How to Elope in Alaska: The Complete 2026 Guide

If you’re dreaming about eloping in Alaska but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. I’m happy to report: you’re in the right place! As a lifelong Alaskan with 10+ years of wedding and elopement photography experience, I know this state inside and out, have developed vendor connections in every corner of it, and am genuinely obsessed with what I do! Most couples I work with initially feel overwhelmed because they aren’t sure about the specifics. I come alongside couples and help with locations, permits, weather, vendors and other general logistics to make their day a reality. Together, we can easily take all the pieces you’ve got floating around in your brain and turn them into the elopement of your dreams!

Don’t have many pieces other than Alaska in general? That’s a great starting point, we can dream together! My hope with this blog is that whether we work together (I hope we do!) or not, that you have a detailed overview of How to Elope in Alaska.

(updated for 2026)

Why You Should Elope in Alaska (if it’s not already at the top of your list)

If Alaska is just loosely in your mind, allow me to SOLIDIFY its position as the top contender. As someone who lives here year-round I have seen the good and the ugly of this state and recommend it with my whole chest.

Reasons why eloping in Alaska might be a good fit:

1. Perfect for adventure lovers: there is no shortage of adventurous things to do in all seasons. Hikes, wildlife, tours galore(boat, fly, snowmachine, ATV, helicopter, dog sled, jet ski, train, etc.), and so many places to explore. If you’re both outdoorsy and love being in nature, it’s a no brainer.
2. The ultimate scenery bundle: you can go from mountains and meadows to glacier pools and oceanside in the same day (or couple of days). This state is FULL of epic and breathtaking scenery for your elopement day, and for general exploring all within reasonable distances of each other.
3. Alaska is a one stop shop: get married and honeymoon all in one trip and spend your time exploring around the state.
4. It’s SO private: Even in the busiest locations there are little places to sneak away and feel like you’re totally alone in the world, especially if you fly out. Depending on the day, the chances of being out somewhere without anyone else around is pretty likely with how huge this state is and how far out you go! Especially if you steer clear of super touristy areas and hikes. (a local professional *cough* can help you with that 😉)
5. You don’t need a passport to get here if you live in the states(unless you take a cruise that stops in Canada). You can experience what looks/feels like another country, and sometimes even another planet, with just your plane ticket and ID!

I could go on and on, but I’ll leave it at that! If you need more convincing, or have questions, just comment below or shoot me an email and I’ll fill you in.

Have I convinced you yet? Sweet! Let’s dive in!

Often planning an elopement from afar is intimidating as you’re not sure what to expect or who to talk to. That’s where I come in! This blog is full of everything you need to know about how to elope in Alaska. From locations, seasonal and weather guidance, best times of the year, and more.

Where to start with your Alaska Elopement Planning

• Have a general timeframe vs. an exact date. I recommend going into planning with lots of flexibility so that you’re able to work around vendor and activity availability. You can also lean into local experts to help you choose exact dates based on seasons, offer backup days, etc. If you have an exact date chosen for sentimental/your availability reasons, that’s totally okay as well!
• Experienced vendors. Start with an experienced elopement photographer and/or planner. When you’re researching vendors, I highly recommend vendors local to Alaska, or that have worked here multiple times. Alaska is a wild state with unpredictable weather, unique local wildlife, hidden gems, and so much more. Local or familiar vendors will provide you with the best recommendations and inside expertise based on your needs. Starting with a local expert will make sure you have professional guidance when finding the rest of your team.
• Think about how you want to feel. How you feel on your elopement day is the top priority and every decision you make should reflect that. The vendors you book should make your life easier and the adventures and timeline should enhance the experience.
• You need more time than you think. When looking at packages and vendors, be sure to think about what kind of an experience you want to have. If you want to feel stress-free with space to breathe and relax, the more time you have, the better! The candids and documentary photographs unfold when there is buffer time between events. Your elopement day and your story can be told with so much more depth with more time.
• Be on the same page about what you want to do. You’re about to embark on this adventure together and it should feel exciting for both of you! Whether you’re both playing an active role or one of you is spearheading, make sure you’re on the same page about all the things!

