Elopements at Milkweed
Some couples want something quieter…
A small ceremony in the woods.
A weekend shaped by good food, changing light, and time spent together.
A celebration that feels less like a production and more like a gathering in nature.
At Milkweed, we host intimate elopements for 2–14 guests, woven into the rhythm of a chef-driven weekend in the Upper Peninsula. Rather than coordinating a long list of vendors and logistics, couples arrive and allow us to take care of the details.
The result is something relaxed, personal, and deeply memorable.
A Fully Hosted Woodland Elopement
Elopements at Milkweed are intentionally simple, intimate, and low-key. We take care of the planning so that couples can focus on being present with one another and with the people they’ve chosen to bring.
Ceremonies take place in natural settings throughout the property, from meadow clearings and woodland paths to quiet overlooks at sunset. Meals are prepared by Chef Regan and served in the intimate style guests experience during a typical Milkweed weekend. Flowers, beverages, music, and the overall flow of the day are all coordinated by us.
Because the property itself offers so much beauty, décor remains minimal. The woods, meadows, and changing seasons provide the atmosphere.
What’s Included
Your elopement booking includes accommodations for all guests for two nights, along with:
• Meals
• Snacks
• Beverages
• Housekeeping
• Transportation from Rapid River to the cabin if needed
• Tax
• Service fee
Meals include:
• Friday evening family-style dinner/rehearsal dinner
• Friday night fireside s’mores and digestifs
• Saturday breakfast
• Saturday lunch
• Saturday early-evening snack
• Saturday night tasting menu (10–14 courses)
• Sunday brunch
In addition to the weekend stay, we also coordinate the details that shape the elopement itself, including:
• Ceremony space on the property
• Seasonal flowers
• Natural décor drawn from the setting
• Music, if desired, through a playlist provided by the couple
• Beverage pairings with meals
• Coffee, tea, beer, non-alcoholic drinks at all other hours
• The overall flow of the weekend, including rehearsal and ceremony timing
Our goal is to make the experience feel seamless and cared for, without requiring couples to manage logistics themselves.
Guest Count
Milkweed elopements are designed for 2–14 guests. This allows the celebration to remain intimate while still making space for a few close friends or family members to share in the weekend.
Ceremony and Photo Spaces
Ceremonies can take place in several natural locations throughout the property, depending on the season, guest count, and the feeling a couple wants for the day.
Options may include:
• A meadow clearing
• A wooded trail
• The boardwalk in the woods
• A valley or sunset overlook
Each area offers a different atmosphere, and we help guide couples toward the setting that feels most aligned with their vision.
A Typical Elopement Weekend at Milkweed
At Milkweed, the ceremony becomes part of a larger weekend experience rather than standing apart from it. The celebration unfolds naturally within the rhythm of the property, shaped by meals, time outdoors, and quiet moments with loved ones.
Friday: Guests arrive in Rapid River, where transportation is guided to the Milkweed property.
After settling in, the weekend begins with a family-style dinner shared on site. Later in the evening, everyone gathers around the fire for s’mores and digestifs, creating an easy, welcoming start to the weekend.
Saturday: Saturday begins with breakfast at Milkweed.
Later in the morning or early afternoon, couples may rehearse and settle into the details of the ceremony space. Lunch is served midday.
In the afternoon, the group gathers for the ceremony, held somewhere on the property in one of Milkweed’s natural settings.
Afterward, guests can enjoy a light early-evening snack and drinks while the couple takes photographs or wanders the property together.
The evening continues with Milkweed’s 10–14 course tasting menu, served in the intimate, chef-driven style that defines the weekend.
The night concludes with music and dancing if desired.
Sunday: The weekend closes with a relaxed Sunday brunch before departure.
Time in the Woods
For couples who want to extend the celebration beyond the ceremony and meals, we can also help coordinate optional activities for the group throughout the weekend.
Depending on the season and the interests of the group, these may include:
• Archery
• Yard games
• Wood-burning sauna sessions
• Wood-fired hot tub scheduling
• Hayrides
• Kayaking on the river
• Rustic lazy river time
• Hiking our rustic or carved trails
Some couples can build one or two of these into the weekend, while others may prefer to leave more space for wandering, conversation, and rest. We’re happy to help shape the pace in whatever way feels right.
Accommodations & Newlywed Touches
Your booking includes two nights of accommodations all guest, with guests joining the weekend experience as arranged.
At the end of the evening, couples can return to their room or tent and settle into the quiet of the property. We can also help create a simple celebratory touch for the newlyweds, such as bottle service and special bites from Chef waiting in the room or tent.
These details remain in the spirit of Milkweed: understated, thoughtful, and cozy.
The Atmosphere
Milkweed elopements are not traditional wedding productions.
They are small, carefully hosted gatherings in the woods, centered around landscape, food, and time spent together. They are best suited to couples who want something meaningful and beautiful without the scale, pressure, or logistics of a larger event.
Many of the most memorable parts of the weekend happen in between the planned moments: walking a trail after dinner, gathering by the fire, sharing a bottle, or watching the light change over the meadow. That is the feeling we aim to preserve.
Inquire About Elopements
We host a limited number of elopements, keeping each one intimate and thoughtfully planned.
Reach out to us for a more detailed document, including pricing structures and any additional questions you may have.