Eloping in Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore

Permits: Submit a Special Use Permit application.

Photographer does not need a permit, but you are required to purchase a special use permit. Include a nonrefundable $50.00 cost recovery fee with your application or submit the application fee on pay.gov.
If you submit your application by e-mail, do not include your social security number information on the application. Select an Approved Wedding Location and email your application to Dawn Majewski (dawn_majewski@nps.gov)

Point of Contact:

Dawn Majewski

Office Phone Number: (231) 326-4741

If your application is approved

A permit containing applicable terms and conditions will be sent to you.
The permit must be signed and returned to the park with a $100.00 cost recovery fee for final approval before the wedding ceremony can take place.
Cost recovery fees may be submitted on pay.gov.

Permit conditions

All permits have the following basic conditions. Individual permits may include conditions specific to that event.
• Entrance fees into the park are not waived for participants or guests since the recreational benefit is derived. The permittee may contact the visitor center to purchase park passes in advance.

• The approved permit must be in the permittee possession at the time of the event.

• The release of any living thing is prohibited.

• Birdseed or rice may not be thrown within the park as this provides an unnatural food source for wildlife.

• The use of balloons, sky lanterns, or other types of decorations will not be authorized.

• The use of bubbles or bubble making machines is prohibited.

• Directional or event signs may not be used within the park.

• The permittee is responsible for the cleanup of all trash from the site. All trash generated by the event is to be removed from the park by the permittee.

• The wedding party vehicles may not be decorated with cans, paper, streamers, or any other item that may be left behind in the park.

• The permittee and guests must comply with all applicable federal, state, county, and park regulations.

• Amplified music or public-address systems are not allowed. No disturbance of other park visitors may occur as the area will remain open to the public during the event.

• No ground disturbance is allowed.

• To preserve the natural setting, archways or other artificial structures are not authorized, and tents, tables, or other furniture are not allowed unless a picnic area is used. A small number of chairs may be permissible for elderly or disabled guests.

• Pets must be controlled on a six-foot leash and may not be left unattended or tied to an object.

• The permittee is responsible for cleaning up after pets and disposing of waste in trash receptacles.

• Pets should be kept from interacting with wildlife or disturbing park visitors.

• If nesting piping plover is present, approved permits for wedding ceremonies on beaches may be restricted to specific areas on the beach.

• Permitted beach locations are subject to change if nesting piping plover is present.

Approved Wedding Locations:

Good Harbor Bay Picnic Area - limited parking along the county road, restrooms available, beach access, a maximum group size of 50, available all year.

Port Oneida Historic Farms - limited parking, no restrooms, no beach access, a maximum group size of 50, available all year.

Sunset Shores Road Beach - limited parking along a county road, no restrooms available, beach access, a maximum group size of 25, available all year.

Sleeping Bear Inn Lawn, limited parking, restrooms available, beach access, maximum group size of 50, available September through June.

Maritime Museum Beach - limited parking, restrooms available, beach access, a maximum group size of 50, available all year except during special events.

Glen Lake Picnic Area - a limited paved parking lot for 20 vehicles, restrooms available, beach access, a maximum group size of 50, available all year.

Picnic Mountain - a limited paved parking lot for 20 vehicles, restrooms available, beach access, a maximum group size of 50, available May until Scenic Drive closure.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Dune Overlook - a limited paved parking lot for 8 vehicles, restrooms available, no beach access, a maximum group size of 25, available May and June and after Labor Day until Scenic Drive closure.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Lake Michigan Overlook - a limited paved parking lot for 30 vehicles, restrooms available, no beach access, a maximum group size of 25, available May and June, and after Labor Day until Scenic Drive closure.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive North Bar Overlook - a limited paved parking lot for 15 vehicles, restrooms available, no beach access, a maximum group size of 25, available May until Scenic Drive closure. Esch Road Beach, limited parking along a county road, restrooms available, beach access, a maximum group size of 50, available all year.

Tiesma Road Beach - limited parking for 10 vehicles, no restrooms available, beach access, a maximum group size of 45, available all year.

South Manitou Island Village Area, ferry access only, restrooms available, beach access, maximum group size of 25, available during ferry season.

North Manitou Island Village Area, ferry access only, restrooms available, beach access, maximum group size of 25, available during ferry season.

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.