If you follow me on Instagram, you know how much I love Alaska elopements. What better place to start your married life? It’s beautiful, adventurous, intimate…
So I thought it was about time I share the 8 Best Places to Elope in Alaska. These are places that I have photographed elopements that my couples and I and absolutely loved.
There are a lot of variables to think about when eloping in Alaska from weather conditions to transport - but I’ve done this quite a few times so I can guide you along the way.
But before you get to the planning process you have to know WHERE you want to say “I do”!
So to all future couples thinking about eloping in this beautiful state - save this post!!
The 8 Best Elopement Locations and Adventures in Alaska
Hatcher Pass - Wasilla Elopement
Hatcher Pass in Wasilla has a few different places that you can adventure to! If you want to do a little hike, we can go up to Gold Cord Lake which is a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains, or we could hike to April Bowl - you feel like you’re on top of the world. If you’re looking for something super accessible, Summit Lake is a short walk from the parking lot! It’s surrounded by luscious green mountains - a beautiful version of Alaska’s wilderness.
You’re allowed to have smaller wedding events (under 25 people) so it’s perfect for elopements! It’s a busy place during the summer - you’ll often have paragliders jumping off the mountain in the background - and weather is unpredictable, but totally worth it.
You will also probably run into some of my favorite little alaskan wildlife - the marmot. They’re like little groundhogs and plentiful in the pass!
Lowell Point - Seward Beach Elopement
Seward is possibly my favorite place in Alaska. Ocean, mountains, quaint coffee shops, small town vibes, what more could you want? There are actually a few spots in Seward AK that you could use as a wedding or elopement venue and location.
One of the first spots is Millers Landing. They have cabins that you can rent to stay in and a basically private beach where you can have your ceremony!
There’s also Lowell Point - an amazing spot for portraits or a ceremony. If you’re going for a ceremony at Lowell Point, I HIGHLY suggest you stay at Salted Roots Cabins.
Another option is Renfrose Lake - a gorgeous cabin venue + elopement ceremony combo!! They have kayaks which we could take out for EPIC photos, and a wood fired hot tub.
Seward Boat Elopement
Seward again, you ask? absolutely.
There are even more ways to explore Seward - imagine you are standing on a private island in the middle of the Kenai Fjords, saying your vows as birds fly by and then having your first dance on the beach before taking a beautiful boat ride back to the Seward harbor to continue the celebration. This is a personal favorite adventure of mine - Miller’s Landing Water Taxi is the best way to get yourself out to these pristine locations.
Girdwood, AK Elopement
Girdwood, Alaska is not only a popular skiing destination, but a perfect elopement destination. You have the option for an intimate ceremony at one of a beautiful scenic spots in the area! To incorporate more fun experiences into your day, you can take the tram at Alyeska Resort, frolic around one of the fields or streams, and then go to dinner at Jack Sprat or Double Musky. The food is another reason I highly suggest you elope in Girdwood, Alaska.
Valdez, AK Elopement
A hidden gem in Alaska!! If you think Seward is small and quaint, it just got even smaller and quainter (? that’s probably not a word).
Valdez is a five hour incredibly scenic drive north from Anchorage Alaska to a town literally hidden in the mountains. It’s a harbor town as well but it’s full of gems like this waterfall and glacier fed lakes in front of mountains. It’s also home to one of my favorite spots for food, the Roadside Potato.
Whittier Beach Elopement
More ocean and mountain locations to get married in Alaska? Say no more.
Whittier is an hour outside of Anchorage Alaska and you travel through an old military tunnel to access the town. It’s a small town but what it makes up for in population it makes up for in beaches you could get married on, hikes to more secluded beaches where we could take wedding photos, overlooks where you could have your Alaskan elopement ceremony…
And if you don’t want to stay in the town for your reception (I admit, there are limited food and venue options), it’s less than an hour away from Girdwood where you can book an Airbnb or stay at Alyeska for the rest of your adventure and grab food there!
Knik Glacier Elopement
Stay at one of these cute and convenient cabins for your elopement, and then take a freaking helicopter from Alaska Helicopter Tours to an out of this world location to say your vows. You can land on miles and miles of blue ice (it feels like another planet), near a secluded waterfall, or a ridge that truly makes you feel like you’re on top of the world.
Homer, Alaska Elopement
Homer, Alaska is another five hour drive from Anchorage, Alaska and has that rainy, ocean town feel. The blue mountains across the water in Kachemak bay contrast with the tan beach or the lush foliage farther down the winding road. Take a water Taxi to Between Beaches Alaska, or get married on the Homer Spit. There are endless dinner options and you can take a fishing charter while you’re in the area!
And there you have it!
The 8 Best Places to Elope in Alaska!! Honestly, this is barely scratching the surface. There are so many places to adventure in this beautiful state and I love helping couples visiting Alaska and dreaming about their Alaskan elopement find the location, restaurants, places to stay, and fun alaska activities that will make their trip complete.
Any questions for me? If you are thinking of eloping in Alaska, feel to reach out to me. I’d love to help you plan and document your special moments! Inquire HERE.
