Everything you need to know about how to get married in Asheville, NC
Are you looking to get married with amazing views such as mountains, trees, and/or waterfalls? Asheville is an outdoor elopement dream! Maybe you are looking for a venue? Asheville has several different areas to choose from each equally as beautiful. The only issue you may run into is making the decision as to where to elope.
This Asheville elopement guide is full of everything you need to know about planning an Asheville elopement, from the best elopement spots to where to stay and advice on where to eat – WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
Follow Along Below to Learn Everything You Need to Know About How to Plan An Asheville Elopement
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Best Time of Year For Your Asheville Elopement
Spring and Fall are the most common times to elope in Western North Carolina. The spring blooms, fall colors, and mild temperatures are hard to beat.
Summer can be hot (so including a river dip during your day would be ideal), but also busy since school is out. If you are open to an off-season experience during winter, you will reap the rewards of less crowded everything and views you can only see when the trees are bare!
March-May: A Spring Asheville Elopement
If you are looking for comfortably warm days then Asheville during the spring might be the time for you. As the season of spring approaches, the colorful petals of blooming wildflowers and the unfolding of trees signal the start of fresh beginnings. March through May is a perfect time for your Asheville elopement. Late May to early June everything starts to turn green.
September-November: A Fall Asheville Elopement
By far the most popular season and the most visited time of year because of the fall color—orange, red, yellow. It’s just starting to get that crisp chill to the weather and it’s absolutely stunning. The downside to eloping in fall is the crowds and how popular this time of year is in NC.
June-August: A Summer Asheville Elopement
Summer in the mountains is beautiful. The temperatures range from mid-80s to occasionally upper 90s, but everything is vibrant and colorful. Summer elopements are the perfect time for waterfall elopements and swimming in the rivers.
December-February: A Winter Asheville Elopement
Winters can be really cool and may include snow. The temperatures have an average highs in the 40s and 50s. Winter is less crowded but it also gives way to beautiful views because you can see for miles and miles due to the bare trees. Some locations aren’t accessible in winter and certain parts of the parkway are closed during this time of year.
Our Recommendation
Spring and Fall would be the ideal time for your Asheville elopement! This is due to the perfect temperatures and breathtaking scenery. You also are able to access more areas due to snow being melted.
Tips For Picking a Date To Elope in Asheville
- Shoot for a weekday. It’s less crowded on the trails and specific spots
- Avoid Holidays as this is a good way to avoid crowds
- Decide what kind of weather you want to experience and pick a month based off that
- Make sure the location you are wanting to elope at is open or provides a permit. The blue ridge parkway does not give out permits for the month of October
- Personal time off so that you aren’t having to rush within a few days time and can have a more stress free elopement
Related: Looking for other North Carolina Elopement Location ideas?
North Carolina is not short on beautiful mountain views, lush greenery and forest views.
Steps to Obtaining a North Carolina Marriage License
- You will likely get a marriage license from the Buncombe County Register of Deeds during office hours (8 AM – 5 PM) if you’re eloping around Asheville.
- You may complete the marriage license application by printing it out at home before your arrival or you can fill it out when you get to Asheville.
- Both people must be present with valid Photo ID’s AND social security cards.
- The marriage license fee is $60
- The license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in North Carolina.
Asheville Elopement Spots
Where to Elope in Asheville
Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest
Wiseman’s View (no permit required)
Black Balsam Knob (no permit required)
Great Smoky Mountains
Looking for lesser known + unique locations for your Asheville elopement?
Hire an Asheville Elopement Photographer who works in the area frequently!
Asheville Elopement Photographer + Videographer
HELLO, WE ARE AARON + RYCHELLE!
A wedding photographer and wedding videographer husband & wife team! We love photographing engagements, weddings, and elopements, especially in beautiful places near Asheville! Our goal is to not only photograph you, but get to know you on a deep level.
BUILDING DEEP RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CLIENTS IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO
Engagement sessions are a standard part of our packages because they’re a chance to bond with you. Picture it as a double date filled with adventure and stunning photos. Whether it’s grabbing a meal or chatting over coffee, let’s embark on this journey together!
We’re not your typical wedding team; we’re deeply involved in your experience, standing by your side like devoted friends to ensure your dream day unfolds perfectly.
