Michigan Elopement Photographer - Intrigue Photography

The Perfect Way to make Your Wedding Day Truly Unique

Northern Michigan Elopements

What is an “elopement” and why should I consider a Northern Michigan Elopement?

What is an elopement? That’s easy. An elopement is a wedding done “your way”. And, is often a perfect solution for those who are looking to remove all the stress and overwhelming “to-do lists” from the wedding day.

A Northern Michigan Elopement wedding makes the day all about you and your spouse, while removing all of the stress, hustle, and bustle (no pun intended) from your big day. You can tell your love story in an intimate, one of a kind setting… the way you want it told. An elopement gives you so many more options on how your wedding day will play out. Options that would often be impossible with a “traditional” wedding.

With an elopement, you can spend the day connecting with your new spouse, and with those few people who matter most to you. Allowing you and your spouse nothing but joy and excitement on what will be one of the most important days of your life.

ELOPEMENT COLLECTIONS
STARTING AT
3500

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Is an 'Intimate Wedding' the same as an 'Elopement'?

You’ll find that the terms “Intimate Wedding” and “Elopement” mostly go hand in hand. They’re pretty interchangable. A Michigan Elopement can be simply the two of you, or you can have a few close family members or friends along for the ride.

While we only photograph Michigan Elopements with 25 or less people, we don’t focus our pricing around how many people attend your adventure elopement celebration. Our primary concern is that you’re planning on the focus of the day being solely around the two of you, and that you’re looking to have a stress-free, nature and adventure filled wedding experience. Trust us, we would love to be a part of your unique day as not only your photographers, but also your friends and guide.

A Michigan Elopement at a local Michigan Winery

How much coverage should I expect for my Michigan Elopement?

Let’s be clear right off the bat. We do not offer a typical, tiresome, staged photography session that is chock full of contrived smiles and dissatisfaction. Nope, we’re too cool for that (and you should be too!)

If you’ve seen our work anywhere, whether it be on our portfolio, blog, or social media, then you know how much we love real and genuine moments of love caught by our cameras. They’re not fake or forced poses. They’re real moments of happiness and joy. And, if we can do that for a large wedding party, with only an hour to squeeze some creativity in… Imagine what we can do with an entire day dedicated solely to you and your spouse to be!

Your elopement is a true wedding. It’s a wedding day. You deserve our complete attention. That means, you deserve more than having someone show up for a quick ceremony and a few pictures afterwards. This is the day that you’ll marry your best friend. It is the day that you’ll celebrate your anniversary on for years to come. Why should be treated less than the monumental occasion that it is? If this thought hasn’t crossed your mind, then imagine flipping through your wedding album… Would you want just a few quick photos? Or would you want the entire experience of your intimate wedding captured and told in a fun and exciting way? As your next Michigan Elopement Photographer, you can expect us to help you with all of this and more!

What could a full day Michigan Elopement look like?

Example Summer Elopement Photography Timeline

We’re sure you’re wondering exactly how an all day Northern Michigan Elopement would work out and look like, right? Well, let us provide you an example of an Elopement that takes place in Munising, Michigan, in the summertime.

1:00 pm – Getting Ready Photos (One photographer with Bride, other with Groom)
2:00 pm – Leave for the first location. Horseshoe Falls for ceremony is a great option here.
3:00 pm – Spend time at the Wagner Falls scenic site for photos and adventure!
4:00 pm – Spend time at Sable Falls or Hurricane Falls (These ones are technically in Grand Marais, and require an hour or so drive… In which case, you’ll want to move the timeline around a bit.)
5:00 pm – Get Dinner in town or at AirBNB (Jeff can even cook!)
6:00 pm – Visit Munising Falls, one of the most beautiful and easiest falls to access in the area.
7:00 pm – Explore Scott Falls and the beach across the street.
8:00 pm – Stop off at Miner’s Castle for Sunset Pictures over Lake Superior
9:00 pm- Check out a local Bar/Brewery/Coffee Shop in town for final celebrations & pictures. Or, if it’s late enough in the summer, get ready for some photographs on the beach with the starry sky above you.

If adventuring out onto Lake Superior for a Pictured Rocks Cruise sounds more your style, a three hour block of time can be worked into your timeline to include this awesome option! Just, don’t forget to bring along your favorite Michigan Elopement Photographer, okay? 😉

Shortly after your amazing adventure elopement, expect some beautiful sneak peeks to spruce up your inbox, and to bring a smile to your face once more.

Worried about Where to Elope in Michigan?

Don't worry at all about that! Click the image below, to be taken to our blog article that will provide you some of the best places to elope in Michigan!

Contact Us

Request detailed information about pricing and availability.

Because you deserve the utmost best, we want to ensure that we are the best choice for you.

We will not accept every elopement that we are contacted for. Why? We believe it is more important that we are the right fit for you, and that our personalities are a perfect match.

