Anchorage, Mat-Su, Girdwood Area

Once you have your marriage license you can get married anywhere in the state! We travel to many different locations.

Where you have your wedding will depend on what you want and how many people are attending.  Below, we have listed a few places that we have used in the past. All of these sites offer scenic views and many are within 30 minuets of downtown Anchorage.  Most of these places do not charge a fee for small wedding services.  If you are planning a large wedding, you will need to make arrangements with the facility managers.

There are many, many other places in Alaska to get married that are not on this list.  This list is intended to give you ideas!

Alyeska Resort - Girdwood

At Alyeska, you can take the tram up to the top of Mt. Alyeska and have beautiful views of the Turnagain Arm, glaciers, and rugged mountains. Alyeska also offers a reception area if you are planning a large wedding.  The tram costs about $14 - $16 per person.
To arrange your wedding and/or reception at this facility, please call the facility coordinator at: 907-754-2213. Their website is: http://www.alyeskaresort.com/

Driving Directions
To find Alyeska, head out of downtown on Minnesota (L Street) or New Seward (Gambell) south.  Follow Minnesota (south and then east, following the curve in the road) until you reach the New Seward Highway.  (Minnesota will become O’Malley Road and there will be an exit for the New Seward Highway one block past the Old Seward Highway.) 
Follow the New Seward Highway and proceed south along the Turnagain Arm for approximately 40 miles.  Turn left on to the Alyeska Highway at mile 90 along the Seward Highway (A Tesoro Gas Station and Mini-Mall are on left). Follow this road approximately 3 miles until you reach the large Alyeska Resort sign. Turn left onto Arlberg.  Arlberg winds around for one mile ending up at The Alyeska Prince Hotel and Resort .

Anchorage Overlook - Glen Alps

From the Anchorage overlook, you can see across the inlet to Mt. Susitna.  You can also view most of the Anchorage area.  There is a $5 parking fee. There are some sunset pictures available here: http://www.castleministries.com/anchorageoverlook.htm

Arctic Valley – Alpenglow

For incredible Chugach Range views, Alpenglow has a chairlift available for mountain top ceremonies.  They also have a lodge availalbe for indoor weddings and receptions.  Contact the facilities manager for lodge rental availability: 907-346-4098 Their website is: http://www.skialpenglow.com/lodgerentals.html

Directions
Alpenglow lodge is located at Mile 7 of Arctic Valley Road, just 1 mile past the Muldoon Exit of the Glenn Highway when coming from Anchorage. From Eagle River and the Valley, take the Fort Richardson Exit and turn left. Follow the frontage road to Arctic Valley Road.

Bird Point

Bird Point has a boarded walkway that leads out toward the inlet.  It is surrounded by mountains and has a great view of the inlet.  It also offers a covered pavilion that can be used if the weather is bad. Parking is $5. There are pictures available here:  http://www.castleministries.com/birdpoint.htm

Driving Directions
Follow the New Seward Highway (Gambell St.) south until you leave town.  The last road in town is Rabbit Creek Road.  From Rabbit Creek Road continue following the Seward highway approximately 22 miles south.  The Bird Point turn off will be on the right, past Bird Creek and Bird Creek Campground.  There is a sign for the turn out. If you come to the Girdwood and Alyeska Resort cutoff you have gone too far.

Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows - Girdwood

The Chapel is set in a small mountain community, jut past the Alyeska resort in Girdwood. The rich natural beauty of Girdwood mountains, forests and streams surrounds the chapel.  The Chapel can seat 108 people. You may also consider renting the lower level, The Meadows Community Hall, for your reception. The hotel and several other wonderful Girdwood restaurants are available to cater your event.  To arrange your wedding and/or reception at this facility, please call: 907-783-1171. Their website is:  http://www.chapelourladyofthesnows.org/index.html

Botanical Gardens

A beautiful flower garden with paths that wind through the 110 acre setting.  The garden is free to stroll through, but for a wedding and/or receptions you will need to make arrangements with the facility manager at: 907-770-3692.  Their website is: http://www.alaskabg.org/
Directions:
The Garden is located at 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road in Anchorage, Alaska. Parking is available in the Benny Benson School parking lot north of the Garden entrance.  From the Seward Highway take the Tudor Road exit. Drive east toward the Chugach Mountain range about 3.5 miles. Turn right (south) on Campbell Airstrip Rd. (the intersection has a traffic light). Take the second driveway on the left that leads to the Benny Benson School and Alaska Botanical Garden parking lot. The garden entrance is on the south side of the parking lot. 
You can also take the city bus to the gardens. Take bus 75 from the Downtown Transit Center to the Garden, or Bus 1 from the Dimond Center to the Garden.

