Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, and the land of some beautiful spots to elope. When you think of eloping in Minnesota, you probably automatically think of spots overlooking Lake Superior, and believe me, there are some amazing spots. But there are also overrated spots along Lake Superior to stay away from if you are wanting a quiet and private elopement. 

Palisade Head

This is arguably THEE spot you are thinking of and see on the internet when you search North Shore elopements. While it is an amazing place to take photos, you cannot legally get married here. Most couples are drawn to this location, and I am so down with that, but I usually tell couples that we will stop here for bride and groom portraits (not vows)! This spot is the best for sunrise because the sun rises over the lake. 

Alternative:

Shovel Point is such a beautiful hike and I recommend it to anyone in the area of Tettegouche State Park. This is a spot that overlooks Lake Superior, just like Palisade Head. One thing to consider if you want to use Shovel Point as your ceremony location is it is a 1.4 mile hike. There are multiple staircases and some uphill portions, but the views are amazing! 

Black Beach

Let me just start by saying…Black Beach is beautiful and can be a great place for those who don’t care if people see them saying their vows. So many beautiful microweddings happen here and can be done perfectly! Black Beach is an option where you can legally say your vows and elope. It is a spot with unique views right on Lake Superior. The reason I think it is overrated is because it is usually quite crowded. It is a hot spot for tourists, so know that you will have people on the beach the day of your elopement/microwedding. It is a pretty open beach, so there is not necessarily a secret spot to hide and say vows.

Alternative:

There are SO many beaches spread across the North Shore. Some that are much more private than Black Beach. I absolutely love hiking the North Shore and can find the perfect and private beach for your elopement. 

Stone Arch Bridge

This location is not on the North Shore, but it is an iconic spot in Minnesota. You can legally elope here, and don’t get me wrong, the views of the city are absolutely amazing. The one part of this location that makes it “not my favorite” is the crowds. This is a pedestrian bridge and it is crowded. As someone who eloped, the amount of people on this bridge makes me cringe thinking about saying my intimate vows while people walk by me!

Alternative:

The Hennepin County Courthouse is a super aesthetic location! It is open to the public, but it is not as much of a spectacle as the Stone Arch Bridge. If you are wanting to use the courthouse as your “venue”, you will need to follow these steps. 

Everyone’s first step is to secure your marriage license (getting your MN marriage license blog).

Next you need to secure a timeslot with the county clerk. Call (612) 322-6709 to get connected with a judge’s clerk and to secure your time. Judges’ fees will vary between $150-$200! 

Arrange your witnesses! Minnesota does require you to have two people sign your license! 

If you’re ready to start planning your perfect elopement with an even more perfect location, let’s chat!