How to Plan an Elopement in Seward, Alaska

To plan an elopement in Seward, Alaska can be a challenge and with the info below, you’ll walk away knowing what there is to do, local vendors, where to stay, the best eats where and when things happen, seasons and potential logistical challenges!

Why elope in Seward, Alaska?

Alaska is the most beautiful place on earth purely for it’s unique terrain and outdoors adventures – why wouldn’t you want to elope in Seward, Alaska? When thinking of beautiful places around the world to elope Seward, Alaska, located on the eastern coast of the Kenai Peninsula, should be at the top of your list. The Kenai Peninsula is fondly nicknamed “Alaska’s Playground” and Seward is the embodiment of that description!

“Play,” as defined by Alaskans, is a little more hard core than most other places. The idea of playing in Alaska is driving a 4-wheeler through giant mud puddles, riding a sea-doo up to the face of a glacier, or fighting barn door-size fish to the surface of the ocean. The further we can get into nature, the better. Extreme adventure is the name of the game up here.

Extreme Adventure Options in Seward

Opportunities to explore and create your own adventure runs rampant through the streets of Seward. The possibilities are truly endless and there is an activity…ahem, activitiessss… for all skill levels and age groups. A few options for fun include:

• Deep sea fishing for world-famous halibut or salmon (I recommend Pro-Fish-N-Sea Charters)
• Sea kayaking along the coastal rainforest and sheer cliffs
• Jet-skiing up to the face of a glacier with Jet Ski Seward Adventures
• Take a team of sled dogs and run across a glacier

Slower Adventure Options in Seward

Those options are available and accessible for everyone, but for those of us who like a little slower pace, check out the Seward Fjords Tours who scope out the local wildlife and educate patrons along the ride. If keeping feet on solid ground is preferred, the Seward Sealife Center is a great way to see local and ongoing rehabilitation efforts of local wildlife including birds, fish, sea life, and sea mammals.

How to Elope Legally in Alaska

Alaska has a couple oddities about getting married here. It is a 3 BUSINESS day waiting period from the time you file for your marriage license/ pick up your license until you can legally “use” it. For example, you couldn’t pick it up on a Thursday and get married on Saturday. It has to be three business days from when you got it, not calendar days.

What I suggest to my couples is to download the form from the state site online, fill it out, get it notarized per the instructions and send it back in no more than 90 days before your ceremony date. In the past, they’ve just instructed the couple to put a post-it note on the application when sending back by mail to note what day and in what location you want to pick it up (i.e., Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau, etc.) and they will have it ready for you when you arrive.

Here is where you can file your marriage license online: Get Married

For additional information, visit the State of Alaska website here.

Things to Consider When Planning an Elopement in Seward

When first beginning to plan an elopement in Seward, especially if unfamiliar with this little fishing town, it may be a feel daunting. Here are the most important things to consider when planning an elopement, as well as some local vendor recommendations for Seward specifically.

Transportation

Car Rental

The most common way to navigate Alaska is by renting a car for your time here. Most of the rental cars are equipped with good tires for inclement weather and all-wheel drive or 4WD. Cars can be rented through the usual car rental companies or through Turo. Since 2020, rental prices have been much higher through the national companies.

The average rental car price will also vary based on the time of year you plan to be in Alaska for your elopement. Summers are busy so prices do tend to be higher and availability is very limited. Don’t forget to book your car or transportation when you start locking in your budget, plans, and itinerary.

I recommend booking transportation and accommodations as soon as you know the dates you’ll be visiting Alaska because prices and availability will sell out earlier than you think (depending on the time of year).

Plane Charter

While there is a little airport in Seward, flights (unless privately chartered) do not frequently fly into and out of Seward. It is rare to see a plane bigger than a Cub here. The Seward airport keeps busy with people who want to take helicopter tours to fly over the bay and get deep into nature without the labor of hiking – more tour-style sight seeing than anything.

RV or Motorhome Rental

A GREAT alternative to a car AND having to pay for accommodations is renting an RV or campervan. There is really no better way to see Alaska than by campervan, which are becoming increasingly more popular for those seeking adventure because they can be a little more “off-road” and able to fit down gravel roads that would otherwise rattle the wheels off another vehicle.

Rent your RV through Great Alaskan Holiday or Alaska Family Motorhomes. RV prices and availability vary based on travel dates and the duration a camper is rented for. Most RV rental companies include unlimited mileage, all the bedding and cooking essentials, as well as toilet paper, water, a heater or A/C, and a cooking stove. Consider picking up a camping chair and some firewood so you can enjoy the midnight sun around a campfire each evening.

