Your Easy Guide To Eloping In Alaska: How, Where, When, And More
ALASKA ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER // ALASKA ELOPEMENT PLANNER // ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER // ANCHORAGE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Alaska’s vast landscape is brimming with electric blue glaciers, sprawling wildflowers, aurora borealis lighting up the skies, oceans full of whales, lush mountains teeming with wildlife, and truly undisturbed locations. Oh, and it’s all a domestic flight away. There is so much to do and see. And memories to create. If that’s not the perfect destination for a rustic outdoor elopement, I don’t know what is!
Alaska is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts and laid-back adventurers!
Backpack through gorgeous terrain to a secluded spot or…
have a helicopter drop you off on a glacier for your ceremony.
Spend the afternoon kayaking through icy blue glacial waters or…
Charter a private sailboat to go whale watching.
Stargaze with some hot coco or…
Kick back in some hot springs.
Or… OR do it all.
The Ins And Outs Of Planning An Elopement In Alaska
Just like with traveling anywhere unfamiliar, it can feel daunting trying to navigate planning. Especially when you’re wanting to visit a place like Alaska, where there aren’t giant cities and bucket-list locations are on the more remote end of things. Not to mention the state is HUGE. You’re probably thinking, “Audrey…this isn’t helping…WTH.” Fair, but just bear with me! I’ve actually been in your shoes and ended up pulling off the trip of a lifetime in Alaska – with an incredible couple no less. Just look at these cuties!
With it being both of our first times visiting this Alaska, we had a lot of research to do. When to go, where to go, what to do once we got there, and what we needed to be aware of… allll the things. Now, I’m handing that information over to you!
Legally Eloping In the State of Alaska
BEFORE: For your elopement you’ll need an Alaska marriage license. You will need to submit your application to the Bureau of Vital Statistics no less than 3 days before your ceremony. The license fee is $60 and valid for 90 days. If you’re applying online you’ll need to have a Notary Public sign off on the application before your submission.
DURING: An officiant and two witnesses are required for your ceremony.
If you’re bringing along guests that’s great! One of them can get ordained online at The Universal Life Church and the others can sign your certificate. On the other hand, if you want an intimate elopement just the two of you, then I can be your officiant and we can find some people along the trail/while you’re out and about to sign your license. Easy peasy.
AFTER: Your application will need to be returned to either The Vital Records Office in Juneau, The Vital Records Office in Anchorage, or an Alaska court in your area.
Month by Month Breakdown Of When To (And Not To) Elope In Alaska
Spring
BEST MONTH: May
TEMPS: 30° F to 55° F
PROS: some wildflowers, less crowds, sherbert colored sunsets, begin whale spotting season, winter backdrops without being freezing.
CONS: high elevation areas may still be inaccessible due to snow, can be muddy.
AVOID: Early spring is considered “mud season” as all the snow is beginning to melt.
YOU’LL NEED: jacket you don’t mind being photographed, warm boots, thermals to fit under your wedding attire, layers.
Summer
BEST MONTH: June
TEMPS: 55° F to 75° F
PROS: 18+ hours of daylight everyday, roaring waterfalls, vibrant wildflowers, lush greenery, tons of wildlife (bears, caribou, whales, etc.), all tours are in operation.
CONS: bugs, busy, more expensive.
AVOID: July is the peak season for tourism, so the price of everything skyrockets.
YOU’LL NEED: bug spray, sunscreen, packable layers, sunglasses.
Fall
BEST MONTH: September
TEMPS: 35° F to 55° F
PROS: widespread vibrant fall colors, less crowds, stargazing,
CONS: rain, unpredictable weather, decreasing temps.
AVOID: August is the wettest month of the year and excursions are more likely to be canceled due to bad weather.
YOU’LL NEED: rain jacket, rain boots, umbrella, layers.
Winter
BEST MONTH: February
TEMPS: 9° F – 26° F
PROS: northern lights, winter activities (dog sledding, ice caves, snowmobiling), winter wonderland vibes.
CONS: less than 9 hours of daylight everyday, cold af.
AVOID: Early spring is considered “mud season” as all the snow is beginning to melt.
