June Wedding in Alaska: What to expect

What Local, Alaskan flowers are available for your June wedding?

It is my absolute joy to work with local Alaskan flowers both from my urban farm right here in Anchorage, and from other farmers in the Matanuska Valley and the Kenai Peninsula.

Here is a brief list of what may be available for your June wedding: tulips (early), peonies (late), ranunculus, columbine and stock.

June is still considered spring in Alaska, so please know that depending on our winter snowpack and spring weather we may have more or less than what’s listed above.

Honestly, flower variety is limited in June. But your wedding can still be amazing floral-wise. If there is not enough variety locally, I can order from other farmers in Washington, Oregon and California.

Below are all examples of flowers that may be available for your June wedding.

What’s the weather like in June in Alaska?

While we all hope your wedding day is the most magical day possible, weather can be unpredictable.

The last few summers have been warm and dry in the early part of our summer. But be prepared for hot sun or cool rain. If we are to get thunderstorms, they usually occur in the month of June.

If you or your guests are traveling, please pack layers for warmth. Can you find a shawl to wear over your dress? Can guests pack a light jacket if your event is outdoors?

What are the best wedding venues in Alaska?

While there is no best wedding venue, there are so many amazing ones.

I’d pick a location that best represents the feeling you most desire. Mountain resort, seaside cottage, river lodge, city hotel or forest hideaway. Alaska has them all!

A mountain elopement is doable in July, just be prepared for hiking through snow. Seaside or sailboat elopements could be perfect this time of year.

See our full blog on the best Alaska Destination Wedding Venues HERE.

Below is a sailboat elopement at the end of June 2022. Bride has a Gardenwild Floral/Turnstone Farm bouquet. Photo courtesy of Megan Rai Freeman, planning by Alaska Wild Hearts and sailboat charter by Rez Bay Sailing.

Read the full blog on this sailboat elopement HERE.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst:

The most majestic locations in Alaska can be made challenging by relentless mosquitos. Don’t overlook this when planning your wedding. Offer screened-in areas and natural bug repellents if you’re getting married during mosquito season ( roughly late-May through mid-August).

Here are a couple of natural bug repellents I love: All Terrain Herbal Armor, Murphy’s Naturals, Natrapel, Off Botanicals and Greenways Organic to name a few. You could order a few of these and have them handy for your guests to use.

In June, be prepared for unrelenting sun. The sun in Alaska can feel extra intense due to its lower angle in the sky.

I recommend that folks have adequate shade just in case there is a hot spell, especially for those that are more sensitive to heat. Don’t forget your sun bock if you’re outdoors.

Keep your flowers out of the sun, unless you’re actively taking photos. If your arch flowers or other floral installations are sitting in the sun, have a spray bottle and mist them periodically with water.

The couple below lucked out with their weather on the top of Mt. Alyeska. When I delivered flowers for this couple at the Alyeska Hotel the wind and rain was intense.

The clouds lifted and the rain thankfully let up for their ceremony. Just to cover their bases, they had a back up plan in place for their ceremony and umbrellas for the guests.

Photo courtesy of Corrine Graves. Bright and cheery Gardenwild Floral/Turnstone Farm bouquet with yellow ranunculus, stock and campanula.

Wildfire smoke can be a bummer. Wildfires can happen any time during the summer.

Most of our state is covered in dense forests and smoke can travel hundreds of miles in any direction. Every handful of years we will get a major smoke event in the area. Be aware that this could occur. Have a back up plan for individuals that are sensitive or elderly.

If there’s smoke near your venue, have masks on hand for those that are more sensitive and/or be prepared to move your event indoors.

By the off chance that there is a wildfire near your venue, be alert to local weather and travel information. Occasionally traffic can be stalled or blocked if a wildfire is in the area.

This is not meant to scare you! I just want you to be aware so you are not surprised or caught off guard. If you prepare your mind ahead of time, nothing will ruffle you.

Now that you know what to expect, you can prepare for and envision your perfect day. Because no matter what happens, your day will be perfect. You got this!

Want to find out what your wedding flowers may cost? Go here to read all about it: What Do Wedding Flowers Cost?

Fall Wedding In Girdwood, Alaska at Raven Glacier Lodge

A fall wedding is always pure magic.

It is one of the best times to get married in Alaska if you are wanting an abundant supply of Alaskan grown flowers.

Danielle and Paul got married at Raven Glacier Lodge, which is one of my absolute favorite venues in Alaska.

Raven Glacier Lodge is a short drive from Anchorage, Alaska, where all your guests will fly into, yet it feels so remote and quiet.

