A Conversation with Alaskan Wedding Photographer, Lauren Roberts

I had the greatest pleasure to sit down and to talk to one of my favorite people in the wedding industry: Alaskan wedding photographer, Lauren Roberts. 

I first came across Lauren at the end of the 2020 wedding season after she took photos for a couple I worked with. There was one photo that I couldn’t stop looking at in her collection of photos that day - it was of two people in an embrace. I’m guessing it was the father of the bride. The raw emotion she captured in his face blew me away and I knew I wanted to know and follow Lauren. 

Since then I’ve hired her to do two photo shoots for me. I have not only been over the moon about my photos but working with her behind the camera was a powerful experience. I felt seen and accepted and completely taken care of. 

Alaskan Wedding Photographer, Lauren Roberts Photography

On being photographed

The fear of being a little shy and awkward in front of a lens makes me nervous. But in Lauren’s hands the task of getting photographed becomes an absolute joy.

We talked at length about this aspect of wedding photography. Do you have to innately feel comfortable in front of a camera? Or is it the photographer’s job to help you create ease and thus natural and relaxed looking photos? Definitely the latter, says Lauren. In fact she teaches other photographers this skill. It is a skill that the photographer brings to the table.

I get to look at a lot of wedding photographs. Photographers are so generous in sharing their work with me so I can add photos of my floral work to my portfolio. 

I can see in the photos what couples are coached on feeling comfortable and which ones are left to their own devices. 

Lauren Roberts Photography

Why hire Lauren or any professional photographer?

Although Lauren uses more of a documentary style when she shoots - meaning she likes to capture people in a wedding just doing their thing, she does do posed shots for the wedding album. 

The gift of a highly skilled photographer is so important in making these posed shots look natural and relaxed and almost candid. Another side of Lauren’s business is boudoir (aka nude photographs posed in a studio). If there’s a photographer who is practiced in helping people get comfortable in their own skin it has to be someone who takes nude photos of people who aren't models.

Lauren emphasizes that it’s the professional that helps open people up. It really doesn’t matter what the couple brings to the table. She is there to know you and fall in love with every single couple and find out what makes YOU lovely and beautiful. 

Lauren loves to get to the essence of her clients. This is evident when booking a discovery call with her. She avoids most of the standard questions about wedding details and focuses more on just chatting and getting to know each other. Her calls she says are “75% shoot the shit and 25% about booking a shoot”.

She loves creating a connection and feeling a sense of vibrancy in her clients.  

It is important you feel comfortable with your photographer - you will spend more time with this person than any other person on your wedding day. They will see you getting dressed. They will see you before the first look. 

I wanted to know why someone should hire a professional photographer for their wedding?

Why not let a family member or friend take the photos? 

We both agree that couples need to put their money towards what matters most to them. For me, that was food. I wanted the best food available! I can’t believe I’m saying this now but photos and flowers weren't as important to me.

When planning for your wedding, know that your photographs have the most longevity of anything else that day. They will be held and looked at by your grandkids and your great grandkids. They will be a family heirloom.

I love telling this to my clients because more than likely, your flowers will also be in those pictures. If photos matter to you, then invest in them.

Weddings are also inherently chaotic and multidimensional. There are so many decisions for a couple to make. 

Decision fatigue can be a reality so it’s best to hand off tasks to professionals whenever possible. Lauren knows all the shots to take. She can even help with your day-of timeline. 

When you hire a professional it will ease your load which allows you to enjoy the moments with your most beloved people on your wedding day.

Lauren Roberts Photography

How to book Alaskan Wedding Photographer, Lauren Roberts

Booking Lauren usually happens 6-9 months in advance, but let me say that if you want to work with Lauren don’t delay. To miss out on having her shoot your wedding would be a huge mistake if she was already booked out. 

She breaks down her booking process so people can choose from different standard packages. I’d recommend checking out her website so you can get a feel for exactly what each package entails. After booking a package, she allows all sorts of add ons if you need to customize a little more.

