How to Elope in the Mountains

Eloping means you get to choose a scenic spot where you want to get married - instead of being in a traditional venue, you get to exchange vows and marry the love of your life out in nature! Snow capped peaks make for a pretty breathtaking backdrop, and for couples who want a unique adventure, Alaska is the perfect place to elope in the mountains. This guide will tell you everything you need to know!

Choosing a Location to Elope in the Mountains

There are thousands of mountain peaks in Alaska, so you have a lot of options for your elopement! One of the first things you need to do is decide where to elope, but don’t worry - we’ll help with that. At Alaska Wild Hearts, our elopement packages include location scouting, which means we’ll get to know you and what kind of experience you’re looking for, and give you some options!

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There are a few ways to elope in the mountains - you can hike, or take a helicopter!

Hiking to Elope in the Mountains

If the two of you love hiking, and want a bit of a challenge on your elopement day, you can find a hike to do to get to your ceremony spot! Don’t worry - it doesn’t have to be a strenuous eight mile hike (but it can be), and there are plenty of easier trails for couples who want to hike without doing anything too wild on their elopement day.

Helicopter Mountain Top Elopement

Another way to elope in the mountains, and our personal favorite, is a mountain top helicopter elopement! This is an incredible way to see so much breathtaking scenery, without having to hike to get there. A helicopter will take you up, and fly you to a private ceremony spot where you can exchange vows in a location that’s completely remote. Seeing the mountains from up above is an experience you’ll never forget, and a really unique elopement day adventure. Check out our helicopter elopement packages for more info!

The Best Time to Elope in the Mountains

Weather in the mountains is usually pretty dramatic - and that’s especially true here in Alaska. You’ll need to plan carefully to elope in the mountains, and it’s important to think about the weather when you set a date.

Summer is typically the best time for a mountain top elopement - this is when the weather is warmest, and the most calm. There will often still be snow on the mountain peaks (unless you’re at a lower elevation, then it may be melted), but hiking trails are much more accessible, and the weather is more likely to be clear for flying a helicopter.

Though it is possible to elope in the mountains during other times of year, be aware that the weather might impact your plans! You can do a helicopter mountain top elopement any time of year, as long as the conditions are safe. But, summer is usually the most comfortable for outdoor adventures in the mountains.

What to Wear to Elope in the Mountains

One thing that’s important to note about eloping in the mountains, is that as you go up in elevation, the weather can change pretty significantly! A good rule of thumb is that the temperature goes down about 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation - so make sure to layer up and be prepared for the changing weather. Here are a few tips, and be sure to check out this guide for more!

Elopement Dresses

When choosing an elopement dress, comfort is really important. Make sure you choose a dress that fits well and allows you to move - looser skirts are typically better for an elopement. Staying warm is an important factor too, so make sure that you have some layers! Adding some thermal leggings under your dress can make a big difference, and if it’ll show through the skirt, you can find a pair that’s close to your skin tone. Some layers on top are a good idea too - add a jacket, shawl, fur, or a cape for extra warmth, and extra style!

Elopement Suits

Suits are pretty easy to layer, and we recommend adding some base layers underneath for extra warmth! Just like with dresses, it’s important to make sure that your suit fits well and is comfortable to move around in. An additional jacket is a good idea, and you can always bring it with you to throw on if it gets chilly!

Other Accessories for a Mountain Top Elopement

Another important part of your outfit is shoes! For an elopement in the mountains, hiking boots are ideal if you’ll be doing any walking, but even if you’re taking a helicopter up, hiking boots tend to be good because they’ll keep you warm. We recommend waterproof shoes in case of snow, and bring some extra socks! Wool socks are best, because wool stays warm even if it gets wet.

Some other accessories that can be glamorous as well as practical might include scarves, gloves, and hats!

Ready to Elope in the Mountains?

There are plenty of other things that will make your elopement in the mountains even more incredible - like bringing hand warmers, having a picnic on the peak, and more. But, when you book us as your elopement planners, we take care of all of it!