Ely, Svinicki wed

Buck and Kayla began dating in the winter of 2013 after a successful bowling night under the cosmic lights. Buck proposed on Valentine’s Day 2015 on a Ward Air Glacier Sight Seeing tour after having placed giant logs on the beach to spell “Marry me” for Kayla to see from the floatplane window.

A year and a half later, Buck and Kayla married on July 2, 2016, at Buck’s parents’garden, Juneau Rainforest Garden, and continued their reception at Eaglecrest Ski Lodge in the mountains beneath the midnight sun.

The bride is the daughter of Shannon Ely and Travis McCain. The groom is the son of Jane and Jeff Svinicki.

Jeff Svinicki officiated the ceremony. The bride was attended by Kristie Ely, Alicia Maryott, Rochelle Rogers, Jamie Shanley, Jessica Valero, Tenaya Sanders-Rouget andCierra McCain. The groom was attended by Nick Svinicki, Jay Hendricks, Pat Shanley, Reece Satran, Austin Paul and Ryan Kegler. Summer Svinicki served as the flower girl while Carson Kautz served as the ring bearer.

The Svinickis said they are so excited to have shared their marriage with their two children. Carson and Summer, and family and friends.

More in Neighbors

The whale sculpture at Overstreet park breaches at sunrise on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
Weekly events guide: Juneau community calendar for Dec. 22-28

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at JAHC.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

Hiking down from Dan Moller cabin in mid-January 2025. (photo courtesy John Harley)
Sustainable Alaska: Skiing on the edge

The difference between a great winter for skiing and a bad one can be a matter of a few degrees.

Jeff Lund photo 
The author practices in case he had the chance to be Jimmy from the 1986 movie Hoosiers. He never got the chance on the basketball floor, but had moments in life in which he needed to be clutch.
Opinion: Everyone wants to be Jimmy

Sports, and the movie “Hoosiers,” can teach you lessons in life

Laura Rorem (courtesy photo)
Living and Growing: Gracious, gentle power

Gracious power is grace expressed with kindness and mercy.

Juneau as pictured from the Downtown Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2025. (Mari Kanagy/Juneau Empire)
Weekly events guide: Juneau community calendar for Dec. 15-21

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at JAHC.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

Downtown Juneau experiences its first significant city-level snow fall of the season as pictured on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Mari Kanagy / Juneau Empire)
Weekend guide for Dec. 12-14

Visit Juneau Arts and Humanities Council at jahc.org for more details on this week’s happenings.

A totem pole, one of 13 on downtown’s Totem Pole Trail in Juneau, Alaska, Nov. 27, 2024. (Christopher S. Miller/The New York Times)
Peggy McKee Barnhill (Courtesy photo)
Gimme a smile: My roommate’s name is Siri

She hasn’t brought a lot of stuff into the house, and she takes up very little space.

photo courtesy Tim Harrison 
Rev. Tim Harrison is senior pastor at Chapel by the Lake.
Living and Growing: I Wonder as I Wander

The Rev. Tim Harrison reflects on the Christmas season.

Jeff Lund photo 
The author heard what he thought was a squirrel. It was not a squirrel.
I Went into the Woods: A change of plans

It was only a 30-hour trip but it’s always better to bring more food than you count on eating.

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
Reverend Gordon Blue from the Church of the Holy Trinity gives an invocation at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Living and Growing: Psalm 30, Ouroboros, the dragon of fear and love.

Psalm 30:6 Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the… Continue reading

Shoppers and vendors mingle along rows of booths in the mall ballroom at Centennial Hall during the Juneau Public Market last year, which returns this year starting Friday, Nov. 28. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)