Included in each package is a consultation, digital photos, a photo reveal and an actual tangible product. She wants to make sure you leave with something in your hand and not just “a usb drive that will gather dust on your desk”. 

My favorite part of her photo experience is her photo reveal. I felt like an absolute movie star, sitting in her hip studio, looking through all the pictures she edited for me. What a fun time! 

Lauren Roberts Photography with a signature Turnstone Farm bouquet

Going above and beyond for your wedding guests

I love giving my clients cool ways to wow their guests, and transform their event.

I wanted to know if Lauren had any “wow” moments at weddings where the couples went above and beyond. 

Two things stuck out for her. 

At one wedding every guest had a hand-written note from the couple at their seat telling each guest the important role that they played in their life. 

I was lucky enough to receive such a note from a couple whose wedding I attended. It is a touch I will forever remember and I often share it with my couples who book with me. It can be a lot to take on but if you split the task with your soon-to-be-spouse and take on 2-3 notes per day, you’ll be through it in no time. 

What I love about this exercise is that it puts you in a serious mood of gratitude as well. And although I have not asked couples how this practice transforms their event for themselves I can imagine it creates a sense of immediate gratitude that extends into their wedding day.

Lauren had another favorite idea for couples. She is unsure the origins to this practice but it goes like this: behind the head table is a small two-seater table with two chairs. Guests are invited to come sit at that table during the dining experience to get some one on one time with the couple.

This allows everyone to have a seat with the couple. I know from experience that guests cannot get enough time with the newlyweds. Plus, Lauren thinks that there is something extra special about sitting together and visiting that is more meaningful and more intimate than standing and talking.

Another more common practice is to have a receiving line. After the ceremony, the couple can wait and greet each guest as they walk by. 

Toasts are also a great way to call attention to everyone present. Calling out and saying everyone’s name can be a powerful experience. While this could get long if the guest list is long, be creative. Figure out a way to break this up. Saying people's names is powerful - they will remember.

Lauren wants to emphasize that while a wedding is for the couple and should honor what is important to them, it is also important to honor the loving community that surrounds and supports them.

As I celebrate my 10 year wedding anniversary I know this to be so true. A relationship does not exist in a vacuum. It is because of our quality outside relationships that we are successful in our marriages. It does take a village to partner two fully-realized people.

Lauren Roberts Photography

Alaskan Wedding Vendor Recommendations

If you’re still building out your wedding team, Lauren has some recommendations for vendors that she loves to work with. 

For planners, Rebecca from LaBoum is a favorite to work with. As Lauren says she is “on her shit”. I have heard this from other wedding pros in the area. And if I was pulling off a large wedding, that’s who I would want on my team.

For beauty (hair and makeup), Mary Alice is the stylist she works with most. Stay tuned, as I’m interviewing Mary Alice soon and will have an in depth blog all about her.

For music and MC, Jared Woods and Woodrow.

For wedding venues, she thinks At The Barn in the Palmer/Wasilla area is super cute. She also loves shooting weddings at the Forget-me-not Nursery in Indian, AK. It is a magical place and the people there are super friendly.

Lauren Roberts Photography & Turnstone Farm flowers

Final Wedding Day Advice

Any final advice from Lauren, who has attended countless weddings documenting them from behind the lens?

She encourages couples to “sink your feet into the experience and enjoy every single moment.” 

View a wedding Lauren and I worked on together at Raven Glacier Lodge in Girdwood, Alaska here: Fall Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge

Inquire about wedding photography with Lauren here: ​​https://laurenroberts.com/contact

What is a floral installation? Wedding Floral Pieces Defined

This blog is to help define all the wedding flower terms out there. So when you hop on a call with me or another florist you know exactly what we’re talking about.

A la Carte Wedding:

Florists throw around this term often. It usually refers to a couple who chooses to order their flowers piece by piece and not as part of a package.

