The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Wisconsin

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ELOPING IN WISCONSIN, WRITTEN BY A LOCAL WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER!!

As an experienced and local Wisconsin elopement photographer, I cannot wait to show you all the information I have put together for you and your partner so you can plan the dream elopement experience you both deserve. This ultimate guide to eloping in Wisconsin will give you all the tools and resources you could ever need to plan your dream elopement!

This Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Wisconsin covers:

• How to Elope in Wisconsin (including a checklist for you to use!)
• Where To Elope in Wisconsin
• When to Elope in Wisconsin
• Activities For Your WI Elopement

WARNING: THIS GUIDE MAKES IT ALMOST TOO EASY TO PLAN YOUR WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT!!

HOW TO LEGALLY ELOPE IN WISCONSIN

In Wisconsin, you’ll have to apply for your marriage license in-person. You can get your marriage license at your local county clerk’s office at least six days (but no more than 30 days) before your elopement. A marriage license in Wisconsin can cost anywhere from $50-$120, depending on the county you’re getting it in.

SELF-SOLEMNIZATION IN WISCONSIN

What is self-solemnization?

Self-solemnization is a self-uniting wedding ceremony where you legally marry yourselves without an officiant, judge or witnesses. Self-solemnizing makes sense for couples wanting to elope in the outdoors with maximum privacy and not wanting to have more people than themselves and their photographer present.

Why self-solemnize?

There’s a few reasons why you might choose to self-solemnize!! Here are a few:

• Don’t need to hire an officiant
• Anyone can sign your marriage license, including kiddos and your fur baby
• Even more privacy on your elopement day
• Can have a fully customized ceremony
• Potentially more location options for your ceremony (especially if you want to hike)

How to self-solemnize in Wisconsin

You’ll need to get your Wisconsin marriage license! To get one, both you and your partner will need to take a trip to the county clerk’s office. If you are a Wisconsin resident, you’ll want to visit your local county clerk’s office (where you live). If you don’t live here, you’ll want to visit the county clerk’s office in the county where you’ll be getting married.

What you need when you apply for your Wisconsin marriage license:

• Birth certificates
• Photo IDs/Driver’s Licenses
• Proof of residence (like a utility bill)

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HOW TO ELOPE IN WISCONSIN

Elopements are so magical, especially when you realize that your elopement can be literally anything you want it to be! It can be as simple or as extravagant as you’d like!

To keep it simple, here’s an outline to follow for planning your Wisconsin elopement:

• Find & book your elopement vendors: if you find an elopement photographer (like myself) or an elopement planner, they’ll help you throughout the entire planning process! They can help with things like helping you find locations that match your vision, finding other vendors, timeline planning, finding lodging, and so much more. Just remember, it’s okay to take your time in finding the perfect vendor for you! Connection is key here.
  
  
• It’s time to daydream & brainstorm: it’s time to take a step back with your partner, and take a deep breath in. The options are limitless when it comes to dreaming up your elopement adventure, but here are some good questions to help get you started:
  
  – If we thought of your elopement as an adventure first, what would that look like?
  – What would our ideal date night look like?
  – How do we both want to feel on our wedding day?
  – Write down a list of your favorite things ever
  
  
• Pick your location: once you have a little bit more of an idea of what you want your day to look like, this is when you’ll start looking at locations! Check out my list of the best places to elope in Wisconsin here!
  
  
• Find your lodging & accommodations: you’ll want to book your lodging sooner rather than later, especially if you’re thinking of eloping in an area with limited options! You can book lodging for just the two of you, or booking something like a VRBO that allows events if you want to have a post-ceremony celebration with guests.
  
  
• Assemble all the details: for your elopement, you can have as many or as little details as you’d like! Some elopement details you might want to think about are flowers, vow books, attire, jewelry, meal setup, etc.
  
  
• Making it legal: this is one of the most important things for getting married! Make sure you have your marriage license in order before the big day (so you & your partner can be officially married!)
  
  
• CELEBRATEEEEE GOOD TIMES C’MON: IT’S HERE! Your big day is finally here and your about to marry one of the people you love most in your life. Now it’s time for you two to have the best day EVER.

WHEN TO ELOPE IN WISCONSIN

Every season has a little something different to offer here in Wisconsin, and it all depends on what aligns with you and your partner! Choosing when to elope in Wisconsin will depend on what you took are looking for when it comes to temperature, activities, etc. Let’s take a closer look at the Wisconsin seasons so you can decide!

