If you’re getting married in Alaska for the beauty of it (the wildness, the quiet, the feeling that the world is bigger than you) there is nowhere quite like Jensen-Olson Arboretum for your wedding.
Tucked along the coastline in Juneau, this place doesn’t feel like a traditional wedding venue. It’s truly a full on experience. An outdoor ceremony space where you can hear birds mid-vow, watch seals floating in the harbor below, and maybe even spot a whale spout in the distance while bald eagles pass overhead. This sounds like flowery language, but I wouldn’t be saying it if I hadn’t seen each of these during my time photographing weddings here!
If Alaska is the reason you’re choosing to get married here, this is the venue that lets Alaska show up fully.
Getting Married at Jensen-Olson Arboretum in Juneau, Alaska
Located about 15 miles north of downtown Juneau along the scenic stretch locals call “Going Out the Road,” Jensen-Olson Arboretum sits on several acres of coastal forest and botanical gardens overlooking the Lynn Canal.
The arboretum is a public botanical garden managed by the Friends of Jensen-Olson Arboretum and is known especially for its extensive peony collection. But beyond the gardens themselves, what makes it unforgettable as a wedding location is the view — open ocean, forest, mountains, and sky all layered together in one quiet corner of Southeast Alaska.
Weddings here are typically intimate. Guest counts are generally around 40 people or fewer, making it ideal for couples who want a smaller gathering focused on experience rather than spectacle. Its magic is in its location nestled in nature.
Wedding Ceremony Location at Jensen-Olson Arboretum
Most wedding ceremonies take place in the corner of the arboretum that overlooks the harbor. From this elevated spot, you can see the water stretching out below, mountains layered on the other side of the water, and sometimes wildlife moving quietly through the channel.
Guests are seated outdoors, surrounded by gardens and coastal air. There’s a short walk down a trail to reach the ceremony site, so comfortable footwear (I don’t recommend stilettos), a little bit of buffer time for elderly guests, and clear directions for guests are helpful to plan in advance. The venue does provide some signage to help!
Juneau is already a quieter city compared to most places, but here you feel removed from everything. During ceremonies, you may hear:
- Birds in the surrounding forest
- Waves lapping along the shoreline
- The distant sound of seals in the water
- Bald eagles overhead
It’s Alaska being fully present and very immersive. If you want four walls and climate control, this isn’t the venue. If you want the landscape to be part of your vows, there’s truly nowhere better.
Guest Count, Amenities & Logistics to Know
Because this is a botanical garden and not a traditional event center, there are a few practical things couples should plan for:
- Guest counts are typically kept small (around 40 or fewer).
- There are two small restrooms onsite.
- There is a decent amount of parking available.
- You’ll need to walk a short trail to reach the ceremony space.
- There is no indoor reception space onsite.
Most couples choose to get ready offsite — often at a nearby Airbnb — and arrive dressed and ready for the ceremony.
Since there is no dedicated reception space, many couples host dinner elsewhere in Juneau following their ceremony. I always recommend building your timeline intentionally so you can transition smoothly from ceremony to celebration.
And because this is Alaska, weather is part of the experience.
Weather in Juneau, Alaska (Embrace It!)
Juneau is known for its rain and overcast skies. Every wedding I’ve photographed here has been beneath soft, cloudy light — which, honestly, photographs beautifully and is my favorite.
On sunny days, the ceremony site can become slightly backlit depending on the time of year and positioning of the sun. Alaska’s light is dramatically different by season. Summer brings incredibly long days, with soft evening light that seems to stretch on forever. Winter brings short days and a higher risk of travel delays due to snow, but has its own quiet beauty.
If rain shows up? I always tell my couples the same thing:
If you’re choosing to get married in nature, let nature be part of it!!
Clear umbrellas with rain trickling down can make for the sweetest photos. The mist over the water feels romantic. And I’ve never experienced weather here that felt unmanageable — even on rainy or snowy days.
Best Time of Year for a Jensen-Olson Arboretum Wedding
If I had to give a heartfelt recommendation, get married in July!
Summer in Juneau is lush, green, and alive. Wildflowers span the fields and climb into the mountains. I have never witnessed summer wildflowers as intense as the ones in Juneau. The gardens are in full bloom. The weather is at its mildest, and July statistically sees less rain compared to much of the year.
