Asheville Elopement Planning
Asheville Elopement FAQ
Answers to the questions couples ask me most about planning, locations, booking, the wedding day, and getting your photos afterward.
Jump to what you need
A few things you might be wondering.
01 — Planning + Booking
Planning + Booking
Where are you located and where do you photograph?
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!
What if we are getting officially married before our session?
No problem. I’ve worked with many couples just like you who are already married by the time we meet in person. That’s no problem!
We are interested in a destination wedding, do you travel?
Yes! I would love to document your wedding or elopement adventure beyond North Carolina. Simply reach out to discuss!
Will you help us find our location(s)?
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.
How do we lock our date in with you?
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 and covers the work in planning and research ahead of the big day.
Once you’ve completed this step, I’ll follow up over email with additional questions and information as we focus in on location(s), create a timeline, and more.
Do I need to find an officiant?
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.
How much time before my elopement date would I need to book with you?
Most couples book anywhere from a few months to a year in advance, though shorter timelines are sometimes possible depending on availability.
I generally recommend giving yourself a few months if you can. It makes things less rushed and gives you time to coordinate lodging, permits, vendors, and any guests you plan to include.
Once you're booked, I'll help with location recommendations and planning based on your preferences, whether that's a mountaintop, waterfall, cliffside view, or something a little more off the beaten path. The sooner we start, the more options we'll have available.
02 — Your Wedding + Adventure
What’s an ‘Adventure’ Elopement?
Adventure elopements typically have few in attendance, often the only other people present are the officiant, the photographer.
To legally marry in North Carolina, you need two witnesses, and I can serve as one of them. The other witness could be a random hiker, or could be a special friend you include on your day.
The best part about having an adventure elopement is that you are the architect of your own day.
Maybe you want to hike out to a beautiful overlook to exchange vows. Maybe you want to climb a multi-pitch route and document your union on the summit. No matter what you envision, I will do my best to make it happen.
These small, joyous celebrations nix the stresses of reserving an overpriced venue, the catering to feed an army (ah-hem your family), and finding a band that fits your tastes (and by tastes, I really mean budget).
With an adventure elopement , Mother Nature provides the venue and ambience (but you’ll still have to pack your own snacks).
Can we still party with family?
Of course! What’s a wedding without a party?
Start the day with a sunrise hike and “I do,” then party down with friends and family in the afternoon. Or grab a beer in your dress and suit, then hike out to an overlook for sunset vows. The beauty of an adventure elopement is that you do your day in your own way.
03 — Photos + Delivery
Photos + Delivery
How many photos can we expect?
The total number of edited shots depends on length of coverage. I make sure to fully document every moment of your special day, whether we’re shooting for a half day or a full day. You will have plenty of shots to choose from for prints, social media posts, and anything else you have in mind. Think: LOTS! For an 8-hour session, you can likely expect 300+ edited images.
How long does it take to see the edited photos?
In order to give your images the proper attention they deserve, I guarantee images to you in 10 weeks. Mostly this has to do with October and all the photography that get’s done that time of year. Because of that busy season, my normal time to edit and deliver the gallery needs to be extended to accommodate just how many photos get made that month.
To help with that wait time, I deliver teasers 24 hours after your wedding day. I also try to deliver enough photos to give a good sense of the day - which is usually 10 or more images.
Still Have a Question?
Tell me what you’re thinking.
You don’t need to have every detail figured out. Send me what you know so far, and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours. From there, we’ll set up a time to talk through everything together.
