Elopements are simple easy breezy wedding's that are meant for a smaller group. You don't have to run away in secrecy but you certainly can if you wish. Here's our 3 tips to book the perfect elopement for you. 

1. PICK THE TRIBE: DECIDE IF IT'S JUST THE TWO OF YOU OR A FEW CLOSE FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALSO. It's not easy but first deciding if you want it to e just the two of you or if you would also like to invite a few close family and friends is important. It will help decide where you will do this elopement and the date and time and support needed to pull it off. 
2. PICK THE VIBE: PICK A LOCATION THAT REFLECTS WHO YOU ARE AS A COUPLE. Do you like the city life or is a walk in the park where it's at for you? You can elope anywhere so be sure to pick the best spot for you, so that when you look back at photos you see it was the perfect reflection of the two of you at that time in your lives. 
3. SHARE YOUR LOVE: WRITE YOUR OWN VOWS. I can't say this enough, if you truly want your elopement to be perfect for you then we encourage you to write your own wedding vows. No one knows your love like you do. Don't over think it, just put pen to paper and write down why you love this person and why you chose them to be your life partner and maybe a little bit about what you look forward to and a few promises. 

There you have it, pick the tribe, pick the vibe and share your love in words. Your sweet little elopement can be magical and stress free and easy. We love getting your emails to talk about your elopement but sometimes a quick call is in order so we can truly understand your vision for your elopement and help you plan the best elopement for you. 

And if I could add a number 4 it would be....HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER to capture your elopement moment. 

Did you know if you want to be legally married you must first apply for and obtain a marriage license from your local county clerk's office? I know! So many couples don't even realize that step one of getting married is apply for your marriage license. Let's dive into how to apply for a marriage license in the state of Michigan. 

First you will want to apply at the county clerk's office of the county you reside in. If you live in two different counties than you choose which county office to apply at, it does not matter. 

• If you live out of state and are getting married in Michigan you will utilize the county clerk's office for the county you are holding your wedding in. 

Each county clerk office has different application processes for marriage license, but most of them go something like this...

• Complete the marriage application online 
• Make an appointment to go into the clerk's office to pick up your marriage license

Items you may need to bring with you to get that marriage license: The following is required of both parties:

•  Valid driver's license or state ID showing current address.
•  Birth certificate or valid passport.  If passport is used instead of birth certificate, full names of both parents and the state or country where they were born must be provided at time of application. - some counties require the birth certificate. 
•  Social Security numbers of both parties pursuant to MCL 551.102.

Remember your marriage license is only valid for 30 days as of the date of issuance, yes, it does expire! 

Also, now that you have that marriage license in hand you'll need an Officiant to sign the marriage license as well as two witnesses over 18 years old. 

Welcome to Three Cats at LEON & LULUThree Cats serves American-style cuisine in the form of small plates. Created by the late Chef Matt Prentice and Mary Liz Curtin, Three Cates offers magical menus and delightful dishes in a modern and engaging space. The space includes a greeting card shop as well as Michigan and Detroit merchandise. (direct from website)

AboutThree Cats serves American-style cuisine in the form of small plates. Created by Mary Liz Curtin and the late Matt Prentice, Three Cats brings magical menus and delightful dishes to life in a modern and engaging space. The space includes a greeting card shop as well as Michigan and Detroit merchandise.
Three Cats HistoryThree Cats is located in the historic Clawson Theater, right next to Leon & Lulu, the quirky retail store housed in the former Ambassador Roller RInk., The husband and wife team Stephen Scannell and Mary Liz Curtin, are delighted to have turned the 1941 entertainment district of Clawson into an award winning destination shopping and dining experience like no other. (direct from website)

Here's what we're thinking, let's meet in the bakery, grab a seat and sign your marriage license and then celebrate with a sweet treat or even dinner or brunch! Getting married should not be hard and a simple signing is the way to make your wedding day a breeze! 

What is a marriage license signing? 
That's a great question! Let me clarify the details and make sure this is what suites your needs. 

For the signing I do not perform a ceremony, we will meet, I will complete the marriage license, ask the two of you to sign and then ask your two witnesses to sign as well.

