If you're thinking about eloping to the North Carolina mountains and the words “A-frame cabin” and “intimate wedding” make your ears perk up—Shelby and Matt’s two-day celebration in Vilas, NC and surrounding areas, might just give you some ideas.

Just a short drive from Banner Elk and Sugar Mountain, they brought together close family, handwritten letters, a private chef, and an ambitious timeline to make the most of their small wedding at a stunning, modern, black A-frame.

Day 1: Intimate Wedding at an A-Frame Cabin in Vilas, NC

Shelby and Matt got married on the patio of their A-frame cabin overlooking a sun-soaked valley. They’d rented the space for a few days to host family and keep the whole celebration in one place—which meant less running around, and more actual time with people they care about.

They got ready in separate rooms, then stepped out onto the side patio for their ceremony. One of my favorite officiants Gina (All the Things Ceremonies) officiated with a sweet, low-key vibe that fit the space and the couple perfectly. One of the highlights was when the couple and their small group of guests each placed different special items into a time capsule they then closed up.

After the ceremony, everyone came inside and guests greeted with personal, handwritten letters from Shelby and Matt. Not table numbers. Not favors. Actual letters with emotional messages, gratitude, and little memories. Honestly, it hit hard.

Dinner With a View (and a Bubbling Stream Below)

Inside the A-frame, accordion windows opened wide to let in the mountain air. Dinner was beautifully plated and presented by a private chef (still trying to get their info—worth sharing, because the food looked incredible). Underneath the dining area, a water feature bubbled like a small stream while everyone passed plates, laughed, and told stories.

Before dinner, we did a quick round of family portraits by the ceremony site, and later we took a few group shots—including some aerial photos with the drone—as the light started to fade. The drone got a real workout that evening, and so did my film camera, which made for some fun throwback shots.

Day 2: Waterfall Romp + Sunset at Hawksbill Mountain

The next day, we met up again for a full-on adventure session. Despite some unexpected traffic slowdowns for the couple, we ended up meeting at parking area where they got ready again and made their way to my improvised photo studio by my car. I ended up putting together a quick black background for a few portraits before we hiked in to the first location of the day: a serene, little-known waterfall (and perfect swimming spot).

The .75mi hike down to the river was warm and breezeless. I think the temperature was in the upper-80s that day, so cooling off in the mountain stream felt amazing once we reached our stopping point. Shelby and Matt took a few minutes to relax, splash their feet a bit, and mostly just enjoy the location. Though sunny and warm, the sounds of the stream set a tone of relaxation in the middle of their two-day celebration. I think they appreciated both seeing the spot and just experiencing spots they had never seen.

Before we hiked out, I also got a few aerial shots at the falls with the drone, which helped show off the landscape and the tucked-away feel of the spot. Then we dried off, packed up, and made our way toward the next and final stop of the day.

Hawksbill Mountain

From there, we made our way to Hawksbill Mountain in the Linville Gorge Wilderness. We timed it out just right to arrive early, relax a bit, and then get some lovely portraits together for sunset at the summit. Golden light, sweeping views, a little wind—it all came together amazingly - especially after a slight rain scare just days prior.

During our summit session, we even saw a large plane fly through the gorge. It looked just like the decorative plane icon from their travel-themed wedding invites. Naturally, we got a photo of it—because, well, you can’t plan that kind of moment. :)

And once again, film photos ended up being some of the most memorable shots from the day. We wrapped the session with big grins, tired legs, and one last look over the gorge as the sun dipped behind the mountains. Before hiking out, we took a few last shots in the remaining sliver of sunlight, bathed in that rich blue that the region is known for.

Collaboration, Connection, and Going Big on a Small Wedding

Shelby and Matt drove down for their mountain wedding all the way from St. Louis, MO. They’ve made a few trips to Asheville over the years—most recently for their engagement session at the NC Arboretum earlier in the spring.

They went all-in on making their North Carolina elopement feel meaningful: packed with good people, memories to last (literally they encapsulated memories in a wooden box), those classic WNC views, and intentional choices. It was a pleasure to be there to document it all in a way that they would cherish.

This one was especially significant because they were among the couples who had to reschedule after Hurricane Helene. Their understanding and patience throughout planning—particularly while I was dealing with major issues locally like no power, no internet, and no running tap water. The experience was reaffirming that we as a community were being seen by outsiders and that support was appearing in all sorts of ways.

I also really appreciated that their travel wasn’t just for fun—they were intentional about supporting Asheville and the surrounding area with their dollars during a tough recovery stretch. After working together during their engagement session (they even printed and framed some of those photos for their wedding day), we already had a good creative rhythm going. By the time we met up again outside their rad A-frame, everything felt relaxed, easy, and fun.

Working with couples like this—people who care about the photography, but more importantly care about making the day feel true to them—is exactly why I do this.

Want an A-Frame Elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountains?

Whether you're planning a two-day celebration like Shelby and Matt or want to do something totally your own, I’d love to help you make it happen. The Vilas/Banner Elk/Sugar Mountain area is full of unique cabins with awesome views. Plus, it’s not far to Asheville and other towns if those are on your list to see!