How to Elope in Michigan
photographer: Shelby of Monnette.co
How do you elope in Michigan? I would be happy to officiate an elopement or intimate wedding for you. Eloping doesn't necessarily mean running away secretly just the two of you to get married. While it defiantly can, today the term is used more aligned with intimate gatherings that can be planned months or days in advance. At A Simple I Do we specialize in small weddings, it's definitely our thing.
When eloping in Michigan you are required to have your marriage license and at least 2 witnesses to sign the license with us, and of course an Officiant to make it all legal - that's us!
Let's dig into the details:
Location, if you don't have one picked out yet, we have a few studios to rent as options for a private location or in the warmer months we love to use our local parks such as depot and baycourt in clarkston.
Rental Options:
Pontiac Chapel is a true wedding ceremony chapel with chairs and an arch all set up and ready to go. It gives industrial chic wedding ceremony vibes. Simply show up and get married. This option can host up to 40 guests.
Clarkston Chapel The Clarkston Chapel is located in downtown Clarkston, this historic building can host up to 15 guests and is the most charming space and the location allows you to simply walk to the nearby restaurants to celebrate over a drink or meal.
Example timeline: Rental for one hour 15 minutes
12:-00 -1:00 pm rental
12:00 everyone is welcomed in and seated and the ceremony begins
12:15 sign the license and congrats from guests
12:25 to 1:00 photos
Other options to consider: (indoor)
The Fed, Clarkston as they have the basement private dining area
Fifth Tavern, Clarkston has a private banquet room
Buckshots, Clarkston has a private banquet room
The Laundry Room, Fenton banquet facility
Baycourt Park lakeside room, Clarkston
Outdoor:
Baycourt Park Gazebo Clarkston
Depot Park Gazebo Clarkston
Bush Park Gazebo Fenton
Friend Park Gazebo Lake Orion
Warming Center Waterford
Independence Oaks Twin Chimney Clarkston
To book the date: I will email you a contract and a retainer invoice (50%) with the remaining money due 5 days before your event. Your date is not booked until payment is made.
The ceremony: I will email you a few questions to answer about your love story so I may customize your ceremony script and then email it to you for review, you are welcome to make edits to this document and yes of course you can write your own vows if you like. The week of the wedding we will do a phone call to rehearse the ceremony.
What's next? Take a moment to discuss your wedding day and see if I may be a good fit, I"m happy to chat further over the phone or we can move straight to booking the date and talk anytime throughout the process, I'll await your instructions.