Campervans can be rented through River Wild Campervans and Vanderlust Vans, both have premier campervans and roof-top tent camping options as well. These vans are insulated and run year-round in Alaska. Bonus: River Wild Campervans has extras available to rent and also has resources to help suggest an itinerary as you’re planning your elopement in Seward.

Train

The Alaska Railroad is the most scenic rail line in the world. In fact, National Geographic Traveler ranked the Coastal Classic Train among their Top Ten Train Rides in North America!

The train ride from Anchorage to Seward gives people the best way to get into backcountry and remote terrain without having to load up a 50lbs backpacking bag and hiking back 25 miles. You’ll see mountains, wildlife, glaciers, and Turnagain Arm in all its glory. Extreme hikers have the option to hop the train for some wild weekend adventures in backcountry. If you stop in the middle of the tracks, you’re just picking up another passenger along the way.

The train ride from Anchorage, through Girdwood, and ending in Seward lasts approximately 6 hours and ranges in price from $219 to $452 per person for a roundtrip ticket from Anchorage to Seward and back. For a one-way ticket, the cost is lower at $129 to $266 per person. The higher price is seating and service in the double-decker car and is worth the extra money to be able to see a 360-degree view while riding.

Heck, I’d love to photograph your elopement ON the train!!

Two to three cruise ships dock into port in Seward nearly every day. Cruise passengers shuffle from the ship to the tour buses or train for the ride back to Anchorage. Plan a cruise to celebrate your Seward elopement after you elope! Talk about a grand exit.

Princess Cruises is the most popular and well-known company for cruises to Alaska, but there are more and more companies routing ships through Alaska. Just remember that the Alaska shown near to cruise ship ports is not the REAL Alaska that you want to see. Princess Cruises also partner with the Alaska Railroad to offer trips to a variety of Princess and Prince lodges around Alaska (like in Denali!). Princess refers to these as their “Cruisetours” and you can explore their three different excursion packages on their website. These vary in 10, 12 or 15 day itineraries and allow you to see Alaska from coastline to Interior Alaska and everything in between.

Navigating To and Around Seward

Now that you’ve sorted out transportation to and from Seward, here’s the must-see stops along the drive and how to navigate to Seward.

Turnagain Arm

Alaska is HUGE, but you don’t realize quite how big it is until you hit the road. Leaving Anchorage, the road south is the most scenic drive around Turnagain Arm. Keep your eyes peeled because there’s a high chance of seeing beluga whales, orca whales, eagles, mountain sheep, and the occasional bigfoot.

Best known for the extreme tides the result in a natural phenomena called a Bore Tide. A bore tide is when the tides shift and the water returns to the inlet, but does so rapidly to create a single wave. This wave can vary in height and width, but is generally large enough that extreme athletes will surf the wave all the way into the inlet.

Girdwood

Located south of Anchorage, Girdwood is home to the main skiing and snowboarding slopes without having to hike into backcountry. Girdwood also has lush coastal rainforests with giant trees covered in lush moss. Hotel Alyeska is a beautiful resort nestled against the base of the mountains.

Alyeska Nordic Spa

Recently, Hotel Alyeska added a full-service spa called Alyeska Nordic Spa complete with hot and cold plunging pools, a variety of sauna houses, steam rooms, hot tubs, and other relaxation essential services like massage. I can attest from personal experience that this is a full day experience and worth every penny. While you’re in Girdwood, take a hike to Virgin Creek Falls (short hike to waterfall), or Winner Creek Gorge trail. The forests in Girdwood are unreal with moss and lush greenery you won’t want to miss.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center just before the turn off towards Portage Glacier Valley is an amazing way to see a variety of Alaskan wildlife without having to venture deep into the woods. Foxes, bears, moose, wood bison, reindeer, deer, wolves, owls, and any orphaned baby animals that may wander through their doors. You can walk or drive the Wildlife Conservation 1.5-mile loop. They even offer guided tours and wildlife encounters with various animals.

Portage Valley & Portage Glacier

Portage Valley is known for Portage Glacier waiting at the end of the road. Weather in Portage can turn from rain to sun to snow in a matter of minutes. There are lots of little hiking trails to walk around. Most trails are flat and easily traversed without any specialized equipment. To see Portage Glacier, book a guided boat tour. The boat will take you across the lake and up to the face of the glacier. You can only see Portage glacier by hiking up to it in the mountains, or by taking a boat tour.

The rest of the way to Seward there are lots of scenic stops – stop at them all. The terrain, weather, scenery and wildlife will widely vary the entire drive down to Seward. I may be biased, but the scenery never gets old.

Ceremony Locations for an Elopement in Seward

Seward is nestled in Resurrection Bay, which is approximately 2.5 hours driving south from Anchorage. Best known is for its world-class fishing and for being one of the cruise ship ports of Alaska. Seward has one main 2-lane highway leading in and out of town.