YOU’LL NEED: jacket you don’t mind being photographed, warm boots, thermals to fit under your wedding attire, layers, head lamp.
Incredible Locations In Alaska To Say ‘I Do’
With 663,268 square miles of wilderness, this list barely scratches the surface of what Alaska has to offer. But here’s a start…
Kenai Fjords National Park
With its coastal fjords, tidewater glaciers, guaranteed wildlife sightings, and unbeatable views, … Kenai Fjords National Park is hard to beat. You can find permit information here. If you want a captivating setting, panoramic views, and postcard worthy moments everywhere you look, this is the place.
Denali National Park
Looking for vast landscapes? How does six million acres of wild land sound? Other than epic views and countless bears, Denali National Park is home to Mount Denali (the highest peak in North America), Ruth Glacier, and Wonder Lake. You can check out the sites via car, bus, or helicopter.
Matanuska-Susitna Valley
There is sooo much to see in this region of Alaska. Hatcher’s Pass is the perfect scenic road to see incredible views with little effort. This valley is also home to Matanuska and Knik Glaciers. Matanuska is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska and you can walk on it year round!
Juneau
You can only reach this Juneau by plane or ferry. There are 40 glaciers near Juneau, with Mendenhall Glacier being my top pick of the bunch! If cold isn’t your thing check out Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world.
Anchorage
Anchorage is popular due to it being a central city with a main hub airport. It is a great jumping off point to visit smaller cities/remote areas by plane, train, or driving. But Anchorage is also surrounded by beautiful forests and a stone’s throw away from mountain overlooks, waterfalls, and lakes.
Girdwood
Is only 36 miles south of Anchorage and is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains. Check out the Guided Veilbreaker Skybridge tour at the Alyeska Resort, take the Alyeska tram, take a helicopter ride to a glacier, or explore the lush woodlands. There is a little something for everyone here.
Seward
Is a couple hour drive or an epic four hour train ride from Anchorage. Around this small fishing town you’ll find vast fields of Lupines, Chugach National Forest, and coastal wildlife like sea otters and orcas.
Gustavus
If you’re looking to do a bunch of outdoor activities Gustavus has them all. This small town is surrounded by magnificent views and Glacier Bay National Park (part of which is so environmentally significant that it’s an internationally protected Biosphere Reserve). From sea to summit there is limitless beauty to explore.
Top 10 Activities To Do During Your Alaska Elopement
Relaxing, fun, exhilaration – what’s the vibe for your elopement?
1. Kayak through glacial slot canyons
2. Dog sledding tour
3. Whale watching cruise
4. Charter a private sailboat
5. Flightseeing helicopter ride
6. Visit a reindeer farm
7. Soak in some hot springs
8. Take a scenic alaska train ride
9. See the Northern Lights
10. Go horseback riding (or save a horse and ride an ATV!)
Common Planning Obstacles And Solutions
- Many rental car companies do not allow you to drive on unpaved roads.
Luckily, there are many scenic drives where views are only a few steps off the road. Such as: Old Glenn Scenic Highway, Matanuska Glacier Scenic Drive, Hatcher Pass, Eklutna Lake Area, Portage Glacier, Portage Valley, and Whittier Tunnel Drive.
- The nicest times of the year to visit are busy and expensive as heck.
The earlier you start planning the more luck you will have with booking and deals. Unlike other areas in the U.S. you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to plan and get everything in order.
- Necessary permits can take a long time to process.
Again, the earlier you start planning the less stressful it will be! Submit applications early in the planning process.
- Weather can be unpredictable and derail your plans.
Always have a backup plan, work with your photographer to make a plan B & C. If the weather changes while you’re out and about, embrace it. Clouds make for gorgeous moody photos.
New Memories Are Waiting — Alaska Elopement Packages
Honestly, give me any excuse to go back to Alaska and I’ll take it. But, this isn’t about me! This is about having a day that speaks to your soul, the backdrop to your wedding, and the memories you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life. There’s no denying that Alaska is epicly beautiful, but can you really see yourself there… standing on a glacier while exchanging vows? Or aimlessly wandering around trails while taking in endless views? Or doing your first dance while the aurora borealis dances along in the sky above you? If the answer is yes, I cannot tell you how excited I am about the adventure ahead of you.
