How to Elope to Alaska: A Bucket List Elopement

BUILT THEIR ELOPEMENT ADVENTURE ON: Vision Elopement

WHY THEY LOVED IT: A Jam-packed, Unbelievable, Elopement Adventure

“How to elope to Alaska?”

That is exactly what my clients searched in Google that fateful day, hoping how to elope to Alaska in a way that felt like an adventure they’d want. So, how should you elope to Alaska? Well, dream BIG, lean in to the unexpected, and know there are luxurious options available even when you desire adventure. So, keep your mind open, and read on below see more on how THEY chose to elope to Alaska!

See, they were looking for a partner to help fulfill their Alaska Elopement bucket list experience. They knew they wanted to wanted to elope to Alaska, but they weren’t sure how to elope to Alaska.

As they scrolled and clicked all the links available to them, they found a lot of the same: beautiful elopements that reflected traditional weddings.

But Ronnie (she/her) and Anthony (he/him) weren’t looking for an elopement they could have anywhere else. They needed to know how to elope to Alaska.

And then they found my site and it pulled on the adventurer string in their own hearts. See, I don’t believe that you should have an elopement in Alaska that you could have literally anywhere else. I don’t believe you should be confined to the typical elopement box. Instead…I prefer to smash the heck out of that box. 😉

Because if you wanted a basic elopement, there is no way you’d be going to Alaska anyway.

Keep reading to hear how this couple’s story emerged in Seward, Alaska.

Day one – Prepping

Our first day together was the day we finally got to meet in person. We had chatted over video, sent numerous emails, and excited texts over the last 14 months, but Day One is where our adventure truly began.

This first night, we met up, had dinner, and went over all of the details at their cabin.

We discussed the itinerary, chatted out any nerves they felt, and I helped Ronnie with a little sewing project.

This elopement adventure was a “Just Us Elopement,” meaning that it was just Ronnie, Anthony, and I. Even though their crew wasn’t with them on the adventure does not mean that they were excluded from the experience.

Ronnie had a pin and a necklace pendant from her mom and grandmother. During our pre-elopement prep meeting, we sewed them inside her jacket to ensure they were close to her heart for the entirety of their elopement adventure.

Now that all the final details were squared away, we were ready for the adventure.

Day 2 – Elopement Adventure Begins!

MORNING

The vow portion of our adventure wasn’t to begin until early evening. The morning of, Ronnie and Anthony opted to add on an “Adventure Session” for us to explore together.

As we walked about downtown Seward, we eased into their elopement adventure. We had endless fun and so much laughter. Additionally, it gave them a chance to get more comfortable exploring and interacting together in front of the camera.

The morning of their vows, the bride and groom decided to explore seward, alaska.

I had already scouted out our path through town and knew I’d take them to a coffee shop in town. I knew they had done their engagement photoshoot at a coffee shop, so I wanted to give them a little surprise nod to their story together.

This is a picture of a bride and groom before their vow exchange. They spent the morning at a coffee shop together.

Afternoon

After a short break, we regrouped as I joined Ronnie and Anthony at their cabin to capture the sweet anticipation of getting ready. They chose to get ready separate from each other on separate floors in the cabin, as they were excited for a surprise first look.

And what a sweet first look it was. Suddenly, all the prep and all the planning was real. With tender hugs, gentle tears, and laughs, the adventure was officially– and beautifully– underway.

This is a picture of the bride and groom getting ready for their ceremony.

This is a picture of a bride and groom during their first look. They are crying happy tears.

EARLY EVENING

That evening, we hopped on a helicopter to the dog sled mushing gamp. During their morning excursion, Ronnie and Anthony wondered “WHAT IF…” and asked if it would be possible to exchange their vows on the glacier during their dog sled trail ride.

This is a picture of a bride and groom in a helicopter on their bucket-list elopement to alaska

This is a picture of the Alaska wild - grant mountians, snowy, blue skies.

That is what I love about adventure elopements, there is space for flexibility and adjustments. Plus, my work as an elopement concierge allows me to vet everyone we add to the team to make your dream a reality.

So, I knew that when I called up Elise, our ace coordinator at Seward Heli to explore the option, I knew they would be onboard to make this new dream a reality!

Working with Shelby (she/her), our helicopter pilot who was also going to be the officiant, and Turning Heads Kennels, the host of the dog sled adventure, Elise confirmed it was a go! Everyone was excited to bring this unexpected and fun vision to life!

This is a picture of a bride and groom in front of a mountain. They are cuddling dog sled dogs.

This is a picture of the groom buttoning his coat in Alaska.

This is a picture of a bride and groom with their dog sled.

This is a picture of the valley that the bride and groom got married at - snowy mountains, dog sleds, and a lot of love.

This is a portrait of the bride and groom surrounded by big Alaska mountains and heavy snow.

This is a picture of a bride and groom on a dog sled together, riding to their elopement ceremony.

The guide, Xael, was amazing about the vow exchange and said, “Any spot that moves you, is yours to have.” So as we rode in the sled around the glacier, they saw a mountain peak with a beautiful surrounding space and decided that was THE PLACE.

This is a picture of a bride and groom during their vows.

This is a picture of a bride and groom celebrating their vows together with shots!

Shelby, their pilot AND officiant (how cool is that, lol), was back at camp awaiting word, so Xael contacted her by radio with coordinates and she rode a snowmachine (aka snowmobile or snow sled depending on where you are from!) out to meet us. It was epic. Then, afterwards, she flew us back over the spot so they could see it from a different view.

This is a picture of a helicopter flying in Alaska in front of a giant mountain.

This is a picture of a bride and groom in front of a mountain. There is their helicopter and dogs they are playing with.

This is a picture of a groom in a helicopter

This is a picture of a bride in a helicopter in alaksa with the mountain reflection in the window.

EVENING

We concluded our dog sledding, hopped back in the helicopter, and flew to their backcountry yurts for an overnight glamping experience. Located perfectly on the edge of a glacier lake with a lagoon filled with icebergs.

It was there we met Max, the next member of our team and our backcountry camp host.

Max and I teamed up to deliver the couple their fully plated 4-course dinner with champagne. (I’m still drooling over these AMAZING smoked ribs and a heap of fresh Alaskan crab legs from Firebrand BBQ that were all carried by helicopter earlier in the day!)

From their perch on the deck of their lovely yurt, overlooking the glacier lake, Ronnie and Anthony enjoyed this amazing meal from a beautiful sweetheart table with a tablescape I carried in by helicopter that day.

This is a picture of a bride and groom celebrating their elopement with a private dinner after their vows.

So… All that to say… Let this be your reminder that YES! You CAN have it all! 😉

NIGHT

What’s another way how to elope to Alaska is different than anything else? Choose to elope over the Summer Solstice in Alaska and embrace the midnight sun!!!

At about 1 am a thick layer of fog rolled over the lagoon and blocked out the “night” sun.

Embracing the most darkness we’d seen in days, we went for a walk on the shore of the lagoon in the semi-darkness. Eerie beauty greated us as you could hear the icebergs creaking, and see their looming shadows in the mist.

This is a picture of a foggy, night-time, exploration.