Look, I get it. You’ve decided to elope because you want something simple and stress-free, but then you start googling “how to plan an elopement” and suddenly you’re down a rabbit hole of permits and vendors and timelines and you’re thinking “wait, wasn’t this supposed to be the easy option?”.
Here’s the thing: elopements are simpler than traditional weddings, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to think about. The good news:? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. After photographing elopements for 8+ years, we’ve gotten pretty good at actually helping couples plan their elopement without losing their minds (or the excitement).
So here’s how we actually help you plan your elopement, the stress free way. A step by step our complete process for turning your vision into reality.
Step 1: The “Tell Us Everything” Conversation
This usually happens over a video call (or coffee if you’re local), and it’s basically us being nosy in the best possible way. This is how we actually help you plan your elopement from the very beginning…by understanding what makes your love story unique. We want to know what you’re dreaming about, what you’re worried about, and what makes you both light up when you talk about it.
What we’re digging into:
- What does your ideal day actually look like? (Not what Instagram tells you it should look like)
- Are you adventure people or “let’s find a cozy spot and stay there” people?
- What time of day makes you happiest? (Some people are sunrise warriors, others come alive at golden hour into the night)
- Who’s coming with you, if anyone?
- What are you definitely NOT interested in doing?
This conversation usually takes about an hour, but honestly, some of my favorite couples have kept me on the phone for two hours just because we’re having so much fun talking about their vision. There’s no rush here, we want to get it right.
Step 2: Location Magic (AKA Where Dreams Meet Reality)
Once we know what makes you tick, we start talking locations. And this is where having Michigan-based photographers who actually know these places comes in handy when you’re planning your elopement.
Here’s how we help you plan your elopement location:
We’re not just going to send you a Pinterest board and call it good. We’ll suggest 3-4 locations that actually fit your vibe, your timeline, and your comfort level. Want a waterfall ceremony but you’re not huge hikers? We know spots that are gorgeous but don’t require a sherpa. Dreaming of Lake Michigan but worried about the crowds? We know the secret beaches (and if we don’t, we will find them) that feel like your own private paradise.
For each location, we’ll tell you:
- What the lighting is like at different times of day
- How much of a walk/hike is involved (and what kind of shoes you’ll want)
- Whether you need permits
- What backup options exist if weather gets weird
- What the cell service situation is. AKA how remote the location is
We’ll also send you photos from previous shoots at these locations (if available). If we’ve never photographed an elopement there and we’re able to go there ourselves before your elopement day, we will get you some actual photos of the best spots for you!
Step 3: Timeline Creation That Actually Works
This is where a lot of the DIY elopement planning falls apart. You think “how hard can it be to plan a 6-hour day?” and then you realize you forgot to account for travel time between locations, or that getting ready actually takes longer when you’re doing it in a cabin with one tiny mirror.
This is exactly why we help you plan your elopement timeline from the ground up because we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.
Our timeline approach:
- We start with your must-haves and work backward
- We build in buffer time for everything (because real life happens)
- We consider things like lighting, location logistics, and your energy levels
- We make sure you have time to actually enjoy the moments, not just rush through them
For example, if you want sunset portraits, we don’t just schedule them at sunset. We schedule them 30 minutes or more before, account for travel time to the perfect spot, and build in time for outfit changes if you want them. We’ve learned that the best timelines feel relaxed even when they’re full.
Step 4: The Vendor Matchmaking Game
Need more than just photography and videography? We’ve got people. When you plan your elopement, connecting you with the right vendors is a huge part of creating a seamless experience.
Over the years, we’ve worked with florists who understand that elopement bouquets need to travel well, hair and makeup artists who can work in remote locations, officiants who won’t make you cringe during your ceremony and ones that will get to know you, and musicians who can lug their equipment up a trail without complaining.
What we help you find:
- Officiants who match your vibe (laid-back, traditional, spiritual, or “just sign the papers” practical)
- Hair and Makeup artists who can work anywhere and make you look like yourself, just better
- Florists who get that elopement flowers are different from wedding flowers and ones that understand “Leave No Trace” principles and what native plants are.
- Transportation if you need it (especially for those hard-to-reach spots) including rental Jeeps, helicopters, etc.
