Girdwood elopements offers a peaceful, scenic escape for couples looking to get married in the heart of Alaska’s mountains. Surrounded by lush forests, tall peaks, and hanging glaciers, it's a gorgeous spot for an intimate ceremony with breathtaking views. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of the small town or it's moody natural beauty, Girdwood provides a stunning backdrop for your elopement. We’ll guide you in finding the perfect place to say your vows in this stunning mountain setting.
Mountains, waterfalls, ocean
Girdwood elopement locations
Virgin Creek Falls is located right within the town of Girdwood, Alaska. It's accessible by a short hiking trail, making it an easy destination for elopements that still feels off the beaten path. The area features lush forest vegetation and is surrounded by towering trees, providing an intimate, magical setting. It's suited well for eloping couples, as only a few people can fit down by the waterfall at a time. The falls themselves cascade down about 100 feet, but can vary in strength depending on time of year. It's a special location and it hard to beat for beauty and ease of access.
Girdwood
Virgin Creek Falls
Moose Meadows, also situated in the town of Girdwood, serves as a beautiful location for elopements, offering expansive grassy fields and mountain backdrops. While accessible year-round, the area is popular for winter activities such as skiing and snowshoeing. The surrounding trail system, which includes connections to Winner Creek Trail and various Alyeska Resort paths, allows couples to explore additional scenic options for photographs before or after their ceremony.
In summer, portions of Moose Meadows are designated as protected wetlands to promote vegetation regrowth, limiting access to certain areas. Couples are encouraged to use the designated edges for their elopements and photography to minimize ecological impact and preserve the natural beauty of the meadows. With thoughtful planning, Moose Meadows can provide a beautiful setting for elopements and intimate weddings.
Girdwood
Moose Meadows and Trails
Glacier Creek is a scenic spot in Girdwood, known for its clear, glacier-fed waters and surrounding natural beauty. The area is easy to access with nearby parking, making it convenient for elopements or intimate weddings while also retaining a secluded feel. Glacier Creek features rocky banks, lush vegetation, and plenty of space to explore. The location is suitable for small gatherings, and the beautiful views of the creek and nearby mountains create a gorgeous backdrop for photographs.
Girdwood
Glacier Creek
Alyeska Mountain Resort allows couples to take portraits on their property at no charge, as long as you're not having your ceremony on-site. Ride a tram to the top of the mountain and suddenly you're at 2,300' elevation in the clouds, surrounded by incredible views. It's the easiest and most accessible way to see incredible views of Turnagain Arm and endless peaks of the Chugach Mountains.
For those looking to have their ceremony on-site, Alyeska Mountain Resort offers an Intimate Ceremony Package. The Mountain View site features breathtaking views of the Alaskan wilderness and mountains. Couples and up to twenty guests can take a tram ride to the site, enjoying the scenery along the way. Available from July to September, the package includes a two-hour ceremony window and tram tickets for guests. After the ceremony, couples can opt for a dinner at Seven Glaciers, providing a delicious experience with panoramic views. You can view their offering by clicking here.
Girdwood
Alyeska Mountain
Twenty-Mile River is located along the Seward Highway, about 15 minutes south of Girdwood. The river flows into Turnagain Arm, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains and tidal flats. The pullout offers a parking area with easy access to the riverbank, where couples can enjoy the expansive scenery of the mountains, river, and inlet. While the location is close to the road and not all areas are completely private, its accessibility makes it easy to reach while still offering beautiful, open views. The landscape features grassy terrain and seasonal wildflowers, creating a gorgeous setting for photographs. We can guide you on the best times of year for this location, as certain events can attract significant activity in the area.
Turnagain Arm
Twenty Mile River
Portage Lake and Portage Valley are located about 25 minutes south of Girdwood. Portage Lake is a glacier-fed lake surrounded by mountains, providing an expansive setting. The lake features various viewpoints and is known for its clear waters, which can reflect the nearby mountains and glaciers. In the winter it completely freezes over and is popular with locals for iceskating and skiing.
Within Portage Valley, several spots allow couples to access the river flowing from Portage Lake, and also different smaller lakes. Popular locations include pull-offs along the road, where you can enjoy views of the valley and river. Additionally, weather permitting, Whittier offers another elopement option. To reach Whittier, couples must travel past Portage Lake and through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which is the longest combined road and rail tunnel in North America, connecting to the picturesque coastal town. In Whittier, you can access Portage Pass and Ocean Cove or even arrange a boat charter to explore nearby beaches and glaciers.
Portage valley
Portage Lake and Portage Valley
Bird Point is a scenic location situated along the Seward Highway, about 15 minutes north of Girdwood. Accessed by a hike through the woods, this spot offers a more off-the-beaten-path experience for couples looking to elope and is a favorite among local photographers. It's recommended for agile groups comfortable with uneven terrain. The location features breathtaking views of Turnagain Arm and the surrounding mountains, with opportunities to spot wildlife such as birds and beluga whales. With several viewpoints, Bird Point provides stunning photo opportunities against the backdrop of the inlet and its dramatic landscape.
turnagain arm
Bird Point
While deciding on your preferred locations can be wonderful, we’ve found that it often works best to either give us the freedom to select the ideal spots on the day of your elopement or establish clear Plan A and Plan B options.
For couples eloping just the two of you, many enjoy the ease of following us in their car to the best locations while we monitor the weather and wind conditions, all with your preferences in mind (tolerance for wind, cold, hiking, etc). For intimate weddings with guests, having a defined Plan A and Plan B can work well. Depending on your guest count, we may also suggest booking lodging that offers an indoor backup option.
If all of this seems overwhelming- we're here to help. We take the time to understand your preferences and manage the logistics, allowing you to focus on enjoying your engagement and celebrating your special day with your partner! All you need to do is choose a date to secure, and we'll get started on the rest.
The planning
how to select your location
artistry & adventure
We can’t wait to share this extraordinary state with you and create an experience that celebrates a beautiful, adventurous start to your marriage. Reach out and say hello to begin crafting your perfect day!
