How to Plan an Alaska Glacier Elopement
Your elopement is all about adventure - and tying the knot in Alaska means there are plenty of incredible, unique adventures that can make the day you get married truly special. Imagine tying the knot standing on top of one of Alaska’s majestic glaciers - surrounded by massive sheets of ice and snow sparkling in different shades of blue around you, just you and the person you love most in the world. This guide will give you some tips for planning an Alaska glacier elopement!
Reasons to Plan an Alaska Glacier Elopement
Here are just a few reasons why couples choose to tie the knot on a glacier.
Photographer: Kristian Irey
An Alaskan Adventure
If you’re traveling to Alaska for your elopement, getting married on a glacier is one of the best ways to experience this wild, unique state! Being on top of a glacier is an experience that you can’t get in many other places, so it’s an incredible way to spend your elopement day. The day you get married is the day you begin the rest of your lives together, so it should be an adventure you’ll never forget!
A Remote Ceremony Location
If you take a helicopter and fly to a glacier, you can get to some really remote places that are inaccessible by foot - and that means you’ll have your ceremony spot all to yourselves. You can read your vows and tie the knot with nobody else around, just you, the love of your life, and the incredible scenery you’ll be surrounded by.
Jaw Dropping Scenery
One of the biggest things that couples usually want when they choose an elopement location is beautiful views. And when you’re surrounded by ice that’s different shades of blue, glaciers and peaks all around you, you’re bound to find yourself occasionally speechless. Eloping on a glacier means one of a kind, wild views.
Photographer: Lilly of the Wild
Choosing an Alaska Glacier Elopement Location
There are tens of thousands of glaciers across the state - so you’ll have no problem finding a gorgeous spot to tie the knot. Here are a few things to consider when you’re deciding where to elope o n a glacier.
Hike or Fly?
There are two ways that you can get to your ceremony location - you can hike there, or take a helicopter up to the glacier. We recommend flying - we offer a helicopter elopement package that will take you to a glacier for your elopement, and this is a really unique way to spend the day you get married! Flying can take you to more secluded, private locations where you’ll be the only people around as you exchange vows.
We’ll Help You Choose an Alaska Glacier Elopement Location!
Mendenhall, Matanuska, Knik, Exit Glacier… there are so many to choose from! But don’t worry, you won’t have to dig in and research every single one to find the perfect location. Our job as your elopement planning team is to do the heavy lifting for you, so we’ll get to know you and what you want for your wedding day, then find you a spot that’s absolutely perfect for exchanging your vows.
The Best Time for an Alaska Glacier Elopement
Setting a date is one of the first things that couples need to do for any wedding day, and if you want an Alaska glacier elopement. You are able to elope on a glacier via helicopter any time of the year. The glacier is always changing and looks different each month. In the winter months the glacier is covered in snow and you have more of a chance of walking through ice walls. May- August the blue pools are melted and able to see. May - September are the warmest months in Alaska, and while you can definitely elope any time of year, this will likely be the most comfortable for outdoor adventures.
What to Wear for a Glacier Elopement
On your elopement day, it’s really important that you’re comfortable - and warm! We’ll help with this by providing hand warmers and some extra layers, but make sure you’re prepared and dressed properly. Here are some tips for what to wear for a glacier elopement, and to learn more about dressing for Alaska’s weather, be sure to check out this post.
Photographer: Charleton Churchill
Warm Layers
Since you’ll literally be surrounded by ice on the glacier, it’s definitely important to stay warm! If you’re wearing a dress, we recommend adding a glamorous fur, shawl, or knit on top to keep you toasty. For suits, definitely wear your jacket, and maybe bring another warm jacket just in case.
Layering underneath your clothes is a really good idea too. Thermal base layers can go under a suit, and you can wear leggings under a dress, or a long sleeve thermal top if your dress will cover it.
Shoes
Needless to say, you’ll definitely need some warm, close toed boots for your Alaska glacier elopement. Crampons or microspikes might be helpful too, as these will help you walk on the ice without slipping. We also recommend wool socks - these are best because wool is a material that manages to keep you warm even when it’s wet!
We’ll Plan Your Alaska Glacier Elopement!
Eloping is unbelievably exciting, but planning even a small ceremony can be a lot of work! Eloping is about creating a unique adventure, but it’s also about making sure that your wedding day is about enjoying yourselves and truly loving the day you get married, without the stress or pressure that often comes with planning a wedding.
With Alaska Wild Hearts, everything is taken care of for you! We’ll find the perfect location and book a helicopter to take you to your glacier ceremony, provide an officiant and witnesses, find and coordinate vendors, create a timeline, and so much more to ensure that your elopement is one of a kind, and perfect for you.
Photographer: The Adams Co.
If you’re ready to plan a glacier elopement, contact us!