How to Elope in Alaska in 2024

Whether you were born and raised in Alaska or have only heard of the splendor of Alaska’s mountains, oceans, glaciers and tundra, there is a major allure to getting married in the Last Frontier. There is a laid back, anything goes vibe paired with stunning scenery and a feeling of wide open wilderness that few other locations in the world can match. Grab your honey’s hand, invite a few friends if you like and walk, run, fly to the great north to elope in Alaska for an experience like no other.

Planning to Elope in Alaska

This is an up-to-date, 2024 guide on how to plan an Alaska Elopement. We’ve put together answers from the questions we are most frequently asked, from where and when to elope in Alaska to how to get the marriage license and where to stay. Let’s dig in!

How to Elope in Alaska

To elope in Alaska you’ll need to choose a date and location, hire a planner and photographer, and book your flights, lodging, and rental car. An experience planner can guide you through the remaining decisions and logistics. Depending on the level of service provided, they can also facilitate booking any additional vendors needed for the day. You’ll also need to apply for a marriage license at least three days before your ceremony. To make it legal you’ll need an officiant and one witness (a 2023 update, as it used be two). Alternatively, some couples choose to have a symbolic ceremony in Alaska and complete the paperwork either before or after their trip at their local courthouse. A planner can help if you don’t know when or where to get married in Alaska.

A note of caution: It’s also important to hire vendors who are experienced with Alaska elopements. Many out-of-state photographers and planners dream of working in Alaska and offer discounts and free advice to do so. We strongly caution couples to make sure they’re getting their information from reputable sources. Alaska is an amazing place full of adventure, but it needs to be approached with respect and understanding of the all the risks and unique challenges that come with specific activities, areas, and terrain.

Both Cori and Erin have spent decades living an active Alaskan lifestyle and exploring the state. They’ve spent time in remote Alaska (Cori grew up on a floating lodge in rural Southeast Alaska) and with that experience are able to anticipate and navigate any issues that may come our way. You can relax knowing you’re in good hands and fully enjoy your planning process and the experience of your elopement day. Now on to other fun things!

When to Elope in Alaska

What time of year should we elope in Alaska is the question we get most often, and there’s not just a single good answer. It’s possible to have an elopement any time of year, although some planners and photographers choose to only take elopements that are within summer months due to ease of planning in warmer weather. We plan and photograph elopements year round and think that each time of year brings something really special in it’s own unique way. We’ll break it down by season below:

Winter

Winter temperatures range from 0°F / -18°C to -30°F / -35°C from November to March.

Spring

Wintry landscapes are still available in spring and bring a dreamy light. Temperatures warm a bit so capturing some glacier landing photos in your ceremony outfit is doable without a warm coat. There are more daytime hours than wintertime so there’s more time to enjoy outside activities. Downhill and nordic skiing are popular activities during spring. Couples can even ice skate on wild ice, or Anchorage’s city-maintained pond near downtown.

Summer

Alaska’s summer is brief and glorious, and includes June, July and August. Alaska is known as “the land of the midnight sun” in summer, where the sun barely dips behind the mountains at night. You’ll find locals hiking, hanging out with friends and mowing their lawn late into the night. If you and your partner are night owls or are feeling the energy from extended daylight hours, you could exchange vows on a peak or by a campfire near midnight.

A glacier elopement in summer is stunning because warmth will melt the ice enough to create brilliant blue pools of water. It’s more common to see glaciers calving during summer. It makes an amazing sound and dramatic view from a boat or helicopter if you’re lucky to see it. Summer is the best time to go out on the ocean. You’ll have the chance to see wildlife like whales, sea otters, sea lions, orcas and more.

Fall

Temperatures cool down a bit in fall and rain falls more frequently. This creates a burst of color in the mountains that is stunning. Tourist season slows, bringing less traffic and easier access to private moments. It also brings lower prices on lodging and rental cars. The daylight hours begin decreasing again in this shoulder season. This allows for the coveted “golden hour” for photography earlier in the day. The fireweed comes out in August, and when most stalks have bloomed all the way to the top it signals that winter is on it’s way.

Where to Elope in Alaska

There are myriad locations in Alaska to choose from. Would you like a forested lush, green ceremony location? A stark, fresh icy blue millenia old ice field atop a glacier? Or perhaps a springy tundra covered hill on a mountainside? A cruise across a sparkling ocean? Options abound and exploring your own likes and dislikes can help guide your decision for your ideal Alaskan wedding spot.

Think about your interests- hiking, fishing, skiing, driving, photography, climbing. Or, maybe you want a place to relax while viewing gorgeous scenery and let that steer your choice of location. Alaska’s panoramas and wildlife offer options for every curious traveler.  We love helping our couples find the perfect spot.

The Paperwork– Alaska Marriage License

Submit your marriage license application (if not in person, by mail) to the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services. You’ll need to wait at least 3 full business days before you can pick up the license. After, the marriage ceremony can be performed. An officiant and one witness is required to be present to make it official.

Anyone can officiate in Alaska, you could even have your chosen friend become ordained. There are online services that can ordain to provide full legal authority to conduct your wedding ceremony. An officiant can also be hired for your ceremony (our packages include officiant services). Many of Alaska’s pilots and boat captains are also able to officiate, which we think is a fun solution if you opt to elope by air or sea!

We assist with this decision and coordinate the necessary vendors, because it’s never a one-size-fits-all situation. To simplify, some couples choose to obtain their marriage license in their home state. Then, they can have a symbolic Alaskan wedding ceremony.  

Some parks require special permits for weddings so be sure to do your research (or hire someone to, like us!).

Alaska Wedding Vendors and Alaska Elopement Vendors

Photography, hair, makeup, florals, officiant, tablescapes– this is where we shine as a planning and design team! We can pull all the details together so all you have to do is focus on your partner and enjoy your day. We work with you and the most skilled vendors in Alaska to enhance your natural beauty and individuality so you look and feel your best.  Then reminisce and look back on your memories documented by our Alaska elopement photographer Corinne Graves after returning home.

Interested in having us plan, style, and photograph your Alaskan celebration? Get in touch and tell us about yourselves through our contact form. We can’t wait to hear from you and help you elope in Alaska!