Wisconsin Lakeside Elopement
Cheyenne and Darrin wanted an elopement lakeside up in Wisconsin for their wedding day and I am SO happy I was able to be a part of it. These two planned their day at an Airbnb on Connors Lake in Winter Wisconsin. This four hour elopement took place in the middle of June surrounded by their family and a handful of close friends. It was HOT, but there was a nice breeze coming off the lake so the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
This Lakeside Wisconsin Airbnb Location
They had their elopement at an Airbnb in Winter WI which was a private property right on Connors Lake. With a population of just over 200 people this northern Wisconsin town was the perfect getaway for these two. Located right on it’s own private little stretch of lake, this peaceful Wisconsin property was such a great spot for an intimate family gathering like an elopement.
The property is made up of two main buildings, the a-frame style home as well as the barn style garage. This Airbnb can host up to 16 guests in its 8 bedrooms and 400+ acres of property. The owners of the space accept all types of gatherings but the owners must approve the details prior to making the reservation. This is the case for most Airbnb’s that can host smaller-scale events such as elopements.
The Details
Cheyenne and Darrin infused their day with SO many personal details. For their wedding ceremony, Cheyenne and Darrin asked Cheyenne’s brother to officiate their ceremony. They had their niece be the flower girl. Then they also had a close friend working as both their videographer and their DJ throughout the day.
Vendors from their day:
Cupcakes: Nothing Bundt Cakes
Location: Connor Lake WI Airbnb
Dress: BHLDN & Eddy K Bridal
Florals: The Flower Lady
Their Wisconsin Elopement Timeline
For Cheyenne and Darrin’s Wisconsin Lakeside Elopement, they spent their mornings getting ready with their close family and friends. Both Cheyenne and Darrin LOVED the a-frame windows that looked out over the lake so we used the two floors that faced out the back window to get ready for their day.
Darrin put on his finishing touches on the back patio and then waited for the ceremony for him to finally see his beautiful bride.
Darrin and Cheyenne set up their ceremony facing out over the lake that was beautifully framed by the massive trees that are all around the property. They even put together the arch that framed their ceremony themselves!
After their ceremony, we snuck away to explore the property and take some newly-wed portraits. The two hadn’t planned to have a first dance on their wedding day, so I suggested that we take a moment out in the field on the property to have a moment in private to have their first dance. It was such an intimate and sweet moment from their wedding day, I’m so glad we got to do it and I was able to be a part of it.
How to Plan Your Own Wisconsin Elopement
Where to Start
When beginning to plan your Wisconsin Elopement with your partner, it’s important to go over what you two want your day to look like. Do you envision yourself hiking on your elopement day? Do you picture people such as friends or family being present for your elopement? Who do you want to marry the two of you? Do you want a long ceremony or a short one? All of these questions are good jumping-off points to help you two make decisions for your wedding day.
Getting Your Marriage License
When preparing for your Wisconsin Elopement, if you plan to do the legalities of your marriage on your wedding day, you will need to go to the Clerk’s office in the county you plan to elope in at least 6 full days before your wedding. There is a waiting period of 6 days NOT including the day you apply so you need to prepare to make the trip to your county prior to your elopement day.
Pro Tip: You do not HAVE to legally get married the day of your elopement/wedding. You can get legally married in your hometown or somewhere that is convenient to you prior to your elopement day so you don’t have to worry about the legalities the day of.
Finding an Officiant
When eloping in Wisconsin, ordained members of the clergy, judges, commissioners or a family member or friend that has been ordained are able to officiate the ceremony. Find more information here about how to become ordained for a ceremony in Wisconsin
Where to have your intimate elopement in Wisconsin
Connor’s Lake Airbnb– This gorgeous Airbnb right on Connor’s Lake in Winter Wisconsin is absolutely gorgeous and the perfect spot for couples to celebrate their love with a small group of friends and family members.
Springbrook– Get married right next to the Wisconsin Dells at this perfect resort set up with tons of space. Between the gazebo, the tent, and the properties that make up the resort, I’m sure you can find the perfect spot for your elopement.
The Enchanted Barn– The Enchanted Barn offers weekday elopement packages that are perfect for any couple wanting to plan an intimate ceremony and reception. They have the perfect space to host an intimate day with a handful of family members and friends.
Old Rittenhouse Inn– Located about as North as you can get in Bayfield Wisconsin, the Old Rittenhouse Inn is a gorgeous little getaway right on Lake Superior.
What Your Elopement Coverage Might Look Like
Cheyenne and Darrin had me for 4 hours on their wedding day. In that time we were able to document them getting ready, then their ceremony, portraits, family photos and the start of their evening.
Your 4-hour elopement coverage timeline might look something like this
12:00 pm- Start getting ready
3:00 pm- Photographer Arrives
3:30 pm- Put on your dress/finishing touches on your wedding attire
4:00 pm- Ceremony
4:30pm- Family Photos
4:45pm- Newly Wed Portraits
5:15pm- Sit down for dinner/any speeches you might have
6:30pm- First Dances
7:00pm- Coverage ends
I was so so glad to be a part of Cheyenne and Darrin’s Wisconsin elopement. They are two of the coolest and sweetest people that I’ve had the chance to work with! Are you looking for a photographer for your own elopement? For more information on my elopement packages, send
