Nature-lovers Stacie and Dan’s story begins many years ago at a local bar in Haines, Alaska - where they had both moved from different parts of the US. The couple waited over eight years to finally tie the knot, as they usually spent their summers doing field biology in remote parts of Alaska. They had a smaller ceremony with good friends, before the hanging glaciers in the Chilkat State Park, followed by a larger reception in an impressive timber frame lodge at the Chilkat Inlet Retreat - a space built by local craftsmen who also happen to be their close friends. Stacie wore BLUSH’s champagne off-the-shoulder floral lace wedding dress, adorned with simple pearl earrings, a necklace her mother wore at her wedding and a pair of practical boots so that she wouldn’t trip down the rugged aisle! Continue reading below to hear more about Stacie and Dan’s truly picturesque mountainside wedding. Cheers to this lovely couple!
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Engagement Year | Wedding Year
We were engaged in 2019 and married in 2021. The long engagement was unintentional, but like many others, the Covid-19 pandemic scuttled our original plans.
Where are each of you from? How did you meet?
I grew up in Northern California and Dan grew up near Minneapolis, Minnesota. We both moved to Haines, AK many years ago and met at a local bar.
How long were you in a relationship before you got engaged and married?
We usually spend our summers doing field biology in remote parts of Alaska, so we waited over eight years to finally tie the knot.
Where did your wedding take place?
Our ceremony took place before hanging glaciers in the Chilkat State Park, and our reception was held in an impressive timber frame lodge at the Chilkat Inlet Retreat.
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Why did you choose your venue?
The Chilkat State Park has stunning views over a glacial fjord, but it is also meaningful to us as a neighborhood launch pad for many local adventures.
The lodge at the Chilkat Inlet Retreat was built by local craftsmen who are also close friends.
It is a special place where we've had many a good time. Plus the owner creates an enchanting setting throughout the whole grounds, so decoration was a breeze.
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What did your partner wear?
Dan wore a nice fitted burgundy button up under a wool vest, adorned with a boutonniere. This may seem hilarious to some, but he also wore brand new Carhartt pants that he was not allowed to wear before the wedding... it is Alaska after all.
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What flowers were in your bouquet?
A friend gathered flowers from multiple local gardens to created a truly stunning piece.
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Did you make anything DIY?
Pretty much everything was DIY. From the stones that friends and family stacked for our simple alter, to the mint and goshawk feather centerpieces...
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What kind of music was playing? Did you have a playlist?
A local string band (heavy on the fiddle) played at our reception. We danced to Neil Young's Harvest Moon for the opening dance.
How did you choose your wedding cake? Who made it?
After learning that wedding cakes cost nearly $1,000, my best friend created a masterpiece free of charge. It was a chocolate stout sponge with a whiskey buttercream frosting. Right up our ally!
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What is your favorite memory from that day? (I know, it’s hard to pick just one!)
Saying our vows in front of our loved ones.
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What is one thing you wish you would have known when planning your wedding?
That it was going to be the best day of my life no matter how much or little I stressed leading up to it.
What is your number one tip for building a happy relationship?
Communicate and laugh... a lot!
Where did you go on your honeymoon? (or planning to go)
We hope to rent a car in Argentina so we can explore the Patagonia area.
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Photographer @hannah_alaska