How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Michigan?
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.
