Alaska Weddings

The first weekend of May is here, and it can mean only one thing: spring wedding season has arrived! And for all you brides-to-be on the lookout for the a perfectly unique locale to marry your one and only, let me introduce you to St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra, Florida. This gorgeous spot on Florida’s historic coast is adorned with charming inns dripping with Old World detail.

Whether you’re choosing St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra as the perfect destination locale or as a getaway after you’ve tied the knot, you’ll find a unique twist on romance in these Florida gems. With incredible venues boasting romantic balconies, gorgeous greenery and offering customizable packages perfect for every couple, you’ll want to learn more about saying “I Do” on Florida’s historic coast. Head over here for details or call 888.898.1710.

Although I have never been personally, I’ve always been fascinated with Alaska. It probably has a little something to do with the fact that every image I see from stunning state just happens to be jaw-droppingly gorgeous. So when I see a wedding like this one from Jason + Anna Photography, I’m basically beside myself with glee. Two childhood sweethearts tying the knot in a fabulous fashion all while the gorgeous vistas of Alaska provide the perfect backdrop? That basically sounds like perfection to me, and with one look at this gallery, you’ll find out it totally is. See it all here.

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From the Bride…Todd and I both grew up together in Alaska, and our families have been attending the same church since we were in grade school. We started dating five years before we got engaged, after a nice fishing trip to the world famous Kenai River. A lot of our relationship was spent apart as Todd attended the Military Academy at West Point and I worked back home in Alaska. Todd proposed the summer between his junior and senior year at West Point on June 16, 2011 exactly one year away from our wedding day. Todd was only home for a couple of weeks that summer so we started looking at venues right away. We looked at the first place on our way up to our lake cabins for the weekend (Our families both have cabins about an hour and a half away from our hometown and most of our summer weekends are spent out there) We had found the place on a vacation rental site. It was a gorgeous lake front home in Big Lake, Alaska. It was just what we were looking for so we booked it right away. We were able to rent the place for 5 nights so we could enjoy it for a few days beforehand and have plenty of time to set everything up.

The rest of the year was spent planning and doing projects for the wedding. To name a few:

Centerpieces – (a white wood crate with table numbers painted on them) made by my dad, Todd, and me. My dad even had some of his friends help with painting them.
Napkin rings – (peach fabric flower) made by my mom (bless her heart) , my bridesmaids, and me.
Lace table squares – made by cutting fabric from joanns
Table runners – dyed peach and sewn by a friend
Book page runners – made from a book I bought in France and punched with a lace punch
“I do” straws – made with peach paper and a bridesmaid’s pretty handwriting
Wedding party place settings – doilees with calligraphy writing
The help we got with everything was overwhelming and we are so grateful to have such wonderful family and friends.

The day was very special to us for many reasons. We both feel so blessed that we were able to get married in our beautiful home state of Alaska with family and friends there from all over the country. We were very blessed to have a traditional military wedding and thankful for his West Point classmates who flew all the way to Alaska to be in our Arch of Sabers. We were also very lucky to have Todd’s grandpa (General Todd Porter Graham the first)  be a part of the Arch of Sabers and say a prayer at our reception. Todd was wearing his Army dress blues which were given to him by his grandfather (It was pretty convienent that they share the same name) Todd’s father also went to West Point so we were able to get a picture of their class rings from three generations. One of my favorite parts of the night was when todd got up on stage with the band to play a few songs and suprise me with one of my favorite songs. Me and my bridesmaids also had fun on the dance floor doing a line dance that we learned at my bachelorette party (which was fitting because they were wearing cowboy boots)

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Photography: Jason + Anna Photography | Floral Design: Connie Sinkler (Family Friend) | Event Rentals: Special Events Alaska | Ceremony  + Reception Location: Big Lake House, Big Lake Alaska | Invitations: Etsy | Wedding Dress: Lazaro from Klienfelds | Jewelry: White Horse Designs