Emma and Kannon’s Alaska glacier elopement was the kind of day you dream about if you love wild places and a little adrenaline.

Getting Ready

They started their morning slow at a cozy cabin with a full view of the glacier stretching out in the distance. Imagine getting ready for your wedding day while staring at a massive river of blue ice. It felt peaceful and intentional. Just the two of them, warm coffee, quiet laughter, and those big Alaska views right outside the window. They wrote their vows while enjoying the view and had their first look outside the cabin surrounded by purple fireweed. The brides dress was from a local Anchorage bridal shop, Orainda’s Bridal Boutique!

Helicopter to Matanuska Glacier

After getting ready, we headed out for the next part of the adventure — a helicopter ride out to their ceremony spot on the glacier. They booked their experience with MICA Guides, which made everything seamless. From safety gear to landing in the most unreal location, it was all handled so well.

Flying over the glacier is something you’ll never forget. The ice looks endless from above. Deep blue crevasses cut through the white. Snow-covered peaks surround you in every direction. And then you land right by the glacier.

Alaska Glacier Elopement Ceremony

They exchanged vows surrounded by nothing but glaciers and mountains. No noise. No distractions. Just wind, ice, and the two of them promising forever.

After their ceremony, we explored. We carefully walked across the textured ice, weaving around cracks and melt channels glowing blue beneath our feet. At one point we walked straight through freezing glacier water to reach a waterfall pouring out from the ice. It was cold. Like shock-your-system cold. But they just laughed through it and held onto each other the whole way. Those are the moments that make an Alaska glacier elopement so unforgettable — embracing the wild instead of avoiding it.

By the end of the day, their cheeks were pink from the cold and they couldn’t stop smiling!

It was adventurous, it was intimate, it was completely them.

How to Elope on a Glacier in Alaska

If you’re dreaming about your own Alaska glacier elopement, here’s what you need to know:

1. Hire experienced guides.
Glaciers aren’t places to explore alone. Crevasses, unstable ice, and weather can shift quickly. Booking with a professional guiding company (like Emma and Kannon did) ensures you have proper safety gear and experienced pilots.

2. Expect helicopter access.
Most private ceremony spots on glaciers require a helicopter. It’s part of what makes the experience so epic — and remote.

3. Build in flexibility.
Weather in Alaska can change fast. Always allow buffer time in your travel plans in case flights need to shift.

What to Wear for a Glacier Elopement

Glacier days can be colder than you think — even in summer.

• A flowy dress you can easily lift up and walk in
• A suit that you can easily bend and sit in without ripping
• Thermal base layers under your dress or suit if you aren’t used to cold weather
• Thick wool socks
• Waterproof hiking boots (you’ll need to wear micro-spikes or crampons on the ice)
• A warm shawl, faux fur wrap, or insulated jacket (just in case)
• Gloves for in between shots

When to Elope in Alaska

The best time for an Alaska glacier elopement is typically late May through early September.

• June & July: Long daylight hours and milder temps
• August: Slightly cooler, with beautiful moody skies
• September: Crisp air and fall colors at lower elevations

Summer offers the safest and most consistent access for helicopter glacier landings.

Why Choose an Alaska Glacier Elopement?

Alaska feels untouched.

The scale is different. The mountains are bigger. The ice is bluer. The silence is deeper.

If you want a wedding day that feels like an expedition — something that bonds you through shared adventure — this is it. There are no crowds on a remote glacier. No timelines packed with guests. Just you, your partner, and one of the wildest landscapes on earth.

Emma and Kannon chose an experience over an event. And standing on that ice with them, it was obvious they made the right choice.

If you’re dreaming about your own Alaska glacier elopement, this is your sign to go for it.

Why Choose Wandering Peaks as Your Alaska Elopement Photographer

If you’re going to stand on a glacier to say your vows, you want someone who knows how to handle more than just a camera.

I help couples plan days that feel natural and intentional — not rushed or overly posed. From helping you choose the right glacier location to building a flexible timeline around weather and light, I’m there for the whole process.

Adventure days come with moving parts. Helicopters. Cold temperatures. Changing conditions. I’m used to working in wild environments and adapting quickly so you can stay present and actually enjoy your day.

I’ll guide you when you need direction. I’ll step back when you’re in your moment. And I’ll document the real stuff — the wind in your hair, the nerves before takeoff, the way you laugh when your feet hit freezing glacier water.

Your Alaska glacier elopement deserves to be captured in a way that feels honest and epic at the same time.

If that sounds like your kind of day, I’d love to help you plan it. Reach out now and let’s start planning your dream Alaska elopement day!