Elopements

Glamping Elopement Near Hatcher Pass With Lulu’s Tents

Imagine deciding to elope just the two of you, in the last frontier – Alaska. This couple during this styled glamping elopement in Alaska got ready separately at a cozy cabin, where they each wrote their vows, and then headed off for their ceremony on a cliffside (featuring an alpine lake) in Hatcher Pass. Afterward, they stayed at a glamping site to celebrate and got cozy by the fire…

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Planning an Alaska Glamping Elopement at Lulus Tents

Photography by Hotzel Photography

“A permit is not required to elope at Lulus Tents & Events glamping site. It is private property.

Regarding LNT, the best rule of thumb is to stay on designated trails and marked areas. In the summer months, there is a lot of foliage and plant life like Fireweed growing in Hatcher Pass and other areas of Alaska. It’s important to be mindful of where you step so that you don’t harm the natural landscape and spread out if you have guests present. Fortunately, Hatcher Pass is primarily a lot of rolling hills and low-level grass/foliage, making it easy to adventure around. A popular area in Hatcher Pass is the Hatcher Pass Lodge. While a permit isn’t required for photography or ceremonies here, it is private property, so you will want to contact the lodge for permission to host a ceremony or photograph on the property.

A permit is required for photographing wedding ceremonies in Hatcher Pass, due to the commercial nature of the services being provided.

If you plan to use an arbor or some kind of arch for the ceremony, it will need to be pre-approved by the permit office. You can contact them here >> [email protected]” [Gabriela, the photographer]

Check out our Alaska elopement packages.

Top Tips When Eloping Near Hatcher Pass

Here are Gabriela’s top tips for eloping in Alaska:

Bring appropriate footwear like hiking shoes or boots (there’s lots of uneven ground and loose gravel) Some trails are also more intense than others and steep, so good shoes are a must!
When there’s rain, which is quite common in Alaska, the terrain can become pretty muddy and the air can be very foggy, so be sure to bring clear umbrellas! Rain is common even in the summer months.
You may also want to consider renting a 4×4 vehicle since a lot of the roads are unpaved in Hatcher Pass
Embrace the weather! It can change at the drop of a hat, so be ready to embrace whatever comes and enjoy the experience!
For winter elopements, dress warmly! Bring along lots of layers, winter boots, hand warmers, and take breaks in the car to warm up. Maybe take a coffee shop break or a lodge stop as part of the experience to get warm and cozy up by a fire
Bug spray is your friend in the warmer months! There are mosquitos!
Bear spray during bear season
Palmer, AK is the closest nearby town and is a great place to stay! Palmer is about an hour from Anchorage and Hatcher Pass is only about 30 minutes from Palmer.
Anchorage International is the closest airport to Hatcher Pass

Why We Love This Styled Session

“What I loved about this session is that we were able to experience some of the best parts of Alaska in one day. Hatcher Pass is a popular location, but for good reason! We also visited a nearby glamping site which was right along the Knik river. Lulu’s Tents is such a great place for post-elopement fun or a pre-elopement experience. I loved that this session really showcased what an all-day elopement experience could look like.” [Gabriela, the photographer]

Estimated Cost of This Elopement

“I recommend for couples to budget $5k-10k depending on several factors like how many vendors they would like to involve, how far they are traveling to get to Alaska, and what excursions they might like to include. Like a helicopter experience, wildlife adventure, glacier trek, boat trip, etc.” [Gabriela, the photographer]

Learn more about elopement costs.

Details We Love About This Elopement

“I loved the simplicity and minimalism of this elopement. The couple still experienced adventures and beautiful landscapes, without a lot of decor or distraction. I find the location itself to be the best “details” and I think those were showcased well by this elopement. The florals were simple and added a delicate touch. The bride & groom’s attire was also simple and accented the scene beautifully. Getting ready in a cabin I think fit the vibe well and tied in perfectly. And I really loved that they were able to celebrate and enjoy each other in an adventurous glamping experience. Even the flat lay was designed with minimalism in mind.” [Gabriela, the photographer]

Final Words of Advice From The Photographer

“Whether you are flying or driving in, give yourself at least two days to get settled and rest. This will allow you time to get grounded and begin enjoying and exploring beautiful Alaska! You may experience a time change and could be jet-lagged. In the summer months, the sun doesn’t truly “set.” It may not get low in the sky until 11 pm or midnight! In the winter months, the days are incredibly short. Daylight can be limited to 4-5 hours, so it’s important to make time to arrive early and get adjusted to the unusual light that Alaska presents. If you arrive early, you can be completely refreshed, settled, and ready for adventure on the big day!

Random side note, Anchorage and Palmer have a lot of cute, drive-thru coffee shops. They’re virtually on every corner! Make sure you make a stop at one. The menu often has lots more than just coffee too!

Make your Alaska elopement more than just your vows. Make it a memory and an experience that you can share together for a lifetime! Explore, adventure, and roam. Choose a photographer that’s down for a good time and wants to help you create a meaningful day.” [Gabriela, the photographer]

Vendors

Photography | Hotzel Photography

Models | Andrea: @xmissandreav + Brian: @brian_reinwald

Glamping Venue & Day of Coordination | Say Yes Alaska (Laura) + Lulus Tents & Events (Laura)

Florals | Elan Florals (Hannah)

Dress Rental | Dalliance Gown Rentals

Hair Stylist | Ema Rose Hair Studio

Makeup Artist | Cathy Vang

Invitation Designer | Honest Calligraphy

Officiant | Celtic Ministries (Branden)

Videographer | Sorril Media Videography (Krista)