Not sure what timeframe you want to aim for? The next section has you covered!

Best Time to Visit and Elope in Alaska

This entire webpage has SO much good information on Alaska weather! Alaska is a wild place with unpredictable weather, seasons and light. If you have a specific vision for your elopement photos it’s important to think about how the weather and locations play into that. If you want winter wonderland gorgeousness, summery warmth, or fall beauty, the month and season you choose to elope in Alaska will play a big role!

Alaskans typically break the seasons up into Winter, Breakup Season(instead of Spring), Summer, and Fall.

Weather + Seasons when planning to Elope in Alaska

Northern Lights: I’ve seen aurora shows late into April and as early as September. Basically as soon as it starts to get dark enough, it’s possible to see them. Historically the winter months are best.

SUMMER AKA Peak Season (Mid-May, June, July and August)

Between late-May to mid-August is what I consider ‘summer’ in Alaska. Into August is when the rainy season starts, but it’s not quite fall yet since the leaves haven’t turned colors. There are wildflowers in abundance, we experience our longest days and everything is just beautiful!

PROS:

• Historically warmer temps
• Wildflowers (likely Lilacs in June, Lupine in Early July, Daisies scattered throughout mostly July, Fireweed July-August)
• Glacier pools are at their peak (Polar plunge anyone?!)
• Lots of hiking!
• True land of the midnight sun
• Lots of summer activities and fun
• Hatcher Pass gate up to Summit Lake opens for the summer season(Usually last week of June to mid-September)

CONS:

• Sunset and sunrise are at obscene hours, but still doable, I’m always game!
• Peak tourist season and lots of traffic
• Tons of road construction EVERYWHERE
• Mosquito season is ROUGH in some places. You’ll need all the bugspray haha.

FALL (Late August to September, maybe into October)

Fall in Alaska usually starts becoming more apparent mid-August when leaves tinge yellow and the rainy season kicks in. Don’t let that scare you though, this time of year is GORGEOUS. The colors between Mid-August into September(sometimes early October) are stunning. If you want rich fall colors, mid-September is your best bet. I also recommend being okay with the possibility of rain. This time of year is usually best for catching Fireweed as it is blooming everywhere into August a bit. Towards the end when it’s dying it turns red and makes just as awesome of a backdrop as when it’s blooming.

PROS:

• Fireweed (August)
• Alaska State Fair is the last two weeks of August and into September
• Starts to get darker later in August, potential for stars and aurora makes an appearance sometimes
• Still lots of hiking
• Cozy fall vibes
• Less touristy
• Fall colors starting early September
• Same summer activities available

CONS:

• Can be a little busier around the fair, with backed up traffic
• Can still be buggy (August-September)
• Rainier weather/cooler days
• Some tours and business and areas shut down for the season by September 15th
• Hatcher Pass road through closes after the first snowfall which can happen mid September, still lots of hiking though

WINTER (Late October to March)

We’ve had first snowfall as early as before Halloween, and as late as early December. My recommendation is to aim for the dead of winter though if winter wonderland is your goal. Winter days are much shorter and the sun is at a more extreme angle than during the summer. Usually, we end up working with around 4 hours of good light in a day. This often lends itself to very romantic golden hour imagery mid-afternoon(unheard of!).

If you’re planning a winter elopement keep sunset times in mind for your ceremony time and activities. February and March are two of my favorite winter months because landing on the glacier lakes starts in January usually (depending on the winter) and flyout destinations get a lot cooler!

Thinking winter might be for you? Read about Planning a Winter Elopement.

PROS:

• Golden Hour is early and lasts a while
• No Bugs
• Aurora borealis
• Unique winter adventures(dog sledding, snow shoeing, snow machining, etc)
• Gorgeous winter scenery

CONS:

• Very cold
• You need warm layers
• Harder driving conditions
• Limited accessibility

SPRING AKA Breakup Season (Late March-Early May)

Now let’s chat breakup season, she’s moody, she’s muddy, and she’s unpredictable. The mountains are gorgeous though and the extra sunlight brings life back to local Alaskans haha! The leaves start to bud, there’s lots of neutral and muted colors all around and the promise of summer is around the corner. Also cuff season and a little cheaper prices on all things. Most tours don’t start running till mid May though. Coastal areas are *perfect* during this time of year because you can avoid most of the melting snow and be near the water and things feel a little bit warmer.