In my floral design business, most of my weddings are completely custom and thus a la carte. I do not offer packages since each couple has unique desires for their florals.

When talking to your florist, ask them to define this for their particular business. There are no stupid questions!

Full Service Wedding:

This terms usually applies to someone who wants delivery, set up and take down for their wedding florals.

Folks who choose a full service option usually want centerpieces or tablescapes set up and ceremony flowers. That could include an arch, alter flowers and aisle flowers.

In my design business any couple can add on delivery, set up and take down for orders over 3,000.00.

Wedding flowers for less than that are picked up from my warehouse studio.

When talking to your florist, ask them to define this for their particular business.

Cascading bouquet using Alaskan Grown Flowers.

The Bridal Bouquet:

This is arguably the most important wedding flower piece. The bridal bouquet is held by the bride in pre-ceremony pictures and of course accompanies the bride down the aisle.

I do want to emphasize that not only a bride can carry the bridal bouquet. Groom’s Bouquet anyone? And of course in a queer wedding, there can be one, two, or none of these gorgeous flower pieces to adorn part of the couple.

In fact, I think we need a new name for this piece. Shall I suggest “Wedding Bouquet”?

This bride opted for single flower dahlias for her bridesmaids. It is stunning, simple and luxurious. Photo credit: Joshua Veldstra Photography

Wedding Party Bouquet (AKA Bridesmaids Bouquet):

The bouquet that anyone in the wedding party chooses to carry for the wedding ceremony.

Usually the women carry these. But increasingly, anyone on either side of the couple can carry a bouquet.

Boutonniere:

A small cluster of flowers and foliage designed to be pinned to the coat of a man in the wedding party.

Who gets a boutonniere? Usually any significant man in the couple’s life: fathers, sons, brothers, grandfathers, and men in the bridal party.

Gender is not a qualifier for a boutonniere! Feel free to break the rules here.

Corsage (pin-on):

Often couples choose to honor their mothers or other significant female figures in their life with a pin-on corsage.

These tend to be larger and slightly more elaborate than a traditional boutonniere.

Corsage (wrist):

A similar idea to the above but made to be worn on the wrist. I’ve seen women in a bridal party wear these in lieu of a bouquet.

Wrist corsages can be a bit more elaborate then pin-ons.

Who gets a corsage? The answer is there are no hard rules here but usually I see couples get them for their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and sisters.

Again, this can be for any significant woman figure they want to honor.

Altar Flowers:

Flower arrangements that are placed at the altar or the place where the couple is to exchange vows.

Altar flowers can be arrangements in low or elevated vases. They can be placed on the floor or set up on pillars or other structures.

Altar flowers can also include installations and arches and anything else you can imagine fo accompany you or to give you an amazing backdrop while you exchange vows.

Aisle Flowers:

Flowers to adorn the chairs, or benches along the aisle leading to the altar.

Flowers and foliage can also run the length of the aisle in a garland type of arrangement.

A full arch near the reflection pool at Raven Glacier Lodge. Photo credit: Joshua Veldstra Photography

Arch Flowers:

Often couples want a backdrop to their wedding ceremony.

Arches make your ceremony extra special and provide a stunning addition to any of your bride and groom pictures and ceremony pictures. These can be simple and small or elaborate and full.

Floral Installation:

The word “installation” encompasses many different elaborate arrangements: floral chandeliers, any sort of hanging floral piece, arches, floral walls, your imagination is the limit here!

Installations are most commonly used as a backdrop for the ceremony or at the reception.

Chuppah:

The chuppah is a four posted canopy covered with cloth for a Jewish wedding. Flowers usually adorn the front and can be almost any size.

Mandap:

A traditional four posted canopy for a Sikh wedding, covered with cloth and traditionally adorned with 4 floral arrangements, one on each of the four posts.

A centerpiece for a sweetheart table or anywhere else you might want a pop of flowers.