The only form of a ceremony is when I ask...and yes it is this simple, no more no less :-) "You have come today with the intention to marry, so I ask, do you promise to continue to love each other all of your days together, if so say "I do" you both respond with "I do" and then I say " I am happy to pronounce you are married"

You are welcome to bring whoever you like I just advise of letting them know that we are doing a simple signing so they are not surprised at the swiftness of it. If we're just popping in somewhere to do your marriage license signing I suggest just the two of you and two witnesses, but if you want to bring more along then a nice brunch or dinner reservation is great. 

In order to get legally married in the state of Michigan you must first apply for your marriage license. You will do this at your local county clerk's office. The county you live in is where you will apply, visit the county clerk's website for their specific instructions on how to apply for your marriage license. In most instances you will apply online and make an appointment to go pick up your marriage license. Some documentation may be required, such as your drivers license or picture ID, social security card and passport or birth certificate. 

Once you apply for your marriage license and obtain it you have 30 days to get married - yes it expires! 

Marriage license in hand, now you need to hire an Officiant, legally ordained minister to perform your ceremony and sign your marriage license. 

Did you know most court houses no longer perform marriages or if they do it can be quite a wait!

I am Nichole Bertucci and I am a wedding Officiant serving southeast Michigan. I absolutely love weddings and being able to stand with couples on their wedding day is a total dream. As a wedding officiant for the last 14 years I've really honed my skills and learned that I love small weddings. I have a passion for officiating small, intimate weddings. 

I offer 2 packages for couples seeking to get married in a simple, stress free way.
Wedding package (1) is a SIGNING and is $125 - this is what I call a simple signing. I will meet with the two of you and your two witnesses at a local coffeeshop where we can sign your marriage license and exchange a simple "I Do" to make it legal. This is literally the very least required to make your marriage legal. Couples choose this package for many reasons, some being they are getting married out of state or county and getting legally married in your home state is much easier, it's their second marriage and would really like to skip the stress of planning a large wedding, they want to keep their nuptials private and host a large party with friends and family later or they just want to get to it and start their married lives. Whatever the reason may be I am here for it! Save your money and get married on your terms. 

Wedding package (2) is a elopement/intimate wedding and is $250 - this is for the couple and around 20 guests. We'll meet up at a local park and perform a sweet ceremony and then sign your marriage license. I do my best to keep the process simple and easy. 

My roll as your wedding officiant is to sign your marriage license and perform an exchange of vows/your declaration of intent - where you say "I do". I am also required to file your marriage license after your wedding. 

My personality is calm, easy going while also creating a plan for your wedding day that allows us all to seamlessly move through the process of getting hitched. 

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Let me put it plainly, yes I perform wedding ceremonies for all couples, anyone wishing to marry. I will proudly stand with you as you take that leap of faith into married life. 

I believe anyone who wants to marry should be able to, that's why I offer the $85 simple signing package. We can make it simple and easy or you can upgrade to the intimate ceremony - let's talk details and get you hitched in a way that makes you happy. 

Getting married does not have to be complicated, stressful or expensive. The process is simple, apply for and obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office. Email me to schedule a time to get married and then we'll meet up and make your marriage legal. 

My coffee shop signing is $85 and includes meeting in downtown Holly to sign your marriage license and maybe even snap a few photos in Battle Alley if you're up for it. 

I'm finding so many more couples are choosing to have a small wedding ceremony now and to host a celebration or reception later when it makes more sense for them. This elevates the pressures of planning a big full wedding. By having a simple signing or small elopement ceremony now you can choose to have a celebration of your nuptials anytime you like and to this in a more relaxed or even upscale way that really makes sense for you. I mean think about it, a wedding day but where you get to celebrate right along with your guests where you get to call all the shots and not feel beholden to tradition or what your family thinks you should do. 

DO IT YOUR WAY - GET MARRIED HOWEVER MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO YOU! 

This amazing couple met me in downtown Holly, we grabbed a coffee at Battle Alley Coffee and then hoped right outside to Battle Alley to exchange a simple I Do and snap some pictures. The emotions ran high and the love even deeper. Congratulations to the both of you and I wish you all the joy possible!