Are you looking for tips on how to elope in Door County? Then this blog is your ultimate guide! There are so many beautiful outdoor areas in Door County that could easily be the backdrop for your intimate wedding or elopement. I am an expert in planning and photographing weddings and elopements in Door County, so don't hesitate to reach out to make your dream elopement day happen!
Not sure where to start? Follow these steps below to learn how to get married in Door County, Wisconsin!
How to Elope in Door County
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.
Check out my blog about the Best Time of Year to Get Married in Wisconsin for tips.
2. Choose a location that is important to you and your partner
Have your wedding ceremony in an amazing location! Door County has a variety of beautiful locations and an abundance of amazing state parks which make it one of the most beautiful places in the Wisconsin to elope.
Door County has so many fun places to elope, including:
Stavkirke Church on Washington Island
Cave Point County Park
Ellison Bay Bluff County Park
Sister Bay Harbor
Baileys Harbor
Anderson Dock in Ephraim
Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island
Washington Island
Whitefish Dunes State Park
Peninsula State Park
Newport State Park
Lighthouses!
-Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse
-Baileys Harbor Range Lights
-Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
-Sturgeon Bay Canal Light
-Cana Island Lighthouse
3. Hire a photographer to guide you and capture it all
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.
I can help you:
-location scout for the perfect private ceremony spot
-help make sure you have the correct permits for getting married in the location you choose
-come up with lots of adventurous ideas for your elopement day
-with tips on how to hike in your wedding dress
-with tips on how to leave no trace
-plan a perfect elopement day timeline
-officiate! (I am ordained)
-help you write a ceremony script
-get the wedding photos of your dreams
4. Choose your officiant
You will need to choose your officiant before applying for your marriage license.
"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), and the officiant's name and address."
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)
5. Apply for your marriage license
Here are some resources for Door 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), and the officiant's name and address."
You will need to choose your officiant before applying for your marriage license.
6. Plan out the rest of 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.
Check out my blog post full of elopement day activity ideas for what to do for an all day elopement.
Things to plan out:
your wedding attire (dresses, suits, rings, etc)
florals
guest list (in Wisconsin you need two witnesses present during your ceremony to make it legal)
writing your vows
activities
meals / drinks / celebration
where you will stay
Consider renting a cozy Airbnb in the woods to have all to yourselves and snuggling up next to a camp fire while star gazing. The cabin pictured below is available to rent out!
No matter where you elope, remember to follow the Leave No Trace guidelines for visiting and protecting our natural wonders.
Do you have any questions about how elopements in Wisconsin could work? Need tips on how to hike in your wedding dress? Don't hesitate to reach out and I would be happy to help you plan your intimate wedding or elopement!
