Best Wedding Venues in Soldotna, Alaska | Kenai River Weddings
For couples who live in Soldotna or have family ties to the area, getting married here just makes sense. It’s a place full of meaning, whether you grew up fishing the Kenai River, spent summers exploring the outdoors, or simply love the beauty of Alaska.
While Homer and Seward might have more dramatic mountain views, Soldotna has its own charm, especially with riverfront venues, rustic barn settings, and open spaces that let you celebrate with all your friends and family.
- Fishing & the Kenai River – If you love fishing, boating, or just being near the river, this is the perfect wedding backdrop.
- It’s home – Many couples getting married here grew up in the area or have family in town.
- Easier for guests – A wedding in Soldotna means family and friends don’t have to travel far.
- A variety of venues – Whether you want a riverside lodge, rustic barn, or private lakefront setting, there are options for different wedding styles.
- A great launching point for guests exploring Alaska – While not a destination wedding hotspot, it's close to Homer and Seward, making it easy for out-of-state guests to see more of Alaska before or after the wedding.
📸 Photography Tip: If you’ve ever dreamed of romantic, fairytale-like wedding photos with a horse, this venue makes it easy. Their trained horses are accustomed to photoshoots, meaning you’ll get breathtaking portraits with an Alaskan landscape backdrop. The combination of golden light, rolling fields, and these majestic animals creates a timeless and cinematic feel.
🎥 Watch Courtney & Zane’s stunning ranch wedding here:
Top Wedding Venues in Soldotna, Alaska
Whether you’re planning a riverfront wedding, a rustic barn celebration, or a private lodge ceremony, here are the best wedding venues in Soldotna.
Lone Moose Lodge : Best for: A quiet, intimate wedding on the Kenai River
If you’re looking for a peaceful setting right on the Kenai River, Lone Moose Lodge is a great option. This private riverside venue is perfect for couples who want a laid-back atmosphere with stunning water views.
- Scenic outdoor ceremony space – The ceremony site is set near the river, with a staircase leading down to the water’s edge.
- Indoor & outdoor reception options – Host your reception inside the cozy venue or outside on the deck.
- Weekend wedding-friendly – On-site accommodations for guests, plus cabins & an RV park for extra lodging.
- Small bridal suite on-site – Perfect for the bride to get ready in a relaxed setting.
📸 Photography Tip: The Kenai River’s blue-green waters create beautiful reflections in wedding portraits, especially in the evening light.
🎥 Watch Real Weddings at Lone Moose Lodge
Cusack’s on the Kenai : Best for: A gorgeous riverside wedding venue with an Alaska lodge feel
A longtime favorite in Soldotna, Cusack’s on the Kenai is one of the most polished venues in town. With beautifully maintained grounds, a stunning riverfront ceremony space, and a clear wedding tent for receptions, it’s a great choice for couples who want a well-organized wedding with an authentic Alaskan feel.
- Riverside ceremony space – A classic Kenai River wedding setting.
- Wedding reception tent on-site – Saves you money on renting a tent, and lets in lots of natural light so your wedding photos aren’t dark or overly contrasty.
- Great for a weekend of fishing & celebration – Fishing poles are provided, and the host can teach guests how to fish!
📸 Photography Tip: Their clear wedding tent not only saves you money on a tent rental but also allows soft, natural light to flood in, meaning your wedding photos will look bright and natural instead of dark and overly contrasted.
🎥 Watch a Real Wedding at Cusack’s on the Kenai:
The Cannery Lodge : Best for: A rustic but refined wedding venue with history
If you want a venue with character, The Cannery Lodge is a great option. Located along the Kenai River, this historic venue blends rustic charm with modern amenities, making it one of the more unique wedding locations in Soldotna.
- Historic lodge setting – A charming mix of old Alaska and modern event space.
- Scenic riverfront location – Perfect for ceremonies or receptions by the water.
- Flexible space for any size wedding – Great for both small & large celebrations.
📸 Photography Tip: The rustic buildings and river views create a warm, cozy atmosphere for wedding portraits.
