Ayla and Jake’s Alaskan elopement was simple and meaningful, just like their relationship. After getting engaged, they imagined different places for their wedding but realized the perfect spot was right in front of them—on the bluff where they live in Wasilla, Alaska. With stunning views of the inlet and mountains and a place they often visited for adventures and sunsets, it felt right. They wanted to say their vows somewhere they could see every day, sipping coffee together, and they made it happen in the most beautiful way.
The couple started their day in their cozy home, sharing breakfast and coffee. Their closest family gathered to send them off, and during the ceremony, they exchanged vows by the fire, surrounded by a few of their favorite people as witnesses. The day ended with everyone they loved gathered in their living room, eating cake and popping champagne, as the house filled with love and joy, marking the start of their new life together as husband and wife.
Their intimate elopement came together easily, full of love, and now they can always return to the place where they promised forever. If you dream of saying “I do” in a stunning, secluded spot surrounded by breathtaking scenery, check out these gorgeous photos captured by the talented Junebug vendor Chelsa Jay.
The Couple:
Ayla and Jake
The Wedding:
Wasilla, Alaska
Celebrating Forever Right in Their Snowy Backyard: How Their Alaskan Elopement Came To Be
After we got engaged, we imagined different places for the ceremony—a mountaintop or the spot of our first date. But then we realized the perfect place had been right in front of us all along. Living on a bluff in Wasilla, Alaska, our front porch looks out onto the inlet and a majestic mountain view. A few months before the wedding, Jake started taking snow machine trips to the inlet, where we’d have fires, enjoy sunset views, and spend time together with our little family. We knew this was where we wanted to promise our lives to each other—a place we could visit often and see every morning while sipping coffee in our living room. Our intimate elopement came together effortlessly, filled with joy and love. We’re grateful to reminisce and visit the exact spot where we said our vows whenever we like. The theme of our ceremony, officiated by a dear friend, was “coffee for a lifetime.” We wanted to make the moment last forever, and what better place than our own front yard? That’s right—our small wedding took place just a three-minute snowmobile ride from our porch. Surrounded by close family and friends, we left the rest of the world behind, if only for the night. Our tiny “backyard wedding” came together with a little family, a few friends, and lots of love!
Embracing Their New Family with Vows, Promises, and a Shared Future
During our ceremony, we exchanged vows while cozied up by the fire, surrounded by a few of our favorite people. We spoke from the heart, focusing on creating a strong foundation for our marriage, family, and future children. I surprised Jake by not only sharing my vows with him but also making promises to his daughter, Alma. Jake then placed a ring engraved with Alma’s name on my finger. At that moment, our little family of three became one.
How Their First Dance Song Became a Special Tribute to Their Baby Boy
“Banks” by Needtobreathe was our first dance song and holds an incredibly special meaning for us. Now, we enjoy our morning coffee with our precious 5-month-old baby boy, Banks LJ Wade. Even before we met him, he was a part of our wedding day. There’s something so special about cozying up with your fiancé on a snow machine as you ride out to get married. We were truly living the moments we had both been praying for.
Personalized Moments and Cherished Memories at Their Alaskan elopement
We’re most proud that throughout the process, we stayed focused on each other and our love, making the day even more perfect than we’d dreamed. The smiles, the flower crown, and how all the little moments came together were just incredible. After our elopement at the inlet, we walked up the stairs into our living room to be greeted by our parents, who watched the ceremony through binoculars and welcomed us with deep, thankful hearts. We celebrated together with a toast. Every detail of our wedding was personalized; even the unplanned moments felt like signs that we had truly found our forever in each other.
A Perfect Ending to Their Intimate Alaskan Elopement
We woke up in our cozy home and shared breakfast and coffee before our intimate elopement, which was just a short distance away. One of our closest friends officiated the ceremony and also did Ayla’s makeup and hair in our living room, which overlooks the inlet where we got married. Our closest family gathered to see us off, and our parents were waiting at home for us after we exchanged our vows. When we returned, we celebrated in our living room, enjoying cake and champagne. Our home was filled with love and joy as we began our new life together as husband and wife.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Chelsa Jay
Floral Design – The Teal Door
Cake – Leisl Jane
Officiant + Makeup Artist – Chantel Baldwin
Wedding Dress – Dalliance Gown Rentals
Congratulations to Ayla and Jake on their unforgettable Alaskan elopement. Junebug vendor Chelsa Jay deserves a huge thank you for capturing every moment of this sweet, snowy adventure. To see more meaningful celebrations like this, check out her profile in our directory of the world’s best photographers.
After checking out these amazing photos, you might be ready to plan your own elopement—and who could blame you? To get the ball rolling, take a look at our guide for planning an intimate special day you’ll remember forever.
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