Both intimate weddings and elopements are on the rise and it's no surprise as to why. The cost of a big wedding and the headache of planning deter couples who want to take an unconventional route and create a wedding experience totally unique to their relationship. For newly engaged couples wanting to create a "just the two of us" experience, electing to elope may be the perfect choice.
The concept of eloping used to mean running away in secret in order to tie the knot, the modern idea of eloping has evolved and references a concept of intentionally celebrating your nuptials in a way that is special to you as a couple and including only those people most important to you. Like the couple below, of course feel free to include your pets as witnesses as you exchange your I dos, too!
Some may argue that having an elopement may offer up more freedom...freedom to experience your day how you want, freedom to laugh, and freedom to cry without reservation as you become one!
I absolutely love the idea of documenting an elopement on a mountaintop or on a beach, so please count me in... but elopements are certainly not limited to these natural, picturesque environments. For couples seeking to celebrate their love in their own way, the ideas are simply endless!
The couple below decided to celebrate their nuptials with an elopement on a Wednesday afternoon in July. The ceremony was held at the ever-beautiful Period Garden Park, located in the Mansion Hill District of downtown Madison, Wisconsin. This Victorian-era neighborhood city park is the perfect backdrop for couples seeking serene, lush gardens and beautifully manicured shrubs as well as a lovely fountain. The ceremony was held in the garden's courtyard and featured an ivy covered cream city brick wall....my favorite! One interesting fact to note is that this park is tended by volunteers... what a beautiful oasis in the center of the city!
After the intimate ceremony at Period Garden Park, the celebration continued at Mansion Hill Inn - Madison's Boutique Hotel. This luxury, boutique hotel is a perfect environment for an elevated, one-of-a-kind wedding experience. Its decor is full of opulent paintings, chandeliers and glorious French doors that open onto an expansive balcony. Perfect for twirling in your wedding dress or seeing your groom for the first time during a First Look! Mansion Hill Inn is a fantastic choice if you are planning an intimate elopement in Madison as it is situated in a prime downtown location, steps from Capitol Square, State Street and the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus.
We ended our time together by venturing to Olin Park to take in the Madison skyline.
My time spent with Lisa & Mark and their immediate families was so special and intimate. We were able to celebrate with a champagne toast in front of the historic mansion that resulted in many joyful wedding photos! Lisa and Mark's cats also made a special appearance for their wedding portraits! I loved the princess-esque vintage wedding dress that Lisa found on Etsy and really adored that they each proposed to each other, and then custom created wedding rings to exchange to each other during their ceremony.
From start to finish, Lisa and Mark's elopement day was true to their relationship dynamic.
Not only does sharing an elopement with you, your soulmate and those closest to you offer up an intimate wedding experience. It also allows more time for photography focused on you as a couple, if that is something you value.
I'd love to be considered as your Wisconsin elopement photographer in Milwaukee, Madison, Door County or Chicago! Let's co-create an incredible, intimate elopement experience together!
Meet Lisa & Mark:
How did you meet?
At a summer math camp.
What drew you to each other?
A shared over-enthusiasm for dogs (and, eventually, cats).
What is your favorite quality in each other?
Perseverance.
What is one thing that you’re both super proud of each other for?
Finishing our PhDs (also Lisa for winning a trail marathon).
What are some of your favorite activities to do with each other? Paddling out on a nearby lake and sofa-critiquing baking show competitors.
Proposal story:
We had rings custom made together and shipped from overseas, so there was no surprise proposal, but we both took turns proposing. Lisa proposed by taking Mark on a meandering run that spelled out Marry Me on the GPS (and aggravating Mark by her seeming lack of directional sense). Mark took Lisa on an Amazing-Race-style tandem bike ride around town. Clues led them to relationship landmark spots before ending on a picnic overlooking the Madison skyline, where he proposed.
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