Centerpiece:

Any floral arrangement to decorate the reception tables.

These can vary greatly by size or style but they usually are placed on every table in your reception area.

Bar Arrangement:

The bar is a highly used place at your wedding reception!

Couples often choose to dress it up with a larger floral arrangement.

Welcome Arrangement:

When guests enter your reception area or wedding space there is often a welcome table with photos, cards, gifts, table numbers, guest lists and a more elaborate floral arrangement.

A simple and full sweetheart table arrangement with a floral installation backdrop.

Sweetheart Table Arrangement:

If the couple is choosing to dine at a sweetheart table you’ll need some decoration for your table-for-two. This can be small to large. Simple to elaborate.

Head Table Arrangement:

If you and your wedding party are dining together at a head table, you’ll need to decide how to decorate.

You can choose almost any style of floral piece for this table.

Garland:

Foliage bundled together and spanning the length of a table. These are usually used on longer, rectangle tables. They can also flow over the end and toward the floor.

Garlands are traditionally just foliage but having a sprinkling of loose flowers in them is also beautiful.

Tablescapes:

This is a loose term to define anything to decorate your reception tables.

Tablescapes can include: candles, bud vase groupings, garland, loose flowers, loose foliage and small or larger vase arrangements.

Couples can also choose to add fruit, stones, shells, fabric runners, or anything else that they can imagine being beautiful.

Hey, it’s me Greta! Your wedding floral designer. I cannot wait to talk to you about your flowers. Photo credit: Lauren Roberts

There you have it! This is meant to empower you and not overwhelm you.

Feeling overwhelmed? I can help.

Inquire by clicking the button below so we can set up your free floral consultation.

I can help you find out what you really need to get the most amazing wedding planned.

The Exact Questions I ask my Clients and Why

Taking the first step to explore wedding flowers means hopping on the phone with me. Don’t worry! While this is my job and I want to make sales, my main goal is to determine if you and I can work together well.

If so we can go to the next step (yay!).

In our initial free phone call I want to get to know you and what you care about. I am not here to sell! I am simply here to listen and take in all our dreams and challenges in planning your special day.

So to give a little snapshot of what we’ll talk about, here is a list of 10 questions I may ask you. If you don’t have all these figured out yet, don’t worry! I am here to help. It’s my job after all!

1) How did you two meet?

I love hearing about how a couple met. It gives me a snapshot in time of one of the most beautiful moments in your relationship. These stories stick in my head for a long time and it makes me feel like I really know you (even though we just met).

2) Tell me a little about you two.

This is an open ended question I ask in my initial inquiry on my website. Although it is not required I usually get an answer.

Folks talk about where they’re from, what they do for work, what they like to do together. They talk about their pets or kids. And again, it helps me get to know you right away!

3) How do you want your guests to feel?

This is my favorite question. And honestly it is a question I wish I would have asked myself when planning my wedding.

It’s important to remember that while this is your wedding and the start to your marriage your guests are there to support you and celebrate in the creation of a couple. Remember to honor them. Remember to set the stage for an intentional feeling. This could be “loved”, “honored”, “welcomed”, “enchanted”, etc.

I challenge you to do a little brainstorming here! And then let that feeling guide you as you plan every detail.

4) What kind of floral pieces do you want?

Floral pieces include the following: bridal bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, corsages (pin-on or wrist), boutonniere, ceremony flowers and reception flowers.

If you’re unsure what some these mean or which ones you “need”, don’t worry - we can talk through all this on the phone!

5) What is your floral color palette?

Usually folks have colors in mind based on bridal party attire, favorite colors, seasonal colors or some amazing inspiration photos you’ve found.

Sometimes folks don’t have a color palette and just want me to use what is beautiful and in season. I can work with almost anything! And I can help you narrow your color ideas into something you love.

6) What is your budget?

Most customers have a wedding flower budget of between 10% and 20% of their total wedding cost.

