Their kids had no idea they were about to watch their parents get married.

After 12 years together, Angie and Mike eloped at Cuyuna Cabin Collective in Crosby, Minnesota, and kept the whole thing a secret (including from their kids) until the day of their wedding. And just like that, an ordinary fall day turned into a memory their family will always share.

Their Cuyuna Cabin elopement was everything I love about intimate weddings: heartfelt vows in the backyard, their kids standing right beside them, a little time by the lake, takeout pizza, toasted marshmallows for s’mores, and glow sticks to end the night.

If you’re considering a Cuyuna Cabin elopement, a Minnesota cabin wedding, or an intimate Airbnb wedding, Angie and Mike’s day is a great example of how you can combine a beautiful location, a meaningful ceremony, and a relaxed experience without planning a traditional wedding.

Here’s a look at their wedding day, along with some things to consider if you’re planning your own cabin elopement.

Why Choose a Cabin for Your Minnesota Elopement?

One of the biggest benefits of a cabin elopement is having a place to come back to throughout the day. Instead of spending your wedding traveling between multiple venues, you can get ready, exchange vows if the property permits, relax with your favorite people, and enjoy the evening in one comfortable home base.

For Angie and Mike, Una Cabin with Cuyuna Cabin Collection in Crosby, Minnesota, was the setting for their intimate fall wedding. They were able to spend the day together, have their ceremony in the backyard, and return to the cabin after portraits to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Here are a few reasons couples might consider a cabin or vacation rental for their elopement:

• A relaxed getting-ready experience: You can take your time getting ready and enjoy being together without a packed schedule.
• A personal ceremony setting: If permitted by the property, a backyard, deck, or outdoor space can be a lovely place to exchange vows.
• Room for your closest people: A cabin can make it easier to include your children or a small number of guests.
• A cozy evening afterward: You can cook, order takeout, play games, sit around a fire where permitted, or simply spend time together.
• A wedding weekend instead of just a wedding day: You can plan activities before or after the ceremony and make the experience last longer. Angie and Mike rented the cabin for the whole week with their kids.

Before booking, always confirm the property’s rules regarding ceremonies, guest limits, photography, outside vendors, parking, and outdoor fires. A rental that works for a weekend getaway doesn’t automatically allow a wedding or gathering.

Planning a Cuyuna Cabin Elopement in Crosby, Minnesota

Crosby, Minnesota and the surrounding Cuyuna area are worth considering if you want a cabin-based wedding with opportunities to enjoy Minnesota’s outdoors.

For Angie and Mike, the cabin was their starting point, but the celebration wasn’t limited to the property. We also visited a nearby lake for portraits, and the day before the wedding, they spent time paddleboarding together as a family.

I love this approach to elopement planning because it gives you variety without requiring an overly complicated itinerary.

If you’re considering Una Cabin or another cabin rental in the Cuyuna area, think about how you want to spend your time beyond the ceremony.

Do you want lake views? Time outdoors? A cozy dinner together? A few hours exploring the area? Or would you rather spend most of the day relaxing at your rental?

You don’t need to plan a full day of activities. A couple of intentional plans, with plenty of time in between, can be more than enough.

A note about locations: Always check access, parking, permits, and photography rules for any public land or lakeside location you want to use. If you’re planning to leave your cabin for portraits, it’s worth identifying a backup location in case the weather changes.

If you’re looking for more inspiration of cabins/Airbnbs to elope at in Minnesota, check out my blog post: Minnesota Cabin + Airbnb Elopement Guide

A First Look Outside the Cabin

Once Angie and Mike were ready, they met outside Una Cabin for their first look. They got to see each other, take a breath, and enjoy the moment before heading straight into their ceremony.

I love a first look for an intimate wedding because it gives couples a little time together before the rest of the day unfolds. There’s no need to make the moment look a certain way. It’s simply about seeing your person and getting to enjoy the fact that you’re about to get married. After their first look, we headed into the backyard for the ceremony.

