In recent years, elopements have evolved far beyond hasty courthouse ceremonies or Vegas chapels. Today’s elopements are intentional, intimate celebrations that can perfectly align with sustainable values. As we navigate a climate crisis, couples are increasingly seeking ways to celebrate their love while minimizing their environmental impact. If you’re considering an eco-conscious Asheville elopement, here’s your comprehensive guide to planning a day that honors both your relationship and the planet.

Why Elopements are the More Sustainable Choice

Traditional weddings can generate significant waste—from single-use decorations to excess food, traditional weddings in the US produce approximately 400-600 pounds of garbage. The larger the guest list, the more food, space, travel, and waste is generated. You need more table center-pieces, to rent more furniture, requiring more cloth to be laundered, dishes to be washed — you can imagine how the impact increases simply by having a large guest list.

Elopements naturally have a smaller footprint due to their intimate nature, but with thoughtful planning, you can make your special day even more environmentally friendly. Asheville, North Carolina, with its stunning mountain landscapes and progressive environmental ethos, has become one of the premier destinations for sustainable elopements in the United States.

Location Matters: Asheville’s Natural Beauty

Iconic Asheville Elopement Settings

Choosing to elope at a naturally beautiful destination like Asheville means there’s less need to decorate. Most event and wedding venues are blank slates that you need to add decor to get it to look the way you want it to, which increases both cost and waste. It is important to be sure your location(s) are places you find beautiful, because this will heavily impact how you feel about your elopement photos and video. You can’t make the Appalachian Mountains look like the desert if that’s the vibe that you really want in your heart of hearts.

Some amazing locations near Asheville where you can elope:

• Blue Ridge Parkway: This scenic drive offers numerous overlooks perfect for an Asheville elopement with breathtaking mountain vistas as well as a number of hike-able locations within an hour of the city.
• Pisgah National Forest: With waterfalls, old-growth forests, and scenic trails, Pisgah provides endless options for nature-focused Asheville elopements.
• Asheville Botanical Garden: A 10-acre sanctuary featuring native plants that provides a gorgeous, maintained natural setting for your intimate ceremony.
• Craggy Gardens: Famous for its rhododendron blooms, these mountain locations offers one of the most picturesque Asheville elopement backdrops.

Sustainable Venue Considerations

If getting married on public land isn’t what you’re going for, there are a lot of eco-friendly options in and around Asheville where you can stay and host your elopement or intimate wedding. Also consider the positive impact you can have on the economy by working with local vendors and staying at properties owned and operated by Asheville residents. Our community recently suffered significant loss to property, income, and even lives. Where you spend your money does matter.

• Eco-certified Asheville venues: Many local boutique hotels and mountain retreats now hold sustainability certifications.
• Regenerative properties: Some Asheville elopement venues actively contribute to environmental restoration efforts in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Solar-powered facilities: In 2025, many outdoor venues in the Asheville region offer solar-powered amenities for ceremonies and small receptions.
• Farm-to-table venues: Asheville’s famous food scene extends to venues that grow their own organic produce on-site.

Sustainable Attire Options for Your Asheville Elopement

Depending on whether you’re local to the Asheville area or planning to come visit before your big day, it’s definitely possible to help our the Asheville economy by shopping locally, using local tailors, or even locally owned dress shops.

For the Wedding Couple

• Local Asheville designers: Support the city’s thriving artistic community by choosing attire from local sustainable designers.
• Vintage or secondhand: Asheville boasts numerous vintage boutiques with unique pieces that complement the mountain aesthetic.
• Rent don’t buy: Many wedding apparel shops will offer rental services for wedding attire, reducing waste.
• Weather-appropriate choices: For mountain Asheville elopements, consider sustainable layering options for changing mountain weather.

For Accessories

• Local artisan jewelry: Asheville’s River Arts District features jewelers working with ethical materials and techniques.
• Natural elements: Incorporate local flowers, leaves, or even small branches from Asheville’s forests (obtained sustainably) into your accessories.
• Biodegradable options: From floral crowns featuring native Appalachian flowers to hemp-based veils, consider items that can decompose naturally. Also, be mindful of floral restrictions in certain areas. Fresh or dried non-native flowers can impact the natural habitat when you’re using public lands. Alternatively, you can rent wood or silk flower bouquets, or choose to skip a bouquet altogether.

Mindful Documentation of Your Asheville Elopement

Selecting the right photographer and videographer is arguably one of the most important parts of planning your elopement. This is a controversial take when it comes to selecting a photographer, because destination photography is so popular, but working with local vendors is undoubtedly the most sustainable option. Not only are you helping improve the local economy, but they have a knowledge of the geography and intricacies of a place that no amount of research can compare to. Additionally, you’re not contending with the impact footprint of your vendor’s travel, or the potential for flight cancelations.

Photography & Videography

• Asheville-based professionals: The area has a thriving community of elopement photographers who specialize in capturing the region’s natural beauty.
• Leave No Trace certified: Many Asheville elopement photographers and videographers (myself included) are specifically trained in environmentally responsible outdoor shoots.
• Familiar with locations: Local professionals know the best sustainable spots for your Asheville elopement that won’t harm fragile ecosystems.

Eco-Friendly Details for the Perfect Asheville Elopement

Flowers & Decorations

• Native wildflowers: Work with Asheville florists who specialize in arrangements using native Appalachian species.
• Locally grown options: Western North Carolina has numerous flower farms producing sustainable blooms perfect for your Asheville elopement.
• Potted native plants: Use living plants that can be replanted in your garden or donated to local conservation efforts after your Asheville elopement.

Food & Drink

• Asheville’s farm-to-table scene: The city is famous for its local food movement—partner with caterers committed to local, seasonal ingredients.
• Local craft beverages: Incorporate Asheville’s renowned craft beer, local wines, or mountain-crafted spirits.
• Zero-waste approach: Many Asheville caterers now specialize in low-waste or zero-waste service models.
• Plant-forward Appalachian cuisine: Celebrate regional flavors with modern, plant-based interpretations of traditional mountain dishes.

Giving Back Through Your Asheville Elopement

Ceremony With Purpose

• Local conservation donations: Request donations to organizations helping with Hurricane Helene recovery or protecting the Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville’s natural areas in lieu of gifts.
• Parkway preservation: Support the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation through your Asheville elopement celebration.

Final Thoughts on Your Sustainable Asheville Elopement

Your Asheville elopement is a reflection of your values as you begin your life together. In 2025, sustainable options in this mountain paradise are more accessible than ever before, allowing you to create a meaningful celebration that honors your love while respecting the natural beauty that makes Asheville elopements so special.

By focusing on what matters most—your commitment to each other and to sustainable living—you’ll create a day that’s not only beautiful and memorable but also protects the stunning landscapes that make Asheville elopements so magical. Your sustainable celebration isn’t just the beginning of your marriage; it’s a statement about the future you want to build together in harmony with nature.