Any wedding along the Turnagain Arm gets the added benefit of gorgeous, rugged and stunning photo ops.

Here a Gardenwild Floral/Turnstone Farm bridal bouquet in warm autumn tones makes the whole picture pop.

Detail shots like this will be part of your wedding heirloom.

For Danielle and Paul, I cut one of the largest and most stunning dahlias in my garden. I am always amazed at how one flower can create so much abundance.

I love the detail of the soft and exquisite dahlia petals next to the personal wedding details.

I loaded Danielle’s warm-autumn-toned bridal bouquet with amazing varieties from the Turnstone Farm garden including dahlias, rudbeckia, dara, stock, snapdragons, hibiscus, nigella pods, amaranth and so many others.

To see another fall wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge go here: Rebekah & Chaz’s Fall Wedding in Girdwood, Alaska

I loved the arch I made for Danielle and Paul’s ceremony right next to the Raven Glacier Lodge reflecting pool.

When I create wedding florals I get to pull all sorts of unique flowers and foliage from the garden.

A few extra-special ones in the arch were trailing nasturtiums, nigella pods and spruce boughs.

An early-September Alaskan wedding always gets lots of dahlias.

On the left above is the beautiful Cafe au Lait in an altar arrangement. On the right (a close up of the arch) includes the deep red “Cornel” and the bright and sunny “Dreamcatcher”.

Alaskan grown flowers adorned this fall wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge.

Warm, autumn tones fill out this lush and one-of-a-kind bridesmaids bouquet.

---

Special thanks to Alaskan wedding photographer, Lauren Roberts for these stunning photos.

Read an interview I did with here here where you’ll get some great advice on your wedding photography sessions: Interview with Alaskan Wedding Photographer, Lauren Roberts.

Find more of Lauren Robert’s work here:

@thatlaurengurl // Instagram
facebook.com/laurenrobertsphotofilm // Facebook
laurenroberts.com // website

Wondering what wedding flowers cost? Go here to read more about it on my blog: What do Wedding Flowers Cost?

A Conversation with Alaskan Wedding Photographer, Lauren Roberts

I had the greatest pleasure to sit down and to talk to one of my favorite people in the wedding industry: Alaskan wedding photographer, Lauren Roberts. 

I first came across Lauren at the end of the 2020 wedding season after she took photos for a couple I worked with. There was one photo that I couldn’t stop looking at in her collection of photos that day - it was of two people in an embrace. I’m guessing it was the father of the bride. The raw emotion she captured in his face blew me away and I knew I wanted to know and follow Lauren. 

Since then I’ve hired her to do two photo shoots for me. I have not only been over the moon about my photos but working with her behind the camera was a powerful experience. I felt seen and accepted and completely taken care of. 

Alaskan Wedding Photographer, Lauren Roberts Photography

On being photographed

The fear of being a little shy and awkward in front of a lens makes me nervous. But in Lauren’s hands the task of getting photographed becomes an absolute joy.

We talked at length about this aspect of wedding photography. Do you have to innately feel comfortable in front of a camera? Or is it the photographer’s job to help you create ease and thus natural and relaxed looking photos? Definitely the latter, says Lauren. In fact she teaches other photographers this skill. It is a skill that the photographer brings to the table.

I get to look at a lot of wedding photographs. Photographers are so generous in sharing their work with me so I can add photos of my floral work to my portfolio. 

I can see in the photos what couples are coached on feeling comfortable and which ones are left to their own devices. 

Lauren Roberts Photography

Why hire Lauren or any professional photographer?

Although Lauren uses more of a documentary style when she shoots - meaning she likes to capture people in a wedding just doing their thing, she does do posed shots for the wedding album. 

The gift of a highly skilled photographer is so important in making these posed shots look natural and relaxed and almost candid. Another side of Lauren’s business is boudoir (aka nude photographs posed in a studio). If there’s a photographer who is practiced in helping people get comfortable in their own skin it has to be someone who takes nude photos of people who aren't models.

Lauren emphasizes that it’s the professional that helps open people up. It really doesn’t matter what the couple brings to the table. She is there to know you and fall in love with every single couple and find out what makes YOU lovely and beautiful. 

Lauren loves to get to the essence of her clients. This is evident when booking a discovery call with her. She avoids most of the standard questions about wedding details and focuses more on just chatting and getting to know each other. Her calls she says are “75% shoot the shit and 25% about booking a shoot”.

She loves creating a connection and feeling a sense of vibrancy in her clients.  

It is important you feel comfortable with your photographer - you will spend more time with this person than any other person on your wedding day. They will see you getting dressed. They will see you before the first look. 

