Unique Activities to Add to Your Michigan Elopement
If you're planning an elopement, chances are you've never done this before. You might even be wondering what you're supposed to do all day besides get married. And now that you have started to think about it, you have no idea what to even do on your elopement day besides get married. In this blog, I will go over some amazing ideas that capture the uniqueness of Michigan. No matter your vibe, this list will surely get your imagination going and make your elopement something special. Activities range from romantic picnics and wine tasting to adventurous parasailing and dune rides.
Your elopement day can be more than just a ceremony. Something I love about elopements is that they are not traditional, and they give you so much freedom. Freedom with time, location, budget, and making it exactly as you want. I love that elopements are centered around you as a couple and the things that make your relationship unique. I know for me, the idea of a big grand wedding feels scary and is something I want to avoid for myself. Yet, I don’t want to miss out on the experience. An elopement can feel big and grand, yet be so intimate. My goal is to capture all those feelings no matter what activities you choose to fill your day with.
Romantic Michigan Activities
If your idea of a perfect day leans more slow cozy, and romantic, these ideas might be exactly what you're looking for. They capture a gentle charm that truly captures Michigan, perfect for creating an intimate setting and inviting you to relax and take in the moment.
With Michigan's abundance of water, having a bonfire on the beach is a classic. I can picture warm summer sand, Adirondack chairs around a fire, and the sun slowly setting over the water. Even on chilly evenings, getting wrapped up in a cozy blanket always feels romantic with your partner.
Northern Michigan has some hidden gems for wine enthusiasts. While Michigan is known for its craft beer scene, I know that's not everyone's thing. Michigan wine country is absolutely stunning! From Traverse City, Leelanau Peninsula (Lee-len-awe), and Old Mission Peninsula, you are sure to find a new favorite wine.
Michigan is filled with beautiful cabins and Airbnbs. Sometimes the experience doesn't require going anywhere at all. Either a slow morning, making coffee and enjoying the sunrise, and playing games that you love together, or after your ceremony you come back to having a private chef cook you your first meal together as a married couple, or spice things up a little with a saucy boudoir session to add some excitement and anticipation to the festivities.
For me, it's hard to beat the romance of a candlelit picnic. I can see it playing out like a movie, soft, romantic, and enchanting. No matter your preferred environment, we can find the perfect location in a field, forest, or beach to make this little slice of heaven come to life for you.
Adventurous Michigan Activities
Just because I am a sucker for the slow and romantic vibes, these are activities I will enjoy tagging along for the adventure. These ideas vary on the thrill-seeking scale, but they are some staple things I grew up doing or seeing happening all around in Michigan.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has some amazing hikes and parks to explore. Exploring waterfalls and even Pictured Rocks from the land is a great hiking adventure. The parks offer different trails for different intensities and lengths.
If you're getting married in the summer, it's hard to beat spending time on the water. Kayaking, paddleboarding, or renting jet skis are fun ways to enjoy the heat without overheating. I grew up with a love of tubing down a river. Think of nature's lazy river, but be sure to remember the sunscreen.
These next two bring up the thrill level. Dune buggy rides on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes are a great way to get your heart pumping, without your thighs begging for mercy. I may not have experienced this before, but it is on my bucket list, and I’d love to go with you and document your adventure.
This last idea comes from the summers my family would spend on the East Bay in Traverse City. From the room we always stayed in, I remember watching the boats lift people into the sky parasailing over the water. I may not know if I have the guts to fly above the water that way, but I know people love the thrill and the view from up there. This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your elopement.
Choosing Activities for Your Elopement
These ideas either have your imagination on fire thinking of the activities that resonate with you and your partner, or they have you wondering how to whittle down all these ideas. If all these possibilities feel a little overwhelming, this is exactly the kind of thing I help my clients navigate.
A great place to begin when thinking about activities is to ask yourselves a few questions. What do we genuinely enjoy doing together? Do we want romantic relaxation or more adventurous exploration? What experiences will feel meaningful years from now?
The best part about eloping is that it is easy to let go of the rigid expectations of traditional wedding activities. Embracing what feels enjoyable and meaningful to you is the starting point. Your elopement day should feel like you and reflect your relationship. Just remember, there are no rules, no right or wrong.
Multi-Day Elopements
If you're one of the couples who want to do it all and have a hard time with FOMO, then let me introduce you to a Multi-Day Elopement experience. In the world of eloping, a multi-day experience may feel over-the-top extravagant. I know for me, before getting into this sector of photography, I sure thought that. My brain went instantly to traditional Indian weddings that are 3 days or more long! Which, if I am honest, sounds fun but exhausting.
A multi-day elopement does not have to be that way. When I help couples plan multi-day elopements, the experience has much more room to breathe. Having a multi-day elopement gives you more flexibility to do only the things you want to do. My best recommendation for multi-day elopements is for couples who want a mix of traditional elements like getting ready photos and even first looks, while also having fun with multiple activities. In my experience, the images I have captured with the most emotion are ones where the couple felt the most relaxed and present on their day.
Example of a Multi-Day timeline
Check in to Airbnb the night before.
I always arrive then too, to make sure your check-in went well and so we can meet. I love getting dinner with my couples to ease any anxieties and to spend some time with you before your big day.
Day One
Slow morning, cozy coffee photos and breakfast
Get ready
Ceremony
Adventure activity
Celebration dinner
Day Two
Relaxed exploration
Romantic picnic lunch
Final Thoughts
Your elopement day is a day that should feel like you. The most memorable elopements aren't necessarily the most adventurous. They are the ones that feel the most personal. With me as your photographer, the day is designed around experiences you will feel long after the photos are taken.
