Life in Alaska,  Real Alaskan Weddings

Melissa|Chris – Married!

March 16, 2020 /

Just like every wedding day, there is always a story to tell. The photographer tells your story through the moments captured by their camera. Erica Rose did a beautiful job capturing this love story…the love story of Melissa & Chris’s wedding day!

It was December 31, 2019, and the temperature outside was almost 40 degrees which is a little unheard of here in Anchorage. We had a late winter and if I recall, summer was a bit strange too, with temperatures hitting the 90’s in some areas. Thank you global warming! Melissa and Chris’s wedding was to take place on January 4, 2020, in Girdwood, Alaska. Melissa had always dreamed of having a white, snowy, Alaska wedding day and we weren’t quite sure if we were going to get it because everything around us was starting to turn to slush and melting. It was like “break up” but in January! But the weather Gods blessed us that wedding day and Melissa’s wish came true, we got snow and plenty of it!

The ladies got ready at a local B&B in Girdwood, getting their hair and makeup done and just spending good old fashion girl time together. Melissa wore a beautiful dress from Bateau Bridal Boutique and she had so many details to complement her wedding dress. From the hanger that the dress was on, to her pink Sarto by Franco Sarto shoes, to her veil, to her stole. The ladies had special flannel shorts and Melissa got to rock her “Wifey” t-shirt!

While the ladies were getting dolled up at their B&B, the guys were having their “bro time!” I love how they all showed up for pics in their Xtratufs! Talk about being coordinated to a T!

The first look was taken at the top of Mt. Alyeska where they were surrounded by snow and clouds. Chris saw Melissa for the first time and I’m pretty sure she took his breath away!

After they finished the first look, the couple joined the rest of the wedding party to take photos. They were troopers for sure, as it was COLD! I remember Melissa showing up at the Chapel with red hands and shivering. As soon as Erica said that they were done, they all ran back to their cars and Erica caught this funny #bts moment! Here’s the before and after the release! LOL!

Meanwhile, as the wedding party was taking photos, I was busy getting ready for the ceremony at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows and the reception at Alyeska Resort. The decor was minimal at the Chapel because it’s such a beautiful space so you don’t have to do much when it comes to decorating it. In this case, simple was the way to go!

Once the ceremony was over, the guests headed to Alyeska Resort where the reception was being held in Kahiltna Court. It’s a lovely room, to begin with, but we enhanced it by adding string lights, white floor-length linen with blue napkins, and X back chairs that were brought in from Special Events Alaska. Dallas with Bloomsbury Blooms created three different tablescapes on the tables itself with moss, candles, flowers, and greenery.

The details for this wedding were very thought out by Melissa and her mother. It was very personal, from the welcome boxes that the guests received at check-in, to the wedding signs, to the wedding favors, which were customized mugs for the hot chocolate bar. There were foam glow sticks for the late-night dancing, a dessert bar with a small two-tiered cake, cupcakes and personalized Hershey chocolate bars. There was also a photo booth where guests used the photo they took to put in the guest book, a box for advice to the couple, and a sparkler send off!

This was truly a magical day from the start to finish!

And on a side note, I have to say this was by far the smoothest wedding day I’ve ever had, hands down! Thank you to all the amazing vendors who made this happen and thank you for always being a pleasure to work with!