Thunderstorms and Wildflowers in a Door County Elopement
Ray (she/they) and Sarah (she/they) hadn’t originally planned to elope, but when life shifted, they chose something that felt lighter, truer and more them: an intimate ceremony surrounded by flowers at The Garden Door, a quiet spot Sarah’s mom once mentioned in passing. What followed was a day full of personality: thunderstorms that broke into sunlight, wildlife wandering through the fields, handmade details woven into every moment and the steady presence of their photographer, Noah Sharon Photography. What started as a change of plans turned into the most meaningful way to begin their marriage.
How did your relationship begin?
We met through a mutual friend in January 2021, and from our very first date it felt like something clicked. We started at a local brewery, talked for hours, then wandered over to Hamburger Mary’s when our dinner plans fell through. Walking into a drag queen performing on a table after months of lockdown just lifted everything. We stayed for hours and have basically been inseparable ever since.
A lot has happened between then and now. We have navigated shifting friendships, losing loved ones, and homophobia within Ray’s family that surfaced around our engagement. Instead of pulling us apart, everything pushed us closer. We kept reminding each other that we were on the same team, communicated through the hard moments, and leaned into the love that’s grown stronger with time.
Why did you choose to elope?
We had a full October wedding already planned, but with the inauguration and the uncertainty around LGBT rights, we decided we didn’t want to wait. Getting married sooner felt safer and right for us. Honestly, we wouldn’t change a thing. It was perfect. We’re still planning a little celebration in October.
How did you land on The Garden Door for your elopement?
We chose The Garden Door in Sturgeon Bay after Sarah’s mom mentioned it in passing. She said it was beautiful and usually pretty quiet because the signage is VERY bad, which honestly made it even better for us. We wanted something private, full of flowers, and a little tucked away. It ended up being exactly what we needed.
How did your families and friends respond when you decided to elope?
Most of our loved ones were SO HAPPY for us. People jumped in to help plan, and there were definitely a few happy tears. We also knew right away that Noah Sharon Photography would be our photographer. He was the first person to support us during our engagement, especially when Ray’s family was unhappy about it.
Not everyone reacted perfectly. Ray’s mom didn’t take the elopement well and tried to make it about herself. We set boundaries, focused on each other, and made sure the day stayed a positive experience for us.
What stands out most when you think back on your elopement day?
Honestly… EVERYTHING. The whole day was wild in the best way. We had thunderstorms from morning to afternoon. Lightning, thunder, torrential downpours. And then, right when we were running to pack the car, the sky just broke open. The rain stopped, the clouds parted, and the sun came through at the perfect moment. It felt like nature was blessing us. We saw herons overhead, hares in the garden, and even a mother deer with her fawn in a wheat field.
We had a lovely dinner catered by Saz’s Catering, chased the sunset for photos, and ended the evening with the most amazing blue hour lantern session. Noah was incredible, as always. I truly think of him as a friend. He made us feel comfortable, at ease, and so loved. And then, to top it all off, romantic thunderstorms came back at night to finish the day.
Honestly, we could go on forever. It was that special.
What were the personal touches or handmade details that shaped your ceremony?
We put so much of ourselves into the ceremony. We made our own handfasting rope and had a little knotting ritual. Sarah also made mini bouquets that she turned into boutonnières and the sweetest pins for her hair. The night before, we rewrote our vows in matching books, which felt like such a perfect moment. We even made our own bouquets and wrapped them with the same ribbon we used for the handfasting rope.
We skipped music because we wanted nature to be the soundtrack. Right after we were officially married, we took a private walk through the gardens together and happened to hit peak golden hour. That part felt really special.
Putting time and care into crafting things for the day mattered to us. Just like our relationship, we wanted to put the work in.
How did you find the people and places that shaped your elopement day?
Honestly, it all came together really easily. We already knew Noah Sharon Photography from our engagement photos, so choosing him was a no-brainer. He’s understood our vision from the very beginning.
The Garden Door might be tucked away, but it’s still a public garden. One quick Google search confirmed we were allowed to get married there, which made the decision simple.
We found our officiant through a woman at a local art gallery who helped pick out Sarah’s engagement ring more than two years ago. Joan was artsy, quirky and exactly what you’d picture when you think of a Door County old lady in the best way. She never pushed religion on us and made sure the only thing we focused on was our love. She told us she had only met one other couple like us, which felt incredibly warming to hear.
Looking back, how do you feel about choosing to elope?
Eloping was absolutely the right choice for us. There is NOTHING we would have changed. It was top tier perfect.
Photography by Noah Sharon Photography
Caterer Saz’s Catering
Venue Schlitz Audubon & The Garden Door
