Asheville Elopement Photographer

Documenting

Renegade

Love Stories

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Film + Digital  Photography in the Blue Ridge Mountains & Beyond

Simple + Real + Outside

More Fun. Less Stress.

If “traditional” isn’t your thing, you’re in the right place. Let’s build a wedding day with renegade heart—simple, intentional, and fully yours.

I photograph elopements and small weddings around Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains for couples who want to ditch the performance and keep the real stuff. Think: beer first, boots next, golden-hour vows, and a plan that feels effortless. I wrap it up in a raw but composed, documentary aesthetic.


I’m ready to help you achieve your vision, help with logistics, and bring the calm presence—so you can stay in the moment and make some memories worth framing.

Smiling man with glasses and dark hair, wearing a light gray V-neck shirt, standing against a dark background.
A line drawing of a camera with a large lens.
A woman in a white lace dress laughing with her eyes closed while holding a pink ribbon in her hands, with a man in a white shirt and tie holding the other end of the ribbon. The woman has tattoos on her arm, and they are outdoors during sunset with mountains and trees in the background.
A couple dressed in wedding attire standing on a rocky outcrop in a forested mountainous area during sunset, holding hands.
A black and white photo of a couple at a celebration, with the man kissing the woman on her cheek, both holding glasses; the woman is wearing sunglasses and a lace dress, and the man is in a suit.

If you're looking for a photographer who is down with whatever crazy outdoorsy wedding you are dreaming up, Andy is your guy.

We pretty much put him in charge of the entire day - he selected a picturesque brewery to start, then followed with an awesome hike up Shortoff Mountain, where we met up with our officiant for a sunset ceremony. Andy never stopped suggesting ideas and we were pretty much down for anything: we made perfect little guinea pigs. He captured so many beautiful, fun, and heartfelt moments. And while he kept things light, loose, and fun, he's nothing short of professional. This is probably the millionth time we're thanking him for creating and capturing a truly memorable day but THANKS AGAIN, DUDE! You rock.

–Chris B.

Featured In:

A man standing outdoors against a gray backdrop, dressed in a tan jacket, dark jeans, and brown boots, with a camera hanging around his neck.

Weddings can get complicated. Let’s make photography the easy part—and keep the whole thing simple, low-stress, and unapologetically yours.

I’m Andy Wickstrom—your stoked-to-be-outside Asheville elopement and wedding photographer. With 10+ years of outdoor experience behind the camera, I’ve spent countless hours chasing good light, scrambling on rocks for creative angles, and bringing that calm, capable energy to couples who’d rather feel the day than perform it.

Think of me as your energetic, camera-wielding, mountain-loving friend—here to help you build a wedding day that’s slower, simpler, and has YOU written all over it… with a little renegade spark baked in.

Let’s plan something that diverges from the pack. Something that colors outside the lines; the kind of day that feels like your relationship, not someone else’s expectations.

A woman with red hair stands outdoors during sunset, wearing a white dress with sheer polka-dot sleeves and a V-neckline.
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A wedding ceremony outdoors with two men in light-colored suits holding hands, officiated by a woman holding a black book, with a natural landscape in the background.
A happy couple in wedding attire, holding hands and smiling at each other, set against a scenic outdoor backdrop during sunset. The bride wears a fur stole and lace dress, while the groom is in a suit with a boutonnière.
A bride and groom sitting on a rocky ledge overlooking a forested mountain landscape with autumn colors, during their wedding celebration.
Four people and a black dog standing on a large rocky outcrop with scenic mountain views in the background, celebrating with smiles and raised hands.

Let’s Avoid The Same-’ol Touristy Spots…

And Plan Your Wedding Where A Local Would.

Too many couples get funneled into the same crowded, over-shot locations. Hard pass.

We’ll go for places that still feel genuine—quieter trails, better views, less traffic. If we hit a classic, we’re not doing the paint-by-numbers version. We’ll twist it—smart timing, offbeat viewpoints, and real moments—so it lands new.

I’ll scout ahead, track weather + light, and keep backup plans ready so you can relax, stay present, and actually enjoy the day.

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What Couples are Saying:

  • A bride and groom embracing on a mountain cliff at sunset, with the bride smiling and holding a bouquet.

    Jillian B.

    Andy did such an incredible job!! We are totally, completely in love with how he captured our day!!

  • A joyful couple in wedding attire, with the woman playfully giving the man a piggyback ride. The woman holds a colorful bouquet with orange and dark flowers. Outdoor setting with greenery in the background.

    Kara K.

    His amazing energy and calming nature makes your big day that much easier.

  • A couple standing on the edge of a rocky cliff, holding hands. The woman wears a flowing, light-colored dress, and the man is in a gray suit. The background features misty mountains under a cloudy sky.

    Ryan W.

    Andy listens to what you want and then brings his own creativity to the photos. We were blown away by the gallery!

