Michigan is a beautiful state full of hidden gems, vibrant queer communities, and lots of adventures around every corner. If you’re looking to elope in Michigan, you’ve come to the right place—as a queer elopement photographer, I have some pro tips up my sleeve to help make the planning process as easy as possible.

In this article, I’ll give you the rundown of everything you need to know about eloping in Michigan, so you and your partner can have a day you’ll remember for the rest of your lives.

Why Elope in Michigan?

1. Michigan has some incredible scenery and is famous for its dune landscapes. There are lots of hiking trails, beaches, and waterfalls.
2. Michigan is surrounded by beautiful blue bodies of water: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie—it won’t be hard to find the perfect backdrop for your elopement.
3. It’s often less busy than other touristy states, like California, so you’ll have a better chance of having some privacy.
4. Michigan is not the most popular travel location, so you might find that it’s less expensive than other places in the country.
5. There are queer-friendly cities and towns all around the state.

How to Elope in Michigan: The Legalities

Not all couples choose to make their marriage official on their elopement day—and that’s okay! If you do want to make it legal, though, here’s what you need to know:

1. You need a marriage license. It costs $20 if you’re a Michigan resident or $30 if you’re from out of state.
2. You and your partner must be 18 years or older.
3. You must apply in person. Make sure you bring a valid license or state ID!
4. There is a three-day waiting period before the license gets issued.
5. Once you have the marriage license, you have 33 days to use it.
6. To make the marriage legal, you need an officiant and two witnesses over the age of 18 at your elopement.
7. If you elope in a national park or state park, make sure you check if you need a permit!

When to Elope in Michigan

If you want beautiful, warm weather for your elopement, I recommend eloping any time from May to October. This is when everything looks green and lush. Keep in mind that summer months tend to be quite hot and humid, especially by the lakes. Fall can be another beautiful time to elope with the leaves changing color. On the other hand, if you don’t mind the cold or snow, Michigan can have some beautiful winters!

At the end of the day, choosing when to have your Michigan elopement depends on your preferences as a couple. This is something you should discuss at the very beginning of your planning journey.

Read more about elopement planning: How to Elope: The Ultimate Guide

Where to Elope in Michigan

Michigan has some stunning elopement locations. As I mentioned earlier, the state is known for its beautiful dune landscapes and lakes, making for unique backdrops for your big day. I personally love the west/southwest side of the state near Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula (UP). It’s also worth noting that this west side of Michigan is only about two hours from Chicago, so if you’re from the city and are looking for an elopement spot that isn’t too far from home, these could be viable options!

Saugatuck

Closest airports: Gerald R. Ford International Airport (40-minute drive) and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (1 hour drive).

This gem is one of the most LGBTQIA+-friendly places in the entire Midwest region. It’s a cute little beach town right on Lake Michigan on the western side. It’s home to countless queer businesses, including a LGBTQ+-owned brewery and a queer-owned resort. A lot of the streets are also painted in rainbow colors.

Because this city is right on the lake, it makes for some jaw-dropping scenery—and the Lake Michigan sunrises and sunsets are unforgettable!

Union Pier

Closest airport: South Bend International Airport (a 40-minute drive)

Union Pier is on the southwestern part of the Great Lakes. It has many beautiful beaches and coastal-town vibes. It’s the perfect place if you want to incorporate water activities into your elopement. There are also tons of things to explore, like shops, galleries, wineries, distilleries, farm-to-table meals, and hiking trails. In short, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, no matter your interests as a couple.

Oval Beach

Closest airports: Gerald R. Ford International Airport (40-minute drive) and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (1 hour drive).

This beach is nothing short of spectacular. It’s known for its stunning shoreline and rolling dunes in the background. Oval Beach was named National Geographic Traveler’s Top Freshwater Beaches in the USA and Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 25 Beaches in the World—so you know it’s worth the hype. What’s even better is that Oval Beach is located in Saugatuck, so you’ll be surrounded by a lively, accepting, and affirming queer community.

Isle Royale National Park

Closest Airport: Houghton County Memorial Airport (it’s about a 6-hour ferry ride to the island).

This national park is literally the epitome of wilderness. It’s an island in the middle of Lake Superior. You can access it with a seaplane, ferry, or private watercraft. This location is ideal for those who love a bit of outdoor adventure. You can go for a hike or go boating or paddling. Aside from camping, the two accommodation options here are Rock Harbor Lodge and the Windigo Camper Cabins.

Keep in mind that you’ll need a special use permit to elope here.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Nearest airport: Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport (50-minute drive)

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the UP has a unique landscape that combines beaches, sandstone cliffs, deep forests, sand dunes, and waterfalls. It offers so many different backdrops for your elopement! If you’re into waterfalls, I recommend Spray Falls, a 70-foot remote waterfall that flows over the cliffs into Lake Superior.