I wanted to know why someone should hire a professional photographer for their wedding?

Why not let a family member or friend take the photos? 

We both agree that couples need to put their money towards what matters most to them. For me, that was food. I wanted the best food available! I can’t believe I’m saying this now but photos and flowers weren't as important to me.

When planning for your wedding, know that your photographs have the most longevity of anything else that day. They will be held and looked at by your grandkids and your great grandkids. They will be a family heirloom.

I love telling this to my clients because more than likely, your flowers will also be in those pictures. If photos matter to you, then invest in them.

Weddings are also inherently chaotic and multidimensional. There are so many decisions for a couple to make. 

Decision fatigue can be a reality so it’s best to hand off tasks to professionals whenever possible. Lauren knows all the shots to take. She can even help with your day-of timeline. 

When you hire a professional it will ease your load which allows you to enjoy the moments with your most beloved people on your wedding day.

Lauren Roberts Photography

How to book Alaskan Wedding Photographer, Lauren Roberts

Booking Lauren usually happens 6-9 months in advance, but let me say that if you want to work with Lauren don’t delay. To miss out on having her shoot your wedding would be a huge mistake if she was already booked out. 

She breaks down her booking process so people can choose from different standard packages. I’d recommend checking out her website so you can get a feel for exactly what each package entails. After booking a package, she allows all sorts of add ons if you need to customize a little more.

Included in each package is a consultation, digital photos, a photo reveal and an actual tangible product. She wants to make sure you leave with something in your hand and not just “a usb drive that will gather dust on your desk”. 

My favorite part of her photo experience is her photo reveal. I felt like an absolute movie star, sitting in her hip studio, looking through all the pictures she edited for me. What a fun time! 

Lauren Roberts Photography with a signature Turnstone Farm bouquet

Going above and beyond for your wedding guests

I love giving my clients cool ways to wow their guests, and transform their event.

I wanted to know if Lauren had any “wow” moments at weddings where the couples went above and beyond. 

Two things stuck out for her. 

At one wedding every guest had a hand-written note from the couple at their seat telling each guest the important role that they played in their life. 

I was lucky enough to receive such a note from a couple whose wedding I attended. It is a touch I will forever remember and I often share it with my couples who book with me. It can be a lot to take on but if you split the task with your soon-to-be-spouse and take on 2-3 notes per day, you’ll be through it in no time. 

What I love about this exercise is that it puts you in a serious mood of gratitude as well. And although I have not asked couples how this practice transforms their event for themselves I can imagine it creates a sense of immediate gratitude that extends into their wedding day.

Lauren had another favorite idea for couples. She is unsure the origins to this practice but it goes like this: behind the head table is a small two-seater table with two chairs. Guests are invited to come sit at that table during the dining experience to get some one on one time with the couple.

This allows everyone to have a seat with the couple. I know from experience that guests cannot get enough time with the newlyweds. Plus, Lauren thinks that there is something extra special about sitting together and visiting that is more meaningful and more intimate than standing and talking.

Another more common practice is to have a receiving line. After the ceremony, the couple can wait and greet each guest as they walk by. 

Toasts are also a great way to call attention to everyone present. Calling out and saying everyone’s name can be a powerful experience. While this could get long if the guest list is long, be creative. Figure out a way to break this up. Saying people's names is powerful - they will remember.

Lauren wants to emphasize that while a wedding is for the couple and should honor what is important to them, it is also important to honor the loving community that surrounds and supports them.

As I celebrate my 10 year wedding anniversary I know this to be so true. A relationship does not exist in a vacuum. It is because of our quality outside relationships that we are successful in our marriages. It does take a village to partner two fully-realized people.

Lauren Roberts Photography

Alaskan Wedding Vendor Recommendations

If you’re still building out your wedding team, Lauren has some recommendations for vendors that she loves to work with. 

For planners, Rebecca from LaBoum is a favorite to work with. As Lauren says she is “on her shit”. I have heard this from other wedding pros in the area. And if I was pulling off a large wedding, that’s who I would want on my team.

For beauty (hair and makeup), Mary Alice is the stylist she works with most. Stay tuned, as I’m interviewing Mary Alice soon and will have an in depth blog all about her.

For music and MC, Jared Woods and Woodrow.

For wedding venues, she thinks At The Barn in the Palmer/Wasilla area is super cute. She also loves shooting weddings at the Forget-me-not Nursery in Indian, AK. It is a magical place and the people there are super friendly.

Lauren Roberts Photography & Turnstone Farm flowers

Final Wedding Day Advice

Any final advice from Lauren, who has attended countless weddings documenting them from behind the lens?

