Winter Wonderland: Romantic Wedding in Anchorage, Alaska
In the heart of winter, Susie and Cam's dreamy wedding at the Marriott Anchorage Downtown showed how special the season is. As we look back on a year of meticulous planning, the result was nothing short of spectacular—a winter wonderland filled with warmth, elegance, and romance.
The Marriott Anchorage Downtown: An Ideal Venue for Winter Weddings
We understand that choosing the right venue is key to a perfect wedding and the Marriott Downtown proved to be the ideal Alaska wedding venue for our vision. Its elegant interiors and exceptional service set the stage for a very special celebration.
Susie and Cam’s day was filled with personal touches and special moments. They each got ready with their bridal party, the anticipation building before the ceremony.
Susie shared a first look with her brothers and I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
The Ceremony
Susie and Cam exchanged vows in front of their favorite people, with Susie's brother, Ben, officiating the ceremony. They stood between two beautiful floral pillars filled with roses and babies breath.
Winter Color Palette:
The carefully chosen color palette of ivory, dark blue, and silver captured the snowy wonderland that encompasses Anchorage in winter. Following the ceremony, Susie and Cam along with their families and bridal party took a bus to a nearby park for some outdoor winter photos with Theresa McDonald who captured stunning photos throughout the wedding day. The bridal party, wearing deep blue, stood out beautifully against the snow.
While planning and designing this full service wedding we aimed to create an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Knowing the guest count would exceed 200 guests, we used HUNDREDS of ivory candles, and enlisted the expertise of Eric from Alaska Professional Entertainment, whose skillful uplighting techniques created the exact setting we had envisioned.
Pro Tip: Consider beyond traditional candles and explore creative ways to incorporate unique lighting into your decor. Fill those tables with varying heights of candles, think taper candles, pillar candles, votives, and hurricanes, Float candles in glass bowls filled with water, or even place them inside transparent globes to create illuminated orbs. The more candles the better! Don’t forget to use plates under your candles in order to keep from ruining your linens with wax drippings.
Susie's vision of a monotone floral theme came to life with the help of Kasara from The Teal Door. Baby's breath and roses, in various forms, filled the ceremony and reception spaces. We repurposed the floral pillars and aisle arrangements to enhance the reception's centerpieces and create an elegant head table backdrop. Pro Tip: I always recommend trying to reuse any and all florals from the ceremony for the reception. This is a great way to maximize your floral budget, and get the most out of your arrangements.
Dancing the Night Away
As the night continued, the energy and excitement on the dance floor soared. The love and joy of Susie and Cam's marriage was celebrated with lively dancing, (and maybe even some crowd surfing) creating unforgettable memories. Their wedding was not only a testament to the beauty and charm that Anchorage offers during its coldest months but also a celebration of love, liveliness, and elegance. Every detail of their special day came together to create an experience that will be forever remembered.
In case you aren’t convinced why you should consider a winter wedding in Alaska:
Wedding Cost & Budgeting
Let's start with everyone's favorite topic—budgets! Alaska Winter weddings offer a great opportunity for savings, with potential discounts of up to 20% + on venue rental costs as well other vendors for off-season dates. These savings can be a game-changer, allowing you to splurge specific top priorities - treat your guests to an open bar, hire a videographer, bring on allll the flowers, hire a live band, preservation of bridal bouquet etc. all while staying comfortably within your budget. Better yet, consider using those savings for a honeymoon getaway that you and your new spouse will cherish forever.
Date & Vendor Availability
Winter weddings give you the upper hand when it comes to securing the ideal wedding date, venue, and vendor team. With less competition during the off-season, you have the freedom to assemble your dream team and bring your wedding vision to life without compromise.
Guest Experience
Summer months tend to fill up quickly with social commitments, creating what we refer to as wedding season 'fatigue.' Choosing an off-season date reduces stress for both you and your guests. Travel and lodging tend to be more affordable for destination wedding guests during this time, freeing up funds for extras like a spa day or a special dinner out. Additionally, the reduced summer wedding party marathon allows everyone to bring more energy, enthusiasm, and vitality to your special day, often resulting in an all-night party.
Creative Wedding Ideas
Winter weather and the festive season provide an excellent backdrop for incorporating creative wedding ideas. Think of a hot cocoa bar for your guests, a post-wedding sledding party, or a unique color palette with rich tones. It's also a great excuse to embrace a theme wedding that will shine against a winter backdrop for a little added flair.
More Winter Wedding Inspiration
Looking for more Alaska wedding inspiration?! Always wanted to Elope in Alaska? Alaska Elopement weddings really are the best! Check out these blog posts below to find all the gorgeous Alaska inspo you’ll ever need!
Alaska Winter Elopement: A Snowshoe Adventure
Winter Elopement Guide: Tips for a Snowy Elopement in Alaska
Unconventional Adventure: Planning an Elopement in Alaska Beyond Hiking
