Michigan Elopement Location Guide
Choosing the perfect location for your elopement is integral to creating YOUR perfect elopement day!
We want to help be your guides when designing your elopement day. This is why we're not just photographers and videographers. We help you plan your elopement from start to finish. This includes making sure you know of some of the best options for locations in Michigan.
I've divided this guided into The Lower Peninsula and The Lower Peninsula to make some great suggestions based on where you want to travel to.
More example photos will be coming!
Belle Isle
Pick a Michigan Location!
Caseville/Port Austin
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Tawas Point
Mackinac Island
Dark Sky Park
Stony Creek
Drummond Island
Tahquamenon Falls
Pictured Rocks
Black Rocks
Brockway Mountain
Isle Royale
Porcupine Mountains
We've rated accessibility for each location (1-10 - 1 being hardest to get to). Generally most of these locations may require some kind of permit whether that's just for professional photography and/or a permit to hold a ceremony of any kind. It's best to reach out to the specific location to get the best, most up to date information and we can help you with that!
The Lower Peninsula
Belle Isle and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Detroit
If you're looking for a secret garden vibe for your elopement, look no further than the conservatory on Belle Isle in Detroit. With the vase variety of plant life inside the conservatory and the sprawling gardens surround it, this makes for one perfect location for an elopement.
When the gardens aren't too busy, it can create a very intimate atmosphere for just the two of you!
accesibility: 10
Stony Creek and other Metro Parks
Shelby Township
If you don't want to go far from home for your elopement day, there's a total viable option to still create a beautiful, nature filled atmosphere.
Metro parks in the Metro Detroit area (specifically Macomb County) have such a variety of options of places to say your vows with the modern conveniences surrounding everywhere.
I love to recommend Stony Creek in Shelby Township because it's got such a variety of options from the large lake (with beaches) to the sprawling pine forests.
accesibility: 10
Sleeper State Park and the Thumb
Caseville and Port Austin
From the sandy beaches, to the sprawling forests, there are so many great "Michigan-esc" locations in the Thumb.
My favorite spot is Sleeper State Park. There's the campground, the trails and forests, and large beach. You can have a variety of perfect portrait spots plus saying your vows at sunset on the beach can top of your elopement day.
There are a number of small towns to explore as well. Plus, numerous lighthouses to add a touch of historical charm!
accesibility: 9
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Empire
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers expansive views of Lake Michigan and sprawling sandy dunes.
Imagine saying your vows on top of the dunes overlooking the almost unreal blue lake beyond!
The beauty of this park is that it is near great amenities and lodging. Traverse City isn't far!
accesibility: 6
Tawas Point
Tawas City
One place that I feel doesn't get the attention that it deserves is the Northeastern area of Michigan. Along the coast of Lake Huron is one of the most beautiful places!
Tawas Point State Park juts out into Lake Huron with expansive views of seemingly unending water. It's a very under represented area of Michigan and not a place people think of when they think of Michigan, but it's pretty popular for locals.
accesibility: 9
Headlands International Dark Sky Park
Mackinaw City
Want a different vibe for your elopement? The Dark Sky Park offers a never ending sky of stars at night. Capturing the two of you under the stars can create a dramatic feel to your elopement portraits!
Say your vows under the stars!
Plus, it isn't far from Mackinaw City.
accesibility: 7
The Upper Peninsula
Drummond Island
Drummond Island
Needing a fairy to cross to this large island in the eastern UP does not make it inaccessible for your elopement day.
With so much forested land, there are a number of beautiful spots to say your vows! The sunsets are especially gorgeous!
Turn your elopement day into a camping weekend! There are numerous campgrounds and cabins for lodging, plus you could bring a small number of close friends or family to join in the celebration!
Imagine saying your vows at sunset out on the rocky shoreline.
accesibility: 8
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
If you're looking for a location with charm and a touch of history, look no further than Mackinac Island. This carefree, carless island has beautiful oldtown charm along with some history elements from Fort Mackinac to the historical Grand Hotel.
Ride through the town on bike or horse and carriage. Hike up to Sunset Rock to catch the sunset looking over the Mackinac Bridge or Arch Rock for some beautiful iconic Michigan views.
Stay on the island all weekend with your closest friends and family!
accesibility: 9
Tahquamenon Falls
Paradise
Want a location that is easily accessible, but still has grandeur when it comes to making a statement with your elopement vows? Tahquamenon falls offers all of this.
Located a short hike (mostly all paved) from the main parking lot, the upper and lower falls are absolutely gorgeous (especially during the fall) and can offer a beautiful backdrop when reciting your vows to each other.
It can be a pretty busy area, but there are some spots further into the path that you may be able to get away from crowds with still a beautiful backdrop.
After you share your vows, have a nice dinner with friends and family at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery right nearby.
accesibility: 9
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Munising
A very popular location for many visitors to the UP, but the park is large. There are many locations that would be perfect for reciting your vows. Some locations may require more of a hike to get to.
Miners Castle Rock and beach, Miners Falls, Chapel Falls, Beaver Basin Overlook, Au Sable Light Station, are just a small list of fantastic location within the park. All of these require some kind of hike except for the Light Station.
This is the perfect location to include the beauty of Michigan's landscapes.
accesibility: 6
Black Rocks - Presque Isle Park
Marquette
The Black Rocks in Marquette are one of the most unique areas of the UP with it's rocky coastline looking out to the magnificent and powerful Lake Superior.
One beneficial thing about the Black Rocks is it's closeness to a larger city like Marquette and it's modern conveniences. Marquette has many beautiful places to stay for the long weekend plus local shops and restaurants along with your more big box stores for easier convenience.
We can recommend the Landmark Inn as a comfortable place to stay and then you can walk to any restaurants and shops.
accesibility: 7
Brockway Mountain
Copper Harbor
If you are looking for uninterrupted views of the fall colors and landscapes of the northern most point of the UP, Brockway Mountain near Copper Harbor is the place for you!
Located a short drive from downtown Copper Harbor, the Brockway overlook is the perfect place to say your vows together.
accesibility: 8
Isle Royale National Park
Windigo
As Michigan's only National Park, Isle Royale is also one of the most untouched pieces of land in the state. Located all the way across Lake Superior, the island is only accessible by float plane and charter boat and only when the weather is right. Be prepared for a full on backcountry backpacking trip with this one.
It's best to keep in mind that this location is probably the most remote of all of the locations in this whole list. You must arrive by float plane or charter boat. There is no other way to get to the island. To get anywhere on the island, you have to hike.
This location is for the complete adventurers. It can be a rewarding experience to see all of the untouched wildlife. We urge anyone interested in Isle Royale to absolutely follow all Leave No Trace principles and make sure you have the highest respect for the wildlife and wilderness. Keep your impact minimal. This means, just the two of you and your photographer would be the best route to take when traveling this National Park.
accesibility: 1
Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness Area
Ontonagon
The Porkies are one of our favorite locations in the UP! It can be especially gorgeous during fall when the leaves change. For a more easily accessible location, Lake of the Clouds is a short hike from the parking lot on a well maintained path. It provides some of the most beautiful views of the rolling mountainscape. On a clear day, you'll see what gives this place it's name, the perfect reflection of the sky in the large lake.
We can highly recommend make a whole trip of it. Take the hike from Lake of the Clouds all the way to mirror lake, stay in a rustic cabin there, say your vows along the shimmering waters, and relax by the fireside.
To view more information about the Porcupine Mountains and how to elope in them, check out our blog post!
accesibility: 5
Elope in the Porkies
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