Hatchers Pass - Independance Mine

Located up on the Talkeetna Mountain Range, Hatchers pass is a trip back into history.  Spectacular views. Parking fee $5.  Their Website: http://www.hatcherspass.org/

Directions:
Take the Glenn Highway from South Anchorage. There is an exit for Palmer at the Parks Highway intersection.  Two miles past the city of Palmer, turn left on Palmer-Fishhook Road, which becomes the Hatcher Pass Road. The Hatcher Pass Management Area is 10 miles from downtown Palmer; Independence Mine is 18 miles from Palmer.

Kincaid Park

Kincaid Park is situated among 1,400 acres of rolling, forested hills and beautiful scenery and offers  spectacular view of Mt. Susitna across Cook Inlet; Fire Island to the Southwest; both Mt. Denali and Mt. Foraker to the North; and arguably, the best sunsets in Anchorage! Many species of wildlife roam free within the park. The park is free to roam through, but if you want to have an indoor wedding and/or a reception, you will need to contact the facility manager at: 907-343-6397  Their website is: http://www.muni.org/parks/ParkDistrictSW.cfm

Directions:
From Airport: Take Int'l Airport Rd. to Minnesota, go south to Raspberry Rd. exit. Follow Raspberry Road toward the inlet and behind the airport.  The road will become a dirt road.  Keep going until you come to the end of the road.  From downtown, turn onto 'L' street and follow it past the airport until you come to the Raspberry road exit. ('L' Street becomes Minnesota Blvd.) Then follow the directions above.

Matanuska Glacier Park

Matanuska Glacier is a 27 mile long glacier.  You will be able to see it along the highway before you reach the Glacier park. From the Glacier park, you can walk right out onto the glacier!  Their phone number is:  907-745-2534 or toll free 888-253-4480 Their website is: http://www.matanuskaglacier.com/AboutGlacier.htm

McHugh Creek

McHugh Creek is about 6.5 miles south of Anchorage along the Seward Highway.  It has outhouses and a covered area.  It has a hiking trail that will take you right by the creek area.  There is a very nice waterfall that can be viewed from the main area, or you can hike up the trail to a nice viewing area of the creek. The main area is handicapped accessible and the upper parking area has a fee of $5. If you want to camp there, there are campsites available for a fees of $10 - $15 per night.

Directions:
Follow the Seward Highway south out of town for about 6.5 miles.  McHugh Creek will be on the left hand side of the road. 

O'Malley's on the Green

O'Malley's on the Green offers breathtaking views of Mt. McKinley, downtown Anchorage, and the Chugach Mountain Range. To arrange your wedding and/or reception at this facility, please call: 907-522-3322 or toll free 888-316-3072  Webiste: http://www.alyeskaresort.com/page.asp?intNodeID=10862
Directions:
From the Airport drive east on International Airport Road for approximately 1.5 miles to Minnesota Boulevard. Turn right (south) on Minnesota. Follow Minnesota (south and then east following the curve in the road) until you reach the New Seward Highway. Minnesota becomes O'Malley Road at this point. Follow this road for approximately 2 miles until you reach the Anchorage Golf Course sign on the left hand side of the road. Turn left and you will be driving towards the Clubhouse. 

From the New Seward Highway take the O'Malley Road exit and head East (toward the mountains) and follow the road for about 2 miles until you reach the Anchorage Golf Course sign on the left hand side of the road. Turn left and you will be driving towards the Clubhouse.

Portage Glacier

Although Portage glacier has receded, there are a few other glaciers like – Explorer Glacier and Middle Glacier – that can be seen at the right during the six-mile drive to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center beside Portage Lake. There are many spots along the six mile journey to portage that would make a great back drop for any wedding photos.  Just past the visitors center the road continues through a tunnel.  On the other side is a parking area that also offers great views of the glaciers. There is a visitor center located at Portage. The visitors center phone number is: 907-783-2326 and their website is http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/chugach_pages/bbvc.html
Directions:
Follow the New Seward Highway south until you reach the Portage Glacier turn off.  The turn off for Portage Valley Road and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is located approximately 50 miles south of Anchorage. Turn onto Portage Valley Road and go approximately 5 miles to the end. Follow the sign to the Visitor center. The visitor center is before the tunnel. (If you continue on the road, through the tunnel, you will come to a pay toll to go through the mountain to Whittier.)