How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Michigan?

Warren Dunes State Park Wedding-59.jpg

As mentioned in Top Intimate Elopement Locations to Elope, you read about locations. Let’s dive deeper and figure out just how much of a budget might you need.



Average Michigan Elopement Costs:

$11,400

This is just an average. Of course if you wanted to splurge on more activities, it will cost a little more! But what’s better than spending your whole budget on YOU two! You deserve to create a full elopement day centered around who you are as a couple. Built from everything you two ever dreamed of and things you enjoy doing together. No spending hours going table to table. No rushing from one thing to the next. One of the saddest things I hear traditional couples say is, “My dad flew so by I don’t even remember…” or “My day felt so rushed, I didn’t even get to enjoy it much or have some time with just my fiance and I.” Nobody pulling you this way and that way. A day truly focused on YOU!

Photographer $2,800

Videographer $1,200

Officiant $500

Hair + Makeup $250

Travel $300

Lodging $1,200 (3 Nights. Splurging around $400/night)

Transportation $600 (Car rental. 3 nights. Michigan, you don’t need 4x4 or All Wheel Drive)

Attire $1,500

Bouquet $450

Marriage License $30

Permits $200

Additional Costs

Food + Drinks $1,350 (Splurging on a Private Chef at $90/person. 15 Guest Count)

Wedding Planners (Optional: Most Elopement Photographers Serve as Planners)

Wedding Album $1,000 (20 Spread. 10 Page. 10x10 Heirloom Album. Lineon Cover)

SEE ALSO: Prints + Albums


Average Michigan Traditional Wedding Costs:

$34,800

In Michigan, in 2019, according to The Knot, couples spend an average of 29,700 on traditional weddings in Michigan.

What you Get:

Photographer $ 2,800

Videographer $2,400

Wedding Event/Planner $1,500

Officiant $500

Venue $10,500

Wedding Dress $1,600

Florist $2,000

Catering (Cost Per Guest) $65 (Average Guest count is 150) $9,750

DJ $1,200

Wedding Cake $500

Transportation $800

Favors $400

Invitations $600

Hair + Makeup $250 (Are you paying for your whole party? Account for more)

Additional Costs

Travel (Vendor Travel Fees) $300

Album, Prints, Photo Box $1,000


Why Elope over Traditional?

Eloping somewhere beautiful is a chance to travel more. An opportunity to be out in nature and take epic photos! An Elopement is an intimate wedding that focuses on the couple and what truly matters. A day centered around your true values and beliefs. To live in the moment and completely deprive you of any stress, anxiety, pressure, and/or obligations. It’s about choosing the experience over tangible details and removing the beautiful chaos of traditional ways. Vows can be exchanged without the fear of judgment in a place where you both feel so alive and the most connected.

SEE ALSO: What is an Elopement? , Top 10 Reasons to Elope


Are you ready to throw traditional out the window

and have a celebration completely unique to who you two are

as a couple and just focus on each other?


Catchfly Photography is a traditional wedding and adventurous elopement photographer based in Highland, MI. Julie Believes in the little details and in between moments. Nature completely inspires Julie and she incorporates nature into almost every photo she takes. Julie travels to photograph traditional weddings and intimate elopements in Michigan’s Upper + Lower Peninsula and Colorado.

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