Dreaming of a “freshwater ocean” of Lake Superior with our North Shore Elopement & Grand Marais Wedding Adventure? Elope to Grand Marais with me!
Imagine the sun rising over Lake Superior to kiss the sky as you watch together, all snuggled in a blanket with mugs of hot coffee on a beach. Getting ready with your bestie & mom. Do first look with your dad and your loved ones. Hike through the forest to the final point and exchange vows with a breathtaking view.
If this is something you imagine for your wedding day, then this Grand Marais Wedding Adventure is just for you!!
Cultivating an experience that reaches beyond digital photos is invaluable; my couples head home with raw, unedited moments captured on Polaroid film. I love knowing that my couples have something tangible to hold and cherish until their digital gallery arrives (including the sweetest GIFS)!
Location: Grand Marais, Minnesota, United States
Grand Marais Wedding Length: 12h
Meeting point: I can meet you at your Airbnb, campground, or the beginning of a hiking trail.
Participants: 10 guests can join apart from the couple.
Child-Friendly Elopement: Children need to be old enough to easily walk and navigate uneven surfaces on their own.
Dog-Friendly Elopment: Dogs need to be on a leash all the time.
Sightseeing: Lake Superior, Artist’s Point, Gunflint Trail,
Experience: Sunrise hike to the lake, getting ready and first look, Drive to Artist’s Point, ceremony at overlook, breaks and photo sessions
Activity level: Light – Suitable for anyone.
Climate: Alpine or mountain climate: Usually four seasons, with cold winters and mild summers.
Available: May, June, July, August, September, October
Recommended months: May through the end of October is the best time for this type of wedding experience
Not suitable for participants that suffer from: Fear of Water, Fear of Heights, Motion Sickness
Meet your Grand Marais Wedding Photographer
Hi! I’m Payton, your newest adventure pal!
I’m here for the raw, messy kinda love stories. If your hiking boots have put on several miles, you don’t mind getting your dress a little bit dirty, and you feel best up in the mountains or deep in the pines, I’m your gal.
I can’t wait to document your Grand Marais Wedding Adventure.
Your Grand Marais Wedding - Itinerary
This is a sample itinerary for your Grand Marais Wedding Adventure and would change per month as the daylight and access shifts.
5:00 am – I will meet you at your Airbnb, greeting, and gathering stuff before heading to the beach.
5:30 am – Hike to the beach and settle down.
6:00 am – Sunrise and a little walk along the lake shoreline with a photo session
7:00 am – Head back to your Airbnb to do “Getting Ready” and your first look.
11:00 am – Drive to Artist’s Point
11:30 am – Arrive, hike & climb for your North Shore Elopement, overlooking Lake Superior as the sun brightens the peaks at the far end of the lake and take a photo session with those amazing views
1:00 pm – Take a pizza and Growler from Voyageur Brewery and head back to your Airbnb
1:30 pm – Change clothes, eat lunch, and do a candid photoshoot
2:30 pm – Head to the Gunflint Trail and drive (pull over to do a photoshoot with scenic views)
4:00 pm – Head back to Airbnb and do some cake-cutting, champagne toast and some indoor photoshoots
5:00 pm – End of photography coverage
Optional: Instead of Artist’s Point, you can choose to go to the Pincushion Mountain Trail System and drive to the top of the hill to take in the views of the area from high above!
Your North Shore Elopement - Comments
Your North Shore Elopement is carried out under all weather conditions, even if it rains.
LGBTQ friendly. Love is love. Everyone is welcome, and I would love to work with you. All packages are for every type of couple, no matter how they express themselves individually and together!
There is a possibility to get legally married on your Grand Marais Wedding.
You will need a marriage license from a Cook County Recorder if you want to get legally married here in Grand Marais. (I can assist you with this process if you wish to be legally married.
Payment terms
15% directly payable as a deposit to our platform – a 21-day money-back guarantee applies.
30% directly to the vendor after the first video call.
The rest is due one month before your elopement date. A monthly payment plan is also available.
Your North Shore Elopement includes
1:1 North Shore Elopement Planning Assistance to help you craft your uniquely “you” day.
80+ Page Planning Resource Guide mailed to you. There’s just something about a physical copy that makes planning so much easier.
Customized Location List designed to meet all of your must-haves.
Permitting Assistance because who wants to deal with that!?
Personalized Local Recommendations for activities, dining options, must-see sights, lodging, and more.
Sneak peeks are delivered within 24 hours.
Full Gallery delivered within 6 weeks.
A few Polaroid shots for your Grand Marais Wedding day
Your North Shore Elopement does not include
A videographer
Travel between your hometown and Grand Marais for your wedding day
Travel from Minneapolis or Duluth Airport to Grand Marais.
Accommodations for your North Shore Elopement.
Travel insurance
Rentals for additional activities during your North Shore Elopement.
Rental car if the couple wishes to have a vehicle
Officiant to legally marry you (can be added for a fee)
Gondola Ride fees if you wish to add that to your North Shore Elopement
Canoe rental for additional guests beyond the couple
Your Grand Marais Wedding - Packlist
Pack list for your Grand Marais Wedding Adventure (Depending on season)
A warm jacket or waterproof shell (Clear umbrellas will be provided)
Wallet
Flashlight (just in case)
Good footwear or Hiking boots for the hiking part
Wedding Attire for both individuals
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Backpack(s) to store your items
Rings, vows (vow books recommended), marriage license (if you’re planning a legal ceremony during your Grand Marais Wedding Adventure)
Hike boots
Speaker, if you would like a first dance at a remote location
Snacks and water
Bring your phones to take your own photos (no cell service in the area, but your camera will still work)
Your Grand Marais Wedding - Tips & Infos
I will meet you up at your Airbnb so we can review our plan for the day based on the weather, but if you are in the area for a few days, I recommend renting a car so you can explore the trails and beaches while you are here.
It’s not an extreme experience but be prepared to do a little light climbing to get to the views, as well as proper hiking footwear for the uneven terrain. You may want to bring another outfit if you would like to get in the water too for some fun, creative photos at the lake. Lake Superior in every season is very unpredictable when it comes to weather, so have a warm jacket and some protective layers to help you if the weather turns or it’s chilly and wet out there. I will provide umbrellas if it were to rain.
Bring snacks and water to stay energized and hydrated all day on your Grand Marais Wedding Adventure.
Bring your phones so you can also take photos, as the views are breathtaking and you will want to document them for yourself as well.
Lastly, I will always make sure we have a Plan B for every North Shore Elopement, but we also have a Plan C (…and sometimes even a Plan D)
Your North Shore Elopement - Addons
Guests (up to 10 persons) can come at no extra charge to your North Shore Elopement. They will need to rent their own car and come to the experience based on the couple’s decision. I will set up a timeline for the guests if needed.
Bridal Flower Bouquet – 250 USD/Per Piece
Boutonniere – Pocket or Lapel Boutonniere – 80 USD/Per Piece
Additional Photography – 350 USD/Per Hour
GIFs – We ALL love GIFTS! They are so fun, create for social media! At least 3-6 GIFS delivered – 500 USD
3 weeks turnaround – you will be guaranteed all your high-resolution edited photos within 3 weeks of your North Shore Elopement – 1150 USD
Hi! I’m Payton, your newest adventure pal!
