Do you dream of wedding photos against mountains, glaciers, rugged coastlines, and over-worldly tundras as backdrops? Alaska has something for everyone, whether you are planning a large wedding or an adventurous elopement.
Our world is expanding as wedding trends shift towards more intimate nuptial adventures. Modern couples don’t need a ballroom with 300 guests and a DJ booth. We say, marry on a mountaintop. We cry, “Say I do in a boat while orcas swim past.” Enjoy wedding cake on the beach in Alaska’s midnight sun.
While the snow and ice might seem empty, you will not be alone. Outland Events is a unique, all-inclusive wedding experience that Alaskan wedding photographer Corinne Weidner and event designer Erin Weidner offer. This Alaskan couple will help you design, plan, photograph, and celebrate your Alaskan Wedding Adventure.
We are excited to share what Alaska can offer adventurous couples. We asked Outland Events for their top tips on planning a wedding and the best places to visit.
Where can couples marry in Alaska?
Alaskans are proud to say that their state is twice the size of Texas. With that much space, there’s plenty of room for various landscapes and travel destinations. Alaska has it all: rugged mountains and glaciers constantly changing, sparkling oceans, tidal islands, and vast tundras.
Southeast and Southcentral are the two most popular regions of the state.
Southeast Alaska
Southeast is the panhandle that runs along the Canadian border and is perfect for couples exploring the Tongass National Forest coast.
The weather is mild, rainy, and lush. The scenery is green and mountainous. Cori grew up on a floating lodge in this region and considered it one of the world’s most beautiful places. This is a perfect place for couples who want to see marine life, fish, travel on the Alaska Marine Highway System, or take a cruise. Ketchikan is the most famous town for weddings in this region.
Southcentral Alaska
Southcentral is located further north and is the most accessible area for those flying into Anchorage.
This region is drier and has the most variety in scenery, accommodations, tours, and vendors. Over half of Alaska’s residents live in this region, which includes Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Prince William Sound. It also consists of the Kenai Peninsula and the Kenai Peninsula up to Talkeetna.
This region is home to almost any Alaskan activity. This is the top choice for couples planning a wedding or elopement. It’s also where Cori and Erin live and travel now.
Epic Alaskan elopement ideas…
Alaska’s allure is that you can quickly get to a beautiful remote location once you arrive. Many couples fly into Ted Stevens International Airport, Anchorage, to begin their journey. Alaska offers a wide range of activities.
A helicopter charter is perfect for couples looking to get to a beautiful location quickly and easily. There are many options for couples who wish to include their friends and family in the experience. These can be accessed by car, train, or plane. The world’s most extensive seaplane base is in Anchorage, on Lake Hood. Experienced pilots will take you and your friends to hidden gems and expansive views throughout Alaska.
A memorable adventure includes driving through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in Whittier, the longest highway tunnel in North America (2.5 miles), and then boating to Blackstone Bay in Prince William Sound to see an icy-blue glacier. You can exchange vows at a private beach and end the day in a luxurious Alaskan lodge.
A helicopter landing at Colony Glacier is another excellent option. You can drink fresh glacier water surrounded by ice and craggy mountains and then paddle in a pack raft around Lake George. We love to help couples choose the perfect spot in Alaska.
What if your wedding is a large-scale affair?
We love to get off the beaten track whenever we can. Many wilderness lodges welcome weddings of all sizes. The setting is beautiful and wild, but couples and guests can enjoy comfort and guided experiences.
Lodges in the mountains or near the sea are open all year round, while those closer to the ocean are usually only open during the summer. Some smaller and more intimate wedding venues still offer beautiful views. Girdwood is one of our favorite wedding venues, as are Seward, Homer, and the Mat-Su Valley.
What vendors should you choose in Alaska?
Let’s take this chance to gush about ourselves! We’re excited to announce that we have launched a planning service all-inclusive for couples who want to get married in Alaska, renew their vows, or propose.
Cori has been photographing destination weddings for over ten years. She photographed BM Editor-in-Chief Claire’s dreamy Mexican beach wedding! Erin is a lead planner and event designer.
Outland Events was created to help couples explore Alaska and create a unique, unforgettable experience. We both live in Anchorage but have lived all over Alaska, both on-grid and off. This allows us to serve any area of Alaska. Learn more about our Alaska Elopement Packages. We love to hear from couples, no matter where they are in the planning process.
When can you get married in Alaska?
Alaska weddings are trendy in the spring and summer when temperatures have warmed, and there is plenty of daylight. Winter scenery is still there in spring, but the temperatures are warmer, and the lighting is usually soft and dreamy. The Iditarod is also held in spring, and the tourist season starts to increase but has yet to reach its peak.
Alaskan Summers
Summer is the best time to elope, as it has the least rain. You can visit all parts of the state, get on the water, and find unique locations.
Alaska is known as the “land of the midnight sun” because its latitude makes light visible almost all night and day during the summer.
Summer and fall are the best times to see wildlife and enjoy more vibrant colors in the landscape. Because of this, May-August is the most popular month to elope and have weddings. However, winter elopements, though cold, can be magical.
