Alaska is one of my favorite places in the world, and I keep finding myself coming back here, for both personal visits and for photography. I’ve been here almost every summer since 2018 and I feel like I manage to find a new adventure every single time. But in the nearly 7 years I’ve been photographing elopements here, I’ve gotten to know the best vendors here, learned how to time elopements for the best weather, and found some favorite spots that I love sharing with my couples!
For most Alaskan elopements, I recommend starting with Chugach National Forest! This is the perfect spot for variety, especially with a helicopter. You can go from forest, to sea, to standing on a glacier or mountain peak all in the same day. It lets you see the best of Alaska all in one go!
But Alaska is the largest state in the US, which means if that’s not your vibe, you still have so much to choose from and explore. Keep reading to see more of my favorites from around the state, including options for fjords, mountains, national parks, and more!
(Want to cut down the list of potential spots by filtering only by what you want for your elopement day? Click here to go to my interactive map, where you can search nearly 600 locations!)
Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska
I can’t think of a much better backdrop than the beautiful 20,000+ft tall Denali! Imagine standing in front of a lake, with this overpowering mountain reflecting in the lake and filling up your viewpoint, and the undeniable beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Denali National Park & Preserve is also a great area for spotting wildlife because it is so protected. An elopement here would be an unforgettable experience. Most services are available through here (like shuttle buses) between mid-May and mid-September.
Best for: Mountains, Lakes, Glaciers, and Wildflowers.
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Stargazing
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Denali National Park & Preserve
Chugach National Forest, Alaska
Encompassing over five million acres, the Chugach National Forest connects areas like Chugach State Park to Prince William Sound. Here you can rent a public-use cabin to stay in, explore at any one of over a dozen campgrounds, or hike any of the 500 miles of trails. You can also spot all of Alaska’s iconic animals here, from moose, to bears, to salmon. The best part? All of this–the second largest forest in the nation–is a quick jaunt down Seward Highway via car, beginning just 35 miles outside of Anchorage.
Best for: Mountains, Lakes, Glaciers, Forest, Waterfall and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Helicopters, Hiking, Camping, Stargazing
Anchorage, Alaska
If you’ve ever gone to Denver and thought, “Hmm, could be wilder,” then Anchorage is your place. This is a frequent stopping point on Alaskan trips due to their international airport, but it’s worth more than just its ability to get you a plane to anywhere else in the state! Festivals, museums, shops, trails, and restaurants with some of the best seafood in the world are all fixtures of this city. Other activities like dog-sledding or the aerial tram to award-winning eateries make it easy to have an exciting, unique but still accessible and relatively easy day.
Best for: City, Forest, Coast and Mountains
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Floatplane/Seaplane, Hiking, Boating
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
South/Central Alaska. Over 50% of this National Park is covered by glaciers including Exit Glacier and Bear Glacier. There’s a popular trail here called the Harding Icefield Trail which gets you an insane view of Exit Glacier and would be extremely memorable for a hiking elopement. Imagine standing on a huge cliff, towering over a massive glacier when you exchange vows!! Kenai NP is most accessible May-September.
Best for: Mountains, Lakes, Glaciers, Coast and Waterfalls
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Boating
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Kenai Fjords National Park
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau is the capital city of Alaska, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that this is too big of a town to feel like you’re in nature! Take a quick jaunt through the super charming and colorful downtown or hop on the aerial tram to grab a bite to eat at the top, take in views of the city and surroundings, or get a guided tour from a local. As a bonus, with its own international airport, this is a great place to land in before catching a boat or plane to Glacier Bay National Park.
Best for: City, Coast, Mountains, Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Floatplane/Seaplane, Helicopter, Hiking, Boating, Camping
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Alaska
If you’re inspired by the magnificent blue color of glaciers like me, definitely consider this astonishing location for your elopement or intimate wedding! You can get up close and personal to the glaciers by boat, AND take a helicopter for an unforgettable tour of them from up above. Glacial landings (yes, you can LAND on the glacier for your ceremony), are available up to mid-May.
Best for: Mountains, Glaciers and Coast
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Helicopter, Boating
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Hatcher Pass, Alaska
Hatcher Pass is situated in the Talkeetna Mountains, just over an hour’s drive north from Anchorage. Laden with historic lodges, cabins, unique trails, and rivers, this is a stunning stop any time of the year with plenty to do at every turn. Come through in the summer for green fields and wildflowers or in the winter for winter sports ready powder!
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Lake, Waterfalls and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: June to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking
Sitka, Alaska
A quaint fishing town. This area offers seaside adventures (sea kayaking, boating, tidepooling, fishing) AND incredible rainforest hikes with lakes, waterfalls, and tall, mossy trees. While you’re here you can also swing by Sitka National Historical Park and check out an incredible collection of totem poles while you walk through nature. A GREAT spot for spotting sea life and wildlife and you can also boat or helicopter out to various rental properties ON ISLANDS.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Lake, Waterfalls and Coast
Best months to get married here: July to October
My favorite activities to do here: Helicopter, Hiking, Boating, Kayaking
Katmai National Park, Alaska
Located due south in the state, Katmai National Park and Preserve is an insanely varied region, including things like the Novarupta caldera formed by the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, protected environments for brown bears (in case you go bear watching in your free time), and over 9,000 years of human history, all in the Alaskan wilderness. Anchorage is located about 270 miles northeast and can serve as a hub for flying into before taking a floatplane into the park.
