Comprehensive Guide to The Best Small Wedding Venues in Alaska

25+ best small wedding or elopement venues in Alaska; venues with epic mountain views, affordable ceremony sites, eco adventure hotels, luxury boutique hotels, popular vacation rentals, some unique elopement venues as well as traditional venues that offer elopement and micro-wedding packages.

Alaska is the perfect place for your small wedding or elopement and I’m so excited to share some of my favorite places to say your vows in this beautiful state! Whether you are planning a micro-wedding for 30 people or a casual elopement with only you and your fiance’, this guide will help you find the perfect small wedding venue in Alaska!

Don’t want to plan the details?

New for 2023 I am offering an upscale Micro Wedding Package in for Alaska.

This micro wedding package includes everything you need for an incredible adventure wedding in Alaska with up to 20 guests:

• 3 Nights Lodging for the couple
• Additional 3 Nights Honeymoon in second location
• Locally Inspired Dinner for couple & up to 20 guests
• Wedding Ceremony & Officiant
• Full Day Photography Coverage
• Adventure session that includes an excursion of your choice (helicopter, sailing, dog mushing)
• Bouquet, Boutonniere and Fresh Flowers for Dinner Table Styling
• Wedding cake, cookies, or pie for all
• Unlimited communication by phone and email
• vendor coordination
• Customized Itinerary & Travel Tips
  
  Package price $24500 – Inclusive of everything above
  
  Smaller Group? I offer a group elopement package with lodging for all!
  

To provide the best experience for my couples & their guests I will be limiting bookings to just 10 for this package! Contact me today to set up a free consult! 

Affordable Outdoor Venues

If you’re looking for an affordable small wedding venue, these are some options for your Alaska ceremony & in some cases a reception as well. Most require a special use permit but depending on your group size this may be waved. National Park & public land (such as National Forest or BLM) Permit fees usually range from 60-300 which is a very small price to pay for access to absolutely beautiful locations to say your vows!

• Denali National Park
• Kenai Lake; Quartz Creek Day Use area is Stunning
• Beluga Point
• Bishops Beach
• Hatchers Pass
• Wrangell St. Elias National Park
• Kincaid Sand Dunes

Wilderness Adventure Lodges

This type of venue would be perfect those coming to Alaska from out of state to get married. These lodging & venue options will offer the ultimate Alaska experience for you (+ your guests if you choose to elope with family and friends). Many of these lodges are accessible by plane, helicopter or water taxi so just getting to your lodging is an experience that won’t be forgotten. Activities such as kayaking, ice climbing, scenic flight tours, wildlife viewing & more are just out the front door so for those who enjoy adventurous vacations & can’t imagine their wedding day being any difference this is the option for you!

• Shearwater Cove
• Kennicott Wilderness Lodge
• Alaska Wildland Adventures
• Orcas Island
• Denali Backcountry Lodge

Alaska Wedding Venues with Elopement Packages

Alaska has many beautiful wedding venues & a lot of them offer elopement packages for intimate weddings as a more affordable alternative to their big wedding rental fees. Because these venues cater to bigger weddings they may only offer these discounted elopement package rates for middle of the week celebrations and there will certainly be a cap on the number of guests; usually 15-30. This is a great option if you’re looking for a venue that is set up for weddings & might offer catering, tables & chairs, florals etc….

• Sunderland Ranch
• Alaska Heavenly Lodge
• Majestic Valley Lodge
• Knik River Lodge
• Inn at Tern Lake

Luxury Alaska Wedding Venues For Intimate Groups

If you’re looking for an unforgettable, complete Alaska experience for your Alaska wedding adventure these options just might be perfect for you. Adventure hard without forgoing any luxuries. Each of the lodges I’ve link to below I hand selected because they offer a fully immersive, inclusive experience – perfect for your wedding. You can fill your day with adventure & fun while enjoying fine dining, Alaskan cuisine cooked just for you and your guests. Each pride themselves in eco friendly practices and locally sourced farm to table dining complete with unlimited opportunities for adventuring – If you want an unparalleled wedding experience, look no further!

• Ridgewood: This eco adventure lodge is located near Homer, Alaska in the stunning Kachemak Bay. With room for up to 6 guests this is the perfect venue for a small elopement. 3 meals a day + transportation to and from the lodge via boat is included in the price. Perfect if you like kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing and want a chill experience with a few of your favorite people!
  
• Within the Wild: This family run business is known for their amazing cuisine & incredible adventure activities. They own two lodges; one near Kachemak Bay and the other further interior (northwest of Anchorage). Included in your stay is accomodations, meals, one epic off property excursion, cooking classes, yoga & more!
  
• Ultima Thule: Truly the ultimate Alaskan wilderness lodge experience. They can host up to 14 people but also offer all inclusive elopement packages for just two people looking for an adventure centric day. Fine dining, private chefs & saunas bring a luxury experience you won’t forget. I you want to experience glacier trekking, helicopters, planes, hiking and true alaskan adventures this is for you!
  
• Sheldon Chalet: I don’t think anything quite like Sheldon Chalet exists anywhere else on the planet. Located just 10 miles from the summit of Denali you are literally surrounded by nothing but jaw dropping scenery. This 5 bedroom chalet offers an unparalleled luxury experience. All dining, your own adventure guide & more is included in your stay. If you want to say your vows in the shadow of the tallest mountain on the North American Continent, this option is for you!

Vacation Rentals {Airbnb, VRBO}

If you’re craving a down to earth wedding day with a handful of your favorite people renting a house could be the perfect way to celebrate! Often my couples rent the house for a few days (or longer) as their home base & place to adventure from. On your wedding day you could get ready at your house before a ceremony somewhere offsite. End the evening with dinner cooked just for you by a private chef on the houses deck overlooking the mountains! Definitely make sure the house you choose allows events. To help you out on your search here are a few options:

• 4 Bedroom Home Near Denali National Park
• Kenai River Home that sleeps up to 20

Non Traditional Adventure Wedding Options & Alternatives to a Venue

Instead of booking a venue why not get married where few have every gone. Book a helicopter or plane to fly out to your ceremony location! Say your vows on a glacier, volcano or high alpine meadow! I can work with you to help you plan your helicopter wedding in Alaska! Not a fan of the skies? Getting married on a boat is another way to enjoy the epic scenery & wildlife Alaska has to offer. Destination Alaska Charters offers fine dining onboard their vessel; say your vows & enjoy an incredible dinner alaskan style. Last but not least the Alaskan Railway is an amazing way to have an adventure wedding without booking a traditional wedding venue!

Feeling overwhelmed? Reach out to me & as an Alaska wedding photographer who specializes in helping couples craft their custom adventure – I would love to help guide you through planning your dream elopement!

Alaska Group Elopement & Micro Wedding Packages

Want to let someone else do the planning. Check out my All Inclusive Elopement Packages in Alaska