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A couple dressed in wedding attire enjoys a lakeside elopement, sitting on a picnic blanket by the lake with red kayaks, a table of food, and mountains in the background.

How They Eloped: Fall Lakeside Elopement at Eklutna Lake

August 30, 2025

A couple dressed in wedding attire enjoys a lakeside elopement, sitting on a picnic blanket by the lake with red kayaks, a table of food, and mountains in the background.

Welcome to the first blog in my How They Eloped Series! I’m creating this series as a way to not only share beautiful photos from REAL elopement days, but to also pull back the curtain behind the lens. Timeline breakdowns, backup plans, package details, vendors, locations, and little tidbits about each couple themselves. I’ll also get to celebrate my couples while also giving you a real look into what eloping can actually look like. (Also, this blog contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small biz in a new way!) I hope you enjoy the story and photos behind this sweet lakeside elopement!

About the couple

Alexx & Charlie reached out a little over a year before their elopement day and after chatting with them I knew their day was going to be so great!! From our first Zoom call we were already brainstorming all the ideas and had some things for sure decided on. We stapled down their date, what package they wanted to book and potential locations.

They hit it off on Bumble when Charlie suggested they swap embarrassing drunk stories and apparently the rest is history! Their first date was a lunch date that unexpectedly lasted 8 hours. Alexx had no intention of following up because she didn’t initially get Charlie’s dry humor (it’s okay, they worked it out haha!). Needless to say, when Charlie reached out to get a drink the following Saturday, she said yes and now here we are!

One of Alexx’s favorite qualities in Charlie is that 95% of the time his response to one of her crazy suggestions is “Okay, fine let’s do it!”. I like to imagine their conversation about Alaska may have had at least one of those thrown in there, hah!

One of Charlie’s favorite qualities in Alexx is that she’s adventurous and spontaneous. Which is so very perfect because their elopement day embodied that and even had a spontaneous location change due to some weather. Take a peek into Alexx & Charlie’s lakeside elopement below.

Two people sit across from each other at a wooden table in a bright, modern cafe, smiling and holding drinks as they reminisce about their recent lakeside elopement.
A man and woman holding hands and smiling back while walking toward a building entrance with glass doors and wooden trim, capturing the joy of their lakeside elopement.
Two people sit at an outdoor wooden table, smiling at each other during their lakeside elopement. A glass of red beverage rests on the table, with a modern blue building in the background.

Why they Chose to Elope in Alaska

After being part of several big weddings, they realized that the stress and formality of a traditional event weren’t for them. As Alexx shared, “The stress isn’t worth the big party. My parents always told me to elope, and that’s what I’ve always wanted to do.” Their decision to elope wasn’t just about avoiding the chaos of a large wedding though. It was about staying true to themselves and creating a day that celebrated their love in a personal way. They loved that Alaska had mountains and looked nothing like the Midwest (they’re from Iowa) and were totally sold on all the adventure possibilities.

A person with long nails and a ring on their finger holds a glass of beer, smiling inside a bright room, reminiscing about their joyful lakeside elopement.

From Inquiry to Their Lakeside Elopement

They initially found me on instagram, which is so fun because I share a good mix of work, behind the scenes and personal life on there which helps people get an idea of who I am within and outside of photography. You’re going to be spending lots of time with your photographer on your elopement day so making sure you get along with and like them is SO IMPORTANT!

Right off the bat from their inquiry email I knew they loved outdoorsy mountain scenery, and their favorite dates included breweries, picnics, bike riding and hiking on vacation and that they were looking at Fall 2024. Obviously this gave me pleeeeenty of input to start brainstorming with before we hopped on a Zoom call a few days later. It was super nice that they had date because it allowed us to plan around fall colors and availability.

During their call we got to chat about their story and all the fun details as well as exact timeframes for their elopement, activities, packages that would suit their style and all the things. When I asked them what they wanted captured most in their photos their response was “The fun we have in our relationship- we are both kids at heart with adult money.” and I loved that so much haha! I think we nailed it!

