You probably thought this blog was going to go through the seasons of Minnesota with various reasons on why each season is beautiful. Well you’re WR…RIGHT! Kind of. Every couple has a different vibe. Maybe your relationship feels like quiet mornings with coffee and mist over the lake or it’s jumping into the water after a sauna. Could be chasing waterfalls, hiking through colorful forests, or cozying up around a campfire. As a local Minnesota Elopement Photographer who was born & raised here, I’ve been through every season many times and love them all, but I want to help you pick the season that fits you best.

Instead of asking, “What’s the best season?”

Ask yourself, “Which season feels most like us?” The best time to elope in Minnesota depends on you!

Spring – Fresh + Lively

Spring gives me hopeless romantics, fresh starts, new life and excited energy. There are cooler temps, more water in lakes/rivers (which means stronger waterfalls), less bugs, quieter times in touristy locations, some fresh rain which can lead to foggy vibes, wildflowers are blooming, LESS BUGS, cozy mornings, and did I mention….less bugs. If your relationship feels like new adventures, fresh starts, and quiet moments together, spring might be your season.

Downer: Can be muddy/rainy

Summer – Vibrant + Warm

Ah the gorgeous warm months with occasional SCORTCHING temperatures. It’s hit or miss whether you will have an extremely hot day, rain, smokey air from forest fires, but the days where sh*t lines up just right, those are the best. The beautiful sunrises/sunsets, warm enough to spend the day on the lake, eat ice cream,  and enjoy a cozy sweatshirt in the evening. Everything is green with life, longer days, flowers are everywhere, and it is beautiful. Plus the breeze from the big lakes like Lake Superior help keep the temps down. Summer is made for couples who want to soak up every minute.

Downer: Can get really warm, bugs, usually pretty busy tourist season. 

Fall – Stunning + Cozy

Yessssssssss my fav honestly. Perfect for you too if your Pinterest board is 90% red, orange, and yellow, lol. It is so great to wake up wearing a sweatshirt, change into a t-shirt during the day, and wrap it up with a cozy campfire. Apple orchards, colorful leaves, bonfires, apple cider, flannels, less bugs, the vibes are here. 
Downer- books up fast, fall colors don’t last long, can be busy at popular fall color locations. 

Winter – Relaxed + Quiet

Winter is so pretty in Minnesota and incredibly overrated. I’ve really come to appreciate the slow season and enjoying the rest period. Perfect for those who want to be cozy, or explore the area via snowmobile and snowshoeing. Saunas hit different in the winter too, adding an extra cold plunge experience. The landscape can be so epic; snow on the trees and frozen waterfalls. Everything is more quiet and relaxed. 

Downer: It can get real cold in Minnesota, the days are shorter too, but there is usually more flexibility with timelines. 

So…When Should You Elope?

The answer isn’t spring.

Summer.

Fall.

Or winter.

It’s the season that makes you both look at each other and say, “Oh fer sure this one!” (that’s my Minnesotan accent in text form btw.) Because the best time to elope in Minnesota depends on you! Or maybe you don’t know what to pick and that’s what I am here for. I will help plan the elopement of your dreams, based on the adventures you want to have.

With all that, think of me as your photographer, planning partner, location scout, timeline nerd, and professional “I’ve got you” person. I’ll help you create an elopement day (literally, I will plan it) that’s uniquely yours, so when the day arrives, you can focus less on logistics and more on making memories you’ll be telling around the campfire years from now.

Check out my planning + pricing experience!