The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Juneau Alaska
How to elope in Juneau Alaska
If you've found yourself Googling "eloping in Juneau Alaska" at midnight while your wedding Pinterest board spirals out of control: hi, welcome, you're in the right place. Eloping in Juneau, Alaska is one of the most jaw-dropping, surprisingly easy-to-pull-off ways to get married. Juneau has it all: glaciers, rainforest, mountains, and a downtown that’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t. Whether you're planning a Juneau Alaska elopement from across the country or you're already here and just need a nudge, this guide covers everything from the legal stuff, what to pack, who to hire, to why eloping in Juneau might be the best decision you ever make.
The Legal Stuff
Before anything else, you’ve got to get the boring stuff out of the way: the paperwork. Alaska makes this pretty painless though.
Where to get a marriage license: You'll apply for your marriage license through the Alaska Bureau of Vital Records. You can apply online in advance or in person at the Juneau Bureau of Vital Records downtown.
Waiting period: Alaska has a 3-day waiting period after you apply before the license is issued, so plan accordingly. If you’re flying in the day before your elopement or cruising to Juneau, you’ll have to do this online/by mail.
Cost: The license cost $60. If you’re applying by mail, include payment for shipping (Extra $10.50) Make sure your check has your current address on it!
Mailing Logistics: You’ll sign and notarize your license in your home state and mail it in to Juneau Bureau of Vital Records. Important: give this plenty of time because mail in Alaska can be slow! I’d recommend 30-60 days prior to your elopement.
Pick Up: Once you arrive in Juneau, pick up your license downtown. Be sure to check hours!
Validity: Your license is valid for 90 days from the date it's issued.
Officiant: You'll need a licensed/ ordained officiant, like me! If you’re exchanging private vows and need someone to sign your marriage license, I’ve got you covered. If you’d like someone to perform your ceremony, I can connect you with officiants in Juneau.
Witnesses: Alaska requires one witness at the ceremony. If it's just the two of you, no worries! We can find a witness (or my lovely husband volunteers).
Make it Official: Don’t forget to return your license to the office in person or by mail to make it real! Mailing it day of (hi, photos at the post office?!) is the best choice so you don’t have to worry about it!
Seasons
Juneau is a small city which means planning is actually pretty manageable but it also means things book up. Here's a rough framework:
Pick a Season (they all have a personality)
Summer (June–August): Long golden-hour light (we're talking 10pm sunsets), the best chance of seeing the glacier under clear skies, wildflowers everywhere. Also the busiest season with cruise ships in full swing and popular spots can get crowded midday. Optimal hiking season for summit elopements!
Shoulder season (May and September/October): Fewer people, lower prices on flights and lodging. Late September especially has gorgeous colors and weather!
Winter (October–March): Dark, dramatic, occasionally snowy, and almost entirely yours. Not for everyone, but if you want a truly wild and private experience, winter elopements here are something else.
Planning
Choose your vibe because Juneau’s got range. You can get married:
On the top of a glacier (yes, really)
In old-growth Tongass rainforest surrounded by Sitka spruce
On a mountain summit after a hike
On the shore of one of Juneau’s many beaches, mountains in the distance included
On a remote lake only accessible by floatplane
Your location should match you, not what looks best on someone else's Instagram.
A rough planning window for a smooth Juneau elopement:
6–12 months out: Book your photographer, floatplane charter (if applicable), and accommodations
3–6 months out: Secure your officiant if you need one (hi, I can do it!) and plan your ceremony details
1–2 months out: Apply for your marriage license, apply for location permits finalize vendor logistics, create contingencies + back up plans
1 week out: Confirm all bookings, check weather forecasts/hire Etsy witch, pack
Permits + Leave No Trace
Some locations in and around Juneau require permits for commercial photography or ceremonies, including areas managed by the US Forest Service and National Park Service. As your photographer, I can help you pull the necessary commercial use permits. This is especially relevant for:
Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area
Tongass National Forest backcountry
Any federal land
A really important note on leaving no trace: Alaska is beautiful for a reason. It’s wild; untouched and nature at its finest. To keep it that way, I practice (and urge all clients to prating) packing out everything you pack in. The reason these places are still this beautiful is because people take care of them.
Packing for a Juneau Elopement
Juneau is a rainforest. It's beautiful and it is wet. Here's the honest packing list:
The Non-negotiables:
Waterproof outer layer: a good rain jacket is more important than your veil. Bring both!
Waterproof boots or trail shoes: if you're hiking to your location, your feet might get wet! If you plan to wear “pretty” shoes, bring some back up ones OR wear your trail/waterproof shoes until we get to our destination. Unsolicited opinion: dressed up but wearing rainboots is such an Alaska vibe.
