The rewards and risks of having a wedding on a glacier can be breath taking. I had the honor of covering a recent glacier wedding on the Knik Glacier. There is nothing better then flying in a helicopter and landing on a blue glacier, the photos are breath taking. But for the groom and bride, certain risks are taken to this type of adventure. The helicopter pilot couldn't land in the best spots for the wedding, as we landed, the ground started to give way, too much water and not enough solid ground. We were in no danger, the helicopter was still at full throttle and we just took off again and landed at another spot. We got lucky the next time and found a firm location and no wind! That is a hard feat to find in the hills, no wind. With glaciers all around you, just a small amount of wind can make this type of wedding short and the weather can turn on a dime on any mountain top. Renting a helicopter is very expensive so couples getting married want the best weather. You can only cross your fingers and hope that the weather will hold out to get the photos, because down the road, years from now, that is what they will be looking at. So as a photographer, the game is on, get those photos, test the ice and snow for the wedding party, hope that the wind doesn't come hollowing down and keep your fingers from freezing off. I hope to see you at your next glacier wedding, that is the best wedding one can have, so close to the ice and snow in Alaska.

A wedding on the Knik Glacier in Alaska. Photo by Ralph Radford