A Minnesota Backyard Elopement With Their Kids

Angie and Mike exchanged vows in the backyard, with all three of their kids standing right beside them. This was one of my favorite parts of their entire wedding day.

Their children had only learned about the wedding that day, and now they were getting to watch their parents promise forever to each other. The excitement was so sweet, and having the kids standing alongside them made the ceremony feel incredibly personal.

I was also honored to sign their marriage paperwork as their officiant. I’m ordained and offer complimentary officiating to my photography couples, which is especially helpful for couples who want a simple, intimate ceremony without having to coordinate another vendor.

Their two witnesses signed the paperwork, too, and just like that, Angie and Mike were married!

Minnesota requires at least two witnesses who are 16 or older to sign the marriage certificate. If you’re planning your own Minnesota elopement, be sure to check the current marriage license and ceremony requirements with your issuing county.

One of the things I love most about elopements is that the ceremony can happen wherever it feels right for you. A backyard, a cabin, a lakeshore, or a favorite outdoor spot can be just as meaningful as a traditional wedding venue.

What do you need for a legal elopement in Minnesota?

If you’re planning to legally marry in Minnesota, there are a few things to take care of before your wedding day. Feel free to also check out my blog post: How to Plan a Minnesota Elopement

1. Apply for your marriage license. Contact the appropriate Minnesota county office to understand the application process, fees, identification requirements, and any waiting-period rules that apply to your circumstances.

2. Arrange for an authorized officiant. Make sure the person performing your ceremony is legally authorized to solemnize marriages in Minnesota.

3. Have your witnesses ready. Minnesota law requires two witnesses who are at least 16 years old to sign the marriage certificate.

4. Complete and return the paperwork. Follow the instructions provided with your marriage license so the completed certificate is returned correctly and on time.

Requirements can change, so verify the current details with your issuing county and Minnesota’s official marriage laws before your wedding.

One thing I love about intimate weddings is that your ceremony doesn’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful. Whether you’re exchanging vows in a cabin backyard or somewhere outdoors, you can keep the ceremony simple and make it personal to the two of you.

Lakefront Wedding Portraits Near Crosby

After the ceremony, Angie, Mike, and I headed to a nearby lake for portraits. It was one of those perfect fall days when you want to spend as much time outside as possible. The weather was beautiful, and getting to step away from the cabin for a bit gave the two of them some time to soak in the fact that they were officially married.

We took portraits together, enjoyed the views, and kept things relaxed.

I never want portraits to feel like a chore couples have to get through before they can enjoy their wedding. Especially with an elopement, I want there to be room to slow down, take in your surroundings, and actually experience the day you’re going to remember for years.

Crosby and the surrounding Cuyuna area are such a lovely place for a nature-inspired wedding. With lakes, wooded surroundings, and outdoor recreation nearby, there’s plenty of inspiration for couples who want something a little different from a traditional venue.

If you’re considering a Minnesota cabin elopement, you can absolutely build a day around a cozy place to stay and time outside together. You don’t need to plan a huge adventure or travel somewhere far away to make your wedding feel special.

How to plan portraits around your cabin location

• Look for locations close to your rental. Short drives mean more time enjoying your day and less time traveling.
• Consider the time of day. Lighting changes throughout the day, and your photographer can help you choose a time that works well for your chosen location.
• Check access and restrictions. Some locations may require permits or have rules about professional photography.
• Build in travel time. Even a short drive can take longer than expected when you’re bringing children or guests.
• Leave room to be spontaneous. You don’t need to spend hours taking portraits. Give yourselves enough time to enjoy the surroundings, too.

A Family Paddleboarding Day Before the Wedding

One detail I especially loved about Angie and Mike’s celebration was that they made time for a family adventure before the wedding itself.

The day before, they spent the afternoon paddleboarding on the lake together.

I love when couples think about their wedding as more than just the hours spent exchanging vows and taking portraits. They had a chance to enjoy time with their kids, get outside, and make memories together before the big day.

That is one of the best parts of planning an elopement: you can make it an entire experience.

