As a wedding planner in the heart of Alaska, I’ve seen firsthand how our couples embrace the beauty of the Last Frontier to create breathtaking and unforgettable celebrations – seriously, sometimes Alaska IS the decor! At Wild Rose Weddings & Events, we’re always looking ahead to the latest trends, and 2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold aesthetics, immersive experiences, and sustainability-driven choices. Shopping Small & Local is always a priority when sourcing vendors & decor.

Here’s what’s making waves in the Alaskan wedding scene this year:

1. Aesthetic Wedding Dress Codes: More Than Just Colors

Gone are the days of a simple “formal” or “semi-formal” dress code—2025 wedding trends are all about curated aesthetics. Couples are getting creative by setting specific style themes for their guests, like:
✨ “Cozy Alaskan Chic” – Think warm tones, wool coats, and stylish boots
✨ “Countryside Casual” – Think wine country at sunset – summer dresses, warm-toned blazers, a relaxed upscale take on casual attire
✨ “Garden Party Formal” – Deep greens, browns, and natural textures
✨ “All Black Formal” – All black formalwear for a high-end, chic vibe

This trend makes for stunning wedding photos and ensures that every guest feels like part of the overall vision. Plus, it’s an exciting way to get guests engaged long before the big day! Many wedding couples are opting to provide moodboards and other fun ways to inspire their guests.

Photos by Kota’s Photos

2. Organic Decor: Incorporating Fruits & Vegetables

Floral arrangements are evolving—2025 is bringing edible elegance to wedding décor! Instead of relying solely on flowers, couples are incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs into centerpieces and tablescapes. Imagine:
🍐 Pears and pomegranates nestled among candles
🥕 Rustic farm-to-table setups with artful displays of carrots and beets
🌿 Herbs like rosemary and lavender for fragrant, natural accents
🍊 Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruit for a bright, bold vibe

This trend not only looks stunning but also aligns with the growing demand for sustainable décor—which leads us to our next trend!

Photos by Rachel Struve Photography

3. Tailored Welcome Parties in lieu of Traditional Rehearsal Dinners

The wedding weekend experience is getting an upgrade with highly personalized welcome parties. It seems that your traditional sit-down rehearsal dinners with the wedding party are becoming less common and we are seeing a surge in exciting welcome parties for both small and large groups. Instead of a generic meet-and-greet, couples are curating events that reflect their personalities and Alaskan adventures. Some of our favorites include:

🔥 Bonfire & Brews – A cozy night around the fire with local craft beers and bites
🎣 Fishing Derby – Guests can experience a classic Alaskan pastime before wedding day – perfect for smaller groups! Private Charters are available with most local guides.
🚢 Glacier Cruise Kickoff – A scenic boat ride with glacier & wildlife spotting – an amazing experience for out-of-town guests experiencing Alaska for the first time.
🎸 Live Band & Love – Perfect for couples who want it all – the live band experience & the hype party DJ. Invite your whole guest list and celebrate your love all weekend long.

This approach helps guests bond and sets the tone for an unforgettable wedding experience. Extravagant welcome parties are also a fun way to spend more time with your guests instead of a single-day wedding experience.

Photos by Chelsa Jay

4. Funky Textures & Patterns

Weddings in 2025 are getting a tactile twist! Couples are mixing fabrics, patterns, and textures in unexpected ways – and WE LOVE IT. Picture:
🎭 Velvet table linens paired with raw linen napkins
🪵 Wood and stone elements contrasting with soft, draped fabric backdrops
🎨 Linens in mixed patterns—florals, plaid, and even metallics

This bold trend allows couples to infuse personality into their décor and fashion, creating a visually dynamic wedding space. Even though we LOVE bold trends, here is the important reminder from your wedding planner: it is OKAY if you want soft whites and greens with splashes of pink, or traditional white and green only. You do not have to do things that are on “trend”. Timeless will win, every time.

5. Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Weddings

Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement, and Alaskan couples are leading the charge. Alaskans love local, Alaskans love small businesses and Alaskans love our land. In 2025, expect to see:
🌿 Lots of locally sourced flowers instead of imported blooms (we get it – there are some blooms we just can’t get here). Our local florists do an amazing job at shopping local flower farms. Here are a few to highlight:
🌼 Brown Dog Flower Farm
🌼 Mountain Field Farm
🌼 Alpenglow Flower Farm
🌼 Sun Circle Farm

🍽️ Farm-to-table menus featuring regional seafood, wild game, and organic produce
👗 Vintage, thrifted, or rental wedding decor to reduce waste. Checkout a few of my favorite rental shops here:
🥂 Forest and Fern
🥂 Classy & Elegant Events
🥂 Special Events Alaska

🎆 Biodegradable cutlery, confetti and eco-conscious favors like reusable tote bags instead of plastic items that end up in the landfill

Many couples are also opting for digital save-the-dates & invitations and minimizing single-use plastics at their events, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability.

6. Unique Reception Experiences

Receptions are becoming more interactive and experiential, ensuring guests don’t just witness a wedding—they feel like part of it. Some of the biggest trends for 2025 include:
🎶 Live music with a local Alaskan band instead of a DJ
🔥 Bonfire lounges for late-night storytelling and s’mores
🚁 Epic entrances for the newlyweds (because why not?)
🌌 Interactive Reception Games like scavenger hunts, time capsules, Mad Libs, and DJ-led table contests

Couples are moving away from strict formalities and embracing more immersive, relaxed experiences that celebrate their love in a truly authentic way.

To Close…

At Wild Rose Weddings & Events, we love seeing how Alaskan couples are redefining wedding traditions and making their big day uniquely theirs. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate glacier elopement or a multi-day wedding experience filled with adventure, 2025 is the year to think outside the box.

Planning your 2026 wedding? Let’s make it unforgettable! Reach out today, and let’s bring your vision to life—Alaska style.

Let’s Plan Your 2026 Alaska Wedding!

Here at WRWE, we offer an array of services to bring your dream wedding to life—whether you need full-service wedding planning or just day-of coordination to ensure everything runs smoothly.

✨ See what past couples had to say! ✨

“Dylan and her team were better than what we could have hoped for! Every step of the planning process she made very comfortable, stress free, and exciting. She communicated regularly, asked questions often, and responded quickly. She was amazing at finding unique ways to make our theme work that were cost effective, and has the patience of a saint.” – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rebekah & Alex

Ready to start planning? Inquire today and let’s create an unforgettable Alaskan wedding experience!