FAQs

Question

When should I RSVP by?

Answer

Please RSVP no later than June 4th. We will be sending out the link to RSVPs in the mail on the "formal" invitations, so keep an eye out for those the second week of May!

Question

When should I book lodging?

Answer

Kodiak in the summer can be a busy place with tourism, world class hunting and fishing. Look into lodging sooner than later. There options are limited and will go quickly.

Question

I'm so excited to visit Kodiak! Can I invite some friends/family along?

Answer

Alaska, and Kodiak in particular, is a GREAT place and we are so excited to share it with you. Unfortunately, we're on a tight budget and Kodiak has a limited number of lodging/venue options, so we've had to make some really difficult down-sizing decisions. There are lots of family and friends who won't be there to share the day with us because of this. We hope to celebrate with them at a later date though in our home towns of Fairbanks and San Jose. If you are intending on having friends and family along for a personal trip, please make those plans for after the wedding weekend.

Question

How's the fishing?

Answer

Fishing is great! There are many accessible rivers off the main road system, and in July the salmon should be running strong, though there are other options in lake fishing such as Dolly Varden, steelhead, and rainbow trout. A fly rod is Brandon's tool of choice, but you can make due with whatever you have. Tori and Brandon have a number of rods, and can arrange for more if given notice. Fishing licenses can be purchased locally and there are also a number of businesses that will package, freeze, and ship your catch quickly to your home. Don’t forget bears are also interested in your catch. So be aware when you catch and clean a fish. You might not be the only one drooling over dinner. Halibut fishing can also be accomplished if you have a day to kill on the ocean. There are many local charters available.

Question

How’s the hiking?

Answer

We use the apps AllTrails and Strava when we go out. Friend us on it and you will have detailed notes about each hike. One of the larger components of Tori's job is hiking the trails here, so reach out to her if you have any specific questions. If you do go out when you get here, tell a friend where you are going as most of these trails do not have great cell service (welcome to the Alaskan wilderness), and the weather can be quite finicky. Hiking suggestions: -Bear Bells. Feels silly, but actually pretty useful. -A speaker. We crank up the tunes when we hike (Bears know you are there). Just be respectful of other hikers. -Be cautious on the cliffs. The rock, or rather the thin layer of topsoil over a layer of volcanic ash, can be unstable, and you never know when the rain may have sluffed that last bit of soil away that was holding the rest of it up. -Bring a friend

Question

Do I need to worry about bears?

Answer

We recommend simply being proactive and mentally prepared. There are a lot of bears on the island and around town, so you should always be aware of your surroundings and minimize attractants like garbage or foods in your car. Realistically though, bears are NOT looking to get you and will generally avoid confrontation if they know you are there. So be loud and take a friend if you are going for a walk or hike, don't walk with headphones on, and those silly little bear bells are not actually that silly. We recommend them. Check out some of the videos and articles from NPS, ADF&G, or the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge on what to do if you meet a bear. It could be a trail or the Walmart parking lot, they aren't opposed to walking the streets looking for edible opportunities. Now that your head is on a swivel, be sure to be looking for cubs as well. Many locals also say pay attention to your nose, bears have an odd stinky odor that can also warn you when one is near (unverified info, but hey).

Question

What weather can I expect while in Kodiak?

Answer

The Kodiak Island Rain Festival is from January 1st through December 31st. It is entirely possible and probable that it will either rain hard, constantly drizzle, and/or be extremely windy. July is a beautiful time of year here, and these past few summers have been relatively warm, dry, and sunny, but better to be prepared and not need it than miserably wet and without the right gear. There is a place on island that sells high quality rain/fishing gear, but is pricey due to the fact it's been shipped to an Alaskan island.

Question

What are those sirens?! What do I do in the event of a tsunami or earthquake?

Answer

Kodiak runs a TEST of the tsunami sirens at 2pm every Wednesday. It typically lasts for about 4 minutes and is concluded with the Westminister Bell chime. It’s fun to hear what they sound like but no need to worry. If you feel an earthquake, be ready for a Tsunami alarm to follow. Move to high ground. There are signs along the road that are blue and white circles and mark evacuation routes. As long as you are above 100ft of elevation that isn't a cliff, you're fine. It's also highly recommended to always keep your gas tank from going less than 1/4 tank in the event of a real emergency. Common Evacuation Points: Safeway Walmart The Campbell’s house Kodiak High School Northstar Elementary

Question

How do I contact Brandon or Tori?

Answer

We are happy to answer any and all questions you may have. Feel free to call or text us, Facebook message us, or email Tori at chenhae@gmail.com

Question

Why won't my phone work?

Answer

Hey guys I’ll be honest, here in Kodiak you might have some technology problems depending on who your carrier is. Around town and the "flats" isn't terrible, but there are many dead zones and no coverage the farther from town you get. Again it's really important to let someone know where you're going and when to expect you back if you decide to take a drive out to the road system ends or a hike through the woods.

Question

Where is the wedding?

Answer

This link should take you to a map. https://maps.apple.com/?address=Kodiak%20Island,%20AK,%20United%20States&ll=57.723246,-152.449991&q=Kodiak%20Island&_ext=EiYpC2yENBlfTEAxUysCUpFZY8A5zmm7rgQATUBB1b0EXfEEY8BQDA%3D%3D&t=m