- Accommodation recommendations that fit your budget and style
- Excursions and activities including, but definitely not limited to, kayaking or canoeing, Off-road Jeep adventures, Horseback riding across the beach, Rock climbing, renting bikes and riding them around Mackinac Island, scenic helicopter ride, etc.
We’ll make the introductions, but you make the final calls. We’re not getting kickbacks from these vendors, we just genuinely like working with people who are good at their jobs and easy to be around. You will make the final booking with the other vendors because they will have their own booking process and you will deal with all of the communication with them.
Step 5: The Details That Make It Yours
This is the fun part where we talk about all the little touches that make your elopement uniquely you. Part of how we help you plan your elopement is making sure every detail reflects your personalities and relationship.
Things we help you think through:
- What you want to do for your ceremony (traditional vows, personal vows, handfasting, ring warming, etc.)
- Whether you want any special traditions or rituals
- How you want to celebrate afterward (champagne picnic? fancy dinner? pizza in your pajamas?)
- What you want to do with the rest of your day
- How you want to share the news with family and friends
We’re not here to talk you into anything. We’re here to remind you of options you might not have considered and help you figure out what feels right for you.
Step 6: The Logistics Nobody Wants to Think About
Someone has to think about the practical stuff, and honestly, we’re kind of nerdy about logistics. So when we help plan your elopement, we’ll handle the less romantic parts of planning:
What we take care of:
- Weather backup plans
- What happens if someone gets sick
- Equipment considerations for remote locations
- Communication plans for the day
- Emergency contacts and backup scenarios
We create a shared document with all the important info so everyone’s on the same page, and we’re always available for questions as they come up.
Step 7: The Week-Of Check-In
About a week before your elopement, we hop on another call to make sure everything’s locked and loaded. This is when we:
- Confirm all the final details and timing
- Check the weather forecast and make any needed adjustments
- Go over what to expect on the day
- Answer any last-minute questions or concerns
- Remind you to actually eat something on your wedding day (seriously, people forget this)
Step 8: Day-Of Coordination (AKA We’ve Got This!)
On your actual elopement day, you get to focus on being present with each other while we handle everything else. We’re not just photographers showing up to take pictures. We’re your day-of coordinators making sure everything flows smoothly.
What this looks like:
- We arrive early to scout lighting and handle any set up
- We keep an eye on timing and gently keep things moving
- We have emergency kits for everything from stain removal to first aide
- We coordinate with other vendors so you don’t have to
- We problem-solve anything that comes up (and trust me, something always comes up)
- We make sure you eat, drink water, and take moments to breathe
The Reality Check
Here’s what I want you to know: even with all this planning, your elopement day probably won’t go exactly according to plan. And that’s actually okay. Some of the best moments happen in the spaces between what you planned.
When we help you plan your elopement, our job isn’t to control every moment of your day. Our job is to handle the logistics so well that when something unexpected happens (it starts raining, you decide you want to stay at that gorgeous viewpoint longer than planned, you realize you’re starving and need to eat right now), it feels like an adventure rather than a crisis. I’m an over planner, over packer. I personally hate being late, I will add extra time to your timeline for a reason. I personally over pack wherever I go, I will make sure you have extra clothes, snacks, etc when we go out to the different locations.
Why This Process Works
After doing this for years, and the education we have dived into over the years, we’ve learned that the couples who have the most amazing elopement experiences are the ones who feel genuinely prepared but not over-planned. They know what to expect, they trust their team, and they’re free to be present for their own day.
That’s what this whole process is designed to create, a day that feels intentional and meaningful but not rigid, well-planned but not stressful, uniquely yours but not overwhelming to figure out. This is exactly how we actually help you plan your elopement, by creating structure without stress.
Ready to Start Planning?
If this approach sounds like what you’re looking for, let’s talk. Every couple is different, and every elopement should be too. We’ll adapt how we help you plan your elopement to fit exactly what you need, whether you’re detail-oriented planners who want to think through everything or free spirits who just want someone else to handle the logistics while you focus on each other.
The best part about elopements? There’s no wrong way to do them. There’s just your way, and we’re here to help you plan your elopement in a way that feels completely authentic to you.
To get started planning with us, connect with us on our website!
We help plan adventure elopements all over Michigan, but we do have some favorite spots in the state. To check out some of our favorites, head over to this blog post.
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