Hey there, lovers! Does the allure of running away to the mountains and marrying the love of your life have hold on you? Let me put Asheville, NC on your radar. If you haven’t considered an Asheville elopement, this list should help. Be aware, this list is coming from the perspective of an Asheville photographer and videographer. It’s very biased (lol).

I love this place and chose to pick up and move my life here, but it truly has a lot to offer in the way of an elopement destination. So, let’s talk about the reasons to elope in Asheville:

1. Those Blue Ridge mountains, though.

We’ll start with the most obvious reason first: these mountains. Picture this: You’re exchanging vows, and your backdrop is the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. The Appalachian mountains are some of the oldest in the world and no matter what time of the year you’re planning to say “I do”, they’re a sight to behold. There are so many amazing spots to explore for your elopement celebration, that you’ll have trouble narrowing it down to just a few (but that’s where I can help!)

2. You can have your Asheville elopement year-round.

One of the most appealing parts of eloping is having the flexibility to do what you want, where you want when you want. We have pretty mild winters here and the mountains in winter hold their unique beauty. If you’re hoping to get married in the colder months, it’s still possible to do it outside and many locations are still accessible, and the bonus is that there won’t be crowds, making your elopement that much more intimate. Although Fall is the most popular time of year for mountain elopements in Asheville, you can have a stunning elopement any time of year here.

3. Great food, beer, and coffee.

For its relative size, Asheville has an outsized number of amazing places to eat, drink, and caffeinate. I’m always happy to make recommendations for my couples for places to host a post-ceremony celebration, but a few of my favorites in town are Posana, Eldr, and Rosabees. Want post-elopement cocktails? Little Jumbo is a vibey neighborhood bar in North Asheville. A favorite spot to grab gorgeous pastries and coffee is OWL Bakery (bonus: they do wedding cakes!)

4. LGBTQ-Friendly.

North Carolina is a red state, but Asheville is a progressive epicenter situated in the mountains, which is why I love it so much. For the most part, the people you encounter are open-hearted and welcoming. Here’s a guide to LGBTQ-friendly places to explore when you’re in town.

5. Adventure abounds for Asheville elopements.

If you’re the kind of couple who wants to start your married life with a bang, Asheville’s got adventure in spades: ziplining, rafting, or a hot air balloon ride (please take me!) could be a pretty cool way to commemorate your elopement.

6. Local attractions.

If you don’t want to spend your entire elopement trip exploring the mountains or waterfalls, there are some certainly other cool things to see here. The Biltmore Estate is expensive (think Disney World expensive), but if you have the time and budget, it’s worth a visit. The house is stunning, but the gardens and conservatory are where it’s at for me. Also, don’t skip on the wine tasting, it’s included! 

If Biltmore is too rich for your blood, you could spend an afternoon at the Asheville Botanical Gardens (for free!) My boyfriend and I are big fans of spending part of the day playing disc golf at Highland Brewing and then grabbing a few beers after.

7. Unique places to stay.

Accommodations here really run the gamut from aesthetic boutique hotels to hip little cabins. Staying closer to town means getting around is easier, but staying a little further off the grid can be a romantic choice. I’m also happy to share my recommendations of places to stay if you let me know what you’re looking for!

8. It’s so very picturesque.

You don’t even have to hike up to a mountain bald (although I highly recommend it!) to get a stunning backdrop. Even the courthouse and municipal building in Asheville are photogenic! The great thing about eloping is that you don’t have to pick one location. Exchange your vows at Graveyard Fields, and share your first dance at sunset atop Black Balsam Knob. Stop at a waterfall in between. You get to construct your perfect day and pretty much all your options are Instagram-worthy (if that’s your thing).

9. Marigold Film Co. is Based Here.

Oops, there it is, the plug. I moved here in 2022 specifically because I wanted to capture elopements for couples who can appreciate these mountains as much as I do. The reverence I feel for the beauty of this place is evident in the films and photos I create with my couples. I’d be honored to help you plan your ideal Asheville elopement experience. And as an Asheville photographer and videographer, I’d love to and document the whole thing. Let’s get in touch.

xx,
Lindsey