Intimate Beach Elopement | Alaska Wedding Photographer

It was honestly SUCH an honor to shoot this intimate beach elopement for Zoe and Travis. The whole day was so personal & laid back. As an Alaska elopement photographer - this was exactly my vibe.

Anyone who knows them can tell you that Zoe & Travis are best friends. They are goofy and in love. (The best combo!) They chose to have an intimate beach elopement because they wanted something that matched their personalities and felt authentic.

They gathered their closest family and friends for a relaxed day together. Starting at an Airbnb in Girdwood, where they all got ready together. Zoe did a first look for Travis & his reaction was so sweet. You can tell even by just looking at the photos how in love these two are!

After the first look, they took the tunnel to Whittier, and everyone got set up on the beach. It was under 15 people in attendance and they all stood together in a group while Zoe walked down the “aisle” and they said I Do. Their guests shared special things about the couple after their ceremony, which was really meaningful. Lots of tears!!

Afterwards, we took some time to take newlywed portraits with just the two of them near the water with the stunning Alaska mountains in the background. We wandered all over the beach and they were just glowing with excitement. I love that time just after the ceremony when it’s hitting my couples that they are freaking MARRIED. It’s my favorite time for couples portraits.

After pictures, they all gathered for casual burgers and games back at the Airbnb. They had personalized details like their wine glasses, and little cupcakes (they did a mini “cake cutting” with them). But after signing the marriage license, they changed into comfortable clothes and enjoyed a relaxed evening with their family and friends.

It was such a special intimate beach elopement and I was smiling ear to ear the whole time editing their gallery. I love these authentic, quiet, special days. I’ll always say yes to more like this!

Glacier Adventure Elopement | Alaska Wedding Photographer

John & Elena brought passion and a spirit of adventure to their glacier adventure elopement

They nailed the balance of warm and stylish. You would never have known that Elena was seven months pregnant - she took on the snow and helicopter unphased, a testament to her adventurous spirit.

The two had been together for years and knew that they wanted to go on an adventure with just the two of them to start the married chapter of their lives. Despite the cold, they both cried through the ceremony.

I am OBSESSED with the intimacy of ceremonies where you are promising your love to your best friend in front of out of this world beauty. It can't be beat.

They enjoyed hot chocolate and (frozen) marshmallows over the fire that Madison of Wild Hearts Events provided. AK Helicopter Tours were amazing as always. And the amazing florals were by Sireli.

Seward Adventure Elopement | Alaska Wedding Photographer

This Seward adventure elopement was one for the books! Like WOW. I’ll hop on a boat and photograph you eloping ANY DAY. These two so clearly chose each other for better or for worse, and I loved how they focused their whole day around their own intimate moments together becoming man & wife.

Phil & Rachel knew from the start they wanted to do something different (like an adventure elopement, just for the two of them) and when talking about where someone said “Alaska!” and that was that!

When the big day finally arrived, we met at the harbor for their Seward adventure elopement. We hung out on the dock waiting for our ride, and then traveled through some beautiful coves to a secluded island with incomparable alaskan scenery. There, Madison from Wild Hearts Events set up for their intimate ceremony (which was SO special to witness). The newlyweds then enjoyed cake and a dance on the beach afterward while we took photos to the epic backgrounds Seward, Alaska has to offer.

Any time, any day - I will be down for an elopement on a boat. I grew up on a boat so I apparently don’t have to worry about motion sickness either. Seriously though, how COOL.

(Shout out to their team of vendors who made this day so special! Everyone is linked at the bottom!)

VENDORS:
Planner: Madison
HMUA: Tiffee
Florals: Lily of the Valley
Boat: Millers Landing

Girdwood Elopement | Alaska Wedding Photographer

This Girdwood elopement was absolutely perfect for Nick and Christa. In literally every way. I can’t wait for you to see this one.

They are are those meet once, friends for life kind of people.

Christa found me on Facebook of all places and we connected IMMEDIATELY over a love of Alaska, the mountains, and the forest.

She was having trouble finding a place to get married that fit her vision up in Fairbanks, Alaska so I sent her some photos of Girdwood. She was sold immediately and brought the whole celebration down there. (I mean, can you blame her?)

Their entire Girdwood elopement day felt like hanging out with old friends, even though it was out first time hanging out in person. There was just so much love and support, not only between Nick and Christa but their entire crew of family and close friends.

These two have something special.

Nick is Christa's safe place, and she is the light of his life. Neither of them are from Alaska originally but they both wholeheartedly embraced its beauty, community, and wilderness. Photographing them and their incredibly meaningful day was an honor.

(some of my favorite images ever of the hike we went on at the end - you don’t want to miss them!!)

