Jordan + Christian are dreamers, so it’s only appropriate that their Alaskan elopement at Hatcher Pass be equally as dreamy. In fact, it was a dream that started it all! When they first met each other, they found out they had the biggest desire in common: to travel to Alaska. As Covid-19 entered the picture, they quickly began to realize that any large wedding plans had to wait. That’s when their dreams of misty mountaintops and romantic glaciers started to become a reality. J shares:
The first weekend we met we were driving around with a friend and she was asking “get to know you” questions. She asked us if we could go anywhere in the world, where would we go? And Christian and I both said Alaska. It was in that one word that we became unified in one dream. We didn’t know how or when we would get there, but we knew that when we went to Alaska for the first time it would be together. When we actually started planning a wedding and dreaming about that day, there was no question about our BIGGEST, craziest dream: that we would actually get married in Alaska. Where we were first unified in dreams.
Talk about the perfect fairy tale! Are you ready to see it through the lens of Joy-Monet Photography? Let’s go!
An Alaskan Elopement First Look
Christian’s answer: When I (Jordan) read my vows and incorporated a poem from the book. It was really special to him. It pulled together where we came from and where we had been at less than a year ago.
Jordan’s answer: To start, something that I remember that wasn’t strikingly important to me at the time but is now, is that on the drive to Hatcher Pass, Rachel was driving and made a comment to me resembling something like “It’s just funny that you’re just sitting there in the passenger seat literally dressed in your wedding dress and you’re so calm. Casual.” And looking back that’s everything that I ever could have wanted leading up to saying, “I do.” And second, it was kind of funny doing our first look, and then it started pouring down rain and Christian, and I just sat in the car together like “So… we’re about to get married.” And I loved that too.
You can see the love and joy written all over their faces!!
Alaskan Elopement Vows
For J + C, it was all about being true to themselves. They’ve shared that forgoing the large wedding that everyone expected them to have wasn’t easy. Seeing them start their forever in a shared dream makes all of the struggle and planning worth it!
Toasting the Newlyweds
Champagne toast or it didn’t happen!!
J + C show off their new bling! J’s ring is from Point No Point Studio and C’s is from Rustic & Main.
Sentimental Moments
Details found throughout the wedding day that were intentional to our relationship included: a book that Christian gave me when we were just friends was a poetry book for the seasons. I read a poem from that book before saying my vows. We also wanted to find a spot to set up our carpet and coffee equipment to make a pour-over together (we both work in specialty coffee and met at a coffee shop in Lexington and are big believers that coffee brings people together). We incorporated an intimate communion time before the ceremony because it was important to both of us that we glorify God in our marriage and reflect that the only reason we know how to and get to love each other is because we know Love Himself.
Alaskan Elopement Attire
J looked like a Queen in her embellished gown from ASOS. We just had to get the details about her elopement dress!
It’s funny because when I think about planning a wedding I feel like everyone is so excited about dress shopping and their dress shopping experience. Well. In the middle of a pandemic and on a time crunch, dress shopping was not champagne and strawberries like everyone makes it seem. There were no “This is the one” tears. I found a dress I LOVED that ended up not being able to be delivered in time due to COVID-19. I spent DAYS searching synonymous phrases on Google trying to get different results to show up on the page. Anyways, probably not the cute answer you want but I ended up picking a dress on the day of a 20% off sale on ASOS at 7 in the morning because I said “I’m going to buy one this time.” And I did. I didn’t even show anyone a picture of it until it came in the mail and I tried it on for the first time by myself in the basement. It ended up being everything I wanted (and didn’t know I wanted) for an elopement dress.
Bloomsbury Blooms created a beautiful elopement bouquet of peonies, stock and eucalyptus. That flowing ribbon is the perfect touch of “something blue”.
C looked perfectly dapper in rustic attire from ASOS, H&M, and Nordstrom Rack.
Newlywed Photos
If you let yourself dream, what is it that you actually want for a wedding day? I feel like less people than you’d think want the big dress, big cake, and big party. I think it’s about time we really accept celebrations of real relationships, real love, and authentic ways of coming together (something that is genuinely authentic to your relationship). That’s the most important part: stay true to who you are as a couple.
We want to note that our answer(s) may make it sound really easy to break away from the cultural norm or even familial expectations for a wedding. We [hopefully] found ways to honor our family and friends in a way that was genuine to us and received by them. BUT we are looking forward to our wedding reception in October and hope that people see the fruit of us pursuing our dreams and Love above all else.
100% beautiful! Congratulations on your stunning Alaskan Elopement Jordan + Christian! We hope this is the start of many more adventures together! Are you thinking of chasing your own dream and jet-setting off to say your vows? If that’s a yes, be sure to read How to Plan the Perfect Adventure Elopement!
photography: Joy-Monet Photography // venue name: Hatcher Pass, Anchorage, Alaska // florals: Bloomsbury Blooms // wedding dress: ASOS // hairpiece: ASOS // bride’s shoes: ASOS // bride’s ring: Point No Point Studio // groom attire: ASOS and H&M // groom’s shoes: Nordstom Rack // groom’s ring: Rustic & Main // officiant: David Walker Jr.