Unique Michigan Elopement Activities That Require ZERO Hiking
Written by: Brandi Lynns
August 24, 2026
August 24, 2026
Let’s just start by saying it, hiking is not for everyone on your elopement day!
I mean I personally love a good hike, but it has to be like short and the views have to really be worth it. If I can get there by other means of transportation, I am not hiking it, haha! I really just don’t think you need to spend hours hiking through the woods just to have an adventurous elopement day, there are so many other ways we can make your day an adventure!
Maybe you don’t even like hiking. Maybe you’re bringing family along who can’t hike. Or maybe when you just think of getting sweaty and hiking in your wedding attire it just does not sound like your idea of a good time on your wedding day.
Trust me, I get it!
There are SO many ways to make your elopement day feel like an adventure without hiking at all. And honestly, some of my favorite Michigan elopement activities are the simple ones. My main goal, I want you to do whatever the heck you want to do while I am capturing the essence of where you are.
So, if you hate the idea of hiking on your elopement day, here are some unique Michigan elopement activities you can do in the Upper Peninsula that literally require no hiking!
Unique Michigan Elopement Activities
- Have a picnic on the beach
- Eat a pasty
- Rent a canoe and explore an inland lake
- Go rock hunting along Lake Superior
- Look for Yooperlites after dark
- Go for a sunset sail or boat ride – check out U.P. Sailing Co!
- Have a beach fire + watch the sunset
- Make s’mores or pudgie pies around the fire
- Go stargazing
- Visit a brewery or winery
- Paddleboard
- Take a dip in Lake Superior, warning, it is cold!
- Grab ice cream
- Go fishing
- Rent a side-by-side and hit the trails
- Shot-gun a beer
I just feel like you see so much on social media that you have to hike on your elopement day. You gotta hike to get to all these epic viewpoints, climb a mountain, wake up at the crack of dawn and hike somewhere for sunrise.
If that is your jam, great, I love that for you!
But just know that your elopement doesn’t have to be a hiking trip.
There are so many unique Michigan elopement activities we can build into your day that have absolutely nothing to do with hiking.
That’s the whole point of planning an elopement this way, creating a whole ass experience that feels like you two.
And if your perfect Michigan elopement involves absolutely ZERO hiking?
Just know, I am right there with you!
Meet your Michigan Elopement photographer!
Michigan born + raised, Yooper for life, and always happiest outside!
I’m a Michigan elopement photographer who believes your wedding day should actually feel like you, not what your parents want. Whether that means hiking to a waterfall, having a picnic along Lake Superior, bringing your dogs along, or spending the day exploring somewhere you love, I’m here for it.
I’m also a dog mom, major planner (seriously, planning is basically my love language), and when I’m not photographing elopements, I also own Blue Diamond Travel Agency. So basically… I really love planning adventures!
If you want to know a little more about the person behind the camera, you can read more about me here! Hi, I’m Brandi! – brandilynnsphoto.com
And while Michigan will always be home, because seriously I looove my home! I am absolutely down to travel. Whether you’re planning an elopement here in the U.P., heading to Alaska, or dreaming up somewhere completely different, let’s freaking do it!
Let’s just start by saying it, hiking is not for everyone on your elopement day!
I mean I personally love a good hike, but it has to be like short and the views have to really be worth it. If I can get there by other means of transportation, I am not hiking it, haha! I really just don’t think you need to spend hours hiking through the woods just to have an adventurous elopement day, there are so many other ways we can make your day an adventure!
Maybe you don’t even like hiking. Maybe you’re bringing family along who can’t hike. Or maybe when you just think of getting sweaty and hiking in your wedding attire it just does not sound like your idea of a good time on your wedding day.
Trust me, I get it!
There are SO many ways to make your elopement day feel like an adventure without hiking at all. And honestly, some of my favorite Michigan elopement activities are the simple ones. My main goal, I want you to do whatever the heck you want to do while I am capturing the essence of where you are.
So, if you hate the idea of hiking on your elopement day, here are some unique Michigan elopement activities you can do in the Upper Peninsula that literally require no hiking!
Unique Michigan Elopement Activities
- Have a picnic on the beach
- Eat a pasty
- Rent a canoe and explore an inland lake
- Go rock hunting along Lake Superior
- Look for Yooperlites after dark
- Go for a sunset sail or boat ride – check out U.P. Sailing Co!
- Have a beach fire + watch the sunset
- Make s’mores or pudgie pies around the fire
- Go stargazing
- Visit a brewery or winery
- Paddleboard
- Take a dip in Lake Superior, warning, it is cold!
- Grab ice cream
- Go fishing
- Rent a side-by-side and hit the trails
- Shot-gun a beer
I just feel like you see so much on social media that you have to hike on your elopement day. You gotta hike to get to all these epic viewpoints, climb a mountain, wake up at the crack of dawn and hike somewhere for sunrise.
If that is your jam, great, I love that for you!
But just know that your elopement doesn’t have to be a hiking trip.
There are so many unique Michigan elopement activities we can build into your day that have absolutely nothing to do with hiking.
That’s the whole point of planning an elopement this way, creating a whole ass experience that feels like you two.
And if your perfect Michigan elopement involves absolutely ZERO hiking?
Just know, I am right there with you!
Meet your Michigan Elopement photographer!
Michigan born + raised, Yooper for life, and always happiest outside!
I’m a Michigan elopement photographer who believes your wedding day should actually feel like you, not what your parents want. Whether that means hiking to a waterfall, having a picnic along Lake Superior, bringing your dogs along, or spending the day exploring somewhere you love, I’m here for it.
I’m also a dog mom, major planner (seriously, planning is basically my love language), and when I’m not photographing elopements, I also own Blue Diamond Travel Agency. So basically… I really love planning adventures!
If you want to know a little more about the person behind the camera, you can read more about me here! Hi, I’m Brandi! – brandilynnsphoto.com
And while Michigan will always be home, because seriously I looove my home! I am absolutely down to travel. Whether you’re planning an elopement here in the U.P., heading to Alaska, or dreaming up somewhere completely different, let’s freaking do it!
