Door County Wisconsin is one of the most loved and well known elopement destinations in the entire state. Views of Lake Michigan just about anywhere you go, beautiful rocky lakeside spots for vows, numerous small businesses, and many hiking trails to explore, are some of the reasons this is such a popular location. However there are a lot of downsides to this location too. I have reasons of my own why this may or may not be a good elopement destination for you, but first, let’s start with what each part of the area offers.
Bonus: If you’d like to me to help you find the best elopement locations in Door County, tap the link below to book a complimentary elopement planning call with me!
The Landscape
Like I mentioned above, Door County is full of beautiful Lake Michigan lakeshore spots. It’s known as the Cape Cod of the Midwest for a reason. It has large sandy and pebble beaches, rocky limestone landscapes like Cave Point, and forests with a wide variety of trees and plant life. Often you can get a wide variety of scenery at the same location or by going to another nearby.
Many of these locations are accessible, with either just a short walk from the parking lot or an easy hike in. There are actually very few locations that are challenging to reach.
The Food and Accommodations
Door County is well known for its many small businesses. In fact, there are ordinances to keep the towns free of national chain restaurants and big box stores, to preserve the local small business economy. You won’t find a single McDonalds or Walmart north of Sturgeon Bay.
If you’re a big coffee lover like me, this area of the state has some of the best coffee I have ever had. There are many local coffee shops all over the peninsula, you’ll want to get multiple cups per day. I have yet to try them all, but some of my favorites are Sip and Ephraim Coffee Lab.
Along with the great local food, you’ll find many places to stay as well. Not a single big chain hotel in sight. From charming Airbnbs and Vrbos, to locally run inns and motels, there are plenty of options, often with lakeside access!
The Tourism
Now we’re getting to the not so great things about Door County. It is the second most popular tourist destination in the state, after the Wisconsin Dells. I would argue if you take out the waterparks factor from the Dells, it would be the most popular.
Because of this, it is hard to have privacy at popular locations. Traffic is horrible during the summer months, restaurants are packed, and the best accommodations can book up quickly. The only way to escape this is by eloping on an early weekday and at sunrise if you’re using a more well known location, or elope during the off season (late October-early May). Even during the week there are often other people around.
Do NOT elope here on a weekend during the busy season. You will not have a good time, trust me. You’ll want to hire a photographer who can show you the lesser known spots if you want privacy.
Why I would elope in Door County
1. Ease of access to locations. If you don’t want to hike, have family with mobility limitations, or just want to have a laid back day, most of Door County’s locations are within a short walk from the parking lot.
2. Inviting family and friends. If you want an elopement day that includes your favorite people, this is a great location for that. Like I mentioned above, most places are accessible. If you want complete privacy, you can rent a Vrbo to have a celebration without the crowds. A lot of these Vrbos also have private lakeshore access.
3. Access to good food and accommodations. Each town has its own charming atmosphere and great places to stay and eat. Just about anywhere you go, there are multiple options for a post elopement dinner or to stop at a brewery. The coffee shops alone are a reason to elope here, (jk but not really).
Why I wouldn’t elope in Door County
1. If you want seclusion, this is absolutely NOT the location for you. Door County is so overly crowded. With the rise of TikTok and social media short form video content, it’s gained even more popularity. Because so many of the locations are so accessible, it’s hard to find spots that are lesser known (although I do know of a few!). The best time to elope here for warm weather and open businesses is also peak tourist season. You can elope here in the off season, but many businesses close down, you may have cold weather, and greenery may be dying or not grown back yet.
2. I might ruffle some feathers by saying this, but I think most of the location options are just okay. They have their own beauty don’t get me wrong, but in my opinion, a lot of the area looks very similar. The locations that are absolutely stunning are also the most popular. Overall I just don’t think it’s the most beautiful location in Wisconsin by a long shot. There are other places around the state I would elope in instead if you want stunning landscapes and a feel of seclusion.
3. Lack of adventurous locations. This goes along with what I said above. Door County has many accessible locations, but not many locations that are harder to reach. If you want a bit of a challenge that will lead to a jaw dropping payoff, this is not the place for you.
Wisconsin Elopement Photographer
By now you should have a good idea of if Door County is the elopement location for you. If you want someone who will show you the lesser known spots of Door County, or if you want to explore other areas of the state, let’s talk. I’m Abby, a Wisconsin based elopement photographer who helps couples plan an intentional elopement day and photographs the epic experience. Tap the link below to view packages and to learn more. I can’t wait to hear from you!
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