PROS:

• More sunshine
• Warmer temperatures
• Neutral color palettes in nature

CONS:

• Muddy
• Smells funny
• Brown
• Lots of trash that was hidden by snow(don’t worry this gets cleaned up in May!)

Check out some weather data here for a more in-depth look at typical Alaska weather. Just select the specific town. Also, check out this Travel to Alaska blog for some more general Alaska travel tips.

Places to Elope in Alaska

Now that we’ve talked about seasons, weather, and back up plans, we can talk about different areas around Alaska! If you’re from Alaska and have any sentimental locations, consider what eloping there would look and feel like. If you don’t have a preferred spot, then think about what scenery you love or what activities you want to incorporate. Then choose a location or area that best lends itself to those specifics. Alaska is very large and there could be hours between the destinations below despite being in the same ‘area’. When we’re choosing locations we want to make sure they make sense with each other and are within close proximity. Want to hit up two spots over a multi-day period? Oh heck yeah! Let’s do it!

There are many destinations to choose from in Alaska and it might be hard to narrow down, but these ones are some of my faves! If you want to brainstorm more specifics, I help all of my couples decide on the perfect destination for them!

Where should you land in Alaska?

Depending on where you’re going and what you want to do there are several main airports to fly into and various parts of Alaska. The Anchorage and surrounding areas (Landing at Ted Stevens International Airport) has the MOST options. You can easily drive North or South and be in the mountains or by the sea. Fairbanks and surrounding areas (flying into Fairbanks International Airport) are popular in the winter or if you want to spend most of your time in Denali. Anchorage and Fairbanks are connected by road so you can roadtrip, or ride the Alaska Railroad. You can fly or cruise to Juneau (Southeast Alaska not on the roadway) and then ferry hop to other coastal towns. Kodiak is an Island (not on the road way) and you’d likely fly straight there vs. taking a ferry.

1. Hatcher Pass (Talkeetna Mountains, Matanuska-Susitna Valley)

Hatcher Pass is nestled in the Talkeetna Mountains just outside of Wasilla and Palmer (fly into Anchorage) and is a perfect destination for couples who want easily accessible locations as well as couples who want an epic hike. It’s got so many pretty places to drive up to and countless hikes to choose from based on your adventure preference. My favorite months in Hatcher Pass are July-September. During this timeframe the gate to fully cross up and over Hatcher Pass is open, the snow is melted and it’s just gorgeous.

2. Knik Glacier (Matanuska-Susitna Valley)

The Knik Glacier is only accessible by helicopter to land on top of the glacier, but the toe of the glacier is accessible via ATV, small plane, and fat tire bike (winter only) in the summer and winter. This is the ultimate destination if you want 360 mountain views and gorgeous blue icy landscapes. I absolutely love flying in year-round, and in the winter driving out with a tour to the glacier lake is EPIC if you want that adventure.

In the winter when the ice is frozen enough (Jan-March usually) we can land at the toe of the glacier and walk up to the ice caves. In the summer we have gatorade blue glacier pools on the glacier that are STUNNING!

There are many other glaciers that are accessible around Alaska as well so if you want to branch out you aren’t limited to just the Knik!

3. Seward (Chugach National Forest)

Seward, Alaska is a quaint little coastal town on the Kenai Peninsula and is the perfect destination for couples that love the sea and may also want some glacier mixed in. There are glacier lakes with icebergs accessible by heli, gorgeous mountains all around, lots of hikes, and plenty of ocean excursions to indulge in. From fishing charters to sail boat trips and water taxis to remote islands and glaciers and more.

Love the beach and want more recommendations along Alaska’s coast? Here are my favorite Coastal Towns in Alaska.

