Reasons to Hire an Alaska Elopement Planner

Hiring an Alaska wedding planner is a no-brainer for a lot of couples - but when it comes to an elopement, couples hesitate to book elopement planners, figuring that their intimate celebration doesn’t need much help. But, the truth is that especially when you elope in Alaska, an elopement planner is so important! 

So, should you hire an Alaska elopement planner? This guide will explain what an elopement planner does, and give you some reasons that booking one is an absolute must for a fun, stress free elopement day!

Image by Zoya Dawn

An Alaska Elopement Planner Can Recommend Unique Locations

You want to tie the knot somewhere gorgeous - somewhere outdoors, with Alaska’s rugged beauty behind you. Sure, you can find the popular spots on Google or scroll through Instagram for those picture-perfect locations, but the best places are the ones that are a little off the beaten path! The ones where you can exchange vows without a ton of people around, where you can explore without having to wade through crowds. 

The best way to find these spots is with the help of a local Alaska elopement planner - one who knows all the hidden gems and less traveled spots, and who can create personalized recommendations based on what the two of you want to see and do.

An Elopement Planner Can Help You Prepare

All elopements require planning, but Alaska is a truly wild place - with dramatic weather, rugged nature, and endless beauty. Exploring this landscape requires some extra preparation! An Alaska elopement planner will be able to help you get the most out of your experience, with tips for what to wear to stay warm, advice on what to pack, things to know about exploring the backcountry safely (while following Leave No Trace principles), and I can even show you how to pack an elopement dress or a bouquet in your backpack for a hike.

When it comes to Alaska elopements, things can change quickly - you’re tying the knot outdoors, and closures, unexpected weather, and other bumps happen! But an experienced Alaska wedding planner will have a Plan B, and a Plan C to make sure no matter what, your elopement is nothing short of magical.

Designing Your Alaska Elopement

There are a lot of logistics that go into elopement planning, but design and how your day looks are just as important! Keep in mind that some elopement planners don’t offer design - but my elopement packages include coming up with a color scheme that reflects the two of you, styling the day (which includes a tablescape with unique decor, a picnic, desert, bouquets and other florals, and more), and making sure that everything is customized and personal.

An Alaska Elopement Planner Helps With Bookings

To make your dream Alaska elopement come to life, a lot of things need to come together! There’s the photographer, the adorable cabin, an epic helicopter ride over the mountains and SO many more options…. Any bookings you need to make for your elopement day, an Alaska elopement planner will help with! I work with every couple to get to know them and what they’re looking for, and then I hand select each part of your day - sending over recommendations for every vendor, every rental, and anything else you need. So instead of scouring the Internet in search of the perfect match, you get to pick from a personalized list, making the entire process so much easier.

Vendors often work together, so your elopement planner will have the scoop on the best ones for your day! They’ll also know the best excursions to book, when to make those bookings, and which companies to work with.

An Alaska Elopement Planner Helps With Paperwork

No one - well, almost no one - really likes paperwork, but this is an important part of your day too! You’ll need a marriage license to get legally married, and possibly a permit for your location.

The marriage license is something you’ll need to get yourself, but I can help you figure out where to go, when to apply, what you need to bring, and how to make sure you’re officially married after your adventure! 

Alaska requires an officiant and two witnesses for your ceremony - but the good news is that if you were hoping for a private elopement day, I’ve got you covered. As an elopement planner I know how important privacy is, so I provide an officiant and two witnesses for couples who need them. You can get legally married without having to stress about legalities and logistics!

Another important thing to know is that when you elope in a park or public space, you may need an elopement permit. The rules and regulations vary depending on where you elope, so an Alaska elopement planner who’s worked throughout the state will be able to guide you and help you figure out whether you need a permit, when to apply, and how to get one!

A Custom Elopement Timeline

Your elopement day is all about the experience - and the entire day should be full of memories and adventures, and they should all be a reflection of the two of you. No two love stories are the same, and the day you get married should be just as unique as you are! An elopement planner will craft the perfect elopement day for you, and create a timeline that takes into account what you want to do and how you want to celebrate, along with planning around things like lighting, travel time, and space for spontaneity and adventures.

Your Elopement Should Be Stress Free!

There is so much that goes into an Alaska wedding that an elopement planner does for you to make your day come to life - but the most important thing is that the day you get married should be a day you love, not a day that’s spent stressing and worrying. Along with planning, designing, and customizing every part of your Alaska elopement, my job is to make sure you get to be present with your partner, enjoy every moment, and relax! I’ll make sure everything’s going smoothly, coordinate with vendors, handle setting up and taking down any decor, and be by your side throughout this entire thing. Anything you can imagine for your wedding day, we can make it happen! 

If you’re ready to plan your one of a kind elopement amongst the mountains, glaciers, forests, and rugged wilderness of Alaska, contact me!