With nearly 100,000 square miles and over 100 state and national parks, there is no shortage of beautiful locations to elope in Michigan.

Imagine getting married…

…on a beach with your toes in the sand and waves crashing on the shore.

…on an epic cliff overlooking Lake Superior.

…under a waterfall.

…in the middle of a forest with only the sounds of birds chirping and the wind rustling the trees.

All of this, and more, is possible when you choose to elope in Michigan! Below are some of the top reasons why you should elope in Michigan.

1. It’s basically two states in one!

Michigan has both a Lower Peninsula and an Upper Peninsula, which gives you a plethora of location options to choose from. These two distinct sections of the state also give you different temperatures to choose from. If you want snow for your romantic winter elopement, the U.P. almost always has more snow. And if you want to elope with warm weather in May, the Lower Peninsula will be a better choice.

2. You can elope in a completely private location.

One of the benefits of eloping in Michigan is the option to find a private spot for your elopement ceremony. Imagine reading your vows to each other where only the other person can hear you. This is completely possible here! One of the best parts about eloping in Michigan is the lack of crowds – unlike other popular elopement locations, Michigan is still relatively undiscovered, giving you more privacy for your elopement day. You can find extra privacy in the Upper Peninsula, especially in places like the Porcupine Mountains or one of the many incredible hikes in Marquette.

3. The marriage license process is quick and easy!

If you or your partner is a resident in Michigan, you can apply for your marriage license in the county where you live, and your license will be valid anywhere in the state of Michigan.

If both you and your partner are from outside of Michigan, you need to apply for your marriage license in the county you are getting married in. You can complete an application online beforehand, and then go to the clerk’s office to pay the application fee and complete the process.

Application fees for your marriage license are $20-$30 (depending on if you are a resident of Michigan). After your application is submitted, there is a 3 day waiting period, and the license is valid for 30 days from the date of approval. Each county has their own web page and application to apply for your marriage license.

4. The fall colors in Michigan are INSANE.

Honestly, they’re insane. Fall is always the busiest time of year for photographers in Michigan because the leaf colors are to die for. Peak leaf color season is typically the end of September and beginning of October, with the best colors reaching the Upper Peninsula before the Lower Peninsula.

If you’re considering booking me for your fall elopement, be sure to reach out soon!

5. You’re never far from the water!

No matter where you are in Michigan, you’re never more than 6 miles from a body of water. And you’re never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake! If you want to get married near water, there’s no easier spot than Michigan to access gorgeous and private waterfront locations.

No matter where you choose to elope in Michigan, I’m here to help guide you through the process. There are so many epic locations in this state, and I would love to help you pick the perfect location and find a private spot for the best day of your life!

Looking for more information about the process of eloping in Michigan? Click here!

Scroll down for more photos of gorgeous Michigan elopements, and check out Michigan elopement location ideas here!

x Brittany