A-frame cabin with large glass windows, patio chairs, and a hot tub—perfect for a lakeside elopement—set against trees under an overcast sky.
A white lace wedding dress hangs on a hanger near spiral stairs, with a bouquet of flowers and a pair of boots placed on the floor beneath it—perfect for an intimate lakeside elopement.
Assorted jewelry, including earrings, rings, a bracelet, and a pendant necklace—perfect accents for a lakeside elopement—displayed next to a brown leather-bound planner embossed with the date 09.04.2024.
Two brown leather notebooks engraved with mountains and "09.04.2024," a wristwatch, wedding rings, a tie, cork, earrings, and white flowers are artfully arranged on a table—perfect keepsakes for a lakeside elopement.
A gold wedding band and a diamond engagement ring rest on a white flower, surrounded by dried brown and beige petals—perfect details for a romantic lakeside elopement.
A wristwatch, a gold ring, a brown leather wallet embossed with "09.04.2024," and patterned fabric are arranged together, evoking memories of a lakeside elopement.

Planning their Alaska Lakeside Elopement

Elopement Package Information & Costs

We decided on a full day elopement experience plus a highlight video to get all the little moments throughout their day documented. I’m NOT a full service videographer and my priority is first and foremost the photography portion of my services, but I do love flipping into video mode for some sweet interactions and moments throughout the day to tell the story in fuller detail.

What they Booked: (Updated with 2025 package details)

Full Day Photography (up to 12 hour coverage + 1 hour adventure session) $10,000
-What’s included?
Includes all the best edited high-res images in an online gallery (50-70+ per hour shooting).

–Personalized Elopement Experience:

Exclusive elopement guide and resources, personalized location and activity ideas, unlimited calls, permit assistance, timeline building, local vendor connections and more.

–Backup Weather Day:

Alaska is gorgeous but unpredictable and if your experience includes a tour that’s weather dependent, I’m always looking ahead to make sure we’re covered with a backup plan.

Highlight Video: $900
2-3 Minute highlight video of various parts of their day set to music.

Their Airbnb: $760-1100 ish

Hair and Makeup: $380-420 ish

Kayak Rental: 2 Kayaks for 2 days – $140

Estimated total in 2025: $12,500

They had other expenses like their charcuterie board, florals (she made them) truck rental, attire and more. The above numbers covers the main ‘elopement’ details that I know about.

Alexx and Charlie wanted a meaningful ceremony, epic views, and zero stress. Together, we planned a day that felt more like an adventure than an event.

They had never been to Alaska before so they leaned on my recommendations for locations and exact dates and vendors. I knew they wanted to be in Alaska around a week and since they liked fall colors I recommend early September since that’s when they start to turn. They flew into Alaska on August 31, 2024, had a couple buffer days and then eloped on September 4th. I always recommend having buffer days before your elopement so that you can settle into the new routine. You can also adjust to the weather, pick up your marriage license (if needed) and relax a bit before jumping into the day.

A woman applies makeup to another woman standing by a large window in a well-lit room, preparing for an intimate lakeside elopement.
A man with a mustache puts on a dark suit jacket in a bedroom with a white sloped ceiling and neatly made bed, preparing for a lakeside elopement.
A woman in a white lace dress smiles while putting on an earring, seated in a modern kitchen with a spiral staircase—a serene moment before her lakeside elopement.
A person in a dark suit adjusts their cufflink, standing in a room with a bed covered by a checkered blanket—preparing for a lakeside elopement.
A woman in a lacy white wedding dress stands indoors with her back to the camera, adjusting her gown as she prepares for an intimate lakeside elopement.
Man in a green suit tying a patterned tie in front of a white wall, looking slightly upward—ready for his lakeside elopement.
A man in a green suit sits on a chair tying the laces of brown hiking boots, colorful sock visible on his other foot, preparing for a lakeside elopement in a modern kitchen setting.
A bride in a lace wedding dress and white hat smiles while putting on tan hiking boots, seated near a spiral staircase in a modern living space—perfectly capturing the adventurous spirit of a lakeside elopement.
A bride in a white dress and hat stands holding a bouquet during a lakeside elopement, while a groom in a dark suit faces away, both outdoors with trees and mountains in the background.
A bride in a white dress and hat holds a bouquet while facing a groom in a dark suit. They stand outdoors on gravel, surrounded by trees and mountains, capturing the intimate charm of a lakeside elopement.
A bride in a white lace dress and floral hat stands outdoors with a bouquet, facing a groom in a dark suit during their lakeside elopement. Trees and mountains form the stunning backdrop.

The Elopement Activities

From our conversations and their questionnaire responses we settled on a few key parts of the day:

  • A kayaking adventure on a serene Alaska waterway
  • Private lakeside vows
  • A relaxed timeline that allowed them to soak in every moment
  • Winding down at their airbnb with wedding cake, Monopoly and a fire

We worked together to map out a flexible plan that prioritized their favorite activities which was so nice. They even brought their love for craft beer into the experience by meeting up the day before at Bearpaw River Brewing Company which was so fun!

