Anna & Derek’s Mountain Elopement in Asheville

 

Anna & Derek hit it off at a high school grad party and have been going strong ever since! They knew what they wanted when it came to their elopement. Asheville and mountains!  Something Blue Mountain Venue ticked off every box on their wish list. The best part was that Gracie, their forever woofer, was with them as they tied the knot with family and friends. Anna & Derek had it all – eloping in North Carolina’s gorgeous mountains and celebrating with pizza and beer in the city! Be sure to check out how in love these two are with their Simply Eloped vendors. (And don’t miss Anna’s colorful wildflower bouquet!)

 

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

Anna: We met at a mutual friend’s graduation party the summer before our senior year of high school. We instantly hit it off and quickly became friends. My first impression of Derek was that he was very tall and handsome. He was also incredibly easy to talk to and we just kind of “clicked.”

Derek: My first impression of Anna was that she seemed cool and she was pretty. We seemed to get along well from the get-go, and ended up hanging out more and more over the summer. 

 

How did you propose or accept the proposal?

Derek: I proposed at Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National Park. I was intending to propose at Arches National Park, but it was too crowded. At Canyonlands, we were able to walk off trail a bit and I asked our friend to take our picture. When they started to take our picture, I popped the question! 

 

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

Derek and Anna: Asheville is one of our favorite cities, so eloping there was a no brainer! We knew that Asheville had everything we wanted for our big day – craft beer, dogs, and mountains! Asheville is also a short drive for us and our parents, which was an added bonus. 

 

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What was special about eloping there? 

Derek and Anna: We knew that we wanted to elope in the mountains, but we are also very private people. Eloping at Something Blue Mountain Venue allowed us to have total privacy and gorgeous mountain views. Something Blue was also dog friendly which was extremely important to us. Our 12 year old dog, Gracie, has been with us from the beginning of our relationship, so of course she had to be there for our big day! Overall, our favorite parts about eloping at Something Blue Mountain Venue were the beautiful views, total privacy, inclement weather ceremony space (especially when the forecast called for rain!), and dog friendlyness.

 

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

Derek and Anna: Something Blue Mountain Venue is like a hidden gem. When you drive to it, you do not feel like you are going up a mountain. When you get to the venue, you are instantly greeted with 360 degrees of mountain views. The walk to the ceremony site is paved and incredibly easy. The landscaping is beautiful, and you really feel like you have the whole place to yourself. 

 

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

Anna: Derek cooked us breakfast at the cabin, and we hung out for a bit. Even though our elopement was low-key, I was still feeling a bit anxious. To calm my nerves, I did some yoga and we threw a frisbee around. I got my hair and makeup done, while Derek picked up the flowers. Derek and I got dressed up together, and we did a grand reveal for our families. On the drive to the venue, I felt so excited and ready to marry my soulmate! It was raining on the drive there, and we saw a beautiful rainbow…I took that as a good sign.

Derek: I filled my time before the wedding by doing things around the cabin and facilitating stuff. I had not felt nervous in the days leading up to the wedding but the day of, it started to creep in. Staying busy helped the time pass and before too long, it was time to get ready. We got ready together and once we were dressed, it felt much more calm. 

 

 

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Derek and Anna: Our experience with Simply Eloped was so stress-free and easy! Simply Eloped was quick to answer any questions I had, and connected us with the best vendors! Our officiant, Amanda, crafted a beautiful and personal ceremony. She made it seem like she had known us for years. Maddie took phenomenal pictures (I mean…just look at them!) and made us feel instantly comfortable. I’m convinced she’s the best hype woman around. I’m so glad that we used Simply Eloped because our wedding day was perfect! 

 

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Derek and Anna: Our elopement was at sunset, so my dad picked up some pizza while taking couples’ portraits. We all met back at the cabin and had a champagne toast. After the toast, we all changed into comfy clothes, ate pizza, and drank our favorite local beers. We had a fire, played cornhole, and pool. 

 

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

Anna: I highly recommend it! I have no regrets. Eloping really allows you to focus on what is important: You and your partner. 

Derek: If you are interested in eloping, I suggest looking into it. It is obviously not for everyone, but if you are not looking for a big wedding, it is a great option.

 

Officiation by: Amanda Jones
Photography by: Maddie Kay
Planning by: Simply Eloped
Venue: Something Blue Mountain Venue, Asheville, North Carolina