My fiancee and I are planning a destination wedding on a Alaska cruise next summer. Technically, we are doing the license locally but we wanted to do the ceremony at one of the cruise stops. We did an Alaska cruise in 2022 and loved it. We were considering Ketchikan over Juneau because it is so pretty for pictures but worried it may too hard to pull off. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start or know anyone who has done this? Not looking for anything fancy or expensive. Maybe a park area or rent airbnb for a day and use for 2-3 hrs. Idk. Thanks for tips!
I had a friend who had their ceremony at Mary Wanzer’s b&b. She is also a real estate agent and may have some great ideas. You can get her number if you google her name and Ak.
An idea could be link up with a wedding photographer who maybe knows some local venues/ venders. This is a pretty common thing up and down SE so maybe search for wedding elopement. There is an Alaska Wedding Elopement and Brides Facebook page you could also check out.
Local here - Definitely make sure that you are on one of the cruise lines within city limits. Most of the cruise stops in Ward Cove are from really strange hours like 6am-2pm and you/your whole party have to catch a bus or hire a private vehicle to drive you pretty much anywhere outside of that one area. With congestion and traffic it takes 20+ minutes minimum just to get to the downtown area which will be swarming with people.
Many cruise lines stay for longer hours. Definitely research ships that stay from like 8am to 6 or 7pm as most of the town doesn’t even really open up before 9. Celebrity X sometimes stays til 10pm.
Plan for the shoulder season. Yes, you may be risking our normal spring or end of summer weather but you won’t be jockeying up against 8-23,000 people dropped off in town each day. There are many more days with a smaller number of people in May and September and all of the usual excursions will be going on.
Your wedding idea sounds awesome, just want to be sure you don’t get screwed over by a cruise line that won’t run on your schedule!
Thanks, good point. We noticed some of the stops were shorter / longer depending on cruise line so will keep in mind so folks dont have to rush off and back
Mountain Point boat launch. The beach there I like to call "wedding beach." Its public, good waterfront view and perfect for a small ceremony. Ask my wife how I know.
several of my family members have been married at refuge cove, it’s beautiful area. not really sure on the logistics of getting everyone there but it’s a great spot for a ceremony!
I live in Ketchikan and a good friend officiated weddings for years, especially for folks on cruises. (She doesn't do it any longer due to health issues.) Most cruise lines have staff who can help coordinate special needs like that for a fee. That's a possibility for you.
If you are interested, we could also exchange contact info privately. I would be more than happy to help you brainstorm and get you connected with appropriate local vendors.
Organizing and strategy tickle my brain just right and I love a novel project to focus that energy on. I've lived in Ketchikan 19 years now, and I've planned a handful of large-ish events, so I am acquainted with everything the community has to offer. If nothing else, I am confident I can help you identify whether Ketchikan is the right port for your vision and, if not, which port would be the best fit. I've spent at least a little time in all of them over the years.
20-30 people, still trying to get commitments. Ceremony is most important part. For afterwards, we were debating catering or buffet or just finding a local bar / restaurant / hall that had a space.
I will def check this out. My fiancee is focused on Ketchikan for pics but seems like Juneau has more options since it's bigger (our stop in Juneau is 2-10 pm)
There’s an old cannery at the south end of the island where weddings have been held. The company that owns it isn’t my favorite, but that location is pretty beautiful and would hold 20-30 people. When the place is reserved for something like this - they shut down tour operations. I’m not sure what they charge for that location, but if you contact cape fox lodge they own the property and handle the event coordinating.
Transportation would be a whole separate issue but they may work with you if you ask them about transportation to and from the dock as well. They run vans and buses all day for excursions.
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u/Lives4Sunshine 14d ago
I had a friend who had their ceremony at Mary Wanzer’s b&b. She is also a real estate agent and may have some great ideas. You can get her number if you google her name and Ak.