A bride and groom in wedding attire walk hand-in-hand outside on a gravel path, with trees, mountains, and the tranquil beauty of a lakeside elopement in the background.

The Elopement Day Itself

The day was everything Alexx and Charlie had envisioned: relaxed, adventurous, and filled with happiness and beautiful scenery.

They got ready at a cute little A-Frame in the Wasilla area and had a chill morning getting ready together. Their first look was shared on the overlook out front and then we made our way to the lakeside for their ceremony. For their ceremony they wanted to keep it super simple so I signed as their marriage commissioner. Then we found a random bystander to sign as their witness, she was so honored to do so.

One of the most memorable moments was their private vow exchange. “Something about doing private vows to each other instead of reading them in front of so many people made it so special.” Alexx shared.

As the day unfolded, there were plenty of unexpected, magical moments. The wind picked up during their ceremony, but instead of stressing, they embraced it, hair(and hat hah) flying, big laughs, and so much joy!

We originally planned on also kayaking at the lake, but with the increased winds we re-routed to Eklutna Tailrace(around 35 mins away). It was peaceful and perfect for their paddle and picnic.

Their favorite part of the day? “…winding down and playing a board game just like we do at home but this time we also got to eat wedding cake.” Which I absolutely LOVE! Elopement days can include a bunch of new experiences, but including your usual routines is also so special.

A bride and groom share a heartfelt moment during their lakeside elopement, standing on a rocky shore with mountains behind them; the groom reads from a card while the bride, in a white dress and hat, holds her bouquet.
A woman in a white dress and hat stands outdoors by a lake, holding a bouquet and covering her mouth with her hand, capturing the essence of a romantic lakeside elopement with mountains in the background.
A man in a suit stands by a lake holding an open notebook, smiling, with mountains and trees in the background—capturing the joy of a lakeside elopement.
A person in a dark suit places a ring on another’s finger during a romantic lakeside elopement, with the tranquil lake and shore in the background.
A person in a dark green suit places a ring on another's finger during a lakeside elopement by a rocky shoreline.
A bride and groom share a kiss on a rocky lakeshore, surrounded by mountains, water, and a cloudy sky—the perfect scene for a romantic lakeside elopement.
A woman pins a piece of paper to a man's back during a playful lakeside elopement on a rocky shore, while another person in a hat stands nearby.
Three people stand on a rocky outdoor area among trees for a lakeside elopement; one in a wedding dress, one in a suit, and one holding papers, appearing to officiate the ceremony.

Elopement Day Timeline (Originial vs. Day-of Modification)

Original day-of timeline:

9:00am: Hair and Makeup Start
10:30: Donna arrive to take getting ready and detail photos/wrap up hair and makeup shortly after
11:30: Charlie Finish getting ready
12:00pm: Alexx Get into dress and finish up
12:20: ish First Look at Airbnb
1:00: Head to Eklutna Lake
2:10: arrive and find a spot for the ceremony, somewhere along the lake
2:25/30 Lakeside Ceremony + Find random witness
Set up picnic
2:50 Charcuterie Picnic
3:30 Kayak for a bit-I’ll bring my Paddle Board to follow you around
5:00 Wrap up and head back
6:00 Pause for Dinner
7:30 Head to Airbnb
7:45/8:54 Meet back at Airbnb -Take golden hour photos if sunny/sunsetty
8:54 Sunset + Cake + Table Top Fire (Board Games + Wine??)
Stargazing if not cloudy
10:30 Wrap up or whenever we think we got it!

Day-of Modified Elopement Timeline:

8:00am: Hair and Makeup Start
10:30: Donna arrive to take getting ready and detail photos/wrap up hair and makeup shortly after
11:30: Charlie Finish getting ready
12:00pm: Alexx Get into dress and finish up
12:20: ish First Look at Airbnb
1:00: Head to Eklutna Lake
2:10: arrive and find a spot for the ceremony, somewhere along the lake
2:25/30 Ceremony + Find random witness
Set up picnic
2:50 Charcuterie Picnic
3:30 Kayak for a bit-I’ll bring my Paddle Board to follow you around
5:00 Wrap up and head back
6:00 Pause for Dinner
7:30 Head to Airbnb
7:45/8:54 Meet back at Airbnb -Take golden hour photos if sunny/sunsetty
8:54 Sunset + Cake + Table Top Fire (Board Games + Wine??)
Stargazing if not cloudy
10:30 Wrap up or whenever we think we got it!