4. Homer/Kachemak Bay State Park

Homer has a special place in my heart because I lived there for a few years during high school. It was where I first picked up a DSLR camera and thought maybe a career in photography was possible! Homer is about a 4 1/2 hour drive from Anchorage and is truly such a gorgeous destination. You have the iconic Homer Spit, mountains sprawling across the bay and a quaint little town. I love going across the bay to Halibut Cove or Seldovia! If you wanted to elope in Homer and have a unique experience I highly recommend a water taxi or hike across the bay, if not a whole stay over there!

5. Girdwood + Portage/Whittier (Chugach National Forest)

These two places are within 30 mins to 1 hour-ish of Anchorage and allow for beautiful mountain views with just a little walk off the beaten path. There are also great hiking trails and adventure options! Portage Pass/Glacier in Whittier is a top fave for elopements! Portage/Whittier and Girdwood are around 30-40 mins apart but I still consider them in the same area. Typically if a couple wants photos around Portage or Whittier I recommend they stay in Girdwood since it has more accommodations available.

With all of these locations mentioned above, you would be flying into Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage and renting a car from there! With Denali you can fly into either Anchorage or Fairbanks and drive there.

Honorable Mentions:

Denali National Park

This couple from Florida chose to elope on Ruth Glacier. It was early May and we flew in by prop plane. You can see more of that here.

Ruth Glacier is in the Sheldon Amphitheatre in the area of Sheldon Chalet, which in and of itself is a gorgeous place to elope as well if you want to experience grand. They have a gorgeous remote luxury hotel deep in the mountains of Denali only accessible by private helicopter. How epic is that?!

You can see some summery drive-in Denali National Park elopement images here.

Juneau

Juneau is typically a cruise ship destination in Southeast Alaska and has a lot to offer! From beautiful mountaintops to glacier tours and seaside ceremonies, you can get a lot of variety on your elopement day. Juneau can get crowded in the summer, but it’s truly such a beautiful spot if you’re traveling in via cruise ship or want to fly in!

Interested in knowing more about where to elope in Alaska? I offer free consultations with couples looking for photographer for their Alaska Elopement and typically on these calls we talk about timeframes and some locations that fit their needs. Reach out here!

Rental Car & Accommodations when you Elope in Alaska

Rental Cars

Having a vehicle while you’re traveling in Alaska for your Elopement is HIGHLY recommended, there really is no way to get around this. Driving services such as Lyft and Uber aren’t as popular up here, and if they’re available it’s usually within bigger cities.

A lot of places around Alaska involve hour+ drives so having your own vehicle to explore is the only way to make it work.

We have several big car rental chains available at our airports:

• National Car Rental
• Avis
• Budget
• as well as Turo vehicles

Pro Tip: If you are using Turo keep an eye out for cars that have the Alaska State Parks parking passes so you can save yourself $5 at each State Park you visit! They also usually come equipped with extra amenities or have add-ons available like coolers, etc.

Airbnb, VRBO, BnB or Hotel?

When choosing where you’re staying there are a few things to keep in mind. I personally prefer Airbnb or VRBOs for getting ready spaces as hotels tend to be a little old school. Also, most hotels are pretty far from most destinations with the exception of Alyeska in Girdwood.

1. Make sure your chosen location is okay with a professional photographer being on site for photos.
2. If you’re going to have guests make sure the location is okay with groups/events.
3. Make sure it’s close to where you want to have your elopement + activities. No one wants to drive hours on their elopement day!
4. Check that there is ample space for getting ready and good lighting.
5. Minimal decor is nice so that it’s not detracting from the images.

If you’re also planning on staying through your honeymoon after your Alaska elopement, check out this Alaska Honeymoon blog.

What to Wear When you Elope in Alaska

As mentioned, Alaska can be pretty iffy with the weather and coming prepared is NEVER a bad idea!

Layers: On the big day you can wear your usual wedding attire, obviously, but under and over layers are good to bring. Better to have and not need, than need and not have, is what I always say. Having jackets, coats, scarves, hats, gloves and other accessories that you don’t mind being in photos is important in case the weather is pretty rough.

