alaska elopement photographer

Mountain Elopement in Anchorage | Rogan + Simiyah

Welcome to the adventure that was Rogan and Simiyah’s oceanside elopement in Anchorage! Anchored in their shared love for the outdoors, the couple took the offbeat path, literally and figuratively, for their wedding ceremony. It was a very intimate setting, focused just on the two of them and their love - exactly like they wanted.

The day kicked off on the rocks of beluga point, with mountains in the distance and a blizzard raging around us. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen more incredible winter wedding attire! They shared their vows using the evergreens for shelter from the wind, exchanged rings and made it official.

Rogan and Simiyah braved the elements for a few photos that practically shouted “WE ELOPED IN ALASKA IN A BLIZZARD” (absolutely worth it) before we retreated to a less blustery are of anchorage for some more magical snowy bride and groom portraits.

Following the ceremony, the couple returned to their hotel downtown Anchorage to continue the celebration. A cozy cake-cutting session followed by some champagne popping completed our time together but definitely was not the end of the warm fuzzy feelings!! I literally miss these two.

This unconventional elopement was a true testament to their love for each other and the outdoors. While far from traditional, Rogan and Simiyah’s mountain elopement in Anchorage was very much them.

Keep scrolling to see highlights from the gallery!

To see more of my work, click here. To book with me, click here!

Kind Words

“Rachel was wonderful to work with! She was the only professional vendor we booked and are so thrilled we did. Not only are the photos of our intimate elopement wedding in the Prince William Sound gorgeous, but she fit in seamlessly with our tiny 10-person wedding party. She was climbing ship stacks and into zodiacs in the rain without batting an eye. So happy we got to work with her!” -Mariah

Cooper Landing Alaska Wedding Day | Elijah + Olivia

Nestled in the heart of Alaska, Cooper Landing is a hidden gem that offers some of the most breathtaking backdrops for a wedding. When Elijah and Olivia decided to tie the knot, this pristine location was their number one choice. Cooper Landing, situated along the banks of the Kenai River, is a picturesque paradise surrounded by lush forests, glistening waters, and towering mountains. As their photographer, capturing their wedding was both an honor and an adventure. Here’s a peek into their sweet fall wedding day.

The day began with Olivia and her bridesmaids getting ready in a cozy A-frame cabin with large windows letting in soft, natural light. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and excitement, real life moments. Olivia’s wedding dress, an ethereal lace gown with intricate detailing, hung perfectly against the backdrop of pine trees outside. Elijah and his groomsmen got ready in a rustic log cabin elsewhere on the property. The groom wore a navy blue suit, complemented by a boutonniere featuring native wildflowers!

Elijah and Olivia had their first look in front of the river and took the moment to read each other private vows. This is always one of my favorite things that couples do; taking a moment for themselves without an audience to soak in the day and their promises.

Friends and family watched with joy as Elijah and Olivia became husband and wife in front of the mountains and the river. We frolicked around the venue taking photos, swinging from a tree, walking out onto the dock on the river, and making the most of Cooper Landing, AK in the fall.

After the portrait session it was time for the party! The reception was full of personal touches, heartfelt speeches from loved ones, and really good cake.

Congratulations to Elijah and Olivia!

Cooper Landing Alaska Fall Wedding Photography by Rachel Struve

If you’re liking what you’re seeing and are looking for a photographer to capture your day in all its glory, click here!

Kind Words

“She’s amazing to work with, so talented, and a genuinely great human being. I’m so glad that I found her and had the opportunity to work with her. I can honestly say we found a friend through her and can’t wait until we get to visit Alaska again so we can catch up with her!” — Bao & Bianca

Dreamy Alaskan Elopement | Connor + Alissa

Connor and Alissa chose Whittier Alaska, their 12ish favorite people and their pups to create the perfect elopement day adventure for the two of them. Everyone got ready in a big cabin in Girdwood before making the drive to the overlook of their dreams in Whittier.