Planning Your Michigan Elopement

Thankfully, planning an elopement in Michigan is not much different from eloping in other places, like Minnesota. Here are some general steps to keep in mind as you and your partner embark on this journey:

1. Brainstorm 

The first step in the elopement process is always a fun brainstorm. This is a chance for you and your partner to sit down and lay out all your ideas and dreams. Here are some things to ask yourself:

• What do you envision your dream elopement would look like?
• What kinds of landscapes do you love the most?
• What kind of weather do you like? What would be the ideal season for your elopement?
• What kind of vibe do you want? Adventurous? Cozy? Something totally new?
• Do you want to pack your elopement itinerary with different activities? If so, what kinds of activities?
• What are your individual and shared interests? Do you want to incorporate any of these elements into your big day?
• How will you plan your budget?

At this time, you can write everything down and sort your ideas into negotiables and non-negotiables. This will give you a good place to start researching.

2. Pick General Locations and Dates

If you already know you want to elope in Michigan, you’re ahead of the game. If there are a few spots in particular that you’d want to elope in, keep these in your back pocket and do some research to help you narrow down your choices. 

It’s also important to set a date that works for your schedule and comfort levels. Remember, you’ll want to choose a date with the seasonal weather in mind. It’s also a good idea to take into account general busy times. For example, if you’re looking for more privacy, eloping on a weekday will typically have fewer people around.

3. Book Your Photographer and Other Vendors

I always emphasize booking your elopement photographer early in the planning process. This is because we can actually help you navigate the planning and find the ideal spots for the ceremony with photography considerations in mind. Additionally, because I’m an LGBTQIA+ photographer, I can help you scope out the most queer-friendly and affirming places in Michigan to ensure your elopement is as stress-free and comfortable as possible. Other vendors you can consider hiring for your elopement include:

• An officiant (remember, you need someone to officiate your elopement if you’re making your marriage legal in Michigan!)
• Videographers
• Hair and makeup artists
• Florists 

4. Book Accommodations

If you’re not from Michigan or want to turn your elopement into a multi-day, overnight getaway, look into different accommodations that match your vibe and style. Ideally, you’ll want to find something near your ceremony location. If you can’t find something nearby or just don’t want to stay nearby, just make sure you budget for travel time in your itinerary. Accommodations can include hotels, Airbnbs, resorts, lodges, cabins, and literally anything else under the sun that piques your interest.

5. What to Bring

The main thing to keep in mind for your elopement packing list is the weather. Make sure you dress for the weather and pack extra items if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. Other than your every day and ceremony attire, don’t forget other essentials like food and snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and a first aid kit. For more ideas about what to bring, check out my comprehensive elopement packing list.

6. Plan Your Activities

This is often the most fun planning stage for couples. This is where you can return to your brainstormed ideas and sort out which activities to prioritize. The sky’s the limit when creating your itinerary. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Hiking
• Kayak or canoeing 
• Visit local shops
• Go to a winery or brewery
• Have a picnic
• Go for a sunset walk
• Write private letters to each other
• Make breakfast together
• Have a spa session

There are really endless possibilities when it comes to elopement activities. For more ideas, check out some of my previous blogs:

Read more: What to Do When You Elope

Read more: Adventure Elopement Ideas

Other Considerations

Do you have to invite guests?

Elopements tend to be smaller than weddings. With that said, how many people (if any) you decide to invite is totally up to you. If you prefer to bring a few close family and friends, go for it—just make sure you let them know ahead of time so they can mark it down in their calendars and book time off if needed! On the other hand, if you don’t want anyone else at your elopement, that’s perfect too. Just remember that you’ll need an officiant and two witnesses if you’re making your marriage legal (as your photographer, I can be a witness!).

What are the costs of eloping in Michigan?

While eloping can be less expensive than big weddings, it’s still important to be realistic about your budget and save a large chunk of money for things like travel, food, photographers, vendors, attire, accommodations, and more. For more information on budgeting for your elopement, check out my budgeting guide.

How will you get to your location?

Depending on the location you choose, many spots are accessible by car (with some potential hiking to get to the specific area, if you choose). For other locations, like Isle Royale National Park, you’ll need to take a ferry, boat, or seaplane. Other options, like buses or hire cars, may also be available, but this will require some extra research.

Booking An Elopement Photographer for Your Michigan Elopement

Whether you’re at the beginning of your elopement planning journey or in the thick of it, if you haven’t booked a photographer yet, now might be a good time to consider it! If you have questions about elopements or are ready to have someone come along for the journey, reach out to me. I absolutely adore Michigan and I’d be honored to be there to capture your beautiful love story.