In the summer it is usually pretty warm, but it can get cool on occasion. Bring a light coat or windbreaker along with maybe some skin colored leggings(so they don’t show!) to wear under your dress. If you’re used to warmer temps and 50 degrees is chilly for you, bring a sweater or thin/medium jackets. In the fall it gets rainy and chilly, so having a rain jacket and waterproof boots on hand is recommended in addition to warmer layers.

During the wintertime long johns and wool base layers (Minus33 is my personal fave and this link gets you 10% off!) are sooo nice to have to wear under a suit, skin colored leggings under gowns, and functional accessories that you can incorporate into your photos such as scarves, hats, winter jackets, gloves, sweaters, fur coats, etc. are all recommended.

Don’t forget about your feet! During the summer anything from flats, birks, chacos, hiking boots, rain boots + are doable. Having a pair of durable shoes to wear when we are making our way out to a specific location is recommended and then you can change into something more summery if the location allows. The same applies for fall, but good hiking boots or rain boots are nice if it’s raining. In the winter having good and warm winter boots with solid tread are the best option! If you want something on the cuter side rather than ugly winter boots, check into Sorel, they have cute options!

You’ll also want to consider your socks, because a good, or bad pair of socks can make or break your shoe experience.

Places to find outdoor gear are:

• REI
• Sorel
• Cabela’s
• ActionHeat
• Columbia

I give all of my couples a much more in-depth guide that includes information on choosing attire for their Alaska elopement day after booking.

What to do When You Elope in Alaska

What you choose to do before/during/after you elope in Alaska all depends on when/where you’re visiting. There is no shortage of fun seasonal activities that you can include to make your day feel exciting:

• Dogsledding on a Glacier or through the forests
• Helicopter Tour to a glacier and/or mountain peaks
• Float plane out to the ocean or an alpine lake
• Stargaze and chase the Northern Lights
• Take a sailboat or water taxi out of Seward or Homer to remote islands
• Go on an all inclusive private cruise out of a coastal town
• Stay at a remote wilderness lodge in the mountains
• Hike into the backcountry and camp overnight to have a sunrise ceremony
• Include a snow sport (skiing, snow boarding, snow shoeing, ice skating, etc)
• Have a lake day and paddle around or go for a swim
• Go for a bike ride
• Book an off-road tour and go adventuring in the backcountry

Want some chill indoor activities too?

• Board games
• Blanket Forts
• Cute/Romantic Bath
• Bowling
• Roller Skating
• Puzzles
• Beer/Wine Tasting
• Arcade
• Ice cream shop
• Video Games
• Baking
• Cooking
• Coffee Shop
• Museum

Not sure what kind of elopement is right for you? Take the quiz on my homepage.

If you want more ideas on how to personalize or make your elopement feel like a date, check out this Elopement Ideas blog.

How to Legally Get Married in Alaska

Alaska Marriage Laws to Elope in Alaska

Now it’s time for the nitty-gritty of the legalities of getting married in Alaska. It’s pretty straightforward, to legally get married in Alaska you need an Alaska Marriage license($60), an officiant and one witness. For more marriage license information and to download the Alaska Marriage License Application, visit this Alaska Gov website.

What you need to legally Elope in Alaska

Submitting your Alaska Marriage License by Mail:

NOTARIZED/MAILED:

• Sign and notarize your application with a notary in your state. Mail your notarized application to the Anchorage office with copies of your IDs.
• Include the $60 fee by check or money order. Please note: Personal checks must have your current address on it.
• Your marriage license will be mailed to you. Include payment for shipping as well, listed below.

UNNOTARIZED/PICK UP IN AK:

• Mail your unnotarized application to the Anchorage or Juneau Office(whichever you’re flying in to!)
• When you arrive in Alaska make sure you have time to arrive during business hours and pick up your license.

