Looking for a Wisconsin Elopement Photographer?

Jamary and Demitruis were, and they found me! A match made in heaven.

As a performer traveling with a broadway group touring the country, time is scarce. Always changing locations and on the go, she was on tour with Mean Girls for many months. They didn’t want to have to wait to get married until the tour was over. So they found an incredible little Airbnb outside of New Glarus, Wisconsin and decided to elope in a beautiful part of Wisconsin.

This booking came together quickly right in the middle of my busiest time of the year, August through October. But we made it work easily because of Jamary’s show schedule, which eliminated Friday and Saturday. There is not much competition for an elopement on a Monday!

Why Elope?

I actually really love elopements and small weddings. There is just a totally different feel. It is incredibly intimate, and there is nothing wrong with choosing a path that is unique to you. Elopements and micro weddings always have a different level of intentionality, having much less of the logistics that are involved with larger gatherings.

Your wedding is supposed to be about you, so eloping is a great way to get rid of distractions. This way you can try to mitigate the stress, pressure, and just do things your way. You can forgo all tradition and just do things how you want, creating a day and experience that truly reflects who you are together.

Elopement ring exchange in Wisconsin near Madison Wisconsin

I’ll hike, drive, paddle, fly, and drive wherever you want to go.

I am simply there to observe and document your wedding, whether it's just the two of you, or just the two of you and 400 friends and family members.

The best places to elope in Wisconsin!

As a Wisconsin elopement photographer and a wedding photographer of all kinds I have been to weddings across the country.

I plan on making a more comprehensive list and guide for eloping in Wisconsin soon, but here is my short list of my favorite places to elope in Wisconsin:

South West Wisconsin

The rolling hills and quiet of this part of the state is unbeatable. There are many small towns and beautiful areas to find and explore. Fall here is fantastic!

Door County

This might be my top pick. There is no shortage of beaches and shorelines here, which are probably my favorite areas to elope. Having access to the lake makes taking photos so easy, it is just so beautiful here year round.

The Wisconsin Dells

The Dells has some of the most beautiful geography in the state, and countless stunning venues if you would like to have a gathering with family and friends either in the same weekend, or a vow renewal the next year.

Something that the Wisconsin Dells offers that not many parts of the state do, is an incredible selection of Airbnb’s and hotels that you can either use as a location for your elopement, or go to later.

Other Quick Ideas:

Lake Geneva, La Crosse, Minaqua, New Glarus, Eau Claire, Duluth, Houghton, Traverse City, Escanaba, there are endless elopement location possibilities in and right around Wisconsin that I personally drool over.

Cheating: The Upper Peninsula

I adore the Upper Peninsula in summer and it's a beautiful location for an elopement. You can either come here in summer or for peak fall colors, but be prepared for much cooler weather. The north shore in the summer might be my personal pick if I was to elope.

The cliffs and dramatic landscape look like something from the Oregon coast or Italy. It would be easy to fool someone who has not been here into believing that you went international for your elopement.

Golden hour, elopement, photography, couples session couple, illuminated by the sun

Ok. Back to Jamary and Demitrius.

So as all of us Midwesterners know. There is something truly special about a warm late summer evening. There is the essence of football, cheese, and campfires floating through the air.

This day had that feel. That special summer evening feel.

The celebration of these two was beautiful, a perfect ceremony with an officiant they were able to find. And most importantly several very curious and soft kittens.

Kittens, invade, elopement in Wisconsin kitten, standing between photographers feet

Kitten, standing between photographers shoes, elopement photography

In fact I may need kittens at every wedding I have going forward. They followed us around the property and were a welcome addition to the evening. Providing many little pets and goofy moments as we watched them tumble around and play with each other.

After the ceremony we explored the farm and had an unforgettable time taking pictures around the property. I love the different textures of the barn vs the green of the fields.

I edit pretty true to color, of course taking some creative liberties as needed or desired. But, I am really against just using some preset or something to steamroll natural colors and tones.

Golden hour was in full effect and it was like taking photos in easy mode. The light was perfect, Jamary and Demitruis were great to work with and just be around, and there were no distractions or stress.

Elopement photography couples session in the Midwest groom, holding bride, an air bride, kicking foot in the air, both smiling

This really was how I dream of every wedding evening. When the weather is this perfect everything gets easier. Not too windy, hot, or cold. It gets rid of any potential distractions.

One of my favorite parts of an elopement as a photographer, is that I get a lot more time with the couple, and I don’t feel like I am keeping you from your friends and family. I don’t need to worry about stealing you too long at sunset for photos or anything like that. It just leads to us being able to go to more locations, try more creative and silly things, and just really slow down and enjoy the process of taking the photos.