Brevard NC Elopement + Blue Ridge Mountain Sunset | Kimb + Roland
Brevard, North Carolina Elopement
An Intimate Wedding at Connestee Falls
Kimb was familiar with Brevard, North Carolina and she knew she wanted to have their intimate wedding in this beautiful area with close family.
They traveled down from Louisville, KY to their Airbnb at Connestee Falls, a private development outside of town that has cabins and vacation rentals with access to a beautiful lake, trails, and waterfalls. I met the couple at their Airbnb where they were staying with their family.
It was a gorgeous, sunny spring day, which made the 50 minute drive down from Asheville stunning. I met Roland first as Kimb was upstairs getting things ready and I knew right away they were going to be a ton of fun to document. Everyone was friendly and relaxed and excited to head into the forest for the ceremony.
Getting Ready + Ceremony
From the Cabin to a Forest Ceremony
I spent about 45 minutes with everyone at the cabin before the ceremony, photographing some of the smaller details, getting ready, and the general rhythm of everyone being together before we headed into the woods.
From the cabin, it was only about a five-minute drive within Connestee Falls to their ceremony spot near a small waterfall and stream. It was tucked into the trees and felt especially fitting for a small wedding with just their closest family there.
As avid beer lovers, Kimb and Roland wanted to work that part of themselves into the ceremony and celebration too. It was one of those small details that made the whole thing feel relaxed and very much like them.
After the ceremony, everyone headed back to the cabin for BBQ, cake, and some time together before the second half of the day. Later, Kimb and Roland headed into the mountains with me for a sunset portrait session with just the two of them.
Blue Ridge Mountain Sunset
A Sunset Adventure After the Wedding
After spending the first part of the day celebrating with family near Brevard, Kimb and Roland headed into the mountains with me for a completely different kind of evening together.
We lucked out with beautiful weather and a really good sunset. With the ceremony and family celebration behind us, there was nowhere else they needed to be. We could wander around, make photographs, and let the evening unfold as the light changed.
I love this kind of split wedding day because the two parts don’t compete with each other. Kimb and Roland got the intimate wedding with family that mattered to them, and they also got a few hours alone together somewhere that felt completely different.
Getting up high for sunset always comes with a little uncertainty — especially in the mountains — but places like Black Balsam Knob and other high-elevation areas around Western North Carolina can be pretty incredible when the weather cooperates.
For them, it was a really simple way to have both: an intimate wedding with family near Brevard and an adventure in the mountains afterward with just the two of them.
Why It Worked
One Wedding Day, Two Different Experiences
What I still like about Kimb and Roland’s wedding is how simple the structure was. They didn’t have to make the ceremony itself into an all-day mountain adventure for it to feel meaningful.
The first part of the day was about family: getting ready together at the cabin, a small ceremony in the forest, and coming back for lunch and cake. Then, once that part of the celebration was finished, they had the freedom to head into the mountains and spend the evening together.
That kind of split can work really well for couples who want their closest people involved but also want some time that feels more private and adventurous. The two parts of the day don’t have to compete with each other.
It’s also a good reminder that an intimate wedding with family and an adventure session don’t necessarily have to happen in the same place. Sometimes giving each part of the day its own setting makes the whole experience easier and more relaxed.
Brevard Elopement FAQ
Planning a Brevard, NC elopement
Brevard makes it possible to combine a quieter forest wedding with waterfalls, family time, and an evening in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Where did Kimb and Roland get married?
Their ceremony took place at Connestee Falls, a private residential community near Brevard, North Carolina, where they were staying with family. Afterward, we headed into the Blue Ridge Mountains for their sunset portraits.
Can we have family at the ceremony and still do an adventure session?
Absolutely. Kimb and Roland had their ceremony and lunch with family first, then headed into the mountains together afterward. Splitting the day this way can give you both the social part of a wedding and some quieter time together.
Is Brevard a good place for a mountain elopement?
Yes. Brevard is surrounded by forest, waterfalls, hiking, and mountain access, while still being close enough to Asheville for couples traveling into Western North Carolina. My Asheville elopement guide is a good starting point for comparing the different areas around the region.
What should we know about a Black Balsam sunset session?
Black Balsam is high elevation, exposed, and often much cooler and windier than Brevard or Asheville. Weather and access can change quickly, so it helps to build some flexibility into the plan. See my Black Balsam Knob elopement tips for more planning information.
Planning an Elopement in Western North Carolina?
Build a wedding day that gives you both.
Your ceremony can include the people you love without giving up the mountain adventure afterward. I can help you work through locations, timing, hiking, weather, and how to fit the whole day together without making it feel rushed.
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