Your Personal Guide To Elope In Alaska: An Unforgettable Adventure

More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Alaska

Being surrounded by towering mountains, glaciers, rugged coastlines, and beautiful wildlife is not so far-fetched to Elope in Alaska as most people assume. This is from my experiences in Alaska, what to expect, and how to plan for your elopement in Alaska.

Looking for an Alaska Elopement Videographer?

Why Elope in Alaska?

One of the biggest reasons couples are choosing to elope in Alaska is the freedom it provides. There are so many spots where you do not have to make a lot of plans. If you are planning on eloping in a national park, you may have to look into a permit.

Instead of planning hundreds of guests, you can build a day centered entirely on your relationship. You can hike, or even kayak, to your elopement spot, then take off in an epic getaway in a helicopter ride. Or if budget is an issue, maybe you could kayak or hike back together as you are officially married.

Simply enjoying the beautiful Alaskan wilderness, or the Icey Glades, without feeling rushed. Elopements are about you, and not about your guests.

Favorite Places to Elope in Alaska

Sitka, Alaska

Sitka holds a special place in my heart, with its beautiful lakes carving through mountains, and a breathtaking view of Mount Edgecumbe.

Skagway, Alaska

Just outside of Skagway, Alaska, there are some of my favorite breathtaking overlooks and alpine landscapes. The beautiful teal waters make a beautiful touch on the landscapes and the views.

Ketchikan, Alaska

While there may be a lot of industrials in Ketchikan, the island of Revillagigedo covers just over 1,000 square miles, making it the 12th largest island in the United States, giving you lots of options for an intimate and private setting.

Best Time Of The Year To Elope In Alaska

The best time of the year to elope in Alaska is between May and August; once you get into September, you will run into more chances of rain. In September, you will experience a more colorful backdrop with the leaves changing colors. In the months of June and July, you will not see any northern lights just because it never really gets dark enough for them.

Tips For Planning Your Alaska Elopement

Depending on where you plan to elope in Alaska, you need to consider the temperatures, as they can be very misleading. The weather app may say it is 55 degrees, but that could only be when the sun is out. Once it goes behind clouds, the temperature drops significantly by 10 to 15 degrees. If you are a ginger like me, you will burn more easily in the sun. Also, be prepared for rain; most of the time, it is tolerable outside of a downpour. Be sure to pick vendors who are comfortable traveling and adapting to changes in environments.

Allow yourself plenty of travel time, as most of Alaska’s more beautiful ceremony locations require hiking, boating, helicopters, or floatplanes. There are about 2,670 named islands in Alaska.

Why Your Alaska Elopement Deserves To Be Filmed

Eloping in Alaska means no guests. This can include almost all family members, except mom and dad or a close sibling or two. However, so many of your family members want to experience the moment in some personal way. Pictures are great, but they don’t capture the full moments; they don’t capture the sound of the water washing up on the shore, the mountain air blowing, the sound of your voices reading your vows, or saying “I Do” in the wind. Most couples make the mistake of not getting a videographer for their elopement, or trying to find someone who does both. When someone does both photo and video, you lose a lot of the experience, and not everything gets captured properly.