We all hiked down to the most serene little beach spot; Alissa got dressed on the beach and hid in a cove while the groom skipped rocks and the rest of the crew set up their ceremony in front of a stream running into the ocean.

Their ceremony (performed by their dear friend) was sweet and emotional. I never want couples to feel any pressure to “force emotion” during wedding day moments, but I DO want them to feel relaxed, comfortable, and safe to have the space to be authentically themselves and in their feels on their big day.

We raced against the tide to take some one of a kind portraits by the ocean before hiking back up to a perfect snack spread on the picnic tables. We took photos with the crew, drank whisky, and frolicked around in a field.

Thank you to Connor and Alissa for choosing me to document this day that they did their way!

The shots of them out on the rocks in the ocean are maybe some of the most epic photos I’ve ever taken, enjoyyyyy

Planning your own epic but personal adventure elopement and need it photographed?! click here, let’s talk!

Kind Words

“She’s amazing to work with, so talented, and a genuinely great human being. I’m so glad that I found her and had the opportunity to work with her. I can honestly say we found a friend through her and can’t wait until we get to visit Alaska again so we can catch up with her!”

— Bao & Bianca

Jade + Nick in Hatcher Pass // Alaska Elopement Photographer

Jade + Nick’s Hatcher Pass Elopement // Alaska Elopement Photographer

This love story started with a heated conversation (argument?) about aliens, and other important things.

Jade and Nick recounted the details of their first long conversation in the vows they shared during an epic, windy ceremony in Hatcher Pass. After photographing these two for their engagement session and now their elopement, all I could think when I walked away was “They REALLY like each other.” 

From the way they teased each other to the way they kissed, their love and relationship was so strong and beautiful and I was so honored to be their elopement photographer.

Their day felt peaceful and relaxed from start to finish, and Hatcher Pass was of course stunning. Alaska brought all of her wild glory with the sun and wind, and the view from their ceremony felt like you were on top of the world. There’s a reason Hatcher Pass is such a popular elopement location in Alaska. I love photographing there because even though it’s always beautiful, the light and the atmosphere are always different, like much of Alaska - you never know what you’re going to get.

Here are just a few images (oh yes, there are so many more) from their elopement day - getting ready moments, first look feels, hanging out before the ceremony, windy vows, exploring around the mountains, and champagne toasts by the river later.

the ending

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.

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!!

New Year's Eve Intimate Alaskan Winter Elopement

when Raven shared with me that she and her high school sweetheart were planning on eloping new year’s eve, I was THRILLED. not only did I love the fact that we had chosen the same day to get married (my husband and I got married that afternoon!), but I’ve shot with Raven and Wyatt before - they are adventurous, kind to others and to each other, and as you’ll see in these photos - so very in love. We met and hiked out to Thunderbird falls for the ceremony. Raven wore her grandmother’s fur coat and Wyatt wore his nice sneakers, and they both laughed and radiated love the entire morning.

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Raven was beaming as she barreled past me to her groom.

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since I had some leftover flowers from my bouquet I threw a couple together as a gift for Raven - she hid behind them for most of the ceremony because she was crying so much haha!

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Wyatt made fun of her after the ceremony for blubbering during their vows, but we have proof that he was JUST as emotional as she was.

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they had a short, sweet ceremony officiated by a friend with a few other close friends in attendance, and went out to lunch afterward.

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JUST MARRIED LIKE WHAAT?!

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there was a windstorm the night before so we had some obstacles getting to and from the location at Thunderbird Falls, but honestly, that just added to the excitement of it.

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ALSO WE RAN INTO THIS PUPPY

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also guys - he VOLUNTEERED to take his socks and shoes off, walk through ice cold rocky stream, and take his bride closer to the frozen waterfall for photos. can we say groom goals?!

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Raven bought her lovely dress at Nordstrom - the mud from our climb over just made it more beautiful.

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true love in action, folks

true love in action, folks

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I could not resist ending it on this note. happy marriage, you two.

are you planning an elopement? send me a message, I’d love to be your photographer!

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