You lift off from Seward, rising from the bay into the mountains and touch down on a snowfield glacier where the dogs wait to greet you— barking, yipping, excited to run. In an instant, you’re moving: paws pounding, sled gliding, nothing but you, your musher, and the open white expanse.
Vows in a place -wrapped in an experience- so rare, most could never imagine.
From there, your 2-day luxury elopement carries you to Bear Lake. Overnighting at private glamping yurt on the shore of an iceberg lagoon, continuing the next day with kayaking among icebergs and a private alpine picnic above Resurrection Bay. Two endless Alaska days. Forever stories, shaped by sound, silence, and adventure.
The only way to ride a dog sled on snow in summer is by helicopter.
Why This ALASKA DOGSLED ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE Belongs in
the ENCHANTED CANOPY COLLECTION
The Enchanted Canopy Collection™ is about more than extraordinary landscapes. It’s about stillness, time, and intimacy — experiences you can’t replicate anywhere else.
This variation belongs because it pairs a private glacier dog sled ride (a rarity in itself) with a stay at Bear Lake, an adventure luxe glamping camp that feels impossibly remote and immediately intimate.
This isn’t an excursion for staging photos. It’s your wedding story, lived slowly and told with depth.
Across both days, concierge-level planning and immersive, storytelling photography are woven in so you remain fully present while every detail is anticipated.
2-Day Luxury Glacier Elopement Experience
Here’s what makes this two-day helicopter elopement extraordinary:
- Private glacier dog sledding (up to 2 hours) — At camp, dogs bark with excitement. Once moving, it’s only the rhythm of paws and the shush of the sled. Pause mid-journey where the landscape calls, to soak it all in or to exchange your vows.
- Helicopter transfers throughout — Scenic flights carry you to the sled dog camp, onward to Bear Lake, and on Day Two, to an alpine overlook above Resurrection Bay.
- Overnight at Bear Lake Glamp — Just two guest yurts exist at the lagoon, one reserved solely for you. Inside: real bedding, luxe linens, soft light, and thoughtful touches that turn the wilderness into a refuge.
- Local delicacies, plated wedding dinner — A sweetheart tablescape with real china, candles, and seasonal Alaska delicacies (think crab legs, smoked ribs, etc), plated and served just for you.
- Celebratory sips + alpine picnic finale — Close your journey on Day Two with a premium charcuterie picnic during your alpine stop — a grand crescendo above Resurrection Bay.
- Guided experiences woven in — Your mountain butler supports camp life and leads kayaking among icebergs, shoreline wanders, and (if you’re daring) a cold plunge.
- Concierge design + immersive storytelling photography —Intentional planning and natural, movement-forward documentation capture not just how it looked, but how it felt.
How It Works:
A Multi-Day Dogsledding & Glamping Elopement Flow
DAY 1 - Glacier Dog Sledding + Bear Lake Arrival:
- Begin in Seward, getting ready together (or separately, with a first look) in a beautiful space chosen to fit your vision.
- Meet your pilot, load up, and lift into the mountains. The flight itself is an experience — glaciers, ridges, and untouched backcountry sweeping beneath you. For most, this would be the highlight of a trip. For you, it’s just the beginning.
- Land at the glacier dog sled camp. The dogs are barking and yipping with excitement, straining at their lines. The moment the musher gives the call, the team surges forward — noise falling away into rhythm: paws pounding and the soft shush of runners across the snow. This is a private ride, up to two full hours with your musher. Pause mid‑journey if the landscape calls to you: simply to take it in, or to exchange vows with the dogs as your witnesses.
- From there, your pilot carries you deeper into the wild, descending toward Bear Lake. The helicopter sets you down on the beach of an iceberg lagoon — yurts so small against the mountains that you realize just how far you are from everything else.
- The yurt glamp is yours for the next 24 hours. Unrushed. No expectations. Just the two of you, with time to linger and feel every moment.
- Settle in and explore. As you wander the shoreline and begin to soak in the stillness, portraits among the icebergs and framed by mountains happen quietly as you roam.
- Your sweetheart table is ready for you on the deck of your yurt, overlooking the icebergs, with real plates, silverware, and candlelight to help set the scene. Your plated dinner is drawn from a local slow‑food kitchen — think slow‑smoked ribs, fresh Alaskan crab legs, and seasonal delicacies, plated and served with care. A bottle of bubbly and a “just us two” sized wedding cake (carried in carefully by heli!) awaits your celebratory toast.
