Frequently Asked Questions

I live in Asheville, NC, and typically photograph couples within a 2 hour radius of the city, but… have camera, will travel. If you need a photographer outside of the immediate western North Carolina area, just ask!

That's a great question! I recommend couples consider having their adventure elopement/wedding any time between late-March/April all the way until November. I would avoid mountain weddings from December-February as weather often closes portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway. These months can make roads icy and travel can be difficult. I typically have couples consider their preferences of cooler or warmer weather, fall foliage versus wild flowers, etc. Once that's been decided, picking the day/month is a lot easier.

Some things to consider: June through early July will see rhododendron blooming in the mountains. Mid-May through August tends to be a bit rainier, but wild flowers are starting to bloom which make for beautiful and romantic photos - and the colors are gorgeous! Fall color starts near Asheville at the upper elevations around late September and continues southward and peaks around Halloween or just after depending on the year.

Absolutely. I’m picky about where I shoot, and that is a good thing. I want you to have your ceremony in the coolest, most bad ass location I can find. I also want you to have privacy from other people so you can enjoy your day without interruption if possible. I will work tirelessly to find just the right spot that meets your wishes and requirements and is sure to make for the most stunning photos possible.

It’s easy. To reserve me for your special day, I just ask for a 50% non-refundable deposit and a signed contract. This deposit reserves your date on my calendar. Once you’ve completed this step, I’ll follow up over email with additional questions and information as we focus in on location(s) and create a timeline for your day.

Yes. Most couples I work with hire a local officiant (I can recommend some). If you have a family member or friend who wants to marry you - awesome! This is a fantastic and beautiful way to start your life together! Anyone can be ordained online at sites like the Universal Life Church and Church of the Latter-Day Dude. There are probably many sites out there like the aforementioned - these are just some examples.

I’m Andy Wickstrom, MountainWed’s lead photographer and I shoot every elopement. If your event requires additional like a second photographer, I have a network of extremely talented photographers that I can reach out to.

Elopement coverage with MountainWed starts at 4 hours. In my experience, when you are eloping in the mountains, you want to allow extra time for a casual hike to the location, extra time for food or drink breaks, and even extra time in case there are other people at the location you chose for your ceremony. More time makes the whole experience so much less stressful and rushed. This is your wedding day - make the most of it! Check out my pricing and packages here.

For most elopements, I prefer when it’s just the couple and an officiant - though I have shot elopements with up to 15 guests in the mountains. For larger groups, one great option is to separate the day into two portions - one part adventure session with just the couple, and the other part is the ceremony with family and friends at a small venue or at their Airbnb a short distance from the ceremony spot. Bringing lots of people out into the mountains tends to add a lot of additional considerations regarding physical abilities getting to the location for some, parking space, as well as the physical size of the area needed to accommodate people on the mountain top, etc.

Absolutely. You can add additional photographic coverage at any time - just let me know and we can settle up after the wedding. I charge an hourly rate of $375.

Typically, couples book me several months out - up to a year, even, in some cases. However, I've also worked with couples in as little as 7-days start to finish. That happened recently. But, in my experience, allowing a few months to pull everything together is probably what most couples end up doing - especially if they’re hiring other vendors like officiants, hair and makeup, etc., and searching for accommodations for family or friends. Also, as an Asheville local, finding new locations or recommending secret spots at popular areas is pretty easy. I’ll be sure to share my location recommendations which is a short list of spots I think are the most epic. Once we get started working together, we’ll have a conversation about your preferences on length of hike, ideal backdrop (cliff, mountaintop, waterfall, etc), and other basic details. If you ever have questions - I’m available to help!