More often than not, couples have no idea what flowers cost, thus don’t really know what their budget is. And not surprisingly! This is after all, probably your first time planning a wedding.

I can do two things here - I can tell you what you can get with your desired spend amount OR I can give you a proposal based on your desired floral pieces and vision.

7) Who are your other vendors?

I have a few vendors I love working with. And I’m always learning about more!

If you don’t have a certain vendor booked yet I am happy to refer some of my absolute favorites.

The vendors you choose also give me a little more info about your style and overall vision.

Oh wait, what is a vendor?? Venue, chapel, caterer, photographer, videographer, hair stylist, make-up artist, musician, DJ, etc.

8) Do you have any questions for me?

I always save a few minutes for you to ask me anything!

I’ve designed for dozens of weddings and have planned my own wedding. Plus, I’m a flower farmer! It’s safe to say that I know flowers. I also am obsessed with kindness, connection and love. I want you and your guests to get the absolute most out of your wedding day.

Alaskan Sailboat Elopement

Alaska is a premier destination for couples wishing to elope.

Pristine mountain vistas, gorgeous backdrops of woods or tundra and water - lots of it.

This couple chose to embark on a sailboat adventure with a Turnstone Farm bouquet in hand.

And although I’d like to say that the weather they had is typical, you really never know what you’ll get. These folks completely lucked out with a gorgeous day on a sailboat with Resurrection Bay Sailing charters.

In late June the flower garden at Turnstone Farm is just beginning to open up into bloom. I chose these exquisite, delicate columbine, dried black albion pods, dark purple anemones to add some interest. Alaskan Grown peonies and dark, moody carnations set the foundation for this big and full bouquet.

Thanks to Wild Hearts Events and Megan Freeman Photography for coordinating this gorgeous event!

10 Things to do between Anchorage and Seward, Alaska

The tiny town of Seward, Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula have amazing wedding venues.

Most guests coming into Alaska travel through Anchorage. If your guests are looking for fun things to do on the way to your wedding, I’ve come up with a list of 10 amazing things to do in between Anchorage and Seward.

My list is organized from North to South.

So let’s get right to it:

1) Grab delicious focaccia and scones from Alder & Birch. I used to be a professional baker, so I’m very particular about my baked good. These guys do an amazing job on both their focaccia and scones. You will not be disappointed!

2) Stop by Girdwood Brewing for a beer and some great eats. There’s always a food truck parked out front and on a sunny day you can bask in the sun on the beer patio. This is located in the town of Girdwood.

3) Take a picnic to Portage Lake. There is so much to do in Portage Valley (just south of Girdwood). The next few adventures listed will give you an idea of other things to do here.

4) Hike the Trail of Blue Ice in the Portage Valley. Read all about it here: https://www.alaska.org/detail/trail-of-blue-ice

5) Check out the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center located right on the shores of Portage Lake.

6) Detour to Whittier via the road to Portage. Drive through a mountain tunnel and pop out as a seaside village full of awesome vistas! The tunnel pass is 13.00 round trip (as of 2022) and cars are allowed to drive through every 30 minutes. If folks want to visit longer, you can charter boats that can take you into the famous Prince William Sound. There are kayak rentals and jet ski rentals as well here.

7) Detour to the quaint town of Hope, Alaska. You can poke around the tiny town or take a couple of great hikes. One takes you from the campground out toward Gull Rock. Read more about the Gull Rock Trail here: https://www.alaska.org/detail/gull-rock-trail. The other takes you straight up to Hope Point. Click here to read more about the Hope Point Trail: https://www.alaska.org/detail/hope-point-trail.

8) Grab an ice cream at Summit Lake Lodge. The lodge is situated on a beautiful lake.

9) Visit Exit Glacier. Just 10 minutes outside Seward is Exit Glacier. You can do short day hikes to the glacier or get guided tours on the glacier. Go here to learn more: https://www.alaska.org/detail/visit-exit-glacier.

