Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
When Liz and Zach told us they wanted a Palmer, Alaska elopement with a helicopter tour, you can bet we were immediately in! Having helped multiple couples elope in Alaska, we know just how special a wedding here is. But even we couldn’t have predicted just how incredible Liz and Zach’s adventure would turn out!
They worked with the amazing team at Outbound Heli to create a custom four-hour helicopter experience that took them to some of the most remote spots around Palmer. We’re talking glacier landings, waterfall overlooks, and mountain ridges where there literally aren’t any trails. Keep scrolling to see Liz and Zach’s stunning Palmer elopement and get inspired for your own Alaska adventure!
Meet Liz & Zach: The Couple of This Palmer Alaska Elopement
Zach is a flight nurse here in Washington state, and with their last name being Winter (so perfect, right?), a snowy Alaska adventure just made sense! Outbound Heli worked with them to create a custom flight pattern that checked off everything on their list. They landed on multiple glaciers (Zach even jumped in one of the glacier pools at the end!), explored waterfall overlooks, and stood on mountain ridges with jaw-dropping 360° views that make you feel like you’re on top of the world.
If there’s one thing you should know about Alaska elopements, it’s that they run on Mother Nature’s schedule, not ours! The day Liz and Zach originally planned to fly, the weather conditions weren’t safe. This is exactly why we always tell our Alaska couples to build in a buffer day (trust us on this one!). They rescheduled for the next day, and it ended up being absolutely perfect.
What Makes Alaska Different from Any Other Elopement Location
One of the coolest parts about their adventure was not just how many locations they got to explore (five, to be exact), but how some of the locations that their pilot took them to were so remote, that they were new even to us. But, that’s Alaska for you – endless mountains without names, glaciers older than you can imagine, and miles and miles of wilderness just waiting to be explored.
When you land on these remote glaciers around Palmer, there aren’t even trails or signs. Coming from Washington where we’re so used to staying on designated trails to protect the land, this felt like a whole new world. The pilot simply said, “Go explore!” and suddenly Liz and Zach were walking through wildflowers, surrounded by nothing but ice and mountains, completely alone. (Of course, we always follow the principles of Leave No Trace, they just look a little different when you’re landing on a glacier that sees only a handful of visitors each year!)
At every single landing, Liz and Zach kept looking at each other saying, “I can’t believe this is real.” And that’s what makes helicopter elopements in Alaska so special. No two are ever the same. You get to experience locations that few people have ever seen before.
After vows and champagne at their final location, Liz and Zach weren’t quite ready for the day to end, so they headed to a local brewery with Devin (their amazing Between the Pine photographer) and their Outbound Heli pilot while still in their wedding attire. This moment wasn’t originally in their timeline, but sometimes the best moments are the ones you didn’t plan for.
More Alaskan Elopement Inspiration
Ready to start dreaming up your own Alaska adventure? We’ve got you covered with tons of resources and real couple stories to help you plan!
Alaska Planning Resources:
Our complete guide covering everything from the best time to visit to how to get around, what to pack, and more.
A detailed step-by-step guide on how to get legally married in Alaska
More Alaska Elopement Inspiration:
This couple planned a beautiful two-day celebration at one of our favorite Alaskan venues – Sheep Mountain Lodge.
Day two of Jo and Mike’s elopement was all about the helicopter adventure.
This couple included some incredible Alaska elopement activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, and even an ice cave adventure!
What You Need to Know About Packages For Your Summer Alaska Elopement
When choosing to have a helicopter elopement on an Alaskan glacier, we highly recommend either our full-day or two-day elopement packages to our couples.
Our full-day Palmer, Alaska elopement package is perfect if you want to pack all the adventure into one incredible day. We’ll start with getting ready photos, then head out to explore multiple locations before your ceremony with the most jaw-dropping Alaskan backdrop.
If you want to experience everything Alaska has to offer (and build in that crucial buffer day for weather!), then we recommend our two-day Palmer, Alaska elopement package. This gives you flexibility if the weather doesn’t cooperate, plus time to really soak in the experience without feeling rushed. It’s also a great option if you’re planning to include a few guests. Click here to learn more about our packages for your Alaska elopement.
Meet Your Alaska Elopement Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your Alaska elopement photographers. Between the Pine was founded by Mollie in 2018 and she has hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Kauai, to capture couples during their best day ever. Since 2018, we’ve grown our team and continue to hire even more incredible photographers!
Our team at Between the Pine is passionate about our jobs and adventuring to the most beautiful locations to document your best day ever. From Washington’s mountains to Alaska’s glaciers, we know these areas like the back of our hands and can’t wait to help you plan and photograph your best day ever! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your Alaska elopement photographers!
Meet the Other Incredible Vendors From This Summer Elopement in Alaska
Photographer: Between the Pine
Helicopter: Outbound Heli
Hair & Makeup: Ann Timss
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