The Top 3 Best Places to Elope in Alaska
Eloping in Alaska is a dream come true for many couples.
Alaska is known for rugged and hard to reach places. But there are so many wonderful and easy to reach hideaways that can create your epic elopement. From wild beaches to jagged mountaintops you can pick the landscape that you most love.
The wide variety of landscapes available and relatively easy access were the reasons I chose these top 3 best places to elope in Alaska. You’ll find a glacier, an alpine mountain valley and an ocean beach from the top 3 options.
Read to the bottom to get some additional ideas for some unique and unconventional eloping ideas.
#1 Best Place to Elope in Alaska
Couple traversing a ridge in hatcher’s Pass. Elopement bouquet by Turnstone Farm. Photo by Echo Photo
Hatcher’s Pass made my #1 Best Place to Elope in Alaska.
It’s an hour and a half drive from Anchorage. Even the drive from Anchorage will blow your mind as you travel over glacial rivers and past high rocky peaks. You can stop in the quaint old farming town of Palmer, Alaska for a bite to eat or a beverage and even walk down to the rushing Matanuska River. Once on Hatcher’s Pass Road, you can drive all the way into the alpine (above tree line). The tundra covered mountains offer backdrops for stunning photos.
The rustic Hatcher’s Pass Lodge is above tree line in a valley that was once used for gold mining. Now it’s a hiking, skiing and berry picking destination. The lodge is a popular place for photos and a great place to base your elopement out of.
The road is paved all the way to the lodge. You can park there to access fabulous mountain backdrops or hike up the the now defunct mine or find any rocky mountaintop to make your destination.
Another fun adventure, is to drive up the unpaved road to Summit Lake. Get amazing vistas and spot a paraglider or two before you continue down the other side to Willow. Photo opportunities on the Willow side of the Hatcher’s Pass Road include rolling tundra and the picturesque Willow Creek.
See more photos from a Hatcher’s Pass Elopement here: Hatcher's Pass Elopement Blog
#2 Best Place to Elope in Alaska
This blue glacial ice makes for an impressive backdrop for your Alaskan elopement. Big and wild Turnstone Farm bouquet in the foreground. Photo by Lily of the Wild
The Knik Glacier made my #2 Best Place to Elope in Alaska.
The Knik Glacier is accessed via a quick and dramatic helicopter ride. Step right off onto the ice for a once in a lifetime experience.
You can also plan your trip in the fall to not only get glacial ice photos but also get stunning fall colors.
Helicopter tour companies include:
Alaska Helicopter Tours
Alpine Air Alaska
Greatland Adventuers
Walk on glacier ice for your magical Alaskan Elopement. Classic baby’s breath and rose bridal bouquet in the slightly wilt Turnstone Farm style. Photo by Henry Tieu
See more of this fall elopement on the Knik Glacier HERE.
#3 Best Place to Elope in Alaska
Couple on a remote beach in Resurrection Bay. Made possible by a sailboat. Dark and moody Turnstone Farm bouquet. Photo by Megan Freeman Photography
Resurrection Bay made my #3 Best Place to Elope in Alaska list.
This is the place to go for all you ocean lovers out there.
There are many options for your Resurrection Bay wedding ceremony. You could keep it simple with a beach ceremony and photos followed by an unbeatable and intimate dinner at The Cookery.
Or you could book a sailing excursion out of Resurrection Bay near Seward, Alaska
Sailing charters out of Seward, Alaska are a romantic and timeless way to explore and celebrate your marriage.
Resurrection Bay Sailing Charters is the only charter company at the time of this writing that I know of doing sailing charters.
Go here to see more photos from a sailboat elopement: Sailboat Elopement Blog
A sunny day at an Alaskan beach is every couple’s dream-come-true. This couple had their wedding ceremony on the beach near Miller’s Landing. The bride is holding a colorful Turnstone Farm bouquet. Photo by Erica Rose Photography
Other great things to do in Seward, Alaska include:
Eating at The Cookery (I just had to list this twice)
Grabbing a beer at Seward Brewing
Visiting the Sealife Center
Hiking the Caines Head trail to the beach and possibly beyond
Hiking up the legendary Mount Marathon
Planning your visit to coincide with the 4th of July for the annual Mount Marathon race and festivities
Hiking part of the Lost Lake Trail
Low clouds and sea weed make for a rustic tone to this quintessential Alaskan wedding. Elope on the beach near Seward, Alaska to experience the natural wonder of the ocean. Ombre bridal bouquet by Turnstone Farm. Photo by Kristian Irey
More Alaska Elopement Ideas
Rent Kayaks and explore a quiet beach outside of Whittier, AK.
Hike up into the Chugach State Park (a 15 minute drive from Anchorage) and take your pick of lakes (Rabbit Lake) , mountaintops (Flat Top or Near Point) or rushing creeks (McHugh or the Eagle River) for a super unique experience.
Head up to Denali National Park (a 4 hour drive from Anchorage) and day hike up the Mountain Vista trail, snap photos by Riley Creek, ride the bus as far as you can go for an extra remote and wild experience or bike ride into your choice of gorgeous locations.
Ride the Alaskan Railroad to Seward, Portage or Denali.
Plan a winer elopement to Alyeska on skis or explore the local resort town of Girdwood, Alaska on snowshoes.
Book a cabin at Kesugi Ken Campground and hike up Curry Ridge.
Book a cabin on Nancy Lake and rent a canoe from Tippecanoe.
Pick any beach: Miller’s Landing in Seward, Kincaid Beach in Anchorage, any local beach in Whittier, Anchor Point on the Kenai Peninsula, or Bishops Beach in Homer.
Helicopter tour from Talkeetna onto a glacier of Denali, our country’s tallest mountain.
Fall Elopement in Alaska on the Knik Glacier
Fall comes early in Alaska.
When deciding to elope in Alaska, think about which Alaskan backdrop you most desire.
From snowcapped peaks to bright fall colors. From lush greenery and bright fields of fireweed to moody and dramatic ocean cliffs. The choice is yours.
Moriah and Rodrigue chose a classic Alaskan elopement, a glacier landing. They timed it so that fall colors were just beginning to show.
Fall comes even earlier in areas surrounding glaciers and in the mountains so its not out of the question to get some fall colors in early September.
If you’re looking for more vibrant colors choosing a slightly later date will do the trick.
It’s a fine balance though, between fall and winter in Alaska. Unlike other locales, Alaskan falls can be quick, very cold and wintery. Be prepared for the weather.
Walking on a glacier may be a once in a lifetime experience.
Alaska will make you smile like this, guaranteed.
Glacial ice offers a stunning backdrop for your wedding photos.
Moriah chose colors to go well with glacial ice: white, blue, sage green and soft pink.
The Bouquet.
Moriah wanted a blues and whites bouquet in a classic shape with dried flowers. White roses were special to her so I made sure to add some of those in too.
Most of the dried flowers I use either come from my cutting garden or from my favorite dried flower farm in Oregon.
When mixing dried flowers with fresh the challenge is to keep the fresh ones hydrated without getting the dried ones wet. So I usually send off the bouquet with fresh flowers in water tubes. The couple can then remove the tubes before pictures begin.
Look close at this bouquet and you will find: dried peonies and lavender!
The Boutonniere.
I used dried flowers to match the bridal bouquet including baby’s breath and lavender. And then made the focal point a stunning blue thistle.
Check out another Knik Glacier elopement here: https://www.turnstonefarmalaska.com/wedding-blog/knik-glacier-elopement-feb-2022
Big thanks to Henry Tieu Photography for sharing these stunning photos with me. Go here to check out more of his stunning work: https://www.henry-tieu.com