Western North Carolina Elopement

Colin and I sat at the trailhead, pitch black, as we watched for the couple to arrive. Headlights shined over the hill, and the time had finally come. Lydia and Ricky’s elopement in North Carolina. Another one of our WNC elopements affected by Hurricane Helene in 2024, causing them a one-year postponement. But if there’s one thing we’ve come to believe through experiences like this, it’s that we often show up exactly where we’re meant to be, exactly when we’re meant to be there.

Somehow, this autumn morning felt fated as we stood under the stars.

What a Half-Day Elopement Can Look Like

We began the short hike up the mountain beneath a sky still wrapped in darkness, reaching their ceremony spot just as twilight began. The wind was chilly, so while we waited for the sun to rise, Lydia and Ricky decided to make some hot tea. There was only one problem: they had remembered the honey but forgotten the rest in the car. After a good laugh, we settled in to conversation as we awaited the mark of a new day.

And when it finally came, it was extraordinary. Sunlight broke through the clouds in long, glowing rays, spilling across the peaks and dancing over the ridge lines in a way I had never seen before. After a year of anticipation and a journey that looked nothing like they originally imagined, the morning felt almost too beautiful to be real.

With the mountains waking around us, Colin shared a few thoughts about love before leading Lydia and Ricky through their vows and ring exchange. And there, high above Blue Ridge Mountains, they finally got the adventure—and the beginning—they had been waiting for.

Kind words from the couple:

“I want to say how amazing Julie and Colin was during our entire wedding. We are originally were supposed to get married on 23-oct-2024 in Asheville but then the hurricane hit and with the amount of people and such short notice we had to cancel our wedding. Julie and Colin were so kind to extend it out for a year and although me and my husband got super busy Julie reached out to me to remind me of the extension and provided dates for us as well.

We ended up doing an elopement in North Carolina and they were amazing all the way through. Very patient so helpful and all their location choices were amazing. Colin did a fantastic job being our wedding officiant and brought so much joy and happiness while he married us.

Although it was an elopement me and my husband felt like we went to get married with 2 great friends and made this intimate wedding feel so lively and happy and it shows through every single picture that was taken. I look at those pictures with such intense happiness just because of the joy that shows on our face it was truly a magical and special moment in my life. If I could give them more than 5 stars I would and I highly recommend them for any weddings, elopements, and engagement photos as well. Thank you so much for making our elopement feel so special and lol amazing.”

Mountains, Forest, and a Waterfall!

It’s hard to beat this 3-in-1 mix of awe-inspiring nature settings in entire Southeast US that’s fitting for most couples wanting an adventurous elopement. Easy hiking trail with a gentle climb, 360° mountain views, geological features, peaceful forest, and cascading water so powerful that you can feel the rush inside your chest.

In our opinion, this destination ranks as the best place to elope in North Carolina.

Black Balsam Knob

This 1.4 miles roundtrip hike covers a small section of the Art Loeb Trail in the Pisgah National Forest. With only a 357′ elevation gain, this location is suitable for most couples who seek a easily accessible, yet fully immersive mountaintop setting. No permits are required for wedding ceremonies, and it can take place anywhere you wish. The trail is dog-friendly. Food and alcohol are allowed (unlike in the national parks). There are no restrictions to the type of flowers you can have in the bouquet and boutonnière, however, you cannot toss petals or such like on the ground. We always follow Leave No Trace guidelines to ensure we take care of our public lands.

Looking Glass Falls

The easiest, though sometimes busy, waterfall to access because it is roadside. With parking close by, it’s only a short walk down stairs to access the base of the 60′ falls. This is a popular swimming hole in the summer. It’s important to plan your time here accordingly, and we help you navigate that based on seasons and weather.