A Romantic Mountain Wedding at Forget Me Not Nursery in Indian, Alaska

Alaska natives Nicole DeYoung and Erik Hjelm's late-summer wedding celebrated their home state’s natural beauty with a color palette of cool earth tones, wood accents and breathtaking views of the rugged landscape. Tucked away in the valley of the Chugach Mountains, Forget Me Not Nursery provided the natural setting and laid-back vibe the couple was after. To take advantage of the mountain views, the couple exchanged “I dos” outdoors underneath a simple cedar arch that Erik constructed himself. The unity ceremony was tailored to fit the locale, with Nicole and Erik planting a red leaf maple. The greenhouse played host to the postceremony soiree, where hanging flower baskets and bundles of handpicked flowers arranged in vintage brown bottles on spruce tree rounds infused the space with a rustic, garden-inspired aesthetic. To soften the décor, panels of airy ivory tulle were strung from the venue’s exposed wood beams. Even Nicole and Erik’s exit after the reception reflected the event’s romantic, earthy feel. “One of our friends found out that we didn’t have an exit plan leaving the reception. Without us knowing he set up candles outside along the walkway and had the bus we used to shuttle guests waiting for us,” Nicole says. “Everyone was lined up along the walkway and threw leaves in the air as we walked down the lit path to the bus. It was such a wonderful and sweet way to end our magical evening.”