• Winter: Our Wisconsin winters are not for the faint of heart, and it feels like our winter season lasts for forever! But if you’re imagining frozen ice caves, snowmobiling, ice fishing, skiing, and just lots of snow… you might want to consider eloping in the winter! (But don’t underestimate the winter season here! We often see below zero temps multiple days)
  
  
• Spring: This is when everyone and everything starts to come out of hibernation (finally!) That being said, our springs tend to be quite muddy and dull until everything starts blooming again. But the spring season is also waterfall season, since our waterfalls tend to rage after all the snow melt! If you’re thinking of eloping in the spring, I recommend May to Early June.
  
  
• Summer: The summer is the busiest season of them all here in Wisconsin, and it can get pretty toasty. If you’re wanting a summer elopement here, I recommend eloping in June or the end of August! July can be a pretty hot & humid month, even if you’re up on Lake Superior.
  
  
• Fall: This might be my absolutely favorite season here!! You’ll be spoiled with vivid foliage, crisp air, and all things fall! The fall is also another busy season, so make sure you plan for that! But imagine all the fun fall activities you could include like apple picking, haunted corn mazes, fall festivals, Oktoberfest, bonfires, and SO much more! (NOTE: Take note of hunting season as WI state parks allow hunting)

WANT TO AVOID CROWDS AND HAVE MAXIMUM INTIMACY?

If you’re wanting to avoid crowds and have max privacy, I highly recommend eloping on a weekday and during sunrise, early morning hours!

NEED AN ELOPEMENT PLANNING CHECKLIST!? SAVE THIS & PRINT IT OUT!

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WHERE TO ELOPE IN WISCONSIN

MADELINE ISLAND

I’ve traveled to Madeline Island a few times now, and it’s just an absolutely stunning location. I think it may be my most favorite spot in Wisconsin to be totally honest! Madeline Island is the largest island in Lake Superior that has just magnificent views of Lake Superior. It has miles of sandy white beaches and lots of beautiful bluffs. If you love the outdoors, you can explore by hiking, biking, canoeing, or kayaking! Madeline Island is truly a little slice of paradise in Wisconsin. It’s quiet, and just so beautiful. Lake Superior may not seem like much, but it’s often too cold to swim in year around leaving it crystal-clear blue! In a lot of spots, you can see down to the bottom.

Here’s some Madeline Island elopement inspiration from real couples:

• Chantel & Alex’s Big Bay State Park Elopement on Madeline Island
• Dariane & Bryce’s Madeline Island Elopement

PATTISON STATE PARK

Did you know that Pattison State Park has the highest waterfalls in the whole state of Wisconsin?! This Wisconsin State Park isn’t super popular, so if you’re looking for a beautiful location to tie the knot with your soulmate with an intimate setting – Pattison State Park is a great option! (And it’s only about 30-35 minutes from Duluth, MN!)

• Lexy & Kaine’s Pattison State Park Elopement

LAKE SUPERIOR’S SOUTH SHORE

You always hear everyone talking about the north shore, but have you heard of the south shore?!? The south shore of Lake Superior is in Wisconsin and I think it’s safe to say that it’s hella underrated!! There’s sandy beaches, epic caves, and beautiful viewpoints.

INTERSTATE STATE PARK

Interstate State Park is right on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin. It’s only about an hour away from Minneapolis, and offers breathtaking views from the bluffs! The Ice Age/Pothole trail (On the WI side!) offers privacy, beautiful trees, the St.Croix River, and towering bluffs to give you amazing scenery everywhere you look.

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WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Choosing your Wisconsin elopement photographer is SO important to your elopement experience. Not only should you fall in love with the photographer’s work and art, but you should also completely vibe with them! After all, you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time together.

As a local Wisconsin elopement photographer, it’s extremely important to me to get to know my couples on a deep level. This ensures that I can provide you with an elopement experience that’s completely personalized and tailored to you who both are, individually and as a couple! Take a peek at my elopement experience to see what it’s like to work with me!

WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT PACKAGES

My Wisconsin elopement packages are built with couples like you in mind where you’re wanting to create an intentional elopement day experience that’s centered around your love for nature, your connection to each other, and having an adventure that lights up your hearts! I photograph your day through the eyes of a storyteller and hopeless romantic. I’m here to tell the story of your elopement adventure and document the art of your love. But not only am I here to photograph your day, but I’m also here to guide you in your planning journey!

THINGS TO DO FOR YOUR WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT

Ready to create some fun and epic memories?! Here are some fun and romantic activity ideas to consider and possibly plan for your elopement day or the days before/after your elopement! Activities are just as important to plan as your ceremony location! I would also recommend bringing your photographer and videographer with you! They will DOCUMENT and TELL your whole story!!

START PLANNING THE WISCONSIN ELOPEMENT OF YOUR DREAMS!

Thank you for reading the ultimate guide to eloping in Wisconsin! Now, you have all the tools on How to Elope in Wisconsin so you can begin planning your dream day! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! Also, get in touch for any elopement planning and photography services. I would love to document your elopement experience!!