Submitting Your Alaska Marriage License Application in Person:

• Complete the required form found on Alaska.gov.
• Both parties must sign in person and be sworn in by a Licensing Officer or Notary at either of the following locations: (if out of state read online application)
  • Juneau Vital Records Office Physical: 5441 Commercial Boulevard Mailing: PO Box 110675 Juneau, AK 99811-0675 Phone: (907) 465-3391
  • Anchorage Vital Records Office Physical: 3901 Old Seward Hwy Suite 101 Anchorage, AK 99503 Phone: (907) 269-0991
• Photo IDs need to be presented for both parties
  • Accepted forms of ID (If expired, must be less than a year):
    • Driver’s license
    • State-issued ID
    • Passport
    • Military ID
    • Tribal/BIA card (with picture)
    • If you have none of the above forms of ID, please contact (907) 465-3391 for assistance.
• A $60 application fee is due.

Things to Consider:

• There is a three (3) business day waiting period that begins once a mailed or faxed application with payment is received by the issuing office. This means that you must wait at least three full business days after the application is submitted before you can pick up the license and the marriage ceremony can be performed.
• If you need to receive your marriage license quickly, and cannot pick up in person, please include $9.00 for Priority Mail with tracking or $26 for Express Mail. Both methods are trackable. Regular mail can take up to 4 weeks or longer. Your total for the Marriage License Application and Shipping would be either ($69) or ($86), depending on your shipping method.
• Once you have been approved and receive your marriage license, you will have 90 days to perform your ceremony before it expires or you must reapply.
• After the marriage has taken place and the License has been signed by all parties, you must return the original License to a local Vital Records Office (in person or by mail) to be registered in Alaska.

Officiant Options:

You will need someone to sign your license saying they performed a legal ceremony for your wedding. You’ve got some options!

Ordained Pastors/Minister/Priest – If you have a church affiliation and/or would like a religious leader to perform your ceremony there are options.

Pilot and/or Captain – If you’re going on a helicopter/flight or boat tour with a company that hosts elopements frequently, chances are the pilots or captains are ordained.

Friend or Family Member – A family member or friend can apply for a one-time license to marry you in the state of Alaska or sign up somewhere online.

Celebrant or Planner – If you don’t want to bring guests but want something more in-depth, then hiring an actual Officiant/Celebrant or a Planner that offers ceremonies is a great way to have a more formal ceremony.

Witness:

Typically if you don’t have any guests then this honor falls on your photographer! I have signed many a license and it’s always so exciting!

If I’m officiating and we don’t have an additional party available to sign with our group, I can bring a witness along or we can see who is in the same area as us.

Alaska Special Use Permits & Photography Permits to Elope in Alaska

Many parks and recreation areas will require permits for ceremonies, such as National Parks & State Parks, as well as National Forests and some Alaska State Land. It typically depends on the scope of the event and how many guests will be present. Providing insight into permits required for different locations is something that I offer to all of my booked couples. I stay very up-to-date on required permitting for operating commercially in various areas around Alaska and can let you know what permits are applicable for your event. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t do your own research just in case!

Leave No Trace When You Elope in Alaska

While LNT is not legally required, it is highly recommended that their principles be followed when recreating in the great outdoors. Alaska is a vast gorgeous state and we want to be sure to keep it that way and make sure we aren’t ruining it for others. We want to be able to come back time and time again!

• Plan Ahead and Prepare. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.
• Dispose of Waste Properly.
• Leave What You Find.
• Minimize Campfire Impacts.
• Respect Wildlife.
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors.

Choosing Alaska Elopement Vendors

I have an extensive list of vendors I looooove to work with! This includes florists, helicopter companies, officiants, planners, hair and makeup, you name it! If I’m not booking them for you then I want to make sure I connect you with the best team possible to make your elopement dreams come true.

We have so many amazing florists, chefs, hair and makeup artists, musicians and more!

When choosing your vendors make sure that you not only love their work or service, but that you get along with them. Chances are you’ll be spending a good portion of your day with them(depending on the vendor) and it’s important to make sure you like them!

When looking into Alaska elopement vendors, in addition to making sure you vibe with them and they’re your style, be sure to check where they are located and if they have travel fees to your chosen destination.

