Updated May 2026
A Kachemak Bay elopement in Homer, Alaska is something special any time of year, but there’s something about visiting in the spring that makes it feel a little more like a secret. The summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, the landscape is deeply green, and if you’re eloping in May like Cari and Winston did, you should probably plan on a bit of rain. They embraced it completely and were prepared for a bit of uncertainty in exchange for a less crowded, more intimate experience, and honestly it paid off.
Their day was full of quiet moments, lots of laughter, and one of the more memorable elopement days we’ve had out on Kachemak Bay. Keep reading to hear all about it.
From Kansas to Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Cari and Winston knew they wanted to elope in Alaska, but they weren’t quite sure where. As we got to know them, we learned just how much they loved spending time on the water together, so when we started talking through location ideas, a Kachemak Bay elopement felt like a natural fit. Once they saw photos of the area, that was it. They knew that was where they wanted to say their vows. If you’re still narrowing down where in Alaska you want to elope, check out our guide to the best places to elope in Alaska.
Getting Ready Together
Cari and Winston chose to get ready together, which always makes for such a relaxed and unhurried morning. They rented a cute little Airbnb just outside of town with beautiful decorations, cozy details, and incredible views of the ocean. They played a few games of tic-tac-toe (their go-to game for deciding everything) before getting dressed, and then it was go time. Winston buttoned up the back of Cari’s dress and she helped with his cufflinks, and every moment was sweet and intimate, just how they wanted it. Before heading out they FaceTimed their parents back home for a quick hello and some final well wishes before tying the knot.
A Private Boat Charter Across Kachemak Bay
After saying goodbye to their parents, we headed down to the harbor to meet Coldwater Alaska for their private boat charter across Kachemak Bay. We loaded up and the captain took us out to their ceremony location, an isthmus on the far side of the water. If you’re not familiar, an isthmus is a narrow strip of land with water on both sides, and this one had rainforest, a sandy beach, and not another soul in sight. He dropped us off with two hours to explore, waved goodbye, and just like that we were completely alone out there.
Their Ceremony on the Isthmus
Cari and Winston said their vows right there on the isthmus with Becky officiating as a light rain started to fall. There was something about being that far out, completely alone in that little pocket of Alaska, that made the whole moment feel even more significant. As they shared their vows, tears quietly fell down both of their faces. Not a single dry eye on that isthmus that day.
If a Kachemak Bay elopement sounds like your kind of day, we’d love to hear about it.
Exploring and Red Velvet Cupcakes
After drying our tears, we set off to explore the rest of the isthmus. Trees lined both sides with a sandy beach running through the middle, and on one end there was a bit of a climb that rewarded us with incredible views of the glacial blue water below.
This isthmus is a popular camping spot, so there was a wooden bench sitting up there, and it turned into the perfect place to catch our breath and dig into some red velvet cupcakes. Cari has a sweet tooth and wanted to make sure they still had a little something sweet to celebrate with on their elopement day. Proof that you don’t have to give up the traditions you love just because you’re eloping.
Tips for Planning a Kachemak Bay Elopement
Kachemak Bay is one of our favorite places to photograph elopements, and if you’re starting to think about planning your own, here are a few things worth keeping in mind.
- Consider the shoulder season like Cari and Winston did. Kachemak Bay gets pretty busy in the summer, so planning for spring or fall means fewer crowds and a more intimate experience overall. If you want a better sense of what eloping in Homer actually looks like throughout the year, we have a whole post dedicated to eloping in Homer, Alaska. And if you’re just starting to explore the area, Visit Homer is a great resource for getting to know the town before you arrive.
- Most of the best locations around Kachemak Bay require some kind of transportation to access, whether that’s a private boat charter, a floatplane, or a helicopter. That’s part of what makes it so special, and honestly half the fun.
If you’re curious what a helicopter day like this can look like, we break it down here on Best Helicopter Elopement Locations.
- Come prepared for weather. Homer tends to run on its own schedule and a little rain is always possible, so build some flexibility into your plans and pack accordingly. More often than not it ends up being the best part of the story.
Cari and Winston’s Kachemak Bay elopement is a good reminder that the “imperfect” conditions often make for the most memorable days.
If you’re still exploring options across the state, you can also browse other Alaska elopement locations.
If you’re dreaming of an Alaska Elopement, we’d love to hear about it.