- After dinner, change into something cozy as the midnight sun hovers on the horizon. Walk the beach by lantern light and cuddle under a Pendleton wool blanket as you share memories of the day by the campfire.
- Fall asleep in your private glamping yurt to the sounds of icebergs creaking in the lagoon. The best night of sleep awaits as you slide into your real bed with lovely linens and cozy blankets. Comfort in the wild.
Day 2 - Bear Lake Immersion + Alpine Finale:
- Wake slowly in your yurt, breakfast delivered to you by your mountain butler. Sip coffee on the porch of your yurt, overlooking the iceberg‑filled lagoon. Enjoy the luxury of time, and the sweetness of privacy.
- Prep, and set out by kayak with your guide to explore the lagoon, paddling between icebergs and into hidden corners. The colors of the water and the ice will amaze you.
- Enjoy the adventure at your own pace, and when ready, pause for a shoreline picnic lunch. Your time on this experience, too, is unhurried and private, set in a place and an experience you’ll remember forever.
- Return to camp. If you’re looking for a fun addition to your bucket list, take a plunge into the glacier‑fed lagoon (surrounded by icebergs!) for a truly once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity. Wild, cold, and completely unforgettable!
- Enjoy downtime at camp: relax by the campfire or take one last walk along the shoreline. Savor the time of simply soaking in this feeling of “just married!”
- When it’s time, your helicopter returns — but instead of flying directly back to Seward, your pilot carries you high into the alpine above Resurrection Bay. For 45–60 minutes, linger in a place so remote you’ll have it entirely to yourselves. A premium charcuterie picnic is set for you here, the grand crescendo to your journey. Celebrate, toast, and take in one last sweeping view of Alaska before descending into Seward.
- Farewell & onward travels — For most, this would be the end of a trip. For you, it’s the close of a wedding story unlike any other and the opening of the next adventure: continuing your honeymoon across Alaska. If you’re dreaming of extending your journey, I’ll help you craft an Alaska honeymoon road trip (sign up for my email series on routes and insider ideas).
Across both days, your award-winning photography is woven into the experience — not as posed interruptions, but as a partner in adventure. From snuggles with sled dog pups to slow mornings, every moment is documented with care, rooted in movement, emotion, and connection to place. It’s storytelling designed so you’ll always remember not just how it looked, but how it felt.
This is a two-day, adventure luxe elopement experience — not a single-day trip.
Every element of this adventure luxe elopement package is designed to immerse you in Alaska’s wild beauty while keeping you comfortable, supported, and fully present.
Here are the luxuries and experiences you will enjoy:
Starting at $25,300 for 2026 elopements, this package includes virtually everything you need to bring your wedding experience, to life.
Total. Transparent. AMAZING.
- Licensed officiant support to finalize your marriage license.
- Award‑winning elopement photography coverage across both days, including sneak peeks, multi‑day documentation, and a full‑resolution final gallery delivery.
- Comprehensive elopement design & concierge‑level planning support — from permits and timelines to curated activity options and seamless coordination with my trusted expert partners in Seward and beyond.
- Complementary album layout design to bring your wedding story to life in a beautiful heirloom album.
- Private helicopter travel experiences: Day One flights: Seward → glacier dog sled camp → Bear Lake. Day Two flights: Bear Lake → alpine finale → Seward.
- Private glacier dog sledding experience (up to 2 hours) with musher.
- Guided kayaking excursion among icebergs in the Bear Glacier Lagoon, with the option to hike and picnic as you explore hidden corners.
- Exclusive overnight adventure luxe lodging at Bear Lake Glamp (two yurts onsite; so, the camp is reserved entirely for you).
- Adventure luxe lodging touches: a real bed in your glamping yurt, outfitted with luxe linens and snuggly blankets, twinkly lights, and a Pendleton blanket to use by the campfire. Deliciously cozy comforts in the wild.
- Local-inspired, plated wedding dinner served at your sweetheart table with real china, silverware, and candlelight. Seasonal menus highlight Alaska delicacies — think slow‑smoked ribs, fresh‑caught crab legs, or other specialties prepared (and carried in by heli!) with care.
- Celebratory bubbly (or similar)
- Elopement cake or celebratory dessert sized just for two.
