From Proposal to Palmer, AK
I've always dreamt of capturing destination elopements from the moment I started photographing weddings, but I was never sure if I'd have the skill, or if the opportunity would ever present itself. Enter Rachel and Marc.
True to their spooky nature, I captured their surprise proposal on October, Friday the 13th, and their engagement party to follow. In passing, I half jokingly commented, "I do weddings too!" They responded that they actually planned to do a small, intimate ceremony on a glacier in Alaska that they'd once hiked, to which I replied, "I like Alaska!", thinking that was the end of it. A few weeks later, I got a text from the bride-to-be asking, "how serious were you about coming with us to Alaska?" And that's how my husband and I booked our first destination elopement!
Into the Icy North
I had been to Alaska before, but never in the dead of winter right after record snowfall, so I had NO idea what to expect. If I had to sum it up in three words, they would be: wild, frozen, and breath-taking.
My husband and I flew into Anchorage International Airport and made the 1.5 hour drive north to our VRBO house in Palmer. We'd be meeting our couple two days later for the getting ready and first look photos. Everywhere you look, there are snow capped mountains, not to mention several feet of snow on the sides of the road as you can see. In classic Alaskan fashion, there was a moose outside our cabin upon our arrival to welcome us.
My husband and I spent our first full day acclimating to the single digit weather (it got down to -10º at night), and tried to get a feel for how our gear would hold up, exploring the local town and spending some time with a local fellow photographer and her husband that we met.
A Snowy Start
It's the morning of the big day, the sun has yet to rise, and it's only 3ºF outside. We drove to the couples' cute little cabin where they were preparing for the day for some detail and getting ready shots. Rachel got ready in the upstairs loft, getting her hair and makeup professionally done while FaceTiming her family, while Mark took his time downstairs prepping himself and writing out his vows.
An Icy, Intentional Day
Once Rachel was fully dressed and looking like a true ice queen, we went downstairs for their official first look. In a typical wedding day, this would queue the beginning of a long day of structured timelines, organizing family photos, and countless greetings and congratulations. Instead, Mark helped Rachel put the finishing touches on her outfit, buttoning the back of her dress and donning her snow boots, and enjoying the morning together before braving the cold for some initial portraits together. The biggest difference I noted between this and a traditional wedding: the entire day revolved around the couple's time together. No performance, only presence.
Matanuska Matrimony
After bundling ourselves and our gear as much as possible, my husband and I set out with Rachel and Mark to drive to Matanuska Glacier. We were led on a private tour of the glacier, hiking the majority with spikes rented from the welcome center, to find the perfect place for their vow ceremony. We hiked across a frozen lake, through ice caves, and over icy hills, stopping as often as possible to take bridal photos. I'm still not sure how Rachel survived with her exposed shoulders and hands, especially when the only part you could see of me or Hunter was our eyes. Even our cameras were bundled in faux fur lined wraps! I never heard her complain a single time.
The Vows
After some exploration and incredible photos, it was time for the vows.
Our guide taught us that Matanuska Glacier changes every year, as large parts melt in the summers and refreeze differently in the winters, with some areas still unsafe to access. By chance, this led us to the perfect location, which had not been accessible for 7 years.
Surrounded by walls of blue ice that had to be at least 40 feet high, there was a small, hard packed clearing that is typically underwater which served as Rachel and Mark's altar as they read their private vows to one another. Teary eyed, and frozen-fingered, they exchanged rings, and became man and wife (ignoring the fact they had a civil ceremony prior).
The End
After the adventure was over, we ended the day by joining Rachel and Mark for dinner at Long Rifle Lodge nearby, capping the elopement with great food and better conversation. With the day over, we said our goodbyes, and headed back to our cabin to back up the photos and begin the difficult process of selecting the best for sneak peeks (there were SO many to choose from.
For our very first destination elopement, it will be incredibly difficult to top. We are so grateful to Rachel and Mark for choosing to trust us with their intimate and incredible day, and I am grateful to my husband for so fully invested in my business that he learned how to be my second shooter to support and join me in these adventures. Here's hoping there will be many more!
FAQ
How did booking something like this work?
As this was a bucket list experience, we charged only for travel (VRBO, rental car, and flights). I looked up reasonably priced estimates (no first class on my clients' dimes) and sent them screenshots to verify costs. I booked everything myself, and we still went through an official contract and invoice!
Was there anything fun to do in Anchorage?
We weren't there long enough to do many activities, but we did eat at two great restaurants: lunch at 49th State Brewing, and dinner at Glacier Brewhouse, which was one of the best meals I've ever had. Highly recommend the salmon and key lime cheesecake!
How did the scheduling of the day work?
I consider destination elopements to be full day affairs, so the second you're ready to start, I'm there. For this day, we were largely working around the glacier tour reservation, so we spent the entire morning capturing getting ready, details, first look, and initial portraits with the couple, leaving ample time for the drive later. Since it was just the four of us, there weren't any family portraits or after parties to capture, otherwise, we would've stuck with the couple as long as they wanted us to. Destination weddings are very go with the flow, and can be adapted to whatever the couple wants!
What was there to do in Palmer?
We spent most of our time exploring outside, but did enjoy breakfasts/lunches at Noisy Goose Cafe, and drinks at Ale House. Hatcher Pass is only a 30 minute drive from Palmer, and had some incredible sledding, skiing, and views.
How did you protect your gear in the cold?
To prepare for the extreme weather, since it was still peak winter and the temperatures were far beyond anything we get in Texas, we bought faux fur lined camera sleeves that our hands could fit into with clean panels on the back so we can still see what we're doing. We also put hand warmers in, since batteries tend to run down faster in the cold, and they worked like charms!
Would you go again?
Absolutely, especially for an elopement or couples shoot. My husband was ready to make this a regular vacation spot after our visit!