Because Seward is a small seasonal tourist town, there may be logistical challenges when it comes to vendors. Seward has the most scenic locations from every side of the bay. There are several local beaches around Seward that supply views of Resurrection Bay and it’s surrounding mountains. Lowell Point Beach has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and is only accessible via a dirt road.

I’ve explored the edges of the Bay to find many private locations for when you plan an elopement in Seward. Just a perk of hiring a local Alaskan photographer to document your elopement.

Time of Year & The Best Seasons for an Elopement in Alaska

Despite its beauty, Alaska is harsh and, at time, unpredictable. Weather swings from one end of the spectrum to the other quickly. Seasons will also dictate the scenery and accessibility to certain locations due to a variety of reasons.

Here’s the breakdown of seasons so you can make an informed decision while planning an elopement in Seward:

Spring

Spring in Alaska happens about 8 separate times, broken up by unexpected spring snow storms and endless “false spring” weather. Timing of spring in Alaska is dependent on how much snow we get throughout the winter prior. Typically March-May is spring in Alaska. The best part of spring is the huge variety of scenery for your elopement and your portraits. Spring is the only time of year when you have winter temps in the morning, and warm afternoons that feel like warmer months are coming. You can stay up late to watch Northern lights, or stay up late and still experience full daylight.

Winter

Winter is long and dark, but Seward generally doesn’t receive much snow due to being coastal. The drive to Seward can be a bit treacherous. Good tires and driving within a comfortable speed range will help avoid any mishaps. If you intend to plan a winter elopement in Seward, keeping an eye on weather will be key. Temperatures and the weather forecast will determine gear and how to fully prepare.

Summer

Summer is full of endless daylight and 24-hour road construction with Memorial Day marking the unofficial kick-off to summer. June through September are peak tourism months where the general population of Alaska increases significantly. Seward averages 2-4 cruise ships into port every other day, seven days a week during peak summer “tourist” months. During summer, I’d plan to add extra time for driving. This is due to a LOT of extra traffic, tour buses, and inevitable construction delays.

Fall

Fall in Alaska passes in the blink of an eye. Peak fall colors are usually on show from mid September to MAYBE the first week of October. During this time the foliage is vibrant with oranges and yellows. Fall is also typically pretty rainy in Alaska. Occasionally, there are days where the sun will warm your face, but Alaska is rapidly losing daylight at this point. If you are considering an elopement in Seward during the fall, make sure to consider daylight hours. The sun will be rising later in the morning and setting earli

Seward’s climate is a considered coastal rainforest and, as you can probably deduce, it rains here. A lot. I recommend umbrellas or let’s just dance in the rain and embrace it! If this sounds like your vibe, check out my written piece on an elopement at Granite Point Mountain Lodge.

Temperatures during summer months fluctuate anywhere from 50-70 degrees on average, but generally will be high 50’s and low 60’s. Because of nearly 24-hours of daylight, the sun’s heat feels hotter because Alaska never gets a chance to cool down. During summer months, the tilt of the earth is closer to the sun, making the UV rays very strong. It feels hotter on a sunny day in Alaska because of long daylight hours in the summer. Because of longer days, buildings and nature don’t get a chance to cool down and reset.

Tide Schedule

Seward is a coastal town, which means beach access will be affected by high and low tides. Pick up a tide book or for your elopement day. The tide shifts in ~12 hour cycles, but needs to be considered when you plan an elopement in Seward.

Elopement Vendors

I know I’ve said it already, but Seward is a SMALL. FISHING. TOWN. Since Seward revolves around fishing , you can see how finding local vendors is a challenge for anyone planning

Unique Accommodations

Hotel Seward

Hotel Seward is an experience that will transport you back to times long gone when it was originally built in 1905. The hotel boasts classic luxury vibes with lush wood and leather accents. If only these walls could tell stories.

Salted Roots Cabins

Whether you’re looking for an aesthetic A-frame cabin or a touch of rustic upscale luxury, check out Salted Roots Cabins. These properties can sleep 2-6 people and include private beachfront access a sauna, a fire pit, a yoga studio and an outdoor kitchen. Amenities may vary by location. These book up FAST in the summer months, so book early (suggest: 1 year in advance).

Lowell Point Cabins

Miller’s Landing and Lowell Point Cabins are owned by a local family with roots deeply engrained in the local life. Lowell Point offer water taxis, a variety of adventures, fishing charters for salmon or halibut, food, coffee, and cute accommodations. These also book up early because Lowell Point hosts weddings throughout the year at their property.

