Would you believe me if I told you this multi-day elopement was completely swapped around just 24 hours before?

When it comes to September and Alaska, the weather can be unpredictable — especially the further you get into the month. This goes with any part of the state! The day before their elopement, my helicopter pilot colleague texted me to ask if we could move things around to give them the best helicopter elopement experience.

A quick text to Brittany & Zane, and with their flexible attitude, we had a new game plan: swap the elopement days straight across. Day 1 would become Day 2 and vice versa. And it couldn’t have worked out better!

Getting Ready

Their Airbnb was nestled on a lake just outside of Seward and made for the perfect ceremony spot, so we didn’t have to go far! The most special people in their lives made the trek from across the continent to Alaska to witness their heartfelt ceremony that resulted in many tears (including the couple, myself, and all their 10ish guests).

Brittany & Zane wanted their first look at each other to be as B walked up to the ceremony, but the bride did make time for a first look with her dad and brother (who officiated).

Ceremony & Celebration

We love a short and sweet ceremony, especially with the couple decides to read their personal vows later on in the day for a bit more privacy. Their entire ceremony lasted roughly 5-10 minutes, and included a beautiful ring-warming blessing, where their family passed around the couple’s rings and imbued well wishes into them as they also spoke them out loud.

After some quick family portraits, it was time to light up a joint 🌱💨 and party.

Helicopter Adventure

Arguably my favorite part of the day was B&Z’s helicopter adventure. It was just because we got to fly with one of my favorite heli outfitters and take in sights I knew these two would be floored by, but because I got to see more of Brittany & Zane’s funny, smart, and kind personalities come out. These two skipped perfectly shaped rocks on an iceberg lagoon (who can say they’ve done that?!) and ribbed each other when Zane slipped on the soft hillside ground cover.

Their personal vows were shared on a mountaintop overlooking an iceberg lagoon where we had landed only 30 minutes prior.

With time for one more landing and adventure, we crossed Resurrection Bay up into Unlikely Valley, where pristine blue alpine lakes, rugged hanging glaciers, and Autumn color really showed off.

And that was just Day 1. Scroll down for Day 2 with their water taxi adventure to rocky sea spires, a lone iceberg, abundant wildlife, and killer shots from the air.

Seward Water Taxi

We couldn’t depart Seward without a little water adventure. This bay is one of the most northern locations that remains ice-free through the winter and historically was a crucial supply shipping destination. We passed headlands where WWII lookouts were manned, out nearly to sea to experience sea spires, bald eagles, sea otters, icebergs, falcons, and more.

Imagine spending the time, just the two of you, pulling in chunks of iceberg to examine, catching glimpses of sea otters everywhere you went, and getting to watch two majestic eagles perching on a sea stack.

You just can’t get that with a wedding and a bunch of guests who have every opinion about how your wedding day should be.