10) Visit the Sea Life Center in Seward! You can check out all sorts of Alaskan Marine animals here. If you’re traveling with kids, they will be thrilled!

Sailboat elopement out of Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Megan Freeman.

Beach wedding at Miller’s Landing in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Erica Rose.

Alaskan Flowers Photoshoot June 29th, 2022

I recently worked with the highly skilled Lauren Roberts in creating a photoshoot full of Alaskan Grown flowers.

Flowers were from Turnstone Farm, foraged from my neighborhood and bought in from Alaska Stems in Homer, AK and Brown Hen Farm in Peters Creek.

Enjoy this fun video!

Vintage Urban Farm Photoshoot

5 Things to Consider When Planning your Wedding Flowers

Wedding planning can be A LOT!

Especially since for most of us mortals, the biggest thing we've organized is a dinner party.

Just the sheer number of decisions to make can be daunting.

So just to get you prepped for ONE (but one very important) part of your wedding, YOUR FLOWERS, here's a few things to start mulling over in order to get exactly what you want.

And while you're thinking these things through, remember that YOUR FLOWERS WILL BE MEMORIALIZED IN YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS FOREVER!

It is for this reason that while the experience of your wedding is so important. People remember what you do and how you make them feel…

Your attire and flowers are right up at the top of the list for importance.

So here are 5 things to consider when planning your wedding flowers.

1) Size.

Size does matter! But it's all dependent on what you want.

Big, small - YOU decide! Sometimes size can match your body size but mostly I tell people just to go with what feels good.

Do you want your flowers to make a statement? Go bigger.

Do you like small and dainty? Go smaller.

Do you want to communicate abundance? Go bigger.

Leanne is holding the quintessential Turnstone Farm bouquet: it is big and wild and reminiscent of holding a garden in your hands.

2) Shape.

Cascade, upright, vertical, loose, tight. What kind of shape do you like?

Hop on google and peek around - get a sense of what you like! If you're looking for trends, here's what's hot right now: loose, wild-flower like, slightly cascading, or vertically sprawling (and I'm loving it). But honestly, you don't need to give a crap about what other people like. This is YOUR FREAKING wedding.

Elizabeth wanted a large and wild-flower like bouquet. Most of my large bouquets can be held in such a way as to create a slight draping cascade.

3) Color.

Often when folks come to me, they have already decided on a color palate. I just match my seasonal blooms with their attire and other decorations. But if you're not sure yet, peek around on Google. See what you like. Ask yourself why you like something.

Color can be fun!

Let it be fun!

And after designing and seeing hundreds of wedding photos, the most colorful bouquets look the best in photographs.

Fun fact: I used to be scared of color. As an artist, I felt like there were just too many options.

That's why I've always loved black and white photography and printmaking. You can keep it simple!

But since flowers came into my life it's fair to say that I"m color-obsessed. If you're stuck on color - I'm here to help.

Rebekah and her bridesmaids are holding bright and cheerful fall bouquets which really pop against the woodland backdrop.

4) Varieties.

Here’s what I would recommend - be open to having lots of different varieties in you floral designs! Roses and carnations don't have to be boring. Wildflowers don't have to be boho. But they can be!

I say if you're obsessed with a variety and it's in season let's make it happen! But if not, there are so many amazing flowers.

I want to fill your bouquet and arrangements with as many varieties as possible. Because you know what's in right now? Texture. How do you get texture? Lots of variety!

Marielle holds a farmed and foraged bouquet of Alaskan Grown flowers and foliage.

5) Floral pieces.

Maybe I should have started with this one. But I think deciding what you need to have is so dependent on the following.

What do you want your wedding to FEEL like?

What is most important to you?

These answers may help guide your decision as to whether you need a full floral arch or want to give bouquets to the moms (which is an idea I honestly LOVE - as a mom, I will be a joyful, tearful mess if I get a bouquet from my kids on their wedding day).

