A couple enjoying their destination wedding on Matanuska Glacier for their Alaska Glacier Wedding by destination wedding photographer, JoLynn Photography

An Alaskan Glacier Wedding | Matanuska Glacier

A summer destination wedding in the Alaskan wilderness for Casey & Jacob

I am still in awe over Casey and Jacob’s Alaskan glacier wedding outside the quaint ski town of Girdwood. Casey and Jacob made the epic trip from their home in Oklahoma to enjoy a scenic destination wedding in a place where no memories had been made yet. Just days before the historic Alaskan midnight sun, we spent the late afternoon and early evening in 20+ hours of sunlight in the Alaskan summer air, ice, cozy woods, and quiet wilderness. As a destination wedding photographer, it was a once and a lifetime experience to be able to spend time saying “I-do” on historic glacial ice.

A couple enjoying their destination wedding on Matanuska Glacier for their Alaskan Glacier Wedding by destination wedding photographer, JoLynn Photography

Casey and Jacob got ready at their nearby cozy cabin nestled in the woods before meeting me at Matanuska Glacier. For their Alaskan glacier wedding, we began our afternoon with a private tour by Mica Guides across the 27-mile historic glacier. I have photographed many “getting ready” moments in my day, but witnessing Jacob help Casey put on her ice spikes on her hiking boots under her wedding gown was a unique experience for me that I will cherish forever! Casey is a proud mom of three fur babies, and she honored their presence by wearing adorable dog mom hiking socks under her wedding gown.

As we ventured around the Matanuska Glacier, we were constantly greeted with the ever-changing sounds of the glacier. Glaciers change daily, if not hourly, and witnessing the real-time sounds they make is truly an experience. Some areas of the glacier had running melt water all around us as the summer sun chipped away at the surface. Crevasses cracked and moaned as they slowly split apart, and ice walls made popping sounds as air pockets inside the glacier were released. We were even able to capture an rare phenomenon that can occur in ice walls, a rainbow that forms inside the ice.

After our tour, we choose a quiet snow peak & ice cave overlooking the valley below us for Casey and Jacob to exchange their private vows. Afterward, they enjoyed a “toast” with granola bars in a private cove as they settled into being husband and wife for the first time. They rotated from laughter to sweet tears, and back to laughter again (me included!) throughout the afternoon.

It was an absolute blessing to be part of Casey and Jacob’s wedding, and genuinely one for the books! For more behind-the-scenes and video clips of Casey and Jacob’s special wedding day, follow me on Instagram here!

When to Have an Alaskan Glacier Wedding

Summer:
- Alaska’s summer is brief but gorgeous. Summer runs from June – August, and has 20+ hours of sunlight in what is known as the “land of the midnight sun”. If you and your partner are night owls, it is a great opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind time of year for your wedding.
- Temperatures average from the mid-70s to early 80s in the flat areas of Alaska and can dip to 40 degrees or below on glaciers and mountain tops. The weather is fairly mild with light showers scattered periodically.
Fall:
- Temperatures cool down a bit in fall and rain falls more frequently. The mountains burst with color for a vast array of stunning golden hour images.
- The daylight hours begin to decrease as the seasons shift. Fireweeds bloom in August signaling that winter is on its way.
Winter:
- Alaska’s winter doesn’t typically mirror the lower 48’s schedule. Alaska has a long winter season full of winter sports and activities that soaks up most of the calendar year. Come in early March for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the Northern lights in the darkness of the winter sky.
- Winter destination weddings are possible for couples who want to experience fun under the Alaskan winter, but be sure to bring many layers, mittens, and boots for these icy days! Daylight hours decrease to around 4 hours of sunlight depending on your location in the state, so be sure to understand how it will affect your potential activities.
Spring:
- Spring offers a mix of wintry landscapes with slightly warmer temperatures. Glacier landing without a winter coat becomes available again as daytime hours increase.