Alaska Elopement on Turnagain Arm | Rachel + Eric

We’re filled with gratitude for the experience of sharing in Rachel and Eric’s Alaska elopement. They are exceptionally sweet people with palpable love for each other, respect for the environment, and appreciation for taking this next step as a couple. They describe themselves as living their lives full of love, learning, growth and companionship in our email exchange, and they show us that they live all of those values in our time together.

Rachel and Eric live in South Carolina and were inspired to fly up to Alaska for the first time to elope by Rachel’s childhood friend Sarah who lives in Girdwood, Alaska. Sarah was ordained to officiate their wedding and guided Rachel and Eric through their ceremony with personal touches, humor and grace.

We envisioned a spot for Rachel and Eric off the beaten path, a place that had the lush forested feel that Rachel loves along with a dramatic mountain view. Rachel sent us a photo of her dress and let us know that they were up for getting adventurous and didn’t have concerns regarding terrain or distance which gave us inspiration for details and more flexibility in choosing a location.

This adventurous pair dove into the woods to change into their formal outfits, then hiked about a mile on a narrow trail through brush, over train tracks, and to a dramatic rocky beach surrounded by trees on Turnagain Arm. Scattered lupine wildflowers complimented the blue embroidery of Rachel’s dress and the lilac bouquet she carried.

After exchanging their vows and sharing their first kiss as husband and wife, Rachel and Eric popped some bubbly while overlooking Turnagain Arm as the tide came in. The Alaskan summer light illuminated a picnic with friends before hiking back to continue their Alaskan adventure as a married couple.