When most couples talk about planning a destination wedding, they have something fairly ordinary in mind: the Bahamas, Las Vegas, etc. Sure, you can be the kind of couple who plans that kind of destination wedding. After all, it’s what most people are expecting. Or you could plan a destination wedding that is truly an unusual, one-of-a-kind, back-to-nature event.

Where can you have such an experience? That location is none other than Alaska – one of the few places in the United States where nature can still be experienced in all its pristine glory and where men still outnumber women by a pretty high majority.

Now before you dismiss Alaska and these fun Alaska-themed invitations and fly off to some tropical paradise, you need to know that Alaska isn’t the wilderness you might have imagined. There are plenty of things to see and do, especially in the major cities.

Anchorage, Alaska & Destination Weddings

Anchorage is one of the largest cities in Alaska and is one of the most beautiful, too. Tourists who come to the city may want to spend the first part of their journey just taking in the look of the place – that’s why Segway and trolley tours are available throughout the year. The city also includes an impressive art and history museum, the Imaginarium Science Discovery Center, and botanical gardens for guests to enjoy.

Guests looking for something less tourist-oriented may enjoy musical concerts which are performed regularly downtown and in some of the parks, as well as the hiking and bike riding trails that will take you deeper into the city’s natural beauty.

Juneau, Alaska & Destination Weddings

Of course Anchorage isn’t the only city in Alaska. Juneau has plenty to offer guests as well. In fact, one popular location for weddings is the Glacier Gardens. This botanical garden is one of the most breathtaking sites in all of Alaska. The attraction also allows couples to rent the facilities in the evening for their weddings and receptions. Rental costs are reasonable: $450 for weddings and $500 for receptions.

If you don’t want to be married among flowers, why not surrounded by ice? The Mendenhall Glacier is another popular attraction in Juneau where guests can learn all about glaciers and see one first hand. In addition to these two ideas, there’s also a tram that you can ride to get a gorgeous view of everything that makes the city and state so spectacular.

Alaskan Destination Weddings

Whether you decide to get married in Anchorage or Juneau or one of the other cities in Alaska, make sure you let your guests know well in advance about the arrangements. As you’re planning, consider comparing prices for flights and for cruises to the state. Alaskan cruises are quite popular and are sometimes an affordable option, plus you could always get married on the ship and celebrate your honeymoon in Alaska or vice versa.

The important thing is to talk to a travel agent and to consider working with a wedding planning who is knowledgeable about arranging these types of destination weddings.