What Your Full Elopement Day in the Porcupine Mountains Could Look Like

Eloping in the Porkies

If you’re dreaming of an intentional, adventurous elopement far from the noise of traditional weddings, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula might just be your perfect place. Known for its old-growth forests, Lake Superior vistas, waterfalls, and dramatic ridgelines, this underrated gem offers everything needed for an unforgettable full-day elopement experience. But, what does a full-day elopement in the Porkies actually look like? Let’s look at what your full elopement day in the Porcupine Mountains could look like.

Morning: Getting Ready in a Cozy Cabin by Lake Superior

7:00 AM : Wake up and Coffee by the Lake

You’re staying in a rustic lakeside cabin near the Presque Isle River or in a charming Airbnb in Ontonagon, just outside of the park. You wake to the soft sound of waves lapping the shoreline and birdsong drifting through the trees.

You brew coffee in a Moka pot and sip it on the porch wrapped in blankets, watching the mist rise off Lake Superior. The coop UP morning air feels crisp, fresh, and full of possibility.

8:00 AM : Breakfast and Slow Start

You cook up a simple breakfast – maybe pancakes, eggs, and fresh fruit – or grab pastries from a local bakery. You’ll want to fuel up for the day ahead.

9:00 AM : Getting Ready Separately

You each tuck into different corners of the cabin or even separate cabins if you want a “first look”. One of you gets ready while sunlight streams through pine branches. The other is tucked away with a letter in hand, quietly reading the words you wrote the night before.

Your photographer/videographer team arrives to document the details – your dress or suit hanging from the cabin rafters, heirloom jewelry on a wood-slab table, hiking boots side by side at the doorway. This isn’t rushed. It’s intentional, peaceful, and soaked in anticipation.

Late Morning: First Look and Waterfall Adventure

10:30 AM – First Look at Manabezho Falls

You meet for a first look at Manabezho Falls – one of the most easily accessible yet powerful falls in the park. The roar of the river, the golden light filtering through the trees, and the thrill of seeing each other for the first time in your elopement attire make this moment unforgettable.

11:00 AM : Portraits at the Falls and a Short Hike

After your fist look, you explore the nearby Presque Isle River loope trail. your photographer captures moments of hand-holding across suspension bridges, shared laughs in the forest, and the wind catching your hair beside tumbling water. Your photographer will document some of the most authentic moments of the two of you.

Midday: Picnic Lunch and Scenic Drive

12:30 PM – Picnic Lunch with a View

You drive up to the lake of the Clouds overlook – arguably the crown jewel of the Porcupine Mountains. After a short walk to the viewing area, you settle on a grassy patch nearby for a picnic lunch: think charcuterie board, fruit, and local sparkling cider packed in a vintage cooler.

It’s quiet. You breathe it all in together – sunlight, sweeping views, the freedom of the day.

1:30 PM : Midday Break and Scenic Drive

You take a break to change into hiking clothes or relax for a bit. This is your day, and it’s okay to pause. on the way to your next location, you stop for photos at Summit Peak, a fire watch tower lookout with panoramic views of endless treetops.

Afternoon: Short Hike to Your Ceremony Location

3:00 PM : Hike to a Secluded Ceremony Spot

Now it’s time for your ceremony. You change back into your elopement attire at the trailhead and pack your vow books and rings into a daypack. Together, you hike about 1-2 miles into the woods to a spot you’ve scouted with your photographer – perhaps a mossy ridge overlooking Lake Superior or a quiet forest clearing.

This is the beauty of the Porkies: there are dozens of hidden spots to choose from, far from crowds and distractions.

4:00 PM : Vow Exchange

As the sun begins its slow descent, you read your vows to one another, alone in the wilderness. Maybe a chipmunk scurries by. Maybe the wind picks up just as you say, “I do”. It’s real. Raw. Beautiful.

A self-solemnized ceremony (legal in Michigan) makes this deeply personal. Your photographer might double as your witnesses, or you might simply have no one else there at all. You could also have the option of meeting up with your officiant or if your photographer is ordained, they can perform your ceremony for you! You have so many options!

Evening: Sunset Views and Celebratory Dinner

5:00 PM : Just Married Photos on the Ridge

Golden hour is peaking. You hike back out together, stopping to capture just-married portraits with the trees bathed in soft light. You might even pop a bottle of champagne or pour a local brew into enamel mugs to toast your new chapter.

6:30 PM : Sunset at Lake of the Clouds

You drive back up to Lake of the Clouds for sunset. The sky shifts through warm hues of orange, pink, and indigo while the valley below darkens. you sit in silence or play your favorite song on a portable speaker quietly if nobody else is around. This is your final, breathtaking moment before the light disappears.

7:30 PM : Campfire Dinner or Intimate Restaurant Meal

To end your day, you head back to your cabin for a fire-roasted dinner – think foil-wrapped trout, veggies, and s’mores – or treat yourselves to dinner in town at a cozy spot. You kick off your boots, laugh about the hike, and maybe even slow dance on the porch under the stars.

Your Day, Your Way

What your elopement day in the Porcupine Mountains could look like isn’t about packing in activities – it’s about slowing down, being present, and creating intentional space to celebrate your love in a way that reflects you. From mossy forests and roaring waterfalls to epic overlooks and peaceful lakeshore moments, the Porkies offer the kind of magic you don’t find just anywhere.

One thing you do want to keep in mind when planning and having your elopement inside the state park in the wilderness, is to make sure you are following state park rules and following Leave No Trace policies.

If you’re ready to start planning your Porcupine Mountains elopement, let’s talk! We’re here to help you craft a day that’s wildly personal, deeply emotional, and completely unforgettable. You can connect with us on our website or on instagram!