Are you recently engaged? Is a big traditional wedding just not for you? Are you looking for something a little different? Are you wondering how to elope in Wisconsin? Well, you're in the right place! Read on to learn how to elope in Wisconsin!
Let's start here -
What is an elopement?
An elopement doesn't quite mean what it used to. Modern elopements are thoughtfully planned out intimate wedding day experiences. Couples who elope usually tell their loved ones that they are getting married, it's not a secret, but instead of having a big party and planning out seating arrangements and bridesmaids dresses they are choosing to have a more intimate or adventurous wedding day experience that just wouldn't be possible with a large guest count.
Modern elopements aren't just going to the courthouse to get married. They are more like an awesome date night or date day, where the focus is solely on the couple and the importance of what it means to bind your life to someone else forever. Every aspect of an elopement is chosen with intention to represent your love as a couple.
Elopements are all about experience and intentionality and forgetting about tradition. You have the ability to do whatever you want on your elopement/wedding day, including having an unforgettable experience or special adventure to celebrate the start of your marriage. If COVID-19 has put your wedding plans on pause, consider eloping now and saving the big party to celebrate for when it is safe.
If you value experiences over stuff, eloping might be for you.
Couples around the world are opting out of big traditional weddings and opting in to an adventure elopement for their wedding day. Not all elopements have to be big adventures where you hike in Patagonia, they can happen in your back yard.
Elopements are about making the day you get married just as special as you would make your big traditional wedding. You can still wear your wedding dress, you can still splurge on that beautiful bouquet you had your eye on, and you and your partner can still plan an extravagant elopement night dinner with each other, complete with wedding cake and bubbly.
Need some inspiration for what to do for your elopement day? Consider trying something new, or doing something you love. At the very least, plan to just have FUN with your partner and consider documenting it. Make it a day to remember that you can look back on with hearts in your eyes.
How do I elope in Wisconsin?
1. Choose a wedding date
If you are planning to elope outdoors, consider what season you prefer. This will help you narrow down what time of year to elope. Each season in Wisconsin is special in it's own way. Winter snow, spring blossoms, summer wildflowers and warmth, or fall colors are all stunning and you really can't go wrong.
2. Choose a location that is important to you and your partner
Wisconsin has TONS of beautiful shoreline (hello, TWO Great Lakes) and an abundance of amazing state parks which make it one of the most beautiful states in the Midwest to elope.
Not sure where to go? Move on to STEP THREE below or check out my blog post about the best places to elope in Wisconsin!!
3. Hire a photographer to guide you and capture it all
Brianna Kraft is a wedding and adventure elopement photographer based in Madison, Wisconsin and is willing to travel worldwide.
I can help you:
-location scout
-come up with lots of adventurous ideas for your elopement day
-with tips on how to hike in your wedding dress and how to leave no trace
-plan a perfect elopement day timeline
-get the wedding photos of your dreams
Planning ahead is still a good idea for an elopement. I would recommend hiring your elopement photographer about six months to a year before your wedding date because sometimes photographers book up a year in advance.
4. Apply for your marriage license
Here are some resources for Dane County: Marriage License Information
"Ceremony arrangements for the wedding must be set PRIOR to applying for a marriage license. When you apply, you will have to share the date and location of the ceremony (the county and city, town or village the ceremony will take place in)."
5. Plan out your epic wedding day
This is your WEDDING DAY! Make a plan to celebrate with your partner for the whole day! What would be the most epic day that you can imagine, from sunrise to sunset? Let’s make that happen for your wedding day!! Need some inspiration for what to do for the day? Consider trying something new, or doing something you love.
Stay tuned for my upcoming blog post full of ideas for what to do for an all day elopement.
6. Have your wedding ceremony in an amazing location!
Did you know that you can get married in Wisconsin with only FIVE (5) people present? Legally a ceremony consists of five (5) people - the couple, the officiant, and two witnesses. As the photographer, I can count as one of your witnesses.
If you are interested in keeping your elopement really intimate and small, I am also ordained, so I would be able to act as your officiant, which means fewer people around when you say your vows.
You can also self-marry / self-solemnize / self-unify / self-officiate in Wisconsin, meaning you don't need an officiant or judge present to make your marriage declarations for your marriage license to be valid. You as the couple getting married would just complete the officiant portion of the marriage license by entering both of your signatures.
"Couples may self-marry (without an officiant) in cases where one of the marrying parties, or both, belong to a religious society, denomination, or sect that has customs, rules, and regulations regarding self-marriage [secular humanism, or free thought/anti-religion/atheism/agnosticism count as religious denominations]. The word of the applicant is sufficient; proof regarding religion/denomination/sect is not required. Couples who self-officiate use the same marriage documents that are used by all Wisconsin marriage license applicants." (Self-Marriages Wis. Stat. § 765.16)
Still need inspiration? Check out my blog post about the best places to elope in Wisconsin!
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