There’s nothing like stepping onto a glacier in Alaska.
On an Alaska glacier, the quiet around you is broken with the crunch of ice underfoot and the sounds of wind.
And as you look around, the vast sweep of ice and snow, textures and colors stretch around you. It’s immense and otherworldly—yet deeply intimate.
It’s a chance to begin your marriage in a place that will never truly be the same again—reached by unique access like helicopter, ski plane, trek, or even boat. With just you or your chosen few alongside, you're wrapped in an experience that's kept exclusive by a remoteness that keeps crowds away.
Paired with luxury & adventure luxe lodging and multi-day experiences, it becomes both adventure and quiet indulgence for the kind of story you’ll tell for years.
An elopement experience SO uniquely Alaska awaits you.
An Alaska glacier elopement is more than a view.
Why Choose an Alaska Glacier Elopement?
It’s about adventure, exclusivity, quiet luxury, and a timeless --beautiful-- setting that is so incredibly hard to ever replicate.
There’s a certain thrill in knowing most people will never set foot on a glacier, yet you’ve chosen to make it the place where you begin your marriage.
A glacier elopement carries its own kind of quiet luxury. Remote stays, intentional design, and curated details elevate your adventure without distracting from the landscape's raw beauty.
The varied nature of Alaska's glaciers for your elopement on means you could arrive by helicopter, ski plane, trek, or even boat.
But whichever route you take, that unique access keeps the crowds away and leaves you with a setting that feels private, remote, and entirely your own.
Not sure if a glacier is the right fit? Explore more Alaska elopement destinations ›
The Scenery when you elope on a glacier in Alaska? AMAZING.
But its so much more than that...
Adventure + Exclusivity
Picture a toast of crisp glacier water that’s thousands of years old, kayaking with icebergs, packrafting in a glacier blue pool, dogsledding or glamping on a glacier overnight. When you wrap your vows in a multi‑day luxury elopement experience, you gain the chance to fully experience the mountains, lakes, and experiences on and around the glacier, not just the glacier itself.
See how glacier elopements connect with luxury elopements worldwide ›
Quiet Luxury
From the sweeping expanse of a snowfield glacier perfect for dog sledding, to the shimmering blue pools of Knik or Matanuska, to...
...to the rocky moraine or jagged spires of an icefall on a glacier, each landscape offers a different face of Alaska for your elopement. These ever‑changing settings activate every sense, making your vows part of a moment that will never be exactly the same again.
Looking for curated, one‑of‑one experiences? Discover the Enchanted Canopy Collection ›
Timeless Setting
How It Works:
The Glacier Elopement Process
- Marriage License — Alaska makes it easy for out‑of‑state couples with a mail‑in application. An officiant and one witness are required.
- Choose Your Access — Helicopter, ski plane, trek, or boat: your travel in is part of the adventure.
- Select Your Glacier — From snowfield glaciers, to blue pools, to dramatic icefalls, each glacier offers a unique character and backdrop.
- Bring Your People — Some couples choose just the two of them, others invite a treasured few. Either way, the experience stays intimate.
- Say Your Vows — Exchange vows on ancient ice, with the vastness of Alaska as your witness.
- Take More Time — Book a multi-day elopement to explore the glacier in different ways. Kayak near icebergs, trek to hidden pools, glamp on the glacier, go out dog sledding, or simply return at a new time of day. Extra time deepens the experience and allowing more memories of this remarkable place.
Is a
Glacier Elopement Right for You?
A glacier elopement isn’t the perfect fit for everyone, and that’s part of what makes it so special.
+ You want an unforgettable, adventurous setting that feels remote and awe‑inspiring.
+ You’re comfortable with unique access like helicopters, ski planes, treks, or boats.
+ You dream of an intimate celebration — just you, or you with a few treasured guests.
+ You’re drawn to quiet luxury and want to pair adventure with adventure luxe lodging, curated meals, and time explore and rest well.
+ You see the value in multi‑day experiences that allow you to explore the glacier in different ways and at different times of day.
If some of these resonate but you’re curious about other options, explore more Alaska elopement locations ›
Not many people can say they exchanged vows on a glacier…
From the helicopter ride, to camping right there on the ice, and even raising a toast with glacier water—it was all magic.
-Jasmine Ruiz
Us Two Elopement Adventure
One couple decided to put themselves where they could do a bucket‑list activity—dogsledding on the glacier for their vows.
Another spent one day nestled in the temperate rainforest, celebrating with their treasured few, and the next day set out on an expansive “Just Us Two” heli adventure to explore the glacier and its surroundings.
Each story is different across the couple's elopement days, and each reflects how a glacier elopement can be shaped around what matters most to you.
