Without It Being ‘Traditional’

If you're dreaming of a scenic, intentional elopement in Asheville or the Blue Ridge Mountains, chances are you're also looking to keep things low-key and have an experience that feels more you — not a full-scale traditional wedding and all that brings. But sometimes, for one reason or another, family or close friends are part of the picture.

Maybe your parents are asking to be there. Maybe you want a few guests to witness your vows. Or maybe you're just trying to find a way to include loved ones without losing the relaxed, adventurous vibe you’re craving.

The good news? There are a few solid ways to include your family and still have the elopement experience you want.

Let’s break it down.

Consider: One-Day vs. Multi-Day

One of the first decisions to make when including guests in your elopement is whether everything should happen in a single day — or if it makes more sense to spread things out.

Some couples prefer to keep things simple with a one-day celebration, blending private moments and guest time into one well-paced experience. Others choose to separate the adventure from the ceremony, especially if they're hoping to explore a more remote trail, hit a few locations, have small children, or just have uninterrupted time in the mountains together.

In many cases, this comes down to logistics:

Bringing guests (especially kids, older family members, or anyone with mobility needs) to a ceremony location that’s easy to access makes the day smoother for everyone. Then, with that part complete, you're free to head deeper into the Blue Ridge Mountains for portraits, private vows, or a sunset hike — without feeling rushed or pulled in multiple directions.

Below are two flexible ways couples often structure their small weddings in Asheville and the surrounding mountains — plus some creative ideas for including family virtually or after the fact.

1. Keepin’ It All in One Day

This approach works well if you’re looking for a simple structure that includes guests, but still gives you time to breathe, explore, and enjoy private moments together and come away with those mountain photos you’re after.

Here are a couple versions of that:

Start with an intimate ceremony (morning or midday) at an accessible spot with loved ones — think: a rental with a view or a short walk to a public overlook.
Afterward, break away for a mid-day and sunset adventure session at a waterfall or mountaintop — just the two of you.
Or flip it: begin the day with a sunrise hike and private vows, then meet up with guests later for a relaxed dinner or backyard-style celebration.

This works especially well in the Asheville area, where scenic trails and breweries or cabins are often just a short drive apart. It’s a great way to enjoy the best light of the day, stay present with each other, and still make space for connection with family.

Photos (Top Right, Bottom Right): The photos here illustrate a sunrise version. We met before sunrise for a first look and portraits. Then met their family around mid-morning at an accessible overlook not too far away. The latter part of the day was spent on a lovely lake relaxing and recouping.

2. Spread It Out Over Multiple Days

If fitting everything into one day feels rushed or logistically impossible, a multi-day elopement might be your answer.

Many couples choose to separate their adventure session from the ceremony — scheduling it for either the day before or the day after the wedding.

This lets you:

Plan your ceremony with your guests in mind at an easy-to-access spot (usually with amenities like bathrooms, shelter, or maybe seating options)
Dedicate separate time for a hike, mountaintop views, or golden hour portraits without worrying about timelines, social obligations, etc.
Reduce stress for guests like kids, elderly family members, or anyone with mobility needs who may want to support you, but may be concerned about where you’ve decided to have your ceremony in the mountains.

This structure gives you a lot more breathing room and avoids the chaos of trying to “do it all”. Plus, it lets your day unfold at a more natural pace. Some of my favorite Blue Ridge Mountain elopement locations require longer drives, rough roads, or more strenuous hikes — which are all more manageable when you're not also coordinating with guests with varying degrees of readiness and ability.

Or, Go Virtual

How to Include Family (From Afar)

Sometimes it's just not practical for everyone to attend — and that's okay. If you'd rather keep things intimate and private, but still want to bring loved ones into the moment as it’s happening, live streaming your elopement is another option for couples.

Here are a few tools couples are using to live stream their wedding:

Lovecast – Designed specifically for weddings, it's user-friendly and includes guest interaction features
Wedfuly – A higher-touch option that integrates with Zoom and even includes a virtual “MC” to guide guests through your event
EventLive – Great for broadcasting to multiple time zones and automatically records your ceremony
YouTube Live - This is a good option that will be a site and link they’re already used to. Who hasn’t been on YouTube? Right, no one! Consider avoiding any recorded ceremony music as this would constitute a Copyright violation for YouTube. There are also options for using an external microphone as a way to ensure people can hear you.
Or keep it simple with the classics: Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime — all easy to use with a phone and tripod setup

Even just having a single friend livestream with a phone can make loved ones feel included, no matter where they are. The key to this option would be to confirm in advance that you had enough cell coverage to make this option work.

Plan a Post-Wedding Party

In the end, if the expense or complexity of planning with guests is overwhelming you and you see yourselves moving in the direction of having a just-you elopement, another great way to celebrate with family is to simply host a casual celebration after the wedding — ideally within a few days of returning home, while the joy is still fresh.

This could be:

A backyard dinner party
A brewery gathering
A slideshow and story night with drinks and dessert

It doesn’t need to be formal — just a relaxed chance to share your recent elopement experience and celebrate with those you care about. Bring the energy from the mountains back home with you.

Avoid Stress and Set Expectations Early

One of the best ways to avoid stress is to talk openly with your family early in the planning process. Let them know what matters most to you: time in nature, a low-pressure day, a focus on connection over tradition.

You might be surprised how supportive they are — especially when they understand that your decision to elope isn’t about excluding them, but about being true to your relationship and your interests.

Pro-Tip: Wearing Your Dress or Suit over multiple days.

If you're planning to split your elopement or adventure photos over a two (or more) day period, you've got a few good options when it comes to your looking your best each day:

Save the adventure for after the wedding day.
If you want to keep your dress clean and looking its best for the ceremony, consider planning your mountain adventure for the days after. That way, you can fully embrace the rugged terrain without stressing about dirt or damage — and if you want to “trash the dress,” you totally can.
Find an inexpensive second dress.
If your adventure session is the day before your ceremony, consider picking up a second dress that's photogenic but low-stress. There are plenty of affordable options out there, especially if you plan ahead — and this way, you’re not worried about keeping your main dress pristine before the big day.
Let it get dirty.
You can also just go for it — wear the dress, hike the trail, get some dirt on it, and embrace the imperfections. Some of the best photos come from letting go of the pressure to keep everything spotless. Bustling the dress does a lot to keep things up off the ground, so having the ability to do that can also be really great.
Hike in regular clothes and change at the top.
If you’d rather keep the dress clean, brides can plan to wear comfortable hiking clothes and pack the dress in a garment bag and change at the summit before photos. This cuts down on dust, dirt, and sweat — and helps your dress stay looking fresh for any day-two events or celebrations.

Photos: This bride decided to hike up in casual clothes and get ready with her fiance on the summit, after cooling off for a bit. Bringing a garment bag and considering how you’ll pack any fine clothing is a good idea. Familiarize yourself with what to do to keep things dry, clean, and wrinkle-free on your hike. One technique is to roll the garment in a way that avoids wrinkles. Another option that exists is a portable steamer to work out any fussy wrinkles in the field.

Final Thoughts

Every couple’s situation is different — and you don’t have to have it all figured out from the start. I work with couples all the time who are balancing family needs and personal dreams, and I’d be happy to help you find an approach that feels right.

Whether you're envisioning a Blue Ridge Parkway elopement with a few guests, or a small wedding in Asheville with a relaxed, documentary feel — it’s all possible. You don’t have to choose between family or freedom. You can have both.

Need help figuring out how to structure your day?
I’d be happy to talk through options and locations that work well for elopements with guests. Let’s start shaping a day that actually feels like you.