Spring can still be muddy from melting snow, going into early June. Fall is stunning with changing colors though comes with shorter days and cooler temperatures. Winter weddings are beautiful in their own way but carry higher travel risks due to snow and limited daylight.
If you want long light, vibrant greens, and the fullest expression of Southeast Alaska — summer is it.
Wedding Photos at Jensen-Olson Arboretum
One of my favorite things about this property is that there is no shortage of places for portraits.
The arboretum itself offers:
- Forested trails
- Open grassy areas
- Flower gardens
- Harbor views
- Beach access
- Groves and tucked-away corners
Just beyond the ceremony site, above the harbor beach, there’s a stretch of grass that might be my favorite portrait location on the property. Elevated above the water, it feels expansive and intimate all at once.
But what makes this venue even more special is its location along “Going Out the Road.” This stretch eventually dead-ends at the mountains and is miles upon miles of rugged Alaskan beauty. Before or after the ceremony, couples can explore remote pull-offs, coastal overlooks, and wild landscapes for portraits that feel untouched and deeply personal. It is my favorite road on earth to drive.
My Recommended Wedding Day Timeline Here
Personally, I love doing most portraits before the ceremony.
Here’s what I often suggest:
- First look at your Airbnb
- Couple portraits while driving and exploring remote coastal spots
- Ceremony at the arboretum
- 15–20 minutes of family and wedding party portraits onsite
- Head to dinner and celebrate
This approach gives you private, unhurried time together before the ceremony while also maximizing the time you get to spend with your people afterward.
With Alaska’s long summer light, evening portraits are also an incredible option — especially if your day happens to be sunny. The light softens late in the evening and feels almost surreal. But for couples planning on an open bar or wanting to relax on their wedding evening, before the ceremony leads to a much more relaxed day.
Where to Host Your Reception Dinner in Juneau
Since Jensen-Olson Arboretum is primarily a ceremony venue, many couples continue their celebration elsewhere.
One of my favorite spots to recommend is Salt. It offers:
- A loft area perfect for cocktail hour
- A main dining floor for dinner
- Space that can be cleared for dancing
- Incredible food
Other local favorites include The Hangar on the Wharf, which offers waterfront dining and classic Alaskan flavors.
If you’re hosting guests from out of town, I also recommend encouraging them to book Airbnbs nearby. Juneau has plenty of options, and staying in a home rental often gives guests a more immersive Alaskan experience than a traditional hotel.
Things to Do While You’re in Juneau, Alaska
If you’re planning a destination wedding, make it an adventure.
While you’re here, consider:
- Exploring Mendenhall Glacier (there’s lower valley hikes, ice climbing, heli flights, and kayaking on the glacier)
- Whale watching tours in the Lynn Canal
- Visiting the iconic whale statue near the waterfront
- Riding the Mount Roberts Tramway to the top of the mountain
- Walking Eagle Beach
- Taking a slow evening drive “Out the Road”
Your wedding doesn’t have to be just one day!! It can be a full experience and I recommend that for EVERYONE.
Who Jensen-Olson Arboretum Is Perfect For
This venue is for couples who:
- Love Alaska for its wildness
- Want a small, intentional guest list
- Care more about experience than tradition
- Want to hear the ocean during their vows and be immersed in nature
- Love the forests and wildflowers of Juneau
- Are okay to embrace what mother earth brings to their day
This venue is for people who understand that the landscape is the décor.
Jensen-Olson Arboretum Wedding Photographer
Hi friend, I’m Elayna!! The face behind Elayna RaNae Photo and Film.
I’m based in Utah, but I primarily serve couples who want intimate, nature-based weddings across the West. My work is mostly focused in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Tetons.
I approach weddings the same way I approach life: romanticizing the in-between. Grounding yourself in the moments your present in. The wind in your veil. The way the harbor smells like salt and rain. The way your hands find each as you walk down the aisle. I want you to experience your day beyond a list of poses and photos spots. I want you to be able to be fully present with each other and see truly honest photos of all the good love has brought you.
If that feels aligned, I would be so stoked to hear from you!!
You can see more of my work and reach out here.
Let’s create something that genuinely captures Alaska and your love!! Thanks for being here 🤍
