Small Wedding & Michigan Elopement Guide

How do you dream yourself on your wedding day?


If you've ever dreamed yourself on your wedding day, how did it look? The truth behind this question is that there is no solid answer. Some people may envision a very large celebration surrounded by plentiful company, an extravagant food selection, & a dance floor so energized the night becomes filled with roaring laughter. But, for every Yin - there is a Yang. There are people who equally seek joy in solitude - finding that they are more happy with less as it brings them closer to the real presence of living in the moment, both physically & consciously. A marriage echoed off the stones of a local courthouse with family & friends carries no less value than a marriage spoken privately on the shores of the Great Lakes. Each one is blissfully beautiful & a reminder that love is all that matters. However you spend your wedding day, just make sure you spend it how you truly want.

Capturing your "I do" - one journey at a time

Before we begin imagining how you want your day documented, let's see if my photography packages are fitting to the dream wedding you have in mind.


I offer my photography packages for small weddings & elopements in Michigan. These packages are offered to help you capture the beautiful, possibly unconventional, & intimately personal wedding day that you deserve. While every wedding is beautifully special for the couple uniting in marriage, elopement-style & small-weddings truly remind us that sometimes less is more.


Exchanging vows together should be stress-free, romantic, & an investment of your love story. I believe that the day you decide to get married should be celebrated the way that makes the most sense to you - a true reflection of who you are as a couple, what you both want, & how you want to spend your amazing day together. No expectations.

So what is the difference between a small wedding & an elopement? Do either of these capture the essence of what you want your wedding day to look like?

Small Wedding


ceremonies with less than 50 guests


Envision an intimate gathering of only your closest friends & family members - all of whom are present to celebrate & witness your declaration of love & commitment to your partner for life. As it's name suggests, a small wedding is essentially a smaller version of a traditional wedding, typically involving up to a maximum of 50 guests in attendance. This style of wedding creates a romantically personal atmosphere & may still feature the time-honored traditions that a standard wedding day would have, just scaled down to a very small number of guests. Let's be honest - sometimes focusing our attention into the personal relationships most genuine in our lives is simply what works best for some people & it creates an aura of happiness free from expectations. With less stress invested in trying to accommodate large guest lists, there is more room for meaningful moments on your special day - allowing you to be present with your partner, have authentic conversations with the people you love most in the world, & allocate your expenses on the details most important to you.

Elopement


ceremonies with less than 10 guests


Elopement weddings are considered a non-traditional, intimate, & intentional way of getting married in modern times. Unlike traditional wedding ceremonies, an elopement ceremony will consist of just the two of you, your officiant, & your wedding photographer. Some couples ask their closest family members or select friends to join them as witnesses, while others may choose to have a very private union. Elopements may take place anywhere you choose - whether that's a spontaneous trip to the courthouse followed by an escapade downtown or a well-planned getaway to one of Michigan's islands or state parks. Find a beautiful place or memorable location that truly expresses who you are as a couple & what you enjoy doing most together. Elopements are not for everyone, but they are for many people looking to flip the societal persona of what a wedding can look like by absorbing the moment completely & much more privately with the person who matters the most. Are you ready to pack your bags & journey into the next chapter of your life together? Elopements offer couples a way to way focus your love into an authentic experience - an adventure into life together.

Pricing & Packages

The Blossom Package

$1,500

5 hours of photography coverage, one photographer, minimum of 150 digital images, high resolution online gallery with one year access, print release
+ one complimentary Flora Session

Add on Additional Hourly Coverage: $150/hr

The Pine Package

$2,200

Full day elopement coverage anywhere in Michigan's Upper or Lower Peninsulas.
One photographer, assistance with timeline creation, minimum of 200 images, high resolution online gallery with one year access, print release
+ one complimentary Fauna Session

Michigan Elopement Bucket List

Please contact me for more info.

As a way to give back my love, these following elopement locations currently have significantly reduced session fees:
- Beaver Island
- Mackinac Island
- Porcupine Mountains
- Headlands International Dark Sky Park
- Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes

* When booking your next session, please remember that all services are subject to Michigan's 6% Sale Tax.

Your wedding can look however you envision it - it is your wedding after all.


It all depends on what wedding traditions resonate with your values & vision as a couple for your special day - the location, the guests, the food, the flowers, the music, the dress - it's all up to you. Regardless of how you spend your day, here are some things to remember on your journey in planning:


  • Elopement Vendors - Don't cut costs when it comes to the people who will be responsible for making sure your day runs smoothly & stress-free. While some couples only hire a photographer, others may also want a makeup artist, florist, cake designer, elopement planner, or videographer. Your vendors will likely account as your biggest expense for your day, but these investments will definitely be worth it!


  • Wedding Attire - Whatever you decide to wear for your ceremony, it's important to remember that keeping things a little more casual may be better if you decide that an elopement is what you want to do. This doesn't mean you shouldn't invest in yourselves to make sure you feel incredible on your wedding day though! Some brides look into alternative wedding dresses to find something more comfortable & easier to move in, while others opt for simple slip dresses or wedding suits. If you want some new shoes for the occasion, remember to shop for the appropriate location and find something that you can walk, hike, & adventure in. Hiking boots can be beautiful & ensure your feet stay restful on your trek outdoors!


  • Adventure Gear - Aside from your wedding attire, consider what kind of adventure gear you may want to bring along on your elopement. Adventure gear can be hiking backpacks, headlamps, rain gear, kayak rentals, a picnic for two - anything you can envision. It's important to be prepared for your exploration & do some research beforehand to ensure that you're both ready for your adventure!


  • Marriage License - Make sure that you are fully prepared to get your marriage license before you go to the county clerk's office! In Michigan, the cost of a marriage license typically ranges from $20-$30, & will have required documentation that you must bring along with you. Be sure to contact your local clerk's office well in advance of the wedding to gather all of the information you will need!


  • Ceremony Permits - Getting married outdoors often needs a permit depending on the location & number of people in attendance, although some places don't require a permit at all. National Parks will typically be more expensive to tie the knot in, while national forests, state parks, and other public lands are usually cheaper. Keep in mind that you still need to pay entrance fees for the parks too!


As your photographer, I'll be with you along your journey to help document these authentic experiences by capturing the intimate details resonating with love around you on your special day. Your wedding can look however you envision it - but if you find your heart longing for a deeper connection to the natural beauty of the Earth on your wedding day, then let me help you document that. Life is a journey, let's take it together one step at a time.