This June, my second shooter & I traveled out to Anchorage, Alaska to photograph the wedding of a dear friend of mine. I had traveled up last summer to visit Meredith and her then-boyfriend Griff, and we took some of my favorite photos ever. Needless to say, I was stoked to return again and this time capture their wedding!
Their wedding was nestled in the mountains at Arctic Valley and held at a ski lodge (which can’t be used for skiing during the summer months). It was so cool being immersed in nature throughout the day. While photographing detail shots around the venue, I was accompanied by tons of ADORABLE groundhogs. And on the drive back down the mountain after the wedding, I passed 3 different black bears, one of which had 4 little baby cubs with her.
Meredith & Griff shared a sweet First Look before their wedding party joined us for photos. I’m so grateful that Meredith was an adventurous bride, because when it started sprinkling, she still decided to hold the ceremony outside against a gorgeous mountain backdrop (so worth it!). After the ceremony, guests were welcome to take the ski lift up to the very top of the mountain. I’ll admit… this was the part of the day I was most nervous about. After a panic attack on a Ferris wheel last year, I wasn’t sure how I would handle the height of the lift. However, I wasn’t scared at all, and I got some epic shots while riding up to the top. The lift took about 20 minutes to reach the top, which gave Meredith & Griff some alone time to enjoy each other and soak up the fact that they had just become husband & wife!!
Once we hopped off the lift, we still couldn’t see over the peak, so it was time to climb. I am SO impressed by Meredith climbing the mountain in her wedding dress and also with the wedding guests who ventured up in heels! The view once we cleared the top of the mountain was probably the highlight of my entire trip. In every direction were snowcapped mountaintops and cliff edges… hands-down the best wedding day backdrop of my career. Fortunately guests brought jackets & umbrellas to the top, because it was significantly colder once at the peak, and it ultimately began raining as well. I realized that my fingers had gone numb while taking the ski lift back down. Fortunately Meredith had her grandmother’s BEAUTIFUL fur that she threw on and off to stay warm.
Once at the reception, Meredith & Griff celebrated with everyone who had traveled in for the big day. They have such a large group of people who love and support them and turned the trip to Alaska into their summer vacation. It was so cute how Meredith & Griff’s nieces and nephews (the flower girls and ring bearer) doted on them throughout the day. And I teared up while watching Griff’s emotional dance with his mother. All in all, it was an AMAZING day that ended with a daylight bubble exit at 10:30pm (gotta love Alaska summers!). I’m so excited to finally be sharing these images with you all!
Venue: Arctic Valley Ski Area || Hair & Makeup: The Beauty Room || Bride’s dress: Demetrios || Bridesmaids’ dresses: Azazie || Rings: Zales || Mens’ wear: Anderson’s Bride || DJ: J&M Entertainment (Joel Benson) || Florals: Uptown Blossoms || Caterer: Sal’s New York Grill & Catering || Cake: Catered Blessings || Videographer: Frame by Frame Productions
Tied to Meredith’s bouquet was her dad’s wedding ring and the wedding rings of his family members all the way back to Meredith’s great great grandparents. I thought this was such a special touch and way to honor her father, who passed away just before Meredith moved to Alaska.
And I couldn’t help but jump in a couple shots myself. :)
- Emma Rose | UGA
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