at the other end of spectrum, an ostentatious suite with sweeping mountain views. If guests are staying at the hotel too, there is no need to worry about everyone being on top of one another. The honeymoon suites are split-level rooms with staircases, some of them spiral. Couples with cash to flash, meanwhile, may opt for the Presidential Suite, with its split-level living room with woodburning fireplace, grand piano, library and a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Spray and Bow River Valleys.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO
Winter (November to march) is most popular for weddings, but summer (May to September) is equally stunning.

CEREMONIES
Civil or religious.

PRE-WEDDING RESIDENCY
None, but couples must register their wedding at an Alberta register office.