How to Elope in Seward, Alaska

Beautiful blue waters, huge glaciers, and towering tree-covered mountains make Seward, Alaska the perfect place for any wedding day. Whether you want to spend your day whale watching in Resurrection Bay or hiking up some of Seward’s impressive mountains, there’s plenty to do and see – it’s no wonder so many couples choose to elope in Seward! From setting a date to getting legally married in Alaska, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about planning your elopement.

The Best Time to Elope in Seward

With the extreme changes in daylight hours and especially cold climate in Alaska, deciding when you elope will make such a big difference in how your day looks. Different seasons bring different weather, crowds, and experiences, so let’s talk a little bit about each of them! 

The longest days come in the summer – the days can be almost 19 hours long, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the warmer weather! Summer is the warmest season in Seward – but don’t expect to spend your days swimming at the beach. The high temperatures usually stay in the low 60s, so it’s great weather for hiking or looking for orcas in the Pacific. Nice weather brings in tourists from all over who want to experience the beauty that Seward has to offer so to avoid the crowds, shoot for a weekday elopement or plan to have your ceremony at sunrise or sunset.

If you elope in Seward in the winter, get ready for below-freezing temperatures and long nights. Alaska experiences the longest nights in the U.S. – daylight hours can be as short as 6 hours in December! The average high temperatures in the winter hover just around freezing, so you’ll want to layer up to keep warm. This guide will give you some tips on what to wear!

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds of summer and the heavy snowfall of winter, late spring and early fall are great times to elope in Seward. It typically stays above freezing, but weather can be a little unpredictable – so be prepared!

The Best Places to Elope in Seward

On the Gulf of Alaska and surrounded by incredible mountain ranges, Seward has a lot to offer when it comes to finding an elopement location. Whether you want to take a boat ride on the Pacific or take a hike to some of the most jaw-dropping views you’ll ever see, here are the best places to elope in Seward!

Sailboat + Helicopter

Take a scenic helicopter flight over Resurrection Bay to beautiful Thumb Cove where you will have your ceremony, picnic, and cake on the shoreline. After getting married you will sail back to Seward.

Fox Island

12 miles off the shore of Seward, in the heart of Resurrection Bay, lies a picturesque island with rocky beaches and beautiful mountain peaks – Fox Island elopement is perfect for any couple who wants their wedding day to be full of adventure! Whether you want to say your vows on the highest peak with 360-degree views or on the edge of a blue lagoon, Fox Island is secluded and can make any elopement feel like a dream!

Kenai Fjords National Park

Get up close and personal with impressive glaciers at Kenai Fjords National Park! 60 percent of the park is covered in snow and ice, giving you a spectacular winter wonderland all year long, and one of the best places to elope in Seward. Have your ceremony on the banks of a rushing river of ice or take a short hike to have your ceremony at the incredible Exit Glacier. Whatever you choose, Kenai Fjords National Park is the perfect place to make your elopement adventure unforgettable!

A Cabin

Another fun elopement location in Seward can be at a cute cabin or Airbnb! There are plenty of adorable A-frames, cozy cottages, and everything from tiny homes for two to chalets that can host you and some guests! If you want to tie the knot at a cabin or Airbnb, here are a few ideas for places in Seward:

• Blue Door A Frame

• Cottage With Ocean View

• Cheerful Chalet

• Rustic Domestead

Getting Legally Married When You Elope in Seward

Choosing your location is the fun part, but there’s a little paperwork to go over – here’s what you’ll need to do to make your marriage official when you elope in Alaska!

To get your marriage license, you’ll need to send an application with the $60 license fee to the clerk’s office in Seward. You can drop off your application in person, mail it, or fax it in – just know there’s a 3 business day waiting period for your license after the office has your application and payment in hand. After the 3 day waiting period, you can pick up your license for your ceremony!

Now that you know how to get your license, you’ll need to find an officiant and two witnesses for your ceremony. But don’t worry – if you’re eloping without any guests and you want a private experience, we can provide that for you!

Things to Do When You Elope in Seward

Make your elopement day more than just a ceremony, make it an adventure! The rugged landscapes of Seward offer the perfect place for any elopement adventure – on land or even on water. Your wedding day should be unique, so if you want to say “I do” on a boat in the Gulf of Alaska or have a moose photo-bomb your elopement photos (from a distance), we can plan an adventure that you’ll never forget. 

Take a Boat

If you want to have an intimate, unique wedding day, take a private boat out to the waters of Resurrection Bay to see captivating beaches and the most scenic spots that aren’t easily accessible on land. Say your vows under towering sea stacks or kayaking in Seward Harbor, celebrate your love with a luxury picnic on the Pacific, or “reel in” your marriage with a fishing excursion. Whatever your adventure looks like, we’ll make sure you have the best day ever!

Go Hiking

Seward has plenty of hikes for adventurers of any skill level – from short coastal trails to a day trip through the alpine ridges of Alaska, you’ll find the perfect adventure for your day. You can spot the wildlife and take in the scenery while saying “I do,” then end your day with a gourmet picnic with a view.

See the Wildlife

Seward is bursting with a vibrant assortment of wildlife! On land, you’ll spot bears, moose, and mountain goats, and the waters are full of otters, seals, and even pods of whales. You can take a whale watching tour or head to the SeaLife Center in town to get up close and personal with a sea lion or giant octopus – the possibilities are endless for checking out the wildlife in Seward!

Seward Elopement Packages

As Seward elopement planners, it’s our goal to make sure your elopement is stress-free and everything you ever dreamed about! Our Seward elopement packages are specially curated just for you – from location recommendations to timeline planning, we’ll be there every step of the way to plan an elopement that’s as unique as your love!

If you’re ready to plan your wedding day or want to chat more about our Seward elopement packages, contact us, and we can talk about planning a wedding day that’s full of adventure, and all about your wild hearts.