She encourages couples to “sink your feet into the experience and enjoy every single moment.” 

View a wedding Lauren and I worked on together at Raven Glacier Lodge in Girdwood, Alaska here: Fall Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge

Inquire about wedding photography with Lauren here: ​​https://laurenroberts.com/contact

Alaskan Sailboat Elopement

Alaska is a premier destination for couples wishing to elope.

Pristine mountain vistas, gorgeous backdrops of woods or tundra and water - lots of it.

This couple chose to embark on a sailboat adventure with a Turnstone Farm bouquet in hand.

And although I’d like to say that the weather they had is typical, you really never know what you’ll get. These folks completely lucked out with a gorgeous day on a sailboat with Resurrection Bay Sailing charters.

In late June the flower garden at Turnstone Farm is just beginning to open up into bloom. I chose these exquisite, delicate columbine, dried black albion pods, dark purple anemones to add some interest. Alaskan Grown peonies and dark, moody carnations set the foundation for this big and full bouquet.

Thanks to Wild Hearts Events and Megan Freeman Photography for coordinating this gorgeous event!

Alaskan Flowers Photoshoot June 29th, 2022

I recently worked with the highly skilled Lauren Roberts in creating a photoshoot full of Alaskan Grown flowers.

Flowers were from Turnstone Farm, foraged from my neighborhood and bought in from Alaska Stems in Homer, AK and Brown Hen Farm in Peters Creek.

Enjoy this fun video!

5 Things to Consider When Planning your Wedding Flowers

Wedding planning can be A LOT!

Especially since for most of us mortals, the biggest thing we've organized is a dinner party.

Just the sheer number of decisions to make can be daunting.

So just to get you prepped for ONE (but one very important) part of your wedding, YOUR FLOWERS, here's a few things to start mulling over in order to get exactly what you want.

And while you're thinking these things through, remember that YOUR FLOWERS WILL BE MEMORIALIZED IN YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS FOREVER!

It is for this reason that while the experience of your wedding is so important. People remember what you do and how you make them feel…

Your attire and flowers are right up at the top of the list for importance.

So here are 5 things to consider when planning your wedding flowers.

1) Size.

Size does matter! But it's all dependent on what you want.

Big, small - YOU decide! Sometimes size can match your body size but mostly I tell people just to go with what feels good.

Do you want your flowers to make a statement? Go bigger.

Do you like small and dainty? Go smaller.

Do you want to communicate abundance? Go bigger.

Leanne is holding the quintessential Turnstone Farm bouquet: it is big and wild and reminiscent of holding a garden in your hands.

2) Shape.

Cascade, upright, vertical, loose, tight. What kind of shape do you like?

Hop on google and peek around - get a sense of what you like! If you're looking for trends, here's what's hot right now: loose, wild-flower like, slightly cascading, or vertically sprawling (and I'm loving it). But honestly, you don't need to give a crap about what other people like. This is YOUR FREAKING wedding.

Elizabeth wanted a large and wild-flower like bouquet. Most of my large bouquets can be held in such a way as to create a slight draping cascade.

3) Color.

Often when folks come to me, they have already decided on a color palate. I just match my seasonal blooms with their attire and other decorations. But if you're not sure yet, peek around on Google. See what you like. Ask yourself why you like something.

Color can be fun!

Let it be fun!

And after designing and seeing hundreds of wedding photos, the most colorful bouquets look the best in photographs.

Fun fact: I used to be scared of color. As an artist, I felt like there were just too many options.

That's why I've always loved black and white photography and printmaking. You can keep it simple!

But since flowers came into my life it's fair to say that I"m color-obsessed. If you're stuck on color - I'm here to help.

Rebekah and her bridesmaids are holding bright and cheerful fall bouquets which really pop against the woodland backdrop.

4) Varieties.

Here’s what I would recommend - be open to having lots of different varieties in you floral designs! Roses and carnations don't have to be boring. Wildflowers don't have to be boho. But they can be!

I say if you're obsessed with a variety and it's in season let's make it happen! But if not, there are so many amazing flowers.

I want to fill your bouquet and arrangements with as many varieties as possible. Because you know what's in right now? Texture. How do you get texture? Lots of variety!

Marielle holds a farmed and foraged bouquet of Alaskan Grown flowers and foliage.

5) Floral pieces.

Maybe I should have started with this one. But I think deciding what you need to have is so dependent on the following.

What do you want your wedding to FEEL like?

What is most important to you?

These answers may help guide your decision as to whether you need a full floral arch or want to give bouquets to the moms (which is an idea I honestly LOVE - as a mom, I will be a joyful, tearful mess if I get a bouquet from my kids on their wedding day).

