Tips for Eloping in a Wisconsin State Park
Wisconsin State Parks are full of gorgeous views and unique geological features that make them a great option as the location for your elopement. Listed below are some tips to make your state park elopement the best experience it can be for you.
Tip #1 - The park is still open to other visitors, which is important to remember if you want to elope at a particularly popular park or during the busy summer months. Most visitors are respectful and will usually be excited for you, but it’s important to be respectful to them in turn. If saying your vows in seclusion matters to you, you can try to find a more secluded part of the park to say your vows or pick a quieter part of the day. Sunrise is quite beautiful and usually pretty quiet. If getting up early isn’t your thing, sunset can offer similar majesty, but might not be as secluded.
Tip #2 - While getting married in a state park can be cheaper than a venue, there are still costs involved. You do need to have a park pass for your vehicle to park at the park. I recommend getting the annual pass if you plan to visit many state parks throughout the year, it will pay for itself. If you just need one for the day you can get a day pass. If you are having some guests join you, they will also need a park pass for each vehicle.
Your photographer will need to apply for a commercial permit to take photos of your elopement at a state park or state natural area. Currently the permit is $50 and needs to be filled out and submitted to the park manager a minimum of two weeks before your event. They might add this charge to your package cost or include it, but be sure to ask if you aren’t sure.
Tip #3 - A state park is still a park, you need to prepare for the weather and the lack of many amenities nearby. Do you want to change into your wedding wear in your car, in the park bathroom, when you get to your ceremony location, or come already dressed? If it’s raining do you want to embrace the weather or do you have a backup plan? If it’s the height of summer, do you have enough bottles of water packed to stay hydrated? Whatever season you choose, be sure to make a list of things you might need in advance such as jackets, water, snacks, proper footwear, ect.
Tip #4 - Reserve shelters and campsites in advance if necessary. If you’re looking for an indoor spot to use as a backup plan, many parks do have shelters and buildings that can be reserved. Some book up quickly so be sure to reserve in advance to get the one you want. The same applies to campsites if you want to camp in the park. Most campsites book up pretty quickly, especially during summer so be sure to book as soon as you can.
Tip #5 - Be aware of your own hiking capabilities. Some of the most scenic parts of the parks require a bit of hiking on uneven terrain to get to, which if you're not prepared for can make for an uncomfortable experience. Remember you’ll be hiking in your wedding clothes, unless you choose to get ready at the spot, versus hiking in your everyday t-shirt and shorts. You might also be carrying a backpack full of additional supplies which is added weight you might not be used to hiking with. Try doing some hikes with a similarly full backpack in the months beforehand to get your body used to it. Take a road trip to the park you picked to see the trails in person as well!
Tip #6 - Research the surrounding area as well! If you don’t live near the park of your choosing, see what kind of hotels or Airbnbs are in the area and how far away they are. If you have a specific kind of Airbnb you want to stay at, but it’s an hour away from the park remember that if you want to have getting ready photos done at the Airbnb beforehand. Or even if you want to do a sunrise ceremony, be aware that you will have to account for an extra hour to be up in time to travel to the park.
Check out the restaurants around the park if you want to have a meal out after your ceremony. Take into account their distance, hours, and type of cuisine when thinking about what park you want to elope in.
Hope these tips help you with your state park elopement and help you have the best experience. All of the information is to the best of my knowledge, but be sure to contact a park official to get the most accurate and up to date info. Want to know what some of my favorite state parks are? Check out this blog to see which one might be the best one for your elopement!