  • Two men in suits facing each other, one smiling and holding a smartphone

    L. Thompson

    My expectations for Andy were high and he exceeded them all. He was responsive and always available to chat during the planning process and showed up on the day giving 110% of himself and expertise.

Airstream trailer in desert with person and dog

Hi, I’m Andy!

I’m an adventure photographer, a dad, a life-long climber, a coffee-and-beer lover, and a former RV-dweller. After spending five years living on the road with my wife (and our dog, Pickle), we now call Asheville home with our daughters.

MountainWed is for couples like you who want to keep things small, real, and wildly “you”—a little off-the-beaten-path, a lot more fun, and way less about doing what you’re “supposed” to do.

With every wedding I document, I bring years of outdoor adventure photography experience, detailed planning know-how, and golden-retriever energy. Your day should feel like you while you’re living it—and your photos should carry that same spark you felt saying your vows with nothing but mountains and miles of wilderness around you.

Why Choose MountainWed

Photos that scream, F* yeah!

Not just “pretty photos”—I’m chasing the in-between moments that make your day feel alive. The laughs you didn’t plan. The quiet, holy-sh*t-we’re-really-doing-this looks. The wind, the chaos, the calm—whatever shows up.

I want the work to hit different because it is different: artful images with intention behind them—built around emotion, energy, and a visual style that doesn’t feel like every other wedding gallery on the internet. The goal is simple: when you look back, you feel it all again.

The Goods

I’m picky (in a good way) about where we go. I’m looking for places that are genuinely beautiful and photograph beautifully—privacy, views, trail vibe, ease, and the overall feel of the experience. I call those the goods. If it doesn’t check those boxes? Hard pass.

And we’re not choosing a spot randomly—we’re choosing the right version of that spot for your date. I plan around light, seasons, and weather, and I scout so we show up confident—with options in our pocket and the freedom to actually enjoy being out there.

Outdoor Stories

I’m not a “wedding photographer who occasionally goes outside”—adventure photography is in my roots. I move well on rugged terrain, I’m calm when plans pivot, and I’m always thinking a few steps ahead so you don’t have to.

Whether we’re hiking on a ridgeline, slipping into a tucked-away overlook, or dodging weather like it’s part of the storyline, I’m in my element out there—efficient, respectful of the environment, and ready to adapt when conditions change. (Because the mountains don’t care about timelines… and honestly, that’s kind of the point.)

Experience-Forward

My job is to make this feel easy for you.

Clear plan, calm guidance throughout the process. I’m organized with logistics, recommendations, and timing—so you get the best experience and the best light without living inside a spreadsheet.

I’ll step in with simple direction when you need it, or fade back when the real stuff is happening. The goal is simple: you stay present, have fun, and walk away feeling like you did this your way—not the way weddings are “supposed” to look.

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Working with me is easy. Here’s how:

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Step 1: Connect

Fill out my short inquiry form and get the conversation started! There’s no pressure to book. I’ll reach out within 24-hours to set up a free 30-min intro call.

A rough sketch of a calendar with the days of the week and a large 'X' marking a specific date.

Step 2: Book

If you decide that I’m the right fit, reserve your date with a deposit and signed contract and you can officially check “find photographer” off the to-do list.

Illustration of three people with a glowing lightbulb above them, symbolizing ideas or brainstorming.

Step 3: Plan

We’ll plan the details—locations, timeline, and backup options—so you can feel calm and ready.

Line drawing of two wedding rings with a heart above them.

Step 4: Get Hitched

You’ve done the connecting, booking, and planning—now you get to live it. No second-guessing, no rushing, no trying to “perform” for photos. Just a meaningful day together, and I’ll be there to capture it honestly: emotion, atmosphere, details, and all.

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Timeless Film Nostalgia

Let’s make the time to craft some special film portraits on your wedding day.

For me, including a few film photos on your wedding day isn’t about being trendy—it’s about capturing moments in a slower, more thoughtful way.

With film, every shot is carefully composed and meticulously captured, which is why the result is so amazing. Plus, in this era of screens, having a physical artifact from your wedding day is also special.

Film has a special look. The colors feel natural and rich, and the photos have a depth that’s hard to explain—but easy to feel. Unlike digital files made of 1s and 0s, film creates a physical piece of your day. And in 2026, that kind of realness is still something special.

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Collage of outdoor wedding photography featuring couples in adventurous settings, text promoting 'Mountainwed Photography' with contact details and a description of capturing unique, emotional elopements and micro-weddings.
Badge reading 'Featured on Travel Guides Asheville 2024' with a city skyline silhouette.

Recognized by TravelGuides - Asheville:

The Best Elopement Photographers in Asheville, North Carolina

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Let’s get started.

Fill out this form and hit send! I’ll email or text you to start the conversation. We’ll set up a short, no-pressure discovery call to answer your questions and talk about your plans—no matter how far along you are.