Our Wedding- September 2026
Travel and Accommodations
Getting Here
Please let us know as soon as possible via RSVP if you are able to join us!
We will be arranging hotel accommodations here in Valdez, and we have a special discount code for the flights. Due to the variance in arrival and departure dates we will not be able to set up accommodations in Anchorage. Please remember, you need to arrive in Anchorage ATLEAST 1 day before the wedding, as it is over a 6 hour drive, and flights into Valdez are not the most reliable. Travel from the lower 48, into Valdez typically takes at least 2 days. 1 day to get into Anchorage, and another to get from Anchorage to Valdez.
Flights
We will have a party Discount Code for our guests who fly with Alaska Airlines into Anchorage.
CODE:
Please make sure that your flight arrives into Anchorage at least 1 day before you want to be in Valdez.
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The flights via Reeve airlines into Valdez are often cancelled due to weather, please keep this in mind and schedule your arrival day into Valdez accordingly. They fly to Valdez in small prop planes, flying low, offering some AMAZING VIEWS of the mountains and glaciers!
Depending on the number of guests flying in via Reeve to Valdez, and on what day, we may have a Discount Code:
CODE:
The Ferry
If you decide to take the ferry to Alaska:
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Bellingham, WA to Ketchikan: 38 hours
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Ketchikan to Juneau: 20 hours
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Juneau to Yakutat: 17 hours
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Yakutat to Whittier: 22 hours
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Whittier to Valdez, AK: 5 hrs 45 mins
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Total Boat Travel will be over: 103 hrs.
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The Valdez Ferry is just 1.5 blocks down the street from the Keystone Hotel. Please make sure to book these reservations as far in advance as possible. Make sure your arrival date into Valdez is the 8th of September or earlier. The ferry often arrives into port late, only 3 days per week, when restaurants and stores have already closed. Please make sure you have food to snack on for the trip, and for late arrival. The ferry has food for sale available, but the prices are high.
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The Drive
If you decide to rent a car and drive into Valdez from Anchorage please make sure you're aware it is a 5.5-6hr drive. We recommend leaving Anchorage by 1pm to arrive in Valdez while there are still things open to get some food upon arrival. With plenty of sights to see and photograph the trip may take longer. There are 2 main stops along the drive. Palmer and Glennallen.
Palmer is approximately 1 hr. outside of Anchorage. This is where I would recommend a bathroom break, gas, lunch or stock up on some snacks. Last call for any chain fast food options, there are none in Valdez. Next stop, Glennallen, about 3.5hrs outside of Anchorage. If you did not fuel in Palmer, you should top off your tank in Glennallen at the HUB. This gift shop is pretty great, so have a look around, and make sure you use the restroom, this is the final stop approximately 2 hrs. from Valdez.
Thompson Pass, While no fuel or bathroom options if the weather is cooperative, you may wanna stop for the photo opportunities at the top, just 30 miles outside of Valdez, the pass is the snowiest place in the United States, getting 50' on average, offering comical snow poles, Worthington Glacier and breathtaking views! And don't forget Keystone Canyon, it is sprinkled with many gorgeous waterfalls!
Rental Cars
We will have a party Discount Code for our guests who rent a car in Anchorage,
CODE:
Please make sure that your flight arrives into Anchorage at least 1 day before you want to be in Valdez.
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600 miles round-trip, the drive usually takes at least 1 full tank of gas. On avg. gas prices in Alaska are running at $3.86/gal.
There are an extremely limited number of rental cars in Valdez. If you are flying into Valdez, and would like a Rental car to tour around, please reserve the car as far in advance as possible. One-way rentals will not be possible.
For the most part, Valdez is walkable. We do have 1 cab in town that can be called to get around if you decide against a rental vehicle.
Hotels
We will be booking Free and Discounted hotel accommodations for guests at the Keystone Hotel, in Valdez, which Josh and I manage. We understand Alaska can be a once in a lifetime trip, so please let us know when you plan to be in Valdez. Please contact us with your RSVP so we can determine the type of room you will be needing, the length of stay and get it reserved for you. **People bringing children please note the number, ages when you RSVP so we can make sure room is the right size, and arrange childcare for the wedding as it is child-free**
In Anchorage, we are able to get you a discounted stay at the Alex Hotel, please contact us to make these arrangements.
Child-care
As we get closer to the wedding I will find a short list of local trusted babysitters here in Valdez to help make an adventure day possible for the kiddos as the Wedding is child-free. Hopefully, they would also have some availability for any other times, incase you need a break from the kiddos during the trip.
Touring
Our wedding is near the end of the summer tourist season in Alaska. If you would like to go other places, and tour around while here in Alaska I would recommend doing so before the wedding. This is because many tour companies will no longer be running, shops and food places will closing, and hours for many things to see and do will be shortened. While the wedding is child-free, they are welcomed to be brought with you! It is the beginning of the school year, unfortunately, but the different museums, animals, and things they could learn on a trip up here are immense! Definitely worth missing a couple days in class.