A Joyous Elopement for Leanna & Josh at Craggy Gardens in North Carolina

Leanna & Josh may have met on Bumble, but it only took them days to realize they had found their forever person. They began to plan a traditional wedding, but it just wasn’t right. They found the perfect fit with Simply Eloped and chose to take family and friends to Craggy Gardens in North Carolina. Since Josh had proposed on a mountain, they were thrilled to elope on a mountain too! The spectacular view was worth the hike up, and they exchanged vows in a meadow that overlooked the Appalachian Mountains. It didn’t end there. They celebrated with a Southern honeymoon through South Carolina and Georgia. Read on to find out why Leanna & Josh were so thrilled with Simply Eloped and why they would do it all again.

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another? 

Leanna: We met on Bumble, not looking for anything in particular when we had matched. We instantly started talking, and we kept the conversation going for a few days until we finally decided to take the chance and meet. When I met him for the first time, it was like we were old friends catching up. The conversation was easy, and the attraction was very present. He was very kind and funny. I knew I wanted him to be in my life from the first time meeting.

Josh: I never knew that a person could exude such compassion and joy for life like the way I first saw her. During our first date, I had the feeling in the back of my head that was saying, “ I feel like I’m talking to my best friend.” She was witty, charismatic, and kind. To this day, it holds true. 

How did you propose or accept the proposal? 

Leanna: We knew very quickly that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Josh took me to meet his family in Missoula, Montana. While we were there, he took me on his favorite hike in a town called The M Trail. He took me up, it seemed like forever, to get down on one knee and propose. I said, “Abso-freaking-lutely!” 

Josh: I took her on my favorite hike in Missoula to propose to her. I wanted to take her higher where fewer people were so it would be more intimate. Once we got to the highest point, I proposed, and surprisingly she said she would. We were both smiling like idiots on the way down, and we told everyone we passed that we were getting married. 

Where did you choose to elope, and why did you choose that destination?

Leanna & Josh: After we got engaged and started planning our wedding, we quickly knew that a traditional wedding wasn’t right for us. Even though we booked a venue, we were still not satisfied with it. Then we found Simply Eloped, and it was like a missing puzzle piece. So we canceled with the venue. After looking at the different locations, we chose Craggy Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina. Since we got engaged on a mountain, it only made sense to get married on one too. We both love the beauty of North Carolina, and it was close enough for us (from Indianapolis) to drive down.

 

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite moments about eloping there?

Leanna: The view! Oh my gosh! It was stunning! It was my dream! Also, our photographs were so well done. We wanted the pictures we cherished forever to be just as stunning as the ones on the website, which is what we got. My favorite part about our elopement is our connection because we didn’t have to worry about all the details of a traditional wedding.

Josh: The Appalachian Mountains provided a warm, welcoming feeling, and we had always wanted to visit. My favorite part of eloping was the intimate, small ceremony.

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there? 

Leanna: It was on a small meadow in the Appalachian Mountains. The view was looking over the mountain range. 

Josh: Magical. It was a hike to get to the location, but it was well worth it once we got there.

What did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement?

Leanna: I had my hair and makeup done by a stylist that works with Simply Eloped. She did an amazing job! I was nervous because I was afraid about hiking in my dress, but it wasn’t a problem at all. 

Josh: I spent time with my groomsmen and got ready at the hotel before heading over to the venue. I was feeling joyous that we were finally getting married in such a stunning place.

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Leanna & Josh: It was amazing. We keep recommending them to our friends because we loved ours so much. We couldn’t have asked for a better elopement, ceremony, and pictures. 

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Leanna & Josh: We decided to go on a honeymoon. We left Asheville the day after our elopement and drive to Charleston, South Carolina, and then Savannah, Georgia. It was a great time to spend together traveling through the south.

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Leanna & Josh: Do it! You’re going to save so much money if you decide to elope. Your experience will be so much more enjoyable because you won’t have to worry about flowers, guests, cake, caterers, etc. It was the best decision we made

 

Photography by: Cappy Phalen
Hair & Makeup by: Emily Van Scoy
Planning by: Simply Eloped
Venue: Craggy Gardens, Asheville