For Rosalyn, the most important floral pieces were her bridal bouquet and her full floral arch.

And finally, I'm here for you. Comment below if you have any questions about planning your flowers!

Then click the button below to schedule your wedding flower discovery call, if you haven’t done so already.

Cannot wait to hear from you!

Thank you to Lilly of the Wild Photography, Echo Photo, Chugach Peaks Photography, Lauren Roberts Photography and Joshua Veldstra Photography.

Magical Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge with Rosalyn & Tyler

I had the pleasure to design dreamy and magical wedding flowers this past summer at the lovely Raven Glacier Lodge.

If you haven’t experienced this amazing place, let me just say that I expected woodland fairies to pop out from behind every tree.

Raven Glacier Lodge is a mystical and enchanting place.

Weddings here are intimate and are sheltered amongst the towering hemlocks and spruce of a temperate rainforest.

A rushing creek populates the background, giving folks a sense of calm and quiet peacefulness.

Rosalyn & Tyler wanted to express a wildness in their florals. Ultimately, after seeing their photos I saw also saw magic, romance, and enchantment.

Rosalyn’s most important pieces were her full arch and bridal bouquet.

I love a woman who values herself!

We debated the single flower bouquets. Rosalyn was worried they might look small but instead evoke modest luxury. Each bridesmaid holds a single stem Cafe au Lait dahlia (with a couple of stems of filler and foliage) straight from the Turnstone Farm field.

I like couples to think about what is really important to them on their wedding day. Priorities are important to identify and own.

This is a big day, and although there are many reasons for having a wedding, staying true to your vision is a must.

Rosalyn made it clear that a full arch was a non-negotiable.

The flowers I chose for this wedding were straight from the Turnstone Farm field (dahlias, snapdragons, anemones, and ranunculus) and bought in from other American Grown farmers.

August weddings are perfect for Alaskan-grown flowers. The fields are usually flush with all sorts of variety.

This particular summer was a more traditional summer - cooler and cloudier. My anemones bloomed almost all season (they are usually considered a spring-blooming flower) and my second planting of ranunculus did amazing.

Thank you to Joshua Veldstra Photography for these romantic and evocative photographs.

He is one of my favorite wedding photographers. Those who seek to capture romance and magic in their wedding photographs, he is your guy.

Girdwood Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge with Rebekah & Chaz

One of my all time favorite venues for weddings is the Raven Glacier Lodge in Girdwood, Alaska.

It is nestled among towering evergreens. It is a magical place. My assistant last year, said she expected fairies to jump out at every turn. Yep - that’s how it feels!

In addition to it's magical setting Raven Glacier Lodge has an infamous host and owner.

Kathy is not on social media, doesn’t seem to have a webpage and is quite the challenge to get a hold of. Every bride I talk to gives a big sigh and says how hard it is to try to track her down!

But, let me tell you - it is totally worth the struggle. As far as I know, there are not too many venues of this nature in the close proximity to Anchorage: small, cozy, pure magic, the perfect micro-wedding destination.

I had the great pleasure to create florals at this venue a couple of times in 2021. Here is one of those weddings!

Rebekah and Chaz wanted fall colors for their flowers.

I incorporated lots of greenery for a slightly loose and wild look. Bright rusty-orange and burgundy dahlias were the stars of this wedding.

Special thanks to Joe Connolly at Chugach Peaks Photography for these gorgeous photos.

Getting married in Alaska? Let’s talk wedding flowers! Click the button below to schedule a wedding flower discovery call.

10 Things to do Around Anchorage, Alaska

It’s a big and fabulous ask to invite friends and family up to your Alaskan wedding.

For some folks, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

As a lifelong Alaskan, with stints in the mid-west and West-coast, I have some favorite places I want you to be able to share with your guests.