Want to see more images of love and adventure? Explore full Alaska glacier elopement stories ›
Looking for inspiration for your own bespoke Alaska elopement? Discover the Enchanted Canopy Collection™ ›
Alaska Glacier Elopement Stories
The Adventure Luxe lens means your stay is as intentional as your vows:
This flow of adventure and the luxury of downtime to just feel is what makes an Alaska glacier elopement with Soul & Sky feel both elevated and deeply connected to place.
See how these experiences connect with our Adventure Luxe philosophy and my ethos as your luxury elopement photographer ›
Adventure Luxe Lodging + Multi‑Day Elopement Experiences
To elope on a glacier in Alaska, most couples fly in by helicopter or ski plane, though some areas can also be reached by trekking in. For indirect glacier access, such as tidewater glaciers or iceberg lakes at a glacier's terminus ("foot"), you access by boat.
You’ll need an officiant, one witness, and a valid Alaska marriage license (which can be requested by mail if you live out of state).
A number of pilots and some photographers in Alaska are also legal officiants, which makes meeting the legal part of eloping on a glacier very easy!
Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau and Knik Glacier near Anchorage are the most accessible. Both are close to major airports and have highly regarded helicopter tour operators.
Knik also has several heli companies that specifically cater to eloping couples, creating a top‑notch experience.
For couples seeking an insider option, Denali’s glacier flights can accommodate larger groups, making it one of the most guest‑friendly choices in Alaska.
Working with an experienced elopement designer or photographer who has trusted vendor partnerships will help you navigate these options smoothly and match the right glacier to your vision.
Sturdy shoes or boots are key, as a stiffer sole is necessary for the ice spikes to fit well without hurting your feet.
Fleece or tightly woven wool gloves help block the wind, polarized sunglasses protect from the snow glare, and a warm hat or earmuffs can even double as a stylish accessory. And, adding a veil or lightweight cape creates beautiful movement in the wind or as you move, so don't be afraid to add flair.
Helicopters in the Kenai Fjords/Seward area and the Knik and Matanuska glacier areas typically hold 3 guests per heli, so multiple helis or one doing shuttles back and forth will be needed.
At Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, helicopters are often bigger (holding up to 5–6 guests vs 3), making it easier if you want a wedding party.
Ski planes that service glacier landings inside Denali National Park seat up to 10 people each, and two planes can carry about 20 total. This makes Denali one of the most guest‑friendly glacier wedding options in Alaska—and a unique choice that few couples know about.
Working with an experienced elopement designer or photographer who has vendor partnerships makes these logistics seamless and expands what’s possible.
Generally no, though certain locations within national parks (such as Denali) or protected areas may have requirements.
A professional photographer or planner will confirm if permits are needed for your chosen glacier.
Summer through early fall (June–September) offers the most reliable access, long daylight hours, and milder weather—making it the most popular season.
In summer, select glaciers such as Knik and Matanuska reveal famous blue pools, a sought‑after feature for extra vibrant photographs.
Winter and spring bring striking beauty with snow‑covered landscapes, possibility of ice caves on some glaciers, and fewer visitors, though flight options may be more limited.
Each season offers something distinct, so the best choice depends on whether you want midnight sun adventures, vibrant fall colors, or a quiet winter wonderland.
An experienced elopement designer or photographer can help you choose the best season and glacier for your vision.
What luxury glacier elopement experience can we inspire for YOU?
Planning Your Alaska Glacier Elopement
Yes, EVERYTHING is possible.
- Kate
Planning a glacier elopement in Alaska isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about shaping time in a way that feels intentional and effortless. From choosing the right glacier to finding unique lodging that adds to your total experience, every step should feel connected to this amazing place, and, to your story.
At Soul & Sky, I bring logistical know‑how, award-winning photography, and creative vision.
With trusted vendor partnerships, experience on the ice, and a focus on designing days that flow, I help couples move beyond planning into fully experiencing their elopement. The result is a wedding that feels easy-going, elevated, and deeply personal.
MEET KATE
Principal Designer & Photographer
I design -then photograph- luxury destination elopements that are neither preceded nor replicated.
Search these remarkable landscapes, and you won’t see a parade of identical wedding photos.
I believe the world is too extraordinary for a borrowed plan.
My passion for unique global travel, belief that anything is possible, and mantra that meaningful experiences can’t be rushed are the foundation of how I support you.
Share how you want your wedding to feel, and as your luxury elopement photographer I’ll create options as original as your love story—capturing images of every unforgettable moment.
Featured In:
Once-in-a-lifetime events nestled in once-in-a-lifetime places:
Still forests, sweeping savannas, craggy mountains: The world’s most awe-inspiring places are your stage.
Kate removes every barrier so you can fully embrace a never-been-done elopement—a journey through extraordinary landscapes & adventures you’ll carry with you forever.
let's work together