- Premium charcuterie presentation for the kayaking picnic
- Breakfast, snacks, and lunch prepared at camp during your 24-hour stay.
- Mountain butler service by an expert backcountry guide, who provides camp services, guide support for excursions from camp.
Additional ways to customize your luxury elopement experience at Bear Lake:
- Private backcountry chef experience with an elevated, fully custom multi‑course menu prepared directly at camp.
- Fully customized styled sweetheart table with enhanced styling, florals, and bespoke decor for the table, or, the camp experience as well.
- Bespoke ceremony decor — a refined “stage in the wild,” always created with Leave No Trace principles.
- Additional private helicopter time for more landings.
- Extended photography coverage across additional experiences before or after the elopement.
- Creating guest inclusive experiences with luxury destination wedding or celebration design & delivery in Seward or beyond
- White glove travel concierge service for flights, car rentals, lodging, or honeymoon extensions bookings.
Customizations for your Elopement Package
When is the best time of year to plan a glacier dog sledding elopement?
Glacier dog sledding elopements are available only during Alaska’s summer window — roughly May through early September — when helicopter-accessed snowfield camps are in operation. These higher-elevation glaciers remain covered in snow throughout the summer, creating the perfect environment for sledding. The fully guided luxury glamping at Bear Lake also runs about mid June through Early September with only two guest yurts on site. This makes availability extremely limited, so reserving your dog sledding elopement date about 12 months in advance is strongly encouraged.
Can family or friends join us at Bear Lake for our elopement?
This experience is designed as a “Just Us Two” journey. Bear Lake Glamp cannot host additional guests overnight, ensuring your time remains private. However, if you’d like to honor family or a few treasured friends as part of your Alaska destination wedding, inclusion in dog sledding may be possible, or, I can design a complementary family wedding celebration in Seward before or after your Bear Lake stay.
Options include ceremonies, a private dinner, a styled picnic, or group-friendly adventures along the coast — meaningful ways to include loved ones while keeping the heart of your elopement intimate.
Options include ceremonies, a private dinner, a styled picnic, or group-friendly adventures along the coast — meaningful ways to include loved ones while keeping the heart of your elopement intimate.
What happens if the weather changes for our elopement on the glacier?
Helicopter flights and glacier conditions are always subject to weather. But that’s part of the magic of Alaska — shifting skies often reveal views or landings even more spectacular than what we first envisioned. Having the right gear (eg coats, boots, etc) paired with my trusted local pilots and guides means we are prepared to adapt plans seamlessly, ensuring both safety and wonder. Flexibility isn’t just built into this experience, it’s embraced as part of the story your elopement tells.
What should we wear to elope while glacier dog sledding?
Warmth and comfort are key. For dog sledding on a snowfield glacier, layering under your wedding attire is essential. Think thermal base layers, insulated footwear, and outerwear you can easily slip on and off for portraits. Don’t forget fleece or tightly woven wool gloves to block the wind, polarized sunglasses for the intense snow glare, and a warm hat or earmuffs, which, can also be a playful, stylish accessory with your wedding look. We tuck wedding dress layers safely away, so adding a veil or lightweight cape over a coat offers beautiful movement (and photographs!) in the wind while staying warm.
How can we personalize our glacier dog sledding elopement?
Your package already includes almost everything you need for a deeply immersive, adventure luxe celebration — private sledding, exclusive Bear Lake lodging, multi-course plated dinner, celebratory sips, and a premium charcuterie picnic. From there, personalization can make the experience feel even more like you:
- A private backcountry chef creating an elevated, multi-course menu fully designed to your tastes, prepared at right there at the Bear Lake glamping camp.
- An elegantly styled sweetheart table with enhanced decor and built to your vision for your first married meal.
- Bespoke decor and florals to further elevate your luxury yurt and/or camp experience.
- Ceremony decor, designed and crafted by my trusted partners with Leave No Trace principles for a refined “wedding stage in the wild.”
- Additional helicopter time for more landings or longer landing experiences.
- Extended multi-day photography coverage to beautifully capture every arc of your amazing Alaska journey from pre-elopement exploration, through the elopement experiences, and, into the romantic adventures that create the stories of your honeymoon as you tour this amazing state.
- Full, white glove concierge support for travel details — helping you (and your treasured few) organize and book details beyond the elopement experience with flights, car rentals, lodging, or honeymoon extensions.
