Grace and Nghia’s Alaskan elopement was a perfect fusion of Western traditions and Vietnamese heritage, making it both breathtakingly epic and deeply personal. Their journey began on Tinder, where Nghia’s persistence paid off despite Grace studying for finals. After a week of him asking her out, they met up for their first date, which included all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu, hours of conversation, and intense rounds of Uno. They now recreate that first date every year on their anniversary.

For their big day, the couple envisioned a day that was both grand and intimate, reflecting the awe-inspiring vastness of their love while staying true to who they are. “We wanted our elopement to be epic but also intimate and personal to who we are!” they shared. “It was important that we were able to capture how awe-inspiring and vast our love feels during our special day. We also wanted to be able to be present for ourselves and each other as we read our vows.”

“We knew we wanted to be immersed in nature,” they explained. “After considering the Dolomites in Italy and Banff in Canada, we fell in love with Alaska.” The couple was drawn to the wild landscapes, which felt like the ideal backdrop for their adventurous day. They also connected with Junebug vendor Pala Kovacs, whose authenticity and vibrant personality shone through her work. Pala’s enthusiasm to come to Alaska, coupled with her meticulous planning and collaboration with Josh Vassar and Marathon Helicopters, made their dream elopement a reality.

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Pala Kovacs

Their day began with a quiet first look outside their charming A-frame cabin, where they donned Western attire. “The first look outside our cozy cabin was a beautiful start to the day,” they recalled. It was a moment of pure intimacy that set the tone for the adventure ahead.

Grace’s wedding dress was found at a sample sale, she carefully hand-sewed pearls onto her veil and styled her own hair and makeup. “We saved money on the things we could do ourselves and spent where it mattered most.”

After their first look, they made their way into town and stopped at a local ice cream parlor. The cheerful locals offered marriage advice, adding to the fun and spontaneity of the moment. “It was a joyful way to connect with the community and soak in the excitement of the day.” It was the perfect lighthearted pause before continuing their journey.

Next, the couple took a thrilling helicopter ride to a mountaintop, where they changed into traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai outfits for their second first look. The wildflowers and blueberry plants around them provided a striking backdrop. “Red is a traditional wedding color in Vietnam, and we loved how it popped against the natural setting,” they explained. They chose to honor their Vietnamese heritage with custom Ao Dai outfits, generously gifted by a close friend.

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After exchanging vows, they took time for portraits amid the mountains, wildflowers, and a setting sun, all captured by Pala Kovacs and videographer Josh Vassar. These portraits were a perfect reflection of the day’s magic and intimacy, preserving the surreal beauty of the landscape and their love.

Despite the stunning surroundings, nature had other plans. A swarm of mosquitoes joined the couple’s mountaintop celebration, especially as Nghia read his vows. “The mosquitoes were feasting on Nghia’s forehead as he read his vows.” Though the pests were uninvited, the couple embraced the moment with humor. “Most of our footage on the mountaintop was us running from the mosquitoes, but it made the moment even more memorable!” they shared.

To cap off their unforgettable day, Grace and Nghia helicoptered to a serene beach for an intimate picnic. Grace had a special surprise in store for Nghia—she played a recording of herself singing their first dance song, infusing the moment with personal significance. “We played Uno and reminisced about some of our favorite memories together.” Surrounded by the calm of the beach and the peace of the moment, the couple savored this precious time together, away from the bustle of everyday life.

Grace and Nghia reflected on the day with deep gratitude for their incredible team. “Having a team we trusted truly made all the difference,” they shared. The collaboration between Pala Kovacs, Josh Vassar, and Marathon Helicopters turned their vision into reality, overcoming any challenges with ease and ensuring their day was as magical as they had imagined.

Looking back, they felt confident that their decision to work with such talented pros was one of the best they made, knowing their dream elopement wouldn’t have been the same without them.