Here are 10 things that your guests will love to do, in and around Anchorage:

1) Walk the Coastal Trail. Start at Westchester Lagoon and walk north or south along the coast. Stunning views of the water, the Anchorage, and surrounding mountains will WOW everyone. You can also rent bikes near the downtown Coastal Trail access point and ride all the way to Kincaid park if you have some extra ambitions folks. If you want to start walking from Kincaid Park, you can easily access Kincaid Beach. A 2-ish mile walk down the main paved Coastal Trail will bring you to a marked trail leading to the left (south) and down to the beach. This is a magical place and you feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness. Plus on a sunny day, it’s a warm and sunny treat!

2) Visit Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop. The best bakery in Anchorage with locations downtown, on the south side of town, and in my cozy and cute Airport Heights neighborhood. Grab a coffee and a croissant, a delectable cupcake, or a crusty loaf of bread!

3) Visit Whittier. If you have a car, please take a trip to this funky seaside town south of Anchorage. There you can get amazing vistas of Prince William Sound and its quaint harbor, grab a fish and chips, hike up to Portage Pass and it’s quite the adventure to get there - you get to drive through a mountain! The tunnel allows cars through every 30 minutes. In all, it’s the quickest way to get to the “real ocean”.

4) Hike Bird Ridge. This is for the fit individual who wants to get up high quickly! Located along the scenic stretch of highway along Turnagain Arm.

5) Visit the Peter Bronz Pottery studio. This cozy and quaint studio is also located along the Seward Highway in Bird Creek. My favorite keepsake when I travel is a locally crafted ceramic mug. Peter has a lovely studio. You can walk in and view his work and purchase products on the honor system (it’s not staffed).

6) Visit the Eagle River Nature Center. Located 40 minutes north of Anchorage, this nature center is nestled at the very end of Eagle River Road. It has stunning views of towering peaks, a rushing river, and gorgeous trees.

7) If you’re in and around Eagle River after the nature center, hop on over to Odd Man Rush Brewing and Pizza Man. Pizza Man is a classic establishment that has been around for 30 years.

8) Visit a brewery or grab a cider. The brewery scene has exploded in the last few years, here in Anchorage. There are so many options. But here are a few of my favorites: King Street Brewery, Anchorage Brewing, Cynosure Brewing, Onsite Brewing, and Double Shovel Cider Company.

9) Grab an Ice cream at The Motley Moo or Wild Scoops. Motley Moo is by far the true ice cream artisan. Delightfully creamy and all your classic favorite flavors. Wild Scoops has all sorts of exciting and wild flavors. Although the quality doesn’t measure up with Motley Moo, their adventurous flavors will delight everyone!

10) Enjoy a coffee at Black Cup. As a coffee lover, my first task when visiting a new town is finding the best coffee. I’ve done the hard lifting for you! Hands down, this place thas THE BEST COFFEE.

Well, there you have it. I hope this gets your guests out around town a bit and enjoying some truly awesome places in Anchorage.

Miller's Landing Wedding in Seward, Alaska with Caitlin & Nate

Caitlin and Nate had a beautiful beach wedding in Seward, Alaska.

Weather in Alaskan can always be hit or miss, especially by the ocean where clouds can roll in and get stuck for days or even weeks on end. That is why this couple was so incredibly lucky to have a sunny break on their big day.

I remember sending flowers off with Caitlin the day before and both crossing our fingers in hopes of good weather!

My favorite part of Caitlin’s bridal bouquet was the incredible variety of florals I was able to fit in. Part of a beautiful bouquet for me is lots of floral types and textures.

Here are some of the varieties: Hydrangea, Anemone, Ranunculus, Rose, Dara, Amaranth, Oregano (I love popping in a bit of garden herb if at all possible), Strawflower, Yarrow, Snapdragon, and Dahlia.

Looking to get married in Alaska? I’m here for you! I offer one of a kind flowers using Alaskan Grown and American Grown blooms .

Click the link below to take the first step in booking your wedding flowers!