A bride and groom stand on a rocky lakeshore during their lakeside elopement, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
A bride and groom embrace outdoors during their lakeside elopement, with mountains and greenery in the background. The bride wears a white dress and a hat adorned with flowers.
A couple dressed in wedding attire shares a joyful embrace and smile during their lakeside elopement, with hills in the background.
A bride and groom stand facing each other during a lakeside elopement, surrounded by greenery, with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A bride and groom stand on rocky ground by the water; the bride holds a bouquet and both wear hiking boots with formal wedding attire, capturing the spirit of a lakeside elopement.
A bride and groom stand together on a rocky lakeshore with mountains and forest in the background, sharing a quiet moment during their lakeside elopement as they look lovingly at each other.
A bride in a lace dress and hat stands by the lake holding dried flowers during a lakeside elopement, while a groom in a suit playfully lifts the brim of her hat; mountains rise in the background.
Close-up of a person wearing a white lace sleeve with floral patterns, hands clasped together near the lakeside—an intimate moment capturing the essence of a lakeside elopement with mountains in the background.
A bride and groom embrace and kiss on a rocky lakeshore, celebrating their lakeside elopement with mountains and trees in the background.
A couple in wedding attire walks hand in hand along a rocky lakeshore, capturing the magic of a lakeside elopement with mountains and shimmering water in the background.
A bride and groom stand together on a rocky lakeshore, embracing during their intimate lakeside elopement with majestic mountains and sparkling water in the background.
A couple in wedding attire stands on a rocky shore during their lakeside elopement, facing a tranquil lake with mountains and clouds in the background.
A bride in a white dress and hat smiles as the groom, in a dark suit, kisses her cheek during their lakeside elopement near scenic mountains.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand along a rocky lakeshore, forested mountains rising behind them, savoring a romantic lakeside elopement.
A bride and groom stand on a rocky lakeshore, surrounded by mountains and water, celebrating their lakeside elopement as the bride holds a hat and bouquet.
A bride and groom stand hand in hand on a rocky shore during their lakeside elopement, facing a tranquil lake with mountains rising in the background beneath a cloudy sky.
A bride and groom stand together in a forest for their lakeside elopement, facing each other as the bride holds a bouquet and wears a lace wedding dress and hat.
A bride in a white lace dress and hat stands on a wooded path during their lakeside elopement, while the groom in a green suit kisses her cheek and holds her hand to his lips.
A close-up, black and white photo of a couple embracing at their lakeside elopement; the man gently touches the woman's chin, both smiling with closed eyes.
A couple in wedding attire stands on the shore of a lake, surrounded by mountains under a partly cloudy sky, capturing the magic of a lakeside elopement.

What They Said After Their Lakeside Elopement

When asked what the biggest surprise was they said. “How the whole day just slowed down, so many say their wedding day flies by but having it be just the two of us, it felt like we controlled time. There was no rush for anything, just the two of us enjoying ourselves.”

Which is a HUGE compliment because I love when couples are able to savor their days. The fact that they felt like time slowed down is such a win!

“Donna is one of the most talented photographers I have ever met! She helped us navigate the elopement process and make it go as smooth as possible. She was also a great resource for our whole trip in Alaska, we visited some of her recommendations and we can’t wait to go back to Alaska and hopefully see her again!.”

“No matter what you are planning, Donna is going to make the day, night, trip so special for you.”
— Alexx & Charlie

