When Should I Start Planning My Reception?
Spring and fall are actually the most reliable times for receptions, weather-wise. In summer, you may see rain; in winter, the temperature can drop, and it can stay dark the majority of the day. Try to plan your reception for the months of April, May or October for best results. The summer months also see some beautiful days, but bring your umbrella!Start planning for your reception soon after you set your wedding date. You may be able to keep your ceremony and reception sites within walking distance of one another, saving you and your guests money on transportation costs.
Alaska Reception Vendors and Locations
There are a variety of wedding reception locations to choose from all across the Last Frontier State, but for starters look to your local area by perusing the yellow pages or searching online for "[your town name], AK wedding reception' or "[your town name], AK event planning." If you don't get the results you want, expand your search to the nearest major city, such as Juneau or Anchorage. Also consider local community centers, fire halls, or a spot along the coast for low-cost alternatives to posh hotel ballrooms and expensive reception centers.Bear in mind that if you are working with a non-professional reception site, a lot more of the planning may be up to you. You may need to coordinate location, catering, seating, setup, sound, lighting, and more, based upon your chosen reception locale. A professional location often has these aspects already covered, as they regularly host formal events.
Alaska wedding reception locations include:
- Parties at the Alaska Zoo can be a beautiful option with plenty to amaze your guests in Anchorage. Greenhouse or lawn seating can accommodate up to 200 guests with ease, and they are just completing work on a beautiful new chateau-style banquet hall.
- The Anchorage Museum has a number of amenities and a variety of venues for you and your guests, including a lovely atrium capable of accommodating 500 guests. Although the Museum is only open for events when closed to the public, this can give your reception an intimate, wonderful flavor.
- The Alaska Botanical Gardens provide five lovely garden options for your wedding ceremony and reception. These quiet, beautifully-manicured grounds provide an outstanding backdrop for pictures, and prove a population destination for many brides in the Anchorage area.
- Chugach State Park of Anchorage offers campgrounds, hiking, wildlife viewing, picnic tables, fire rings, and even firewood for a small fee. Eklutna Lake may be just the spot for a sunny afternoon reception.
- Kodiak Island hosts six state parks. Think about one of the Emerald Isle of the Pacific's many beautiful areas for your reception and ceremony alike. The extensive park system offers a variety of locations during summer months. Talk to the state park's appointed contact for advice on how to get your guests there at lowest cost to them and you.
- Just 40 miles north of Juneau, Point Bridget State Park offers hiking, woodland meadows, rocky beaches and much more. An excellent option around the Juneau area, but pack your ponchos! Rain is a common occurrence, so your guests should definitely be the type who don't mind getting a bit wet. Permits required for groups of 20 or more.
- What on-site activities does the park offer?
- Can the park accommodate your guest list?
- Are there any noise limitations to be aware of?
- Are there any necessary permits/applicable fees?
- Do they have pavilions or equipment available for rental or public use?
Summer Receptions in Alaska
Alaskan summer nights are sort of like a dream—the skies never really get dark, though you can still see bright stars. It's a weird, wonderful twilight that lasts until dawn all throughout the northern regions of the state. This sort of "eternal twilight" can make for a romantic evening celebration that lasts into the early morning hours (which can actually save you a bit on lighting costs throughout your night). Look to schedule your event for a late afternoon or early evening start. Even the last die-hard reception guest will easily be able to find his way home on an Alaska summer night.Keep in mind that as you move farther north, the light of the day becomes longer. This means that a summer wedding in Juneau or Seward may see a bit more "night" than a similar event in Anchorage or Fairbanks. If you have a particular "time of evening" in mind for your wedding, you can actually fine-tune your location to meet your imagination.
Looking for a summer reception theme or location? In Alaska, the wilderness, extensive coastlines and local wildlife may provide inspiration. Seasonal wildflowers in pinks, blues, violets, whites, and purples can all easily be found on a day's walk, but carefully scope out your location beforehand, or talk to your wedding florist about where to find them. Almost all flower shops will carry local wildflowers in-season, and Alaska is no exception. This is a great way to save a bit on your reception and ceremony costs, too!
The state flower, the forget-me-not, is a charming, five-petaled purple flower with a golden heart. (Think of a black-eyed susan inside a violet.) Along with the cream or white from your dress, this little flower can provide a memorable theme for your reception which you can carry through to table displays, centerpieces and more.
AK Summer Reception Locations
Alaska's vast size (twice that of Texas) and enormous coastline (as long as the other 49 states' combined) give you an incredible range of options when it comes to celebrating your marriage. Think about a beach barbecue on one of the state's many gray-stone beaches, but advise your guests to bring comfortable, functional shoes! The state also has a number of state parks and national forests which can be fantastic spots for couples on a budget. On a good day, these sunny forests, mountains, and glaciers might provide the perfect spot for your party.Alaska park wedding reception locations include:
Although parks at any level can be wonderful spots for weddings with children, not all couples will be suited by these outdoor locations. Most parks have provisions concerning the use of alcohol, so be sure to check with the park's contact person well in advance to ask. Other important questions include:
More Questions to Ask Your AK Reception Vendor
If you are working with a location that regularly hosts weddings and wedding receptions, you will want to obtain references from past clients. Also go over your guest list, desired catering, desired setup, availability of the facility for decoration and setup, and total costs.If you are having a free-wheeling reception but would like to stay on a budget, ask about the option of providing your own alcohol which your reception location then serves. Wine, beer, and liquor are luxury items, and many reception vendors will charge you luxury prices. However, by ordering or buying wholesale, you can save a bundle. If you choose to go this route, try to get an early estimate of your guest list to provide plenty of time to arrange for transport or pick up. If needed, your distributor may be able to provide advice on appropriate quantity for your guest list.