Diamond M Ranch Resort: A rustic barn wedding with open space & bluff views
For couples wanting a more country-style wedding, Diamond M Ranch Resort is a great option. This family-run venue features a rustic barn, wide-open spaces, and stunning bluff views overlooking the Kenai River flats and Cook Inlet.
✅ Rustic barn setting – A laid-back alternative to a ballroom reception.
✅ Bluff views overlooking the river & Cook Inlet – One of the best scenic backdrops in Soldotna.
✅ Spacious venue for large guest lists – Plenty of room for big wedding celebrations.
📸 Photography Tip: The driftwood-strewn beach and open ocean views create a classic Alaskan coastal backdrop. If you want epic sunset wedding photos, this is the spot!
- Rustic barn setting – A laid-back alternative to a ballroom reception.
- Bluff views overlooking the river & Cook Inlet – One of the best scenic backdrops in Soldotna.
- Spacious venue for large guest lists – Plenty of room for big wedding celebrations.
📸 Photography Tip: The barn + bluff combo offers both rustic charm and dramatic scenic shots for wedding portraits.
🎥 Watch a Real Wedding at Diamond M Ranch Resort:
Lakeside Falls: A quiet, beautifully landscaped outdoor wedding venue
For couples looking for a peaceful, secluded wedding venue with stunning landscaping, Lakeside Falls is a hidden gem in Soldotna. Unlike busier riverside lodges, this venue provides a completely private setting with immaculate grounds, multiple ponds, waterfall, and scenic bridges—all designed to create a storybook wedding atmosphere.
- Gorgeous outdoor reception space – Immaculately landscaped with lush grass, rock features, and multiple ponds.
- Serene waterfall backdrop – A one-of-a-kind ceremony setting with a cascading waterfall.
- Bridges, ponds, and natural beauty – The picturesque pathways and water features make this venue feel like a hidden oasis.
- Private getting-ready spaces – Small bride and groom suites are available for pre-ceremony prep.
📸 Photography Tip: Lakeside Falls is a dream for wedding photos—it offers waterfalls, a lake, ponds, grassy fields, forests, rock pathways, and scenic bridges, all in one location. Everywhere you turn, there’s another stunning photo opportunity, making it an incredible venue for couples who want variety without leaving their wedding site.
Bonus: Want to Build Out Your Wedding Gallery?
While each of these venues has beautiful photo opportunities, sometimes it’s nice to add variety to your wedding album. If you have extra time on your wedding day, consider allowing some time with your photographer to run off for some additional bridal portraits at one of these locations:
🌿 Wide open fields in Soldotna – For soft, romantic portraits with wide open landscapes
🌅 Soldotna Creek Park – A beautiful riverside location with a scenic boardwalk, perfect for portraits with the Kenai River in the background.
🌊 Kenai Beach – Great for beach wedding portraits with distant mountains.
🏔 Cooper Landing – Glacier-green Kenai Lake & mountains, but adds 3+ hours to your wedding day.
Final Thoughts: Choosing a Wedding Venue in Soldotna
Soldotna may not be a major destination wedding hotspot, but for couples who live here or have family ties, it’s a meaningful and beautiful place to get married. Whether you’re planning a riverfront wedding, a barn celebration, or a lakeside ceremony, there are some great venues that showcase the natural beauty of the Kenai Peninsula.
Want even more variety in your wedding photos? Take a short drive to Kenai Beach for coastal shots or Cooper Landing for dramatic mountain and glacier lake backdrops. The best locations aren’t always found on Google—you need a local who knows the hidden gems!
📸 And that’s where I come in.
I was born and raised in Soldotna, and I’ve spent my whole life exploring this area, filming weddings, and finding the best spots for breathtaking photos and videos. Whether you’re getting married at Lone Moose Lodge, Cusack’s on the Kenai, or planning an intimate elopement, I’d love to help you capture every moment in a way that feels authentic, meaningful, and uniquely Alaskan.
📩 Let’s chat about your wedding!
🎥 Want to see real Soldotna weddings in action? Watch Now