Bernadette & Ernest – An Alaska Destination Wedding
During the summer of 2022, Bernadette and Ernest reached out to me for assistance in planning their dream wedding. The attraction of exploring Alaska, and their desire to celebrate their special day with 40 of their nearest and dearest, led them to having a destination wedding in Alaska. Our venue search spanned from Girdwood to Moose Pass to Seward, to try and find that perfect fit for them and ultimately selecting the dreamy, Raven Glacier Lodge (aka “my happy place”) in Girdwood, Alaska. Now, let’s delve into some highlights from this “Bridgerton” meets “Twilight” destination wedding!
Overall Decor
If you’ve visited Raven Glacier Lodge, you’ll recognize that minimal decor is needed on the part of the clients, given the inherent beauty of the venue. Nestled on private grounds, the lodge is surrounded by lush green Birch trees, boasts a well-maintained lawn, features an intimate ceremony space by the pond, a riverside fire pit, and a covered deck for your reception. Kasara from The Teal Door built an intricate wedding arch for the ceremony area, complemented by benches rented from A Touch of Saige. Tables were set with pastel-colored candles and flowers in petite bud vases, beige cheesecloth runners, and white linen. Subtle touches of gold were incorporated through the taper candle holders, napkin rings, and seating cards.
Unique Touches
Who knew disposable cameras would stage a comeback at weddings? Well, they did, and I loved the twist they put on it! Each table had a checklist of must-capture moments turning it into a fun game for all the guests and also kept them occupied while the wedding party finished up their photos.
When hosting a wedding with lots of little ones, I think it’s important to think about them too! That’s why I will always say “yes” for either kid’s gift bags or, in this instance, a dedicated Kid’s Activity table. We designated a table where the children could engage in coloring and play games. It’s so easy to put one together, and I often recommend my clients visit Target or Michael’s to explore the dollar bins, where they can find various toys for kids at a reasonable price point. Another option is to order from Amazon. Some of my favorites to include would be stickers, coloring books, puzzles, and glow sticks.
The Food
Simply put, the food was and always is ahhhhmazing, and made with a lots of LOVE! Cathy, the owner of Raven Glacier Lodge, prepares everything from scratch and presents a variety of Alaskan entrees such as Moose Meatballs, Chowder, and Baked Salmon and Halibut! It is a wonderful way for guests to experience a little taste of Alaska!
The Weather
As I always emphasize to my clients, predicting the weather in Alaska is quite unpredictable. Lo and behold, this wedding day was marked by constant rain! However, these Californians had the best attitude, which truly made this wedding day so special. Instead of dwelling on the persistent rain, they approached it with resilience and even embraced the situation. As the saying goes, “Rain on your wedding day is good luck!”
Vendor Credits:
Caterer/Desserts – Raven Glacier Lodge
Ceremony/Reception Location – Raven Glacier Lodge
Decor Rentals – Ceremony Benches – A Touch of Saige
DJ – Ondago DJ Entertainment
Dress – LUV Bridal (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Florals – The Teal Door
Hair & Makeup – The Beauty Room – Lauren
Photographer – Chugach Peaks Photography – Monica Whitt
Planner – i do Events
Videographer – Josh Vassar Films
Need a wedding planner for your wedding? I’d love to help, contact me so we can check your date!