A couple stands on a wooden bridge over a turquoise river, surrounded by dense trees and mountains under a cloudy sky—a perfect scene for a lakeside elopement.
A man in a suit and a woman in a wedding dress load two red kayaks into the back of a blue pickup truck, preparing for their lakeside elopement in a wooded outdoor area.
A wooden bridge spans across a river in the foreground, perfect for a lakeside elopement, with a densely forested mountain rising in the background under a cloudy sky.
A couple in formal attire, including a white dress, enjoy a lakeside elopement as they paddle orange kayaks on a calm, turquoise river with a forested background.
Two people in wedding attire paddle red kayaks on a calm lake, surrounded by dense trees and mountains under a cloudy sky—a picture-perfect lakeside elopement.
A bride and groom walk together on a wooden bridge over blue water in a lakeside elopement, surrounded by tall trees. The bride holds a bouquet and wears a white dress and hat; the groom wears a dark suit.
A bride in a white lace dress and hat holds a bouquet and laughs as the groom in a green suit embraces and kisses her shoulder during their lakeside elopement.
A man in a dark suit and tie stands on a dirt path beside a turquoise lake, setting the scene for an intimate lakeside elopement, with trees and a mountain in the background.
A person holds another's hand, showing an engagement ring during a lakeside elopement, with a blurred river and forested mountains in the background.
A woman in a white lace dress and wide-brimmed hat holds a cascading bouquet of flowers, standing outdoors by the water—a dreamy lakeside elopement with trees and mountains as a stunning backdrop.
Two people paddle red kayaks on a calm, turquoise river surrounded by green forest and mountains under a cloudy sky, creating a perfect scene for a lakeside elopement.
A bride and groom stand by a lake holding hands, a red kayak on the shore beside them, mountains rising behind—capturing the magic of their lakeside elopement.
A couple dressed in wedding attire sits in red kayaks on a calm river, enjoying a lakeside elopement surrounded by green trees and mountains in the background.
A bride in a white lace dress and hat holds a bouquet as a groom in a green suit embraces her from behind outdoors during their lakeside elopement, both smiling.
A bride and groom stand outdoors by a lake and trees, facing each other during their lakeside elopement. The bride holds a bouquet and wears a floral hat; the groom is in a dark suit and boots.

Advice for Other Couples Planning Their Elopement

When asked about their advice for other couples considering an elopement, Alexx and Charlie said:

“Planning an elopement seems so stressful but if you just talk out all your ideas (especially with Donna) and sort out what’s most important to you. Hearing what other couples have done and looking at pictures of previous elopements really helps hone in what you want and envision your special day.”

Final Thoughts on This Lakeside Elopement

Elopements like Alexx and Charlie’s remind me why I do what I do. Every couple deserves to feel celebrated, seen, and wildly free to write their own story. Their day was a beautiful reminder that weddings don’t have to follow a formula. Also, they can be flexible and fall on backup plans that feel just as exciting as the original plans! It was an honor to capture their story and be part of such a special chapter in their lives.

To Alexx and Charlie: Thank you for trusting me to document your adventure! I love how you were able to spend your time together and just be yourselves. Your day will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Also, fun fact, most of these photos are ones the couple initially downloaded from their sneak peek gallery!

A person in an orange sleeve cuts into a white frosted cake with a visible crack on its side, placed on a black counter beside dried flowers—capturing the rustic charm of a lakeside elopement.
Two people stand in a kitchen, slicing a white cake together after their lakeside elopement; dried flowers are arranged beside the cake on the counter.
A man and woman stand in a kitchen, smiling as they feed each other with forks, sharing a joyful moment that recalls the intimacy of a lakeside elopement. Bottles and kitchen appliances are visible in the background.
Two people sit at a table playing Monopoly in a modern, well-lit room. Snacks, drinks, and a smartphone are on the table. Captured from above, the scene holds an unexpected lakeside elopement vibe through its relaxed, intimate atmosphere.
Two people playing a board game, their hands moving pieces across the board—much like a quiet lakeside elopement, the focus is on the intimate details and shared moments.
Two people sit at a dining table playing Monopoly in a modern kitchen, viewed through a window with light reflections—capturing the playful spirit of a lakeside elopement at home.
Two people sit together on a patio outside an A-frame cabin at dusk, wrapped in a blanket, outdoor lights illuminating the wooden exterior—the perfect cozy setting for a lakeside elopement.
A woman and man sit together on a chair outdoors during their lakeside elopement, wrapped in a white blanket, holding hands and smiling, with a fire pit burning in the foreground.

Vendors & Details

Considering Your Own Elopement?

Planning your own Alaska elopement? Check out my How to Elope in Alaska blog!
👉 Reach out here!


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Welcome to the first blog in my How They Eloped Series! I’m creating this series as a way to not only share beautiful photos from REAL elopement days, but to also pull back the curtain behind the lens. Timeline breakdowns, backup plans, package details, vendors, locations, and little tidbits about each couple themselves. I’ll also […]

How They Eloped: Fall Lakeside Elopement at Eklutna Lake

A couple dressed in wedding attire enjoys a lakeside elopement, sitting on a picnic blanket by the lake with red kayaks, a table of food, and mountains in the background.

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