Tag: Destination Elopement

Elopements and Intimate Weddings – New Normal After COVID-19?

Are elopements and intimate weddings the new post COVID-19 norm?

 

If you’re reading this,chances are, you are one of the countless couples who’s wedding day was affected by the Corona Virus. If so, our thoughts and well wishes are with you as you navigate this difficult time.

When you started the planning process, naturally, you envisioned all of the different scenarios for what could go wrong on your big day. From drunken bridesmaids to bad weather and everything in between, you had a plan for them all.  Or so you thought. Even in the worst of worst-case scenarios, we’re willing to bet, global pandemic did not make the list. Don’t worry, it wasn’t in our ‘what to do in case of emergency’ plan book either.

Now, we’re all left asking ourselves the same question. Do we postpone or cancel? Do we postpone and pray everything will be ‘back to normal’ by our new date? What happens if it’s not, do we have to postpone AGAIN? Or do we just cancel and wait for life to return to ‘normal’…whenever that may be? We gotta’ say, we’re not loving either option and we’re pretty certain the rest of you aren’t either.

There are so many questions surrounding this pandemic and what life will look like post COVID – 19. Who’s to say if or when our versions of normal will return. And in the meantime, what does that mean for the brides affected by this virus? Are we all just supposed to stop celebrating love until we have a clear answer?

If you’re reading this and thinking, there has to be a better option. A way for brides to still have their dream weddings (even if that dream is slightly altered) and still adhere to the rules of our new norm?

What if we told you there is? What if we told you, an elopement or intimate wedding was a way for brides to still have their cake and eat it too. Cliché wedding pun absolutely intended. Their popularity amongst millennials and modern couples have made them a staple in the wedding industry that continues to trend year after year.

Maybe you’re familiar with both an elopement and intimate wedding. Or maybe you still think of a secret affair in a dusty old courthouse when you hear the word ‘elope’. Either way, we’re going to break them both down for you and ultimately help you decide which could be right for you.

 

Elopement

What is an elopement?

An elopement means you’ve decided to tie the knot and celebrate with just yourselves or an intimate gathering of your closest friends and family. It’s a truly personal and intimate experience that ensures your wedding day will be all about you and your partner.

Where can I elope?

This is possibly the greatest thing about choosing to elope. Your imagination is the only limit. We’ve had couples say their vows on top of a mountain in Canada and we’ve also had couples who we’re totally happy with a simple beach ceremony in their hometown.

Varying reactions from friends and family

If you’re choosing a traditional elopement with just you and your partner, we strongly recommend telling close friends and family members beforehand. Not only is it the easiest way to avoid hurt feelings but a common courtesy that should not be ignored.

In short, be prepared for not everyone to support your decision.

Can we still have a celebration?

Absolutely! *Once mass gatherings are deemed safe again, of course. *

It has become very common for couples that have chosen to elope to have a dinner party or celebration after the fact.

*Special note for brides affected by Covid 19: If the reception was a part of your wedding you were especially looking forward to having, do not deny yourself one! Maybe give special consideration to having a 1-year anniversary party that doubles as your reception.

 

Intimate Wedding

What is an intimate wedding?

To put it simply, an intimate wedding is a normal wedding, with fewer guests. A typical intimate wedding has somewhere between 25-50 guests.

Special note for brides affected by Covid 19: This is a great way for you to have all of the aspects of a what drew you to a traditional wedding. If you’re comfortable trimming your guest list this is a great way for you to still have your cake and eat it too!

Where can I have an intimate wedding?

Deciding to have a smaller wedding gives you access to more venues and even some unique wedding day locations you may have never considered. Instead of the massive banquet hall picture an intimate backyard wedding with twinkle lights overhead. Or an elegant beachside celebration with a Adventure elopement in the mountainsbeautifully decorated table. With fewer guests the possibilities really are endless.

Intimate does not have to mean boring

 Just because you’ve decided to keep the guest count low doesn’t mean you should pay any less attention to details or skimp on the things that make a wedding great! Food and beverage are the biggest cost of any wedding. With lower guests count you can choose to offer premium menu options. Or maybe over the top decorations and entertainment are more your style. Either way, it’s sure to make a lasting impression that your guests will remember .

