An Elopement Adventure

Gracie and Rob spend a misty morning exchanging vows off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Gracie and Rob are both avid hikers who have called North Carolina home for the past nine years. 

After a proposal at the Rough Ridge overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the couple knew they’d want an outdoor elopement and to have it in two parts— a private hike and ceremony at sunrise, followed by dinner with friends and family. “For the hike and ceremony, we knew we wanted to be in the mountains; we knew the Blue Ridge Parkway offered the look we wanted and it’s a place we love.”

Together, with their photographer, Kathryn, of Evergreen Era Film + Photo, the couple planned an elopement that was 100% unique to their vision and personalities. When planning your own enchanting outdoor elopement, here are some tips to consider from the couple and photographer.

Choose a Knowledgable Guide
Someone familiar with the area and unique challenges of an outdoor elopment can provide invaluable experience to pull off your day without a hitch. “Our photographer, Kathryn, of Evergreen Era Film + Photo was brilliant and organized a map of some places she thought met our vision—and then we hiked them. It was such a cool part of wedding planning,” says Gracie.

Scout Out the Scene
“We looked at the flora and envisioned what might be blooming in May. We explored nooks and crannies and thought about what would make the day fun and special. Since we were planning our elopement for sunrise, we also looked east so we knew which direction the light would be coming from. We thought we would have a hard time deciding, but as soon as we saw the spot we chose, we knew it was perfect,” notes Gracie.

Consider Distance and Details
“The hike was a little more than two miles total, so it was enough to enjoy the climb but not get too sweaty or feel too rushed. It offered everything we were looking for, including a few different ecotones as you climbed—dense rhododendron tunnels and an open, scrubby, heath bald, multiple overlooks that offered different views of the surrounding valley, and even more to explore. We knew that at high altitude in the spring, it would be just starting to burst with life,” says the bride. 

Take Advantage of Accommodations
If you’re celebrating with family and friends, consider flexible accommodations that can provide multiple uses. Gracie had some ideas, “We wanted dinner with family to be at our vacation home, so we had a few criteria: 1) enough room to sleep us and our 7 guests (immediate family only), 2) a good kitchen that would work for a private chef, and 3) something that would look nice in pictures.

We got so lucky and found the perfect spot in Black Mountain. The view was beautiful and the cabin had a modern, almost Scandinavian feel that allowed light and nature into the home. Our families spent the day decorating the space with candles and flowers. It was exactly what we’d envisioned.”

Savor Your Day
When you elope, and you get to make decisions that center on you as a couple, everything is memorable. “Because we took the whole day and divided it into two parts, we were able to take the time to enjoy it. The fact that we’re able to remember all of it because we had the space and grace to appreciate it is probably the best part [about eloping], recalls the couple.

Incorporate What’s Meaningful to You
The bride and groom wanted to find a way to include their families in some sort of ceremony—something that felt special and brought them together. “We love the traditions in Quaker and Jewish weddings where everyone present signs the marriage certificate/marriage contract and it becomes a physical reminder of the community that’s supporting the marriage,” they said. 

A dear friend of Rob’s from college is an artist and papermaker who makes ketubahs. She designed and made a secular version for them, drawing inspiration from the couple and their wedding. It’s a beautiful and lasting piece of art that they now have framed in their home. 

Roll with Mother Nature
When you elope outdoors, you have to expect the unexpected—especially when it comes to weather. Backup plans are great, but at the end of the day, you have to be ready to play things fast and loose. 

“Our sunrise elopement was the foggiest morning any of us have ever seen on the Parkway! We talked about delaying things a few hours, but decided just to enjoy what nature gave us that day. We didn’t necessarily dream of gray and moody, but the fog and mist swirling around us was so beautiful. And then we got that moment where the fog starts to break and you suddenly realize there’s a whole world of peaks and valleys beyond the gray.”

Details
Photographer - Evergreen Era Film + Photo
Private Chef - Braised & Confit
Wedding Document - Anna Benjamin
Rental - Yonder Vacation Rentals
Flowers - Carolina Flowers
Hair/Make-up - Hannah Pepper,Powder Me Pretty 
Wine - Rocks + Acid
Rings - Family pieces, with resizing and reworking by Ring’s True
Dress - Jenny Yoo, Church Street Bridal 
Dress Alterations - Marie Cordella
Suit - Indochino