Real Couples that Worked with Me For Their Alaska Elopements

Full Day Summer Elopement with Helicopter Tour

“Where do I even start? Donna is an incredible person. She is so organized, professional and wants to help her clients. Her communication is very prompt and detailed. You can tell she loves what she does, and she is passionate about photographing love. I do not live in AK, but chose to elope in Girdwood, AK just with fiance and I in July. She helped me along the entire process, from sending me sample galleries to choosing locations, and creating a detailed time line of the wedding day.

She was also INCREDIBLY helpful on my elopement day, lending an extra hand whenever I needed it. We loved hanging with Donna our entire elopement day. She is fun, easy to talk to and makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera. My husband who is not a fan of getting his picture taken even made a comment at the end of day that taking pictures for 10-12 hours was an enjoyable process! We received our full gallery back earlier this month and we are very happy with our photos! So excited to get some big ones printed for our wall and to make an album. I would recommend Donna to anyone local or wanting to elope to AK! Donna’s your girl!” -Lindsay & Isaac

How Much Does it Cost To Elope in Alaska?

This varies greatly depending on the kind of adventure and experience you want to have. You can keep it as simple as just hiring a photographer (heyyy!!)or you can go all out and have a photographer, a fun tour, private chef, florist, hair and makeup, cake, you name it! I highly recommend sitting down and prioritizing your top needs for the day and planning from there. A ballpark estimate if you’re wanting to go all out on specialized vendors and a whole experience would be around $40k for your elopement + some trip costs. If you want to keep things moderately priced and simple it could be in the $15k range.

Alaska Elopement Packages

I have exclusively just photography packages that include everything you would need for me to come alongside you as your elopement paparazzi. You take care of logistics like vendor booking and communication and plan everything with my help and resources. You’ll be 100% hands on with this process.

Feeling like you want a little more hand holding? I’ve gotchu!

Done-With-You All Inclusive Elopement Planning Add On is where I come alongside you not only as your photographer, but as your coordinator. These packages ensure that you’re taken care of through it all. I take care of vendor logistics and communication, a full elopement timeline for all vendors, elopement ideas, stylizing as needed, as well as varying amounts of photography based on your needs. Read more about my Alaska elopement packages if this sounds up your alley! You get so much more than just pretty photos with this add on!

Travel Costs to Elope in Alaska

Travel to Alaska varies depending on how you prefer to fly, the airline, and the time of year. A safe bet would be to expect to pay around $700-1300 per person and any less is a happy surprise. A rental car will run around $170-300 a day give or take depending on the time of year and vehicle.

Alaska Elopement Accommodations

Typically a night stay ranges upwards of $300 per night once taxes and fees are factored in. It can also range up to $600+ for higher end stays. I recommend looking into it pretty early on once you have dates in mind to get the best pricing and availability.

The Elopement Day Itself

This can range anywhere from $10k-40k+ depending on the experience you want to have and the vendors you hire. If it’s just you and a photographer vs. bringing in a bunch of awesome vendors for a luxury elopement experience. My Alaska Elopement packages range between $8k-$22k depending on what your preferences are.

Marriage License + Permits for Your Alaska Elopement

Your marriage license is $60 and Permits range anywhere from $20-400 depending on the location and how many people.

These are all ballparks based on many factors and of course can be more or less expensive depending on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, who you book and the level of luxury you’re looking for. If you’re staying in a camper van the whole time you’re here then your scope of expenses will be so different than if you’re staying at a boutique bnb or wilderness lodge.

What an Actual Elopement Day in Alaska Looked Like

If you’re curious what an actual elopement day and planning and costs looked like, this How They Eloped Blog is chock full of details and has the inside scoop on what this fall elopement looked like.

Other Frequently Asked Questions about Eloping in Alaska

How far in advance should I book an Alaska Elopement Photographer?

Depending on the experience you want to have and how many vendors and logistics will be included, reaching out as soon as you have an inkling and are planning something within the next 12-16 months! Summer in Alaska is SHORT and vendors book out fast and also fill their days with personal adventures.

