Relatively large cities such as Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage provide the greatest range of options when it comes to service providers, but there are also dedicated retreats dotting beautiful, obscure corners of the Alaskan terrain. Some of these picturesque locations are approachable only by small biplane or helicopter, which can make for a truly memorable wedding day with your closest friends and family.
Destination Alaska -- Theme Wedding Inspiration
Alaska's landscapes, seascapes, natural phenomena and wildlife provide a treasure trove of options for wedding theme inspiration. Natural wonders like Mt. McKinley or the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) can be seen in the far north of the state, and might provide a general theme for your invitations or place cards. Along the coast, glacier-carved fjords are filled with Orca whales and sea lions.Perhaps you'd like to marry on a dazzling green hillside, surrounded by mountains and overlooking the ocean on all sides of Kodiak Island, the "Emerald Isle" of the Pacific. The sun is strong and bright, the wind fresh and every step down the aisle seems lighter and lighter!
Or imagine a mountaintop wedding in a cozy chalet, peak after peak marching into the distance through an enormous set of windows, fire merrily crackling in a great hearth as you tread toward your husband-to-be, bouquet in hand.
There are also rain forests, waterfalls, vast wilderness areas, glistening glaciers, lakes; sea mammals like whales, sea lions, sea otters; land animals such as grizzly bears, moose, and caribou, and hundreds of species of birds, including the bald eagle.
Official Alaska State Symbols
Official AK State Symbols include the willow ptarmigan, a small, cream-colored bird with sage feathers on its back and deep orange accents above its eyes. Think about using this delightful little bird as the palette for your wedding colors.Another state symbol is the wild native forget-me-not, a charming, cheery flower with a romantic, wedding-appropriate name. Its five sky-blue petals are offset by a small central flourish of bright yellow and brown. These make a wonderful natural bouquet, or could easily be incorporated into invitation and program designs.
Alaska Marriage License Requirements
In order to legally marry, a marriage license must be obtained from the county clerk of the county in which you will be married. These are sometimes also referred to as District Recorders. You do not have to be a resident of the state to marry, making Alaska destination wedding friendly. You will need to bring a few items with you after calling to make an appointment:- A picture ID such as a driver's license
- A $25.00 application fee.
- You may mail in your application as long as it is witnessed by a Notary Public.
Need an Officiant? Get By With a Little Help from Your Friends
One of the remarkable things about an Alaska wedding is that you can be married by anyone -- the person you would like to perform your ceremony simply needs to obtain a 1-day marriage commissioner's license from the courthouse nearest to the wedding site. Although there is no fee or waiting period, the appointment to get a commissioner's license should be made at least a week in advance of the wedding to ensure enough time for processing. Note that a marriage commissioner's license is different from a marriage license. As a couple, you will have to obtain a marriage license separate from the license issued to your commissioner.In addition, all manner of religious officials, judges, commissioned Salvation Army officers and others can act as your officiant. So many options makes it easy to find the right person to help you tie the knot in The Last Frontier state!