We are super excited to learn about your story, and get to know you. Simply fill out this contact form and we will reach out to you as quickly as we can!

info@intrigue.photography

313-355-9355

Michigan Elopement Photographer FAQ

These are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions we get about Elopements.

How many witnesses do I need?

In Michigan, you need 2 witnesses to sign your Marriage License to make it a legal marriage. Your elopement photographer can count as one of the two. A passer-by, can easily be number two, if only yourself and your significant other are attending your elopement. (Jess, as an officiant, wouldn’t be able to sign as a witness, since she would already be signing as the officiant for your special day.)

Where do I get a Marriage License?

Couples wishing to get married in Michigan may obtain their Marriage License at any local Secretary of State office (or Court House), and may be used anywhere in Michigan within 33 days. Both applicants will need to be there to file for a Marriage License. It will cost you $20-$30 depending on your residency/home state. You can check this website for more information on where to go for your Marriage License.

Who returns the Marriage License to the Secretary of State?

We leave this up to you, the couple. Once the Marriage License is fully signed by all parties, it is returned to your care.

Are there Age Restrictions to Elope?

Yes, you must be 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent.

Is there a deposit or retainer?

Yes. We require a retainer of $1000 to retain your elopement/wedding date. It is a non-refundable retainer, and is also deducted from your overall collection price. As your elopement photographer, we pride ourselves in ensuring you absolutely feel comfortable with us prior to you paying a single penny to us.

Who reserves the location of the Ceremony?

The reservation of your ceremony venue, and any associated fees, are to be handled by the couple getting married.

Do you have a list of locations to Elope?

Yes, you can view our blog post, “Best Places to Elope in Michigan”, for some ideas. Or, simply reach out to us and we can help you plan your adventure elopement. This goes for both the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Is there a limit to the number of guests?

Yes, we photograph elopements of 25 or less guests only. If you have more than 25 guests, then we consider it a full Michigan wedding, and our pricing is vastly different for that amount of work. If you’re hoping to have a Michigan Wedding, be sure to check out our Michigan Wedding Photographer page for more details.

When do I need to start planning my elopement?

We recommend you start planning as soon as you are able to do so. Most brides start anywhere between 4 months and 2 years before their wedding date. It’s better to do this sooner, than later. Especially for dates and seasons that are popular. Want to elope in fall in the Upper Peninsula? Better book that a little sooner than a winter elopement in the Upper Peninsula for sure!

What if we decide to cancel our elopement?

As stated in our contract, your retainer is non-refundable. The reason for this is simply that we block off that date entirely, for you and your elopement. We turn away all other offers for your date.

What is the booking process?

If you’re ready to move forward with us as your elopement photographer, we will send you a contract to sign, and an invoice for the $1000 retainer fee. Once those are taken care of, you are officially booked with us! We then start assisting you with the entire planning process, no matter how little or how much help you may need.

Where are you based? Do you travel?

We are based in Glennie, Michigan. Our elopement collections include travel and lodging already built into the package for anywhere in Michigan. Should you wish to Elope out of Michigan, and hire us, additional travel fees may be incurred.

How do we receive our photos after the elopement?

We will do an in person reveal with you. If you aren’t close enough for a meeting in person, then the reveal will be held over zoom. Once the reveal is over, and you have finalized your wedding album design, we will send over your online gallery. From there, you will be able to download your photos for your own back up of them, as well as share them with friends and family.

What if you have never been to our elopement location before?

No problem! We will do a ton of research ahead of your elopement to make sure we are as familiar as possible with the location. It would be similar to when we would scout locations for engagement sessions, or scout wedding venues ahead of larger weddings. Also, that makes your elopement even more of an adventure for us, so your favorite elopement photographer will be like kids in a candy shop!

What is the turnaround time for photos?

We do all of the editing and retouching ourselves, so our turnaround for your elopement will be roughly a month. If we’re not busy with other photo sessions, elopements, and weddings, then you can expect them to be done sooner. We always provide a sneak peek at the very least!

Do we get a print release and/or printing rights?

Certainly you do! You will have the ability to download your photos from your online gallery, and print your photographs anywhere you choose. You are not required to buy any prints from us throughout the entire experience. You will have a wedding album included in your collection (our way to ensure you have something printed, as way too many brides have life take over, and they forget to do any printing at all).

Why is there a 4 hour minimum for our adventure elopement? That seems a bit much...

It sure does on paper, doesn’t it? Especially since most couples do not like having their pictures taken to begin with. But, here’s the deal… in order to drive and/or hike to all the epic locations in Michigan, it’s going to take some time. (Especially in remote areas of the Upper Peninsula.) Not only that, but you can take your time and explore these locations without worrying about rushing around, and trying to fit every part of your epic day, within a small window of time. In other words, this allows you to fully be present in the moments and to fully express your love for one another, without any added stress.