Layers: even in July, temperatures can swing. Plan to add and remove layers throughout the day.
Bug spray: especially in summer (I’ll have it if you need it!)
Bear spray: jusssssst in case (I’ll have it and we hope we don’t need it!)
A small dry bag for your phones, camera, and anything that can't get wet
For Your Outfit
Consider practicality alongside the suit/dress: If we’re outside, your outfits might get dirty/wet. Consider length and fit and activity when choosing these! Can you hike in it? Can you move in it? Is it heavy? Hot? Not warm enough?
Pressed flowers or a simple bouquet travel well and photograph beautifully against the landscape; if you need the name of a Juneau florist, let me know!
Extras Worth Throwing In
Sunscreen (glaciers reflect UV like a mirror)
Ice cleats/spikes if you're visiting in shoulder/winter season
A small flask of something celebratory 🍻
Snacks: because why not?
Vendors
Floatplane Charters
If you want to go somewhere truly remote, a backcountry glacier, a lake, a bay no road reaches then a floatplane charter is how you get there. Companies like SeaAlaska and Ward Air offer flights around Juneau in a floatplane. These book up fast in summer, especially with cruise ship traffic!
Officiants
Hi, it’s me! If you plan on exchanging private vows, I can sign your marriage license. if you want someone to perform your ceremony, I can help you find a local officiant and serve as your witness if you have no other guests.
Hair and Makeup
Juneau has a small but solid wedding beauty community. Book early, especially in peak season!
Charisma Salon + Esthetics is the go to but if you need a specific recommendation, I can help find what you need.
Accommodations
Air BnB/Vacation Rentals are the best way to accommodate for a comfortable stay
Silverbow Inn is great for higher end hotel accommodations downtown
Waterfront on Glacier is another high end hotel option closer to the glacier
Eloping from your Juneau Cruise Ship
Let's talk about the elephant in the harbor. Juneau is one of the most-visited cruise ports in Alaska, and in summer, up to five ships can dock on a single day, bringing thousands of visitors into a town of roughly 30,000 people. This affects elopement planning in real ways.
What this means for you if you ARE eloping from a Juneau cruise:
Time it right: Consider how long you have in port in Juneau and plan activities for that time period. Cruise ships average 8-10 hours in port in Juneau and because our capital city is smaller than the usual capital city, you can actually get a LOT done in that time.
Go early or late: Popular excursion spots like the glacier will be busiest mid-day or during excursion times, so consider a bit of a time buffer for travel to/from these locations. Consider the amount of people at these locations during excursion times too. If you’re married to (pun intended) a popular spot, I’d recommend taking advantage of Alaska’s midnight sun.
Go elsewhere: If you’re flexible with location, I’d recommend looking at spots that are a bit off the beaten path to avoid crowds. If you are flexible with location, going remote will solve all your problems! Float planes and helicopters can bring you where the people aren’t. Juneau summit elopements can too - it’ll just take us a bit to get there!
What this means for you if you’re NOT eloping from a Juneau cruise:
Pick a place: popular spots like the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center area will be busy midday on cruise ship days in the summer because of excusions. Parking, restaurants, and vendors might be full.
Check the schedule: it's publicly available online and updated regularly. Build your day around it. You can find the schedule HERE.
Go early or go late: most cruise passengers clear out by late afternoon. Closer to sunrise/sunset (or Alaska’s summer version of it) is both the prettiest light and the quietest window.
Go remote: Busier spots may have a lot of people so consider going off grid a bit. A floatplane or hike-in location takes you completely out of the cruise ship orbit. Problem solved.
How to Book
Ready to Book? Here's How to Work With Me
If you've read this far, you already know this isn't a regular wedding. You're not here for a receiving line or a centerpiece budget. You're here to actually experience your wedding day, in a place that takes your breath away, with the person you're choosing to spend your life with.
I'm Jen, a Juneau-based elopement photographer specializing in the kind of day that feels more like an adventure than an event. My work is warm, full of joy, and focused on the way things actually feel (not just how they look for the camera). I wholeheartedly reject the notion that weddings exist for social media while simultaneously acknowledging that when the day is over, all you’ll have left is the memory and the photos of the memory so they might as well be badass photos.
I take on a small number of elopements each year so I can be fully present for every single one. If you're thinking about eloping in Juneau and want someone who knows these mountains, knows the light, and genuinely loves this weird, beautiful, rainy town, I'd love to hear about your plans.
Click HERE to send me a love note and plan your day.