Maybe that means paddleboarding, hiking, exploring a nearby town, making breakfast together, or spending an afternoon by the water. Maybe it means doing absolutely nothing except enjoying the place you’ve chosen.

There isn’t a right or wrong way to spend your wedding weekend.

For Angie and Mike, getting to celebrate as a family was just as important as the ceremony itself, and I love that their plans reflected that.

Pizza, Marshmallows, and a Cozy Cabin Evening

Once we finished portraits, we headed back to the cabin. Angie, Mike and their kids changed into comfier clothes, ordered takeout pizza, and spent the evening together roasting marshmallows. Honestly, this is exactly the kind of thing I love about cabin and Airbnb elopements.

You can get married, take some portraits, change into your favorite comfortable clothes, and eat pizza with your family. The evening felt relaxed and personal, with time for everyone to enjoy being together instead of moving on to the next event. Those quieter moments are such an important part of the story, too.

Ending the Day With Glow Sticks

Just when I thought the evening couldn’t get any sweeter, Angie and Mike brought out glow-in-the-dark fiber optic sticks! It was such a fun, playful way to end their wedding day.

Looking back at their celebration, I love how every part of it felt connected to who they are and what matters to them. They surprised their kids, exchanged vows in a cabin backyard, spent time by the lake, ate pizza, and roasted marshmallows.

No two elopements need to look alike. And this one is such a good example of how much meaning you can fit into a simple, intentional day. After 12 years together, Angie and Mike were finally married, surrounded by the little family they’d built together.

Angie and Mike, thank you for letting me be part of such a special day. It was an honor to photograph your wedding and officiate your ceremony!

Planning a Minnesota Cabin or Airbnb Elopement?

If you’re dreaming about an intimate wedding, a cabin elopement in Minnesota might be the perfect fit.

Whether you’re considering Una Cabin at Cuyuna Cabin Collection, another cabin rental, or an Airbnb that allows intimate celebrations, you can create a wedding day that feels like you.

Here are a few things I’d consider when planning your own cabin elopement:

Find a place where you can spend the whole day. Having a comfortable home base makes it easier to get ready, exchange vows, spend time with your favorite people, and settle in for the evening.

Check the property’s rules before booking. Not every cabin or Airbnb allows ceremonies, outside vendors, photography sessions, or fires. Confirm what’s permitted before you commit to a location. You might need to message them.

Plan around what you actually enjoy. Love being on the water? Include paddleboarding or a lakeside picnic. Prefer staying cozy? Plan a slow morning, an intimate ceremony, and your favorite takeout for dinner.

Make room for the people who matter most. An elopement can include your children, your closest friends, or just the two of you. There isn’t a guest count you have to meet to make it a real wedding.

Leave space in your timeline. You don’t have to fill every hour with an activity. Give yourself time to enjoy your first look, exchange vows, take portraits, and be present with each other.

And if you’re planning a legal marriage in Minnesota, make sure your marriage license, officiant, and witnesses are taken care of ahead of time.

Most importantly, don’t feel like your wedding has to look a certain way to be meaningful. You can have an intimate cabin wedding, celebrate with your kids, eat pizza, and end the night with glow sticks. You can make the entire day about the people and experiences you want to remember.

Looking for a Minnesota Elopement Photographer?

I’m Abi, a Minnesota wedding and elopement photographer, and I love helping couples create wedding days that feel intentional, intimate, and true to them.

Whether you’re dreaming of a Cuyuna Cabin elopement, an Airbnb wedding, or an outdoor celebration somewhere else in Minnesota, I’d love to help you figure out the details.

I can help with location ideas, timelines, and planning a day that feels relaxed rather than rushed. I also offer complimentary officiating for my photography couples, so we can keep things simple if you’re planning a small ceremony.

Ready to start planning your Minnesota elopement? Get in touch with Abi Jane Photography and let’s talk about what your wedding day could look like.

You might also want to check out:

+ Minnesota Cabin + Airbnb Elopement Guide

+ How to Plan a Minnesota Elopement

+ How to Plan an Intimate Backyard Wedding in Minnesota

+ Best Lake Elopement Locations in Minnesota