How long is an elopement day?

As long or as short as you want it to be! Anywhere from 6 hours to multi-day experiences are available based on your wants and needs! A full day timeline could look something like this: (example timeline from a real elopement day with extended coverage and adventure, so this would be the longest it could be!)

7:00am: Hair & Makeup Start (Main room/living room side)

8:00am: Photo + Video Arrive

Set up, detail photos, getting ready coverage

9:15am: Hair & Makeup done

9:30-10:30am: Couple into Attire

(We’ll hop back and forth, this can happen somewhat/sorta simultaneously)

10:30am: Ready to go

10:40am: Leave to First Look

11:00-20am: First Look

11:20am: Leave to lodge

11:40pm: Check in for Heli Tour, load up florals and table items

Heli tour with four landings, picnic lunch + dog sledding within an 8 hour period.

8:00pm: Land back at lodge

8:20pm: Travel back to Airbnb

8:45/9:00pm: Dinner

10:30/11: Hottub + Dessert + Champs

11:30pm: End coverage

Can you get married in Alaska without being a resident?

Alaska resident and nonresidents can both apply for marriage licenses in Alaska. Be sure to check with your state or county’s marriage requirements to make sure an Alaska Marriage Certificate translates over. If you don’t want to deal with the legalities, you can legally marry in your hometown and then have a commitment ceremony in Alaska.

Can you get married in a courthouse in Alaska?

You can! Most couples opt to get their marriage license, find someone to marry them, and then have their ceremony somewhere scenic. Our mountains, lakes, and glaciers are much prettier than our courthouses.

What if the weather is bad on our elopement day?

I’m 100% game to photograph in all forms of weather, so long as it isn’t detrimental to anyone’s safety! Rain, shine, wind or snow, all weather is beautiful weather and can lend itself beautifully to your day. You just have to be down for the adventure!

Alaska can be unpredictable, but with the help of weather apps like Windy, it’s a little more predictable! Even so, whether we see it coming, or not, it’s helpful to have a backup plan in case plan A doesn’t happen. Having backup locations, activities and days is so important to give peace of mind. I build a back up day into ALL of my Alaska Elopement Packages because I know how important it is. Typically most tours have weather reschedule opportunities if it’s unsafe to continue as planned.

Does eloping make you legally married?

As long as you’re still filling out some sort of legal marriage paperwork at some point for your home town or in Alaska, then yes! If you’re just having a ceremony and reading vows then that wouldn’t be the case.

Do I need a passport to get to Alaska?

If you live in the U.S. and are flying directly here, then nope! If you live outside the U.S. or are traveling from the U.S. via cruise and stopping in Canada, then yes!

Can I see the northern lights at my elopement?

If you are here within the correct timeframes (mostly September-March) and the weather aligns, you might get lucky! They’re tricky to plan around but if you let me know you want to include some stargazing/aurora hunting, I can guide you on how we should approach that!

Do I need to be outdoorsy to elope in Alaska?

An appreciation of beautiful scenery? YES! Outdoorsy in general? Nope! We can tailor your experience to be less outdoorsy/adventurous and aim for whatever vibe suits you best. Whether you want to backpack 5 miles to a glacier and pitch a tent and have a picnic, or take a luxury helicopter tour and come back to a private chef dinner at your airbnb, there is an experience for every couple.

What else can we do while we’re in Alaska?

In addition to everything I listed above (all of those elopement activities can be general activities too!) and the Alaska Honeymoon Blog and Elopement Ideas Blog. Trip Advisor is another great resource to start, be sure to check with your local Alaska vendors if they have recommendations or discounts available as well! Some tours and companies also work together to offer bundle discounts.

Let’s Make Your Elopement Dreams a Reality!

If this blog has you giddy with excitement to take the next steps for your day, I would be honored to chat with you about your vision! Reach out so we can go over all the fun details! If you’ve read though this and are feeling overwhelmed with the possibilities, I cover all of these logistics with all of my couples and help them handle the nitty gritty of making their day easy peasy.

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