It’s always been a dream of mine just to visit Alaska. But getting to photograph this sweet and minimalist elopement in Hatcher Pass of all places was a dream come to life!
When my husband and I arrived in Alaska, we were giddy with excitement to be honest. My husband had wanted to visit Alaska as badly as I had, so it was so special for us to get to experience it together. That’s just one of the many things that I love about doing what I do.
Before an elopement day, I always like to get to know my couples as much as I can so that we all feel more comfortable around each other and so that I can better understand how to photograph them. Here were Andrea & Brian’s responses to common questions that I like to ask…
Tell me a little bit about yourselves. How long have you been together? How did you meet?
“This year, we will have been together for 8 years. We met in our high school marching band. Brian played the snare drum while Andrea played the flute. We started noticing each other during band camp, and became infatuated with one another as soon as we started talking to one another. Brian was actually the first person who messaged Andrea on FB after finding out she was now single! He took Andrea to Homecoming and that's when she realized he was the one!”
What do you love most about the other person?
Andrea: “What I love most about Brian is that he is so ambitious. Anything he wants to succeed in life, he does with so much determination and doesn’t let anything get in his way. He is truly a huge role model for me and he helps me push myself to my best ability. I truly had a hard time getting out of my comfort zone until I met him.”
Brian: “What I love the most about Andrea is that she is such a selfless person (did I mention that she is incredibly beautiful?). She is willing to go out of her comfort zone to help you with whatever, and she is brave in overcoming her life obstacles. She moved across the continent with me, so she is definitely a keeper for life! I love her to death, and she is extremely talented in marketing and social media expertise!”
What do you like to do for fun together?
Whenever we leave the house, we want to do as many outdoor activities as we can with one another! Since moving to Alaska, we have been on hikes with our two dogs, white water rafting in the Nenana River in Denali National Park, and plan on doing lots of camping this upcoming summer! When we stay inside, we like watching tv series, playing with our dogs, and playing a mixture of video and board games!
Do you consider yourselves adventurous? If so, what is the greatest adventure you've had together so far?
“Absolutely! Our greatest adventure so far is traveling across the country to Alaska. We did a road trip that lasted about 10 days, and we traveled from Florida, and traveled through 11 states and 3 Canadian Provinces to get to Alaska. We saw plenty of different animals (such as mountain goats and bison along the highway, even a grizzly bear), different cultures of America, and the beautiful Canadian National Parks of Banff and Jasper. We could not have done it without each other, and are so glad that we took a road trip of a lifetime! We definitely recommend it to everyone else as well!”
They began their morning in a beautiful cabin, where they got ready. I loved that Andrea wore her hair in a ponytail, with a bit of a fancy twist. Her look was brought together by the amazingly talented Cathy Vang & Ema Rose Hair Studio. I loved how she chose to wear pearls, which created such a classic look and complimented her dress beautifully. The overall minimalist design behind their day was showcased wonderfully by their invitation suite; to let loved ones know that they eloped. Their invitations were designed by the very talented Honest Calligraphy.
Once they were ready, they each privately wrote their vows to each other. Before we knew it, it was time to head to Hatcher Pass for their intimate ceremony. It was officiated by Reverend Branden with Celtic Ministries. Andrea & Brian didn’t want to take anything away from the view, so they just tied in simple and elegant floral arrangements by Elan Florals. Their ceremony was STUNNING and beautifully lit by the lights and colors of the sun.
They explored a nearby alpine lake and then headed to celebrate their nuptials at a glamping campsite. Lulu’s Tents & Events was the perfect place for them to get cozy by the fire, with gorgeous views of the Knik River. What an incredible way to end an incredible elopement experience!
If you’re considering eloping in Alaska, I’d love to help you plan a meaningful and memorable experience like this one. Just fill out my contact form and we can start the co-creation process together! Considering a different place to elope, but not sure where? You can read more about planning an elopement and get some location inspiration from my elopement guide.
FEATURED ON: Wandering Weddings