Best for: Mountains, Glaciers, Forest, Lake, Coast and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Floatplane/Seaplane
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Katmai National Park
Prince William Sound, Alaska
Prince William Sound is everything quintessentially Alaska, right at your fingertips. Accessible from Anchorage by car, both Whittier and Valdez act as car-friendly gateways to see all this area has to offer, like tidepools, glaciers, and world-class kayaking. The towns bordering the sound also make this a fantastic choice for a multi-day elopement! If you love wildlife spotting, this is also going to be right up your alley, with habitats for a plethora of animals on land, sea, and in the sky.
Best for: Glaciers, Mountains and Coast
Best months to get married here: July to October
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Kayaking
Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
This park and preserve is four million acres of incredible beauty just southwest of Anchorage. From stunning turquoise lakes to thick forests of evergreens, this area surrounding the Chigmit Mountains is well worth the flight in. Its namesake, Lake Clark, also goes by Qizhjeh Vena by the Dena’ina Athabascan people, who live in and tend to the land. With endless natural features–including things like protected sockeye salmon habitats–this is a place overflowing with jaw-dropping sites.
Best for: Mountains, Glaciers, Forest and Coast
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Floatplane/Seaplane, Camping
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Lake Clark National Park
Whittier, Alaska
Located just over an hour’s drive outside of Anchorage, Whittier remains a popular destination due to its accessibility. The town is located on the other side of a tunnel that’s accessible by either car or train. The population here is small but the views are mighty! Hop on a glacier cruise, hike up to one, or go camping in a local campground to soak in the scenery. This also gives you access to Prince William Sound!
Best for: Mountains, Glaciers, Forest and Coast
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating
Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Towering lush green seaside islands that are so picturesque it’s not even funny! This area is reminiscent of the Faroe Islands or Lofoten Islands, but here in the U.S.!
Best for: Mountains, Forest and Coast
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Boating, Camping, Kayaking
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska
This is the largest National Park in the United States with 9 of the 16 largest peaks in the United States— talk about an incredible place to get married! That means you have over 13.5 million acres to explore! Imagine the largest glaciers you’ve ever seen, turquoise blue glacial lakes, lush greenery, wildflowers, and amazing rustic cabins to stay in. I think it’s a perfect place to get married because if you keep coming back to celebrate anniversaries, you will never run out of something new to see!
Best for: Mountains, Glaciers, Forest, Waterfall, Coast and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Floatplane/Seaplane, Camping
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, Alaska
For those looking for a truly epic and adventurous elopement experience. This is an undeniably beautiful, inspiring, and seemingly “untouched” area of Alaska. There are no established roads or trails here, just pure wild Alaskan wilderness. Imagine winding rivers running through the center of a vast glacial valley as far as the eyes can see. If you are not fully comfortable in the backcountry, you are able to hire guides for a truly adventurous elopement. This is a bucket list location!
Best for: Mountains, Lakes and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Camping, Boating
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Deep in the northwestern region of Alaska, Kobuk Valley National Park is a crazy unique area of the world. There are sand dunes–yes, sand dunes–still lingering from the last ice age after the glaciers rolled out about 14,000 years ago. In the spring and fall, the Kobuk River is also a major caribou migration route, supporting a herd of about 200,000! This park has everything you might think of in the state of Colorado, dialed up to 11.
Best for: Mountains, Sand Dunes, Forest, Lakes and Wildflowers
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Floatplane/Seaplane, Camping, Boating
Wedding permit details are available from the National Parks Service at Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
Tongass National Forest, Alaska
Tongass is America’s largest National Forest and is part of the largest temperate rainforest on Earth. It encompasses 17 million acres and is absolutely packed with Inside Passage gems, like coastal islands, glaciers, and thick wooded areas. Because it’s so massive, there are tons of options for towns to stay in to access the forest and great activities to choose from! Wildlife tours, train rides, public use cabin stays, hikes, floatplane and helicopter excursions, and beautiful waterfalls to spot.
Best for: Mountains, Forest, Coast and Glaciers
Best months to get married here: July to September
My favorite activities to do here: Hiking, Helicopter
Alaska is a super seasonal place, so if you want to make sure that your activities or location will be available during your ideal elopement date, check out my interactive map! You can search and filter through nearly 600 locations based on scenery, activity, and season.
If timing seems stressful or you want to have an expert on-hand for all questions of vendors and permits, that’s where I come in! I can give you customized location lists based on your wants and needs, build you a dream day timeline, provide packing lists and a planning guide, and help you make sure you have everything you need for traveling in Alaska.
Click here to go to my contact form so that we can get started on your elopement day!