Consider making it a weekend affair

Intimate weddings offer the couple the opportunity to spend more one on one time with their guests. Consider hosting a welcome reception and a post wedding brunch. If your guest list is small enough, consider planning activities and excursions that allow you to spend more time with your guests.

 

 As we learn to navigate the world post Covid-19, couples may be wise to consider elopements and intimate weddings as an alternative to the large-scale gatherings of traditional weddings. Whether this article has you dreaming of an epic adventure elopement or an intimate beachside wedding. We hope we’ve given you some inspiration to start planning your big day

Feeling inspired and ready to plan your perfect elopement or intimate wedding? So You Want to Elope is full service elopement and intimate wedding planning company based out of Detroit, Michigan (available for adventures worldwide). We create custom curated elopements and intimate weddings for the couple who craves adventure. Get in touch with your personal wedding planner today!

Elopement and Intimate Wedding Planner

Where to Elope in Northern Michigan

Michigan is beautiful, there is no denying that. Whether you are a lifelong “Michigander” or have only seen photos of the “Mitten” State, you’ve no doubt stumbled across a few of the treasures that make the Pure Michigan motto so fitting. But with so much vast beauty, it makes overlooking certain areas of the state far too easy.
We recently had a couple reach out to us wanting to elope in Michigan, specifically Northern Michigan. Elopements in our home state are our favorite so we of course jumped at the opportunity. What we realized during our research was just how under appreciated and under represented Northern Michigan is. When you search “where to elope in Michigan” very few places pop up for anywhere up north.
Which, in our humble opinion, is a total waste! From Marquette all the way to the tiny towns along the Lake Huron coastline. These areas have some of the most beautiful and pristine nature

And we’re here to share them with you.

  1. Black Rocks – Marquette, Michigan. The iconic Black Rocks in Marquette’s Presque Isle Park are dramatic rock formations that jut into Lake Superior. Maybe you dream of a summer elopement, complete with a romantic sunset picnic on a secluded sandy beach. Or maybe the otherworldly beauty that winter brings to Northern Michigan is more your style. With icy blue waters and frozen icebergs as your wedding day backdrop. It’s not for the faint of heart but can you just imagine how amazing your wedding day photos would be? *sigh*
  2. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, Michigan. The centerpiece of this park is, of course, the Tahquamenon River and its beautiful waterfalls. The upper falls have a drop of nearly 50 feet, making this one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. And an obvious choice for some killer elopement photos. Like all things in Northern Michigan, the Tahquamenon Falls are beautiful year-round, BUT, we’re partial to the October and November months when the leaves are on full display. Waterfalls and fall colors? YES PLEASE!
  3. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Alger County, Michigan. Sand dunes, waterfalls, super cool rock formations. This location has it all for an adventure loving couple. We happen to favor the most eastern side where the dunes can reach heights of over 300 feet and you can see for miles. Making for some pretty dreamy elopement photos.
  4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, Leelanau, Michigan. Wait, there are mountains in Michigan? Absolutely! Michiganders refer to them as ‘mountains of sand’. Sleeping Bear Dunes is a truly special place tucked away here in Northern Michigan. Time slows down and you are able to truly connect with your better half. We think that sounds like the PERFECT setting for an intimate elopement. We’re thinking a warm summer evening with a famous Lake Michigan sunset as the backdrop to your elopement photos.
  5. Lake Huron, Oscoda, Michigan. Dreaming of saying your vows on a sugar sand beach with crystal clear water lapping in the background? Yep, Northern Michigan has that too. This special area of Michigan is lined by miles and miles of pristine and secluded beaches. Making it the perfect destination elopement, without the pricy plane ticket.

There you have it! Our list of the top 5 places to elope in Northern Michigan. From the iconic Black Rocks at Presque Isle Park to the sleepy sand mountains in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Northern Michigan truly does have something for even your most adventurous elopement dreams. We’re talking to you, brides who swooned at the idea of icebergs and icy blue water as the backdrop to their elopement photos.

Feeling inspired and ready to plan your perfect Pure Michigan (or anywhere else) elopement? So You Want to Elope is full service elopement planning company based out of Detroit, Michigan (available for adventures worldwide). We create custom curated elopements and intimate weddings for the couple who craves adventure. Get in touch with your personal elopement concierge and start planning today.