If you’re reading this, you’re most likely planning an elopement—and I want to start by saying there is no wrong way to elope.
As elopements become more popular, I wanted to create a guide to help you navigate your journey with confidence and clarity. This guide is specifically focused on the Western North Carolina region, but the ideas and inspiration can be adapted wherever your story takes you.
A few years ago, I was engaged and planning a wedding of my own. Being young and in love, I quickly realized I couldn’t afford a traditional 20–30k wedding, and honestly, I wasn’t close enough with distant family and friends to justify that kind of expense anyway. That realization led me to my own elopement journey.
Looking back now, with years of wedding experience behind me, I wanted to take everything I’ve learned and turn it into something helpful for others walking the same path.
Every Wedding Journey Starts With a Venue… or Does It?
Eery wedding journey starts with the venue—or at least, that’s what most people think. To be quite honest with you, you don’t actually need a formal venue.
That said, there are some incredible venues in the Asheville area that I would recommend time and time again for your special day.
My top choice would be the Old Edwards Inn & Spa—why? I’m so glad you asked. They specialize in elopements, and their grounds are perfectly designed for intimate celebrations that feel elevated, intentional, and romantic.
The North Carolina Arboretum is another spot I highly recommend, just like the image above. It offers a beautiful, natural backdrop that changes with the seasons and creates such an effortless, peaceful setting for couples who want something rooted in nature.
And if you’re drawn to something more wild and mountain-focused, places like Craggy Gardens or Max Patch offer those wide-open Blue Ridge views that feel completely cinematic without needing much at all.
Thinking Beyond Traditional Venues (Backyards, Airbnbs & Rentals)
Okay—but circling back to the idea that you don’t need a formal venue.
If you have access to land, like a friend or family member’s backyard, that can be more than enough. Even an Airbnb that allows gatherings or events can be the perfect foundation for your day. These spaces give you something traditional venues often can’t: complete creative freedom.
You get to start from scratch and design the entire experience around your vision. That’s what makes backyard-style weddings and elopements so special. You’re not working within someone else’s layout or rules—you’re building your own atmosphere.
And honestly, that’s where it gets really fun.
You can bring in everything you need to completely transform the space—tents, tables, lounge furniture, string lights, ceremony backdrops, dinner setups, and more. Working with a good planner here makes all the difference, because they can help you pull all the rental pieces together in a way that actually feels cohesive instead of overwhelming.
From layout design to vendor coordination, a planner can take a blank yard or open space and turn it into something that feels intentional, elevated, and fully designed. Whether it’s a sailcloth tent glowing at sunset, a long dinner table under the stars, or a cozy lounge setup for cocktail hour—this is where you get to create something that feels completely your own.
Thinking Through the Experience, Not Just the Location
One of the biggest shifts when planning an elopement is moving away from timelines and traditions and focusing more on experience.
Ask yourself things like:
- Do we want this to feel adventurous or relaxed?
- Do we want privacy or a more accessible location for guests?
- Do we want to include a dinner, a picnic, or a small celebration after?
Your day doesn’t need to follow a traditional structure. It can be slow and intentional. It can start with coffee in the morning, a quiet ceremony in the mountains, and end with a private dinner under the stars.
Permits, Access, and the Unsexy Logistics
I know this part isn’t the most exciting, but it matters. Depending on your location, you may need permits for photography, ceremonies, or gatherings—especially on public lands like national forests or the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you’re unsure, this is where working with a photographer or planner familiar with the area can make things so much easier. They’ll already know what’s allowed, what’s restricted, and how to guide you through it without stress.
Making It Feel Like “You”
This is the part I care about most. The beauty of elopements is that you’re not trying to impress a room full of people—you’re creating something meaningful for yourselves.
That might look like:
- Writing your own vows privately before the ceremony
- Bringing a bottle of champagne to celebrate afterward
- Wearing something that feels like you, not just tradition
- Choosing a location because it feels emotional, not just photogenic
There’s so much freedom here, and that’s what makes elopements so powerful.
Final Thoughts
Elopements aren’t about doing less—they’re about doing things differently. They strip away everything unnecessary so you can focus on what actually matters: the experience, the connection, and the intention behind it.
Whether you end up in a mountain meadow, a luxury inn, a backyard under string lights, or somewhere completely unexpected, the most important thing is that it feels like your story.
And that’s really all it needs to be.