Granite Point Mountain Lodge

Nestled on a steep cliff, Granite Point Mountain Lodge is comprised of a main lodge and 5 smaller cabins. This lodge is great if you’re looking to get away from other people and truly have privacy. Granite Point is only accessible via helicopter or water taxi. This property includes access to sea kayaks, a private beach (but watch the tides!), and endless hiking.

Orca Island

For a truly remote adventure, Orca Island Cabins are only accessible via boat, which is provided by the property. The boat ride is an hour out to Humpy Bay. Along the way you may see humpbacks, orcas, sea otters, various birds, and jumping salmon coming into the bay! Orca Island offers yurts or cabins to stay in. Activities included in the stay include sea kayaking, paddle boarding (with dry suits), wildlife watching and hiking.

Restaurants and Catering

• There are lots of cute little local restaurants that offer catering. Depending on the vibe you’re going for, you can probably find a local vendor to meet your needs.
  
  • Zudie’s – Local fresh cuisine. Does cater weddings, but the owner may be retiring within the next year (by 2026).
  • Fire Brand BBQ – Delicious Texas-style BBQ in the Last Frontier. Does cater weddings, but is open seasonally (May-Sept).
  • Flamingo Lounge – An homage to it’s original name from the 1950’s, the Flamingo Lounge is an eat-in establishment with it’s own special flair. Thousands of unique alcohol bottles line every edge of the entire establishment. Best known for their “Bucket of ‘But.” Reservations recommended for any party size.

Hair and Make-up Artists (HMUA)

For hair and make-up services, you will most likely be hiring an artist from the Kenai Peninsula or Anchorage. Alaskan vendors are no strangers to roadtrips to meet our amazing clients. Luckily, the scenery never gets old.

• Glam By Cathy – An incredibly talented hair and make-up artist who will travel. She is a phenomenal person and artist. You will not regret hiring Cathy!
• Dollhouse.Ak – Savanna is also an incredibly talented make-up artist. She does not offer hair services.
• Veronica Hoxie is a personal friend and former beauty queen who has years of experience with makeup and hair styling. I am happy to share her info if you’re looking to inquire while planning an elopement in Seward.

DJ’s or Audio options

Like finding a HMUA, you will most likely be hiring a DJ from one of the surrounding towns. Depending on the size of your wedding overall, you could always supply your own speakers or rent a small sound system and pair it with a favorite or specially curated playlist from Spotify.

Florists

• There are no local florists in Seward, so you’d be looking to hire someone to drive to Seward or making your own bouquet (or at very least picking up your bouquet).
  • The Teal Door – Kasara is one of the most talented florists in Alaska. Kasara has delivered florals for several weddings and elopements I’ve photographed, all which were stunning.
  • Fairytale Blooms Alaska – Brooke is one of the few people who can hear a very specific aesthetic and make it a living floral installment. She is a gem of a human and would deliver lovely florals for a beach wedding at Lowell Point.
• If you are more of a DIY person, then check out:
  • Alaska Flower Market – Located in Anchorage, but frequently hosts classes on building bouquets and has a wide variety of florals.
  • Safeway, the local grocery store, also carries grab-and-go bouquets in varying sizes.

A great alternative to real flowers is using wooden flowers from Amazon. The best part of wooden flowers is they won’t wilt in the rain or cold of an elopement in Seward’s unpredictable weather.

Officiants

In the state of Alaska, anyone can perform a wedding ceremony. Have your friend or family member perform the ceremony. They just would need to get ordained online ahead of the wedding, which takes literally minutes! If you’d rather have someone perform a ceremony for you, here are some recommended vendors I work with regularly:

• Say Yes Alaska has multiple officiants working for them and all I have worked with have been amazing.
• Star of Starvia’s Events is also able to oversee weddings. She is so kind and more than willing to help with logistics. She also is a great vendor for decor and day-of coordination services. I have worked with her for both weddings and elopements.

The [Best] Elopement Photographer

The day of your elopement you want to have a photographer by your side that you trust. You want a friend that will hype you up, block and tackle if guests get wild, and a creative partner that will deliver mind-blowing photos.

The photos from your elopement are the ONLY THING that you’ll have for the rest of your life. These portraits are the start of the legacy you’ll build together into future generations of your family! Do your research and meet with your photographer.

Actually, let me make a formal recommendation.
Hi, My name is Kyla and I’m the Alaska elopement photographer you want AND need.

As a locally-raised and life-long Alaskan, I can help you prepare for what to expect. Let’s address the sticky points and plan an elopement in Seward that is guaranteed to blow your mind. Check out my portfolio on my website or my instagram. I’d love the opportunity to earn your business, make your elopement planning seamless, and celebrate your love every step of the way.