For Rosalyn, the most important floral pieces were her bridal bouquet and her full floral arch.

And finally, I'm here for you. Comment below if you have any questions about planning your flowers!

Then click the button below to schedule your wedding flower discovery call, if you haven’t done so already.

Cannot wait to hear from you!

Thank you to Lilly of the Wild Photography, Echo Photo, Chugach Peaks Photography, Lauren Roberts Photography and Joshua Veldstra Photography.

Magical Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge with Rosalyn & Tyler

I had the pleasure to design dreamy and magical wedding flowers this past summer at the lovely Raven Glacier Lodge.

If you haven’t experienced this amazing place, let me just say that I expected woodland fairies to pop out from behind every tree.

Raven Glacier Lodge is a mystical and enchanting place.

Weddings here are intimate and are sheltered amongst the towering hemlocks and spruce of a temperate rainforest.

A rushing creek populates the background, giving folks a sense of calm and quiet peacefulness.

Rosalyn & Tyler wanted to express a wildness in their florals. Ultimately, after seeing their photos I saw also saw magic, romance, and enchantment.

Rosalyn’s most important pieces were her full arch and bridal bouquet.

I love a woman who values herself!

We debated the single flower bouquets. Rosalyn was worried they might look small but instead evoke modest luxury. Each bridesmaid holds a single stem Cafe au Lait dahlia (with a couple of stems of filler and foliage) straight from the Turnstone Farm field.

I like couples to think about what is really important to them on their wedding day. Priorities are important to identify and own.

This is a big day, and although there are many reasons for having a wedding, staying true to your vision is a must.

Rosalyn made it clear that a full arch was a non-negotiable.

The flowers I chose for this wedding were straight from the Turnstone Farm field (dahlias, snapdragons, anemones, and ranunculus) and bought in from other American Grown farmers.

August weddings are perfect for Alaskan-grown flowers. The fields are usually flush with all sorts of variety.

This particular summer was a more traditional summer - cooler and cloudier. My anemones bloomed almost all season (they are usually considered a spring-blooming flower) and my second planting of ranunculus did amazing.

Thank you to Joshua Veldstra Photography for these romantic and evocative photographs.

He is one of my favorite wedding photographers. Those who seek to capture romance and magic in their wedding photographs, he is your guy.

Girdwood Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge with Rebekah & Chaz

One of my all time favorite venues for weddings is the Raven Glacier Lodge in Girdwood, Alaska.

It is nestled among towering evergreens. It is a magical place. My assistant last year, said she expected fairies to jump out at every turn. Yep - that’s how it feels!

In addition to it's magical setting Raven Glacier Lodge has an infamous host and owner.

Kathy is not on social media, doesn’t seem to have a webpage and is quite the challenge to get a hold of. Every bride I talk to gives a big sigh and says how hard it is to try to track her down!

But, let me tell you - it is totally worth the struggle. As far as I know, there are not too many venues of this nature in the close proximity to Anchorage: small, cozy, pure magic, the perfect micro-wedding destination.

I had the great pleasure to create florals at this venue a couple of times in 2021. Here is one of those weddings!

Rebekah and Chaz wanted fall colors for their flowers.

I incorporated lots of greenery for a slightly loose and wild look. Bright rusty-orange and burgundy dahlias were the stars of this wedding.

Special thanks to Joe Connolly at Chugach Peaks Photography for these gorgeous photos.

Getting married in Alaska? Let’s talk wedding flowers! Click the button below to schedule a wedding flower discovery call.

Miller's Landing Wedding in Seward, Alaska with Caitlin & Nate

Caitlin and Nate had a beautiful beach wedding in Seward, Alaska.

Weather in Alaskan can always be hit or miss, especially by the ocean where clouds can roll in and get stuck for days or even weeks on end. That is why this couple was so incredibly lucky to have a sunny break on their big day.

I remember sending flowers off with Caitlin the day before and both crossing our fingers in hopes of good weather!

My favorite part of Caitlin’s bridal bouquet was the incredible variety of florals I was able to fit in. Part of a beautiful bouquet for me is lots of floral types and textures.

Here are some of the varieties: Hydrangea, Anemone, Ranunculus, Rose, Dara, Amaranth, Oregano (I love popping in a bit of garden herb if at all possible), Strawflower, Yarrow, Snapdragon, and Dahlia.

Looking to get married in Alaska? I’m here for you! I offer one of a kind flowers using Alaskan Grown and American Grown blooms .

Click the link below to take the first step in booking your wedding flowers!