WE WANT TO HELP YOU CREATE YOUR DREAM ELOPEMENT IN ASHEVILLE, NC.
Where to Stay for Your Asheville Elopement
AIRBNBS FOR YOUR ASHEVILLE ELOPEMENT
Asheville Vendors – To Help You Achieve The Elopement of Your Dreams
Photographer + Videographer
Paisley Sunshine Photo + Film
Hair and Makeup
Meredith with Adore Co.
Officiants
Heartlight Wedding Officiants
Florists
The Edgemont Garden – Lindsay with edgemont garden is incredible and grows all of her own flowers for what she does. She’s based in Lenoir but may travel.
Great Places to Eat During Your Asheville Elopement + Visit
DESSERT
French Broad Chocolate Lounge – The BEST chocolate cake
The Best Hiking Near Asheville
Pisgah national forest and DuPont state park have killer waterfalls and hiking. See our favorite spots below!
Pisgah National Forest
Start by seeing Looking Glass Falls (it’s a roadside waterfall) you can walk down a few steps to the water.
Moore’s Cove Waterfall is 1.4 miles round trip to hike. It’s a smaller waterfall but you can walk behind the falls. The hike is easy and pretty.
Sliding Rock is a waterfall you can slide down into a pool of water. It does get busy in summer. $5 per person to do it. Water is cold but so fun!!
Cradle of Forestry has some small hikes that lead to cascade waterfalls. We haven’t done it but it is a cool stop.
Avery Creek Falls is suppose to be moderate. It’s 1 mile round trip. It’s off FR477 (forest road) they will have mile markers alongside of road that will be marked FR and then a number. (This is on my list but we haven’t done yet).
Daniel Ridge Falls (it’s a 4 mile loop trail but you can see 3 waterfalls on the loop) this is my next one I want to do but without kids. I believe you can do the 1 mile out and back trail to just see Daniel Ridge Falls. It’s at FR475 (forest road).
DuPont State Recreational Forest
DuPont is really great!! You can hike three falls. It’s moderate for most parts with steep parts for Triple Falls.
Begin your journey at the visitor center for High Falls, a mere half-mile away from the cascading waters. Following a scenic hike of another half-mile, you’ll arrive at Triple Falls, then continue onward for another half-mile to Hooker Falls. This loop trail spans three miles in total. Our approach involved experiencing High Falls and Triple Falls in succession before driving to Hooker Falls and embarking on a hike, which is just 0.4 miles from the parking lot. At Hooker Falls, you can enjoy a refreshing swim! While at High Falls, don’t miss the opportunity to descend the 0.3-mile path to the water’s edge—an endeavor well worth the effort!
Bridal Veil is also close to the loop of High Falls and so is Grassy Creek. You can hike to see both if you are up for a longer hike.
It’s also really really stunning to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway from Craggy towards Boone. So many breathtaking overlooks along the way. You can also hike Rough Ridge with an epic view similar to Craggy.
Mt Mitchell is close to craggy and it’s the highest point east of Mississippi. If it’s clear and not hazy you can see so many mountain peaks. It’s about .3 miles on a steep paved incline. It’s easy though. May be busy but it was a fun little hike to be at the very top.
Best Waterfall Guide
Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide
Asheville Elopement Packages
Have you fallen in love with Asheville and what it has to offer? We don’t see how you couldn’t have! Now the next step is to pick what photography package works for you. Here are our wedding/elopement photography packages for couple looking for someone to help them plan & photograph their exciting wedding day!
THE LOCAL
Includes:
– 4 Hour Coverage
– 300 Digital Images
– Pro Image Editing
– Online Gallery
– Printing Rights
– Vow Books
– *$1500 To Add Video
$2,800
THE DESTINATION
Includes:
– All Day Coverage
– 800 Digital Images
– Pro Image Editing
– Online Gallery
– Printing Rights
– Travel
– Permits
– Location Guide
– Vow Books
$6,500
THE ADVENTURER
Includes:
– All Day Coverage
– 800 Digital Images
– Pro Image Editing
– Online Gallery
– Printing Rights
– Travel
– Permits
– Officiants
– Florals
– Location Guide
– Vow Books
$9,500
