Now that you have decided upon an Alaska destination wedding ceremony in Juneau, Alaska, you are more than likely wondering “what do we do now?” What follows are some important informational tidbits and web sites (that you can click and connect with) that should help with planning your wedding or if you prefer eloping in Alaska. In addition, we have provided contact info for hair & make up, along with examples of flowers and cakes. A lot of information is on this page and hopefully it will be helpful and not overwhelming. If there is anything else, you are concerned about (we love getting questions) please email us for additional information at alaskaweddings@gci.net.
What does Juneau and the surrounding areas of Southeast Alaska look like?
Check these sites: www.hickerphoto.com/photos/juneau-alaska-pictures.htm and www.wildnatureimages.com/Juneau.htm
Need to know what there is to do and where to stay when in Juneau?
We highly recommend the following website:
Also check out Alaska’s Capital Inn, just two blocks up from downtown Juneau. Website: http://www.alaskacapitalinn.com
Photographers:
We work with several different photographers. We will share their Facebook and/or website addresses so you can see their individual styles of photography. You can then contact them directly to arrange for their services as they will want to discuss details with you. Let us know if you need additional information regarding your wedding package.
Video Services:
Goll Media is a local Juneau videography company that wants to capture your day here in Juneau, so you won’t forget a second of it. During the day of your ceremony, I will be there to capture every moment you want in the final video. This includes your arrival and/or departure of Juneau if it is on the same day. I am always happy to make adjustments or add to your video package just let me know what you need.
Take a look at my website to see my past work and pricing – www.gollmedia.com
Nick Goll – Goll Media
Catering services:
We recommend three caterers in Juneau:
- Breeze In, with information available at: https://breezein.com/catering_options/
- Chez Alaska, with information available at: https://www.chezalaska.com/party-ideas/
- Hanger on the Wharf, with information available at: http://www.hangaronthewharf.com/catering
Making Ceremony Reservations.
Reservations are accepted any time from 4 days to 1 year in advance of a wedding.
A $250 deposit or 10% of the total package price (whichever is greater) is required to book a reservation, with the exception of the Taku Lodge package which may also require an additional $320 per person deposit. The remaining balance is due at least 30 days prior to your wedding date. Accepted forms of payments: Discover Card, Master Card, or Visa.
Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you a list of 20-25 questions via email. With your responses to our questions, we will prepare a draft itinerary in relation to the wedding package you select. All of us can then use the draft itinerary to work out any other details so that long before you come to Juneau, you will know exactly the services we are providing, and we will know your expectations. All in an effort to prevent any surprises once you get to Juneau.
Marriage Licenses.
Obtaining an Alaska marriage license is the sole responsibility of the couple getting married. Information regarding a license can be obtained by clicking on: State of Alaska marriage license Please note the office is not open on weekends, state, and/or federal holidays but, licenses still be obtained through the mail, we can tell you how this needs to be handled.
Generally speaking, here is how the marriage application process works: Bride and/or groom needs to download the marriage license application using the above website and fill it out. If you will be visiting Juneau on a weekday (that is not a federal or state holiday) the form does not need to be signed as you will do that when picking it up in Juneau.
When mailing the application, please use the Juneau address and include a payment of $60 or whatever the form states. We recommend mailing the application 30-45 days before your wedding day. By doing so, you will meet/exceed the 3-day waiting period requirement. As for getting the license when in Juneau, those of our wedding packages that include ground transportation, will also include a stop at the marriage license (Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics) office. For those wedding packages that do not include ground transportation (simple ceremonies & Father of the Bride I) you will need to pick up the license via cab/taxi (the office is 7 miles from the cruise ship docks) prior to the wedding ceremony.
After the wedding ceremony is over and appropriate signatures have been applied to the license, our wedding officiant will file the license back at the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics office.
To obtain a certified copy of the marriage license, a second form (that is provided along with the marriage license) will need to completed. The second form can be completed at the time you pick up the license or when you get home and costs $30. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Some of our packages include a Gift certificate for one of three Alaska Heirloom Marriage Certificates. To help decide which one you may want please visit: www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/bvs/heirloom_marriage/
What to wear?
This is entirely up to you; just take into consideration the ceremony location.
Helicopter companies provide boots and rain gear for glacier weddings. You might consider bringing a coat, shawl/wrap as temps on a glacier range between 40° – 60°.
Need help with wedding accesories – dresses, tuxes, etc? Please go to http://alaskanflorist.com/
Hair and make-up consultation: With your deposit, we will share with you a list of hair, make-up, and tanning salons in Juneau.
Gratuities: Unless your wedding group is 6 or more people, we don’t insist on a gratuity however, tips are greatly appreciated if the service you receive is worthy.
Additional Fees.
5% sales tax on all goods and services will be added to the total amount due.
3% will be charged to cover fees – accessing docks, airport parks, insurance, and other miscellaneous items.
Weather:
Juneau is located in a Temperate Rainforest climate, so it does rain occasionally which is why it is so green here. After many years and despite our best efforts, we have learned that “weather” is the one thing we can’t control. We therefore recommend that you come prepared as temperatures range in the 50s-60s Fahrenheit/10-15.56 Celsius. If these temperatures seem cool to you, you might consider bringing a warm jacket that can easily be taken off for photos. Temperatures on the glacier can be 10f/5.6c cooler. Please note, we are in no way trying to dissuade anyone from wearing a wedding dress, suit, or tux, this is your special day, and you can dress anyway you want. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the weather.
If an outdoor wedding location is canceled due to weather, the ceremony can be held at the Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure location. Additional costs will be incurred due to the entrance fee at the Gardens, ground transportation, etc. In the case of a flight cancellation, we will refund the cost of the Taku Glacier Lodge seaplane & meal, or the cost of the helicopter associated with a Helicopter Glacier wedding package, less any additional fees.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
• Cancellations in advance of Full Payment having been paid are not charged and the deposit less $150 and any special purchases already incurred by the Wedding Coordinator, will be returned.
• Cancellations made after full payment has been paid or within 31 days of the wedding date will result in forfeiture of the full deposit and in addition to any special purchases already incurred by the Wedding Coordinator.
• Cancellations within 14 days of the ceremony date or “No Shows” will result in forfeiture of all money paid.
• Failure of the wedding couple or their representative to follow instructions (provided by Alaska Weddings On Ice) needed to secure the wedding location or other crucial components for the wedding, will result in full forfeiture of the deposit and any special purchases already incurred by the Wedding Coordinator.
Flowers: Here are a few examples of Wildflower bouquets, Custom bouquets, single presentation roses, and their matching boutonnieres. Please note that our florists “take artistic freedom” when making each wildflower bouquet including requests from brides, so no two bouquets are alike. Flowers that may be included in a Wildflower bouquet include some or all of the following, provided they are available on your wedding day.
- Alstroemeria in colors yellow, white, brown, & pink
- Dasies in colors white & yellow
- Iriese in colors blue & purple
- Lilies in colors yellow, white, orange, & pink
- Star Gazer in colors pink & white
If you prefer a custom bouquet or have something special in mind, please go to https://alaskanflorist.com/weddings/alaskaweddings.html
Wedding Cakes: If you have chosen a wedding package with cake, here are a few photos of how couples decorated their cakes.
