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My home state Wisconsin offers plenty for the adventurous couple who want to experience their special day in the great outdoors. With the Great Lakes Superior and Michigan on the Eastern and Northern edge, and the Mississippi straddling the western border with Minnesota and Iowa, there are plenty of water themed activities to bring into your elopement or wedding. Wisconsin also offers plenty of Air B&Bs or Vrbos, as well as state parks, mountains, wineries and woodlands.
Some of my top recommendations for a Wisconsin elopement include Devil’s Lake State Park, which is one of the most popular spots to explore, with incredible 500-foot tall bluffs surrounding the lake and beaches and is the largest state park in Wisconsin. I know all kinds of hidden gems for private locations with the amazing bluffs to show off in the background. There’s also Madeline Island / Big Bay State Park, which you get to after a short ferry ride from Bayfield. It’s the largest of the Apostle Islands, though it isn’t part of the Apostle Island National Lakeshore. Explore the island together and enjoy kayaking through the sea caves or camping around beaches on Big Bay State Park. Door County is also a nice area for a ceremony, with 300 miles of shoreline, remarkable sea caves, tons of orchards and wineries, and five state parks!
For those who want something really different, you could use Lacrosse River Queens where you’ll be transported back in time to the early 1900s on board an authentic Mississippi River paddlewheel boat, one of very few still in operation in the USA. For those dreaming of a romantic cruise getaway surrounded by beautiful scenery, you can’t go wrong here.
The weather around here can be a bit unpredictable. Our summers are shorter than other places, but pleasant when they are here. It isn’t too hot, but we do get most of our rainfall from May – September. Winters are very cold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get married outdoors. For some real excitement and adventure, why not incorporate some winter sports into your special day?
All states require a marriage license, so you need to ensure that you understand all of the requirements very early in the planning process. Luckily, it’s fairly straightforward in most cases as long as you meet the criteria and follow the state requirements.
Here is what you need to know about getting a marriage license in Wisconsin.
Yes! Same sex marriage is recognized in all states, and at a federal level, under the Respect for Marriage Act which was signed into law in December 2022.
No. Blood tests have been abolished as part of marriage license applications in all 50 states, so don’t worry if you’re afraid of needles!
Once you’ve gotten the admin out of the way, you can get to the part you’ve been dreaming of: the wedding ceremony!
As you’d expect, each state has different requirements to make a marriage legal. Make sure you follow the guide below to get your marriage legally recognized.
An officiant is required to solemnize a marriage in Wisconsin. Eligible individuals include: judges, appointed court commissioners or ordained ministers.
Those ordained by online ministries are able to officiate the wedding, which is a popular method to allow friends or family members to be your wedding officiant.
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