If you want help choosing a location for the elopement adventure of your dreams and the right photographer to hike along with you, reach out to me below!!

how to elope in alaska

Okay guys, tell me if this speaks to you:

You’re engaged, and you’ve jumped headfirst into wedding planning. It’s becoming clear that there is way more to planning a wedding than you’ve thought. What’s more, you’re beginning to wonder if it’s worth it to plan a big party for people you don’t know super well (that’s a lot of people watching you walk down the aisle). You’ve heard someone mention eloping and the idea sounds fun but like -

where do you start? how do you elope? where should you elope? what do you do on an elopement day? how much does it cost to elope?

- valid questions. You’re going to want to keep reading.

A photographer friend and I were talking about how there are a lot of epic portraits from elopements swimming around the internet, but wouldn’t it be so cool if we could create something to give engaged couples an idea of what the start to finish of an elopement day would look like?

So we teamed up with some incredible vendors to not only give you an idea of what an elopement ceremony in Alaska in the winter could look like, but ALSO what vendors you could book, how much it would cost, what details you could include, and how the day could flow.

THAT BEING SAID. Scroll through the photos of Stephen & Alexa’s (9 year anniversary) elopement day 😉 and then check out the team and the details toward the end!

the day

getting ready

hair, makeup, the works! you can get ready with your fiancé if you like, or do it separately and preserve the element of surprise! there are no rules here (:

there are lots of incredible venues in alaska but if you’re looking to keep it super simple, finding yourself a cozy airbnb will NOT disappoint (and I can help you find one!). that’s what these two did! it was perfect for getting ready in the morning and then for their private dinner later!

details

writing vows

ceremony

the sky is the limit when you keep it simple. there are SO many beautiful places in alaska where you and your person can say your vows to each other! fields, oceans, mountains, rivers, streams, cabins - take your pick!

the ceremony set up for these two was so simple but stunning - the floral pieces and a blanket/rug to stand on! easy to transport but made it special.

portrait time

these two took shots off a hockey stick because that’s how they met in college 😉 how did you meet? when did you know you loved your person? include it in your day!

afternoon alyeska tram adventure

take your newly wedded selves on an adventure! take a tram to an amazing view, cozy up by the fire and play cards, take a drive to your favorite view, spend time with close family members if that’s how your day rolls, sing songs - take both of your favorite things to do together and make it happen. what better way to spend the afternoon?

dinner reception

there are so many options for your evening after the ceremony and photos! go out to a nice dinner, order your favorite takeout, have your wedding planner set you up with an Alaskan charcuterie board and magical candles, cut the cake (if you want one!), get pizza and go out for beers after - whatever makes your heart happy!

the team

The incredible team that made this day happen! (links are in italics):

Models: Stephen & Lex of The Hitched Hiker

Florist: Natasha of Paper Peony

HMUA: Liz of EBA907

Wedding Planner: Yvette of Wedding Creative Design

Cake: Anita of Midnight Sun Cakery

Gown: ASOS

Invitation Suite: Christine of Grey Meets Gold

Earrings: Akimbo

Photographer/organizers: Me & Theresa of Theresa McDonald Photography

Videographer (yes, there’s a video coming!!): Ben Struve of Rachel Struve Photography

Location/Venue: Airbnb in Girdwood, AK

“Reception” : Girdwood Brewing Co

the cost

I know that one of the reasons some couples choose to elope is because they have a smaller budget. If that’s you, great! A smaller budget CAN go a longer way with a smaller celebration, without losing out on the details that you’ve always dreamed of. (If you haven’t thought through your budget priorities, check out this blog post). If you’re looking for an idea of what an elopement like the one featured in this post could cost, look no further! (JK obviously, reach out to the vendors you want to work with because everyone’s prices are different).

Florals $400-$900

HMUA $140-$200

Wedding Planner $600-$1500 (depends on customization of services!)

Cake $170-$245

Gown: $300-$1200 (I know this is a wide range - everyone has different priorities! If you’re looking for gowns on the lower end, check my blog next week 😉)

Earrings $30-$50

Photography $2400-$3800

Videography $1400-$1900

Invitation Suite $300-$600

Location/Venue (Airbnb) $600-800

Pizza & Beer $50-$100

Overall, you could pull off a day like the one you just scrolled through for around 5-7k, depending on what you want included! Compare that to the cost of the average wedding folks - you are in GOOD shape for such an incredible and personal adventure.

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So there you have it! A full elopement DAY.

Now you can let your imagination run wild!

If this information was helpful for you, I would LOVE to hear from you. Shoot me a message on instagram! Or if you know someone that it could help, send it their way!

Thankful for you! Hope this rocks your socks off!

-Rachel