{"id":856159,"date":"2026-02-08T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/?p=856159"},"modified":"2026-01-29T11:07:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T17:07:18","slug":"glacier-elopement-made-possible-a-once-in-a-lifetime-giveaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/junebugweddings.com\/wedding-blog\/glacier-elopement-made-possible-a-once-in-a-lifetime-giveaway\/","title":{"rendered":"A Glacier Elopement Made Possible by a Once-in-a-Lifetime Giveaway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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With a helicopter landing on a glacier and their closest family along for the ride, Chelsey and Eli planned an <\/span>adventure elopement<\/span><\/a> that focused on experience over tradition. Their glacier elopement in Alaska blended dramatic scenery with thoughtful personal details, including a black, white, and pearl <\/span>color palette<\/span><\/a> inspired by Eli’s mom, seasonal fall florals in deep reds and purples, and a ceremony setting that felt as unforgettable as the moment itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Behind the <\/span>epic setting<\/span><\/a> is a love story that began years earlier. Back in 2012, when Chelsey was just 12 and Eli was 15, they crossed paths at her cousin’s house and didn’t even speak. “As soon as he left I looked at my cousin and said, ‘I’m gonna marry him,’” Chelsey shared. Years later, they reconnected in high school, started dating her senior year, welcomed their baby boy, and grew together through the challenges of becoming parents at a young age.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it came time to turn that story into a wedding day, the path forward felt clear. Made possible by a generous giveaway organized by Junebug Weddings vendor <\/span>Chelsa Jay<\/span><\/a>, their adventure unfolded with helicopter views, emotional vows, and family moments set against one of Alaska’s most dramatic landscapes.<\/span><\/p>\n

What We Love About This Glacier Elopement<\/span><\/h2>\n
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A black, white, and pearl-inspired look paired with moody fall florals<\/span><\/li>\n
A helicopter ride that brought their parents and son into the experience<\/span><\/li>\n
Emotional vows that had everyone tearing up<\/span><\/li>\n
A second mountain stop for portraits before dinner<\/span><\/li>\n
A vendor team that felt more like close friends<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Featured Vendor:
\n<\/em>Chelsa Jay<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Planning a Wedding Look Around the Season and Setting<\/span><\/h2>\n
Chelsey went into <\/span>planning<\/span><\/a> with a clear idea of how she wanted the day to feel visually. “I knew I wanted the classy black\/white and pearl look especially because Eli’s mom wears pearls every day and she’s such a classy woman. I wanted to have a piece of that on our wedding day.”<\/span><\/p>\n
Because their <\/span>elopement<\/span><\/a> took place in September, they leaned into deeper seasonal tones for the florals. Moody reds, pinks, and purples added warmth against the icy surroundings and complemented the fall atmosphere without competing with the glacier backdrop.<\/span><\/p>\n
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How Full-Service Teams Simplify Adventure Weddings<\/span><\/h2>\n
One of the biggest surprises for Chelsey and Eli was how relaxed the planning process felt. “Our photographers actually planned our whole elopement. They got the helicopter, flowers, Airbnb, hair and makeup, cake, and restaurant all set for us,” Chelsey said. “It was so seamless and the most relaxing day because of everyone involved. I really put my trust in everyone and it paid off.”<\/span><\/p>\n
For couples considering a glacier elopement, having a team that understands remote locations can remove much of the guesswork. With <\/span>experienced vendors<\/span><\/a> managing transportation, timing, and location-specific details, Chelsey and Eli were able to stay present and enjoy the experience instead of worrying about logistics.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Why Team Chemistry Matters on Elopement Days<\/span><\/h2>\n
This wedding team came together in a uniquely personal way. Chelsa Jay, who had known Chelsey since photographing her senior portraits at age 17, organized the giveaway that made the elopement possible. “She put on a glacier elopement giveaway and all of these wonderful people and businesses donated their time, talent, and expertise to give us the most beautiful day,” Chelsey shared.<\/span><\/p>\n
From meeting hair and makeup artist <\/span>Jackie<\/span><\/a> for the first time and instantly clicking, to working with their second photographer <\/span>Jana<\/span><\/a> who kept the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable, every interaction helped set the tone for the day. Even the helicopter pilots stood out for how well they cared for the family during flights.<\/span><\/p>\n
Florist Kasara added another emotional layer. She was already part of their extended family, and Chelsey had hoped she would design her wedding flowers long before the giveaway ever happened. Having someone who cared so deeply about them play such a visible role made the day feel even more personal.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Deciding Where to Spend and Where to Save<\/span><\/h2>\n
Because the elopement itself was gifted, Chelsey and Eli were able to focus their <\/span>budget<\/span><\/a> on what mattered most to them. “We put all of our funds into our rings, our wedding attire, and another helicopter for our parents and our oldest son,” Chelsey explained.<\/span><\/p>\n
Including family in the experience became a priority and added another layer of meaning to the day. It also allowed them to avoid many traditional wedding expenses while still creating something unforgettable. “Weddings can be so expensive. I can’t recommend a glacier elopement enough!”<\/span><\/p>\n
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Structuring the Timeline Around Emotional Moments<\/span><\/h2>\n
Some of the most emotional moments happened before the ceremony even began. “We had the most amazing <\/span>first look<\/span><\/a>. It was everything I had been imagining since I was a little girl. Eli looked so amazing and he made me feel so beautiful. It’s a moment I will never forget.”<\/span><\/p>\n
During the ceremony, emotions continued to run high. “Eli could hardly get through his <\/span>vows<\/span><\/a> without crying and I thought that was so beautiful,” Chelsey shared. Their six-year-old’s excitement added even more joy, turning the ceremony into a celebration of both their marriage and the family they had already built together.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Scenic Stops After the Ceremony<\/span><\/h2>\n
After exchanging vows on the glacier, the experience didn’t end there. The helicopter flew them to a second mountain location where they took additional portraits before heading to dinner. The extra stop gave them time to take in the scenery, slow down, and fully settle into the feeling of being newly married.<\/span><\/p>\n
For couples planning a glacier elopement, building in more than one scenic location can add variety to photos while also making the day feel more immersive and adventure-driven.<\/span><\/p>\n
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