Looking for ways to expand your story?
Couples have loved adding extra time with me before their elopement adventure — here, an easy going a lifestyle session in Seward is a fun way to capture the feel of this coastal town. These sessions not only help you feel confident in front of the camera but also give you a broader story arc to your Alaska elopement.
For inspiration, see Ronnie & Anthony’s luxury elopement wedding in the Kenai Peninsula— a two-day adventure that began with a lifestyle session in Seward before their vows on the glacier. Their story is a beautiful example of how extra time can enrich both the experience and the images you take home.
Couples have loved adding extra time with me before their elopement adventure — here, an easy going a lifestyle session in Seward is a fun way to capture the feel of this coastal town. These sessions not only help you feel confident in front of the camera but also give you a broader story arc to your Alaska elopement.
For inspiration, see Ronnie & Anthony’s luxury elopement wedding in the Kenai Peninsula— a two-day adventure that began with a lifestyle session in Seward before their vows on the glacier. Their story is a beautiful example of how extra time can enrich both the experience and the images you take home.
Can you get married while dog sledding?
Yes, you can get married while dog sledding in Alaska — it’s one of the most unique ways to exchange vows in the world. Couples can elope on a glacier by helicopter, riding privately with a musher and sled team. Vows may be exchanged mid-ride or at a chosen snowfield location, turning the adventure into a wedding ceremony. Unlike group tours, this is designed for just the two of you, with immersive photography to capture the full story. Guests aren’t typically part of glacier camp elopements, but Seward-based celebrations can be arranged before or after if you’d like to include loved ones.
Where can you go dog sledding on snow during summer?
In Alaska, summer dog sledding is only possible on high-elevation glaciers, reached by helicopter. These special snowfield glaciers are wide, snowy expanses that stay covered through summer, creating a crisp, bright canvas for sledding. They look different from the jagged, crevassed glaciers with blue pools many people picture. On a snowfield, the beauty is in its openness: endless white stretching in every direction, with sled dogs running across it. If you want both types of glacier experiences — snowfield mushing and exploring craggier icefalls or blue pools — a multi-day elopement can combine them.
Can you wear wedding clothes while dog sledding on a glacier?
Yes, you can absolutely wear your wedding clothes on a glacier dog sledding ride — many couples do, and it photographs beautifully. The key is layering: warm base layers beneath gowns or suits, fleece or wool gloves to block wind, sunglasses for the bright snow glare, and a warm hat or earmuffs (a cozy accessory that also looks stylish). Long dresses are tucked safely away, while adding a veil or lightweight bridal cape layered over a coat creates elegant movement in the wind. This balance of form and function ensures you look stunning while staying comfortable.
FAQs
Where can you elope with dog sledding in Alaska?
You can elope with dog sledding in several regions of Alaska, with Seward standing out for its glaciers and coastal scenery. In Seward, helicopter flights take couples to glaciers like Godwin Glacier, where mushers host summer sled dog camps that can be adapted for a private ceremony. Beyond Seward, mushing experiences exist in Denali, Juneau, and Fairbanks, though they are often more tour-focused. For elopements, I work with trusted operators to secure private access so your vows are intimate and intentional, rather than part of a public tour.
Where can you do a private dog sledding elopement in Alaska?
The best way to do a private dog sledding elopement in Alaska is by booking a helicopter-assisted experience on a glacier camp, with your own musher and sled team. Most tours are shared with groups, but this package ensures privacy — your musher guides only you across the glacier. For couples looking outside Seward, there are limited options near Girdwood, Denali or Juneau, though they require custom arrangements. Working with a planner who knows the right operators is key to securing true privacy and a wedding-ready experience.
MEET KATE
Principal Designer & Photographer
I design -then photograph- luxury destination elopements that are neither preceded nor replicated.
Search these remarkable landscapes, and you won’t see a parade of identical wedding photos.
I believe the world is too extraordinary for a borrowed plan.
My passion for unique global travel, belief that anything is possible, and mantra that meaningful experiences can’t be rushed are the foundation of how I support you.
Share how you want your wedding to feel, and I’ll create options as original as your love story—capturing images of every unforgettable moment.
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Kate's not just a photographer... She seamlessly shifts between being a creative director, a local concierge, and your biggest cheerleader...
-Ryan Monahan
Us Two International Lifestyle Adventure
