Elope in Asheville

What do you love about your partner?

Heather: We keep each other grounded as the saying goes. We are complete opposites when it comes to some things.

What is the greatest strength of your relationship?

Heather: Communication.

Why did you decide to elope?

Heather: Neither of us have ever dreamed of having a big wedding. So we decided to elope because it was very intimate and a ‘happy place’ for us.

How did you find Simply Eloped?

Heather: Online!

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

Heather: The cost was great and every interaction we had with the company was great.

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at?

Heather: The woods…

What did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to your elopement?

Heather: We rented a big house in Tennessee for our family and friends. It felt great to be surrounded by our loved ones.

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your elopement.

Heather: It was great!

How did you celebrate after eloping?

Heather: We went to Cancun, Mexico!

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

Heather: Do what your gut says! It’s your day so do what makes you happy.

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at? What were your favorite parts about eloping there? 

Cassidy: We actually ended up eloping at an Airbnb location. We asked permission from the owner and were able to elope on the deck of a cabin with a view of the mountains. We enjoyed the view and intimacy. We both like being in nature, and the mountains near Asheville were the perfect spot.

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

Cassidy: It was intimate, quiet, and full of nature which made it the perfect setting. There is the availability to go on hiking trails in the mountains and access to a city where you can enjoy the downtown area.

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

Cassidy: The wedding day was very low-key. Brian was able to run small errands like getting my flowers from a local florist and getting food from our favorite local vegan spot, who went all out for our day! We both had separate areas to get ready in the cabin. Our officiant, Amanda, actually helped me with the finishing touches with my dress. The time before our elopement was very relaxing and lighthearted, although filled with a few nerves!

How was your experience with Simply Eloped? 

Cassidy: Simply Eloped was wonderful in coordinating our special day. We had started planning while I was stationed In Turkey, and Brian was stationed in Southern California, so having Simply Eloped to help us through all the details was a blessing.

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Cassidy: We spent the following week exploring Asheville, NC. We hiked several local trails, including Mt. Mitchell and a few waterfall hikes. We also had the chance to explore downtown Asheville, eat all the local food, and stop by some of our favorite spots from our first trip to Asheville in 2018.

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

Cassidy:  If you are looking for an intimate experience that can cater to exactly what you want, eloping is for you. You’ll get to enjoy every small detail of your special day, and it will allow so much flexibility in your day. We never felt rushed or stressed. It was the perfect day in every way.

What is the greatest strength of your relationship? 

Emile & Stephen: Our friendship has always been the basis of our relationship.

Why did you decide to elope? 

Emile & Stephen: It was important that our day was just for us. We wanted to share that time with only each other, embrace and soak up every second.

How did you find Simply Eloped?

Emile & Stephen: Our friends used Simply Eloped in Colorado.  When we saw all of the possibilities of locations that we could create our own adventure we were very excited. Having a mossy forest wedding was forever on my mind from that point on.

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

Emile & Stephen:  We wanted our ceremony to be just for us, not based around certain expected traditions or what other people thought we should do. We had the ability to pick a beautiful location, and modify our wedding to suit us as couple.

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? 

Emile & Stephen: The forest feels! We were in love with the moss and the ferns. At the top of Roan Mountain, you can see for miles and miles. You are right on the boarder of North Carolina and Tennessee, if being in two places at one time needs to be checked off your bucket list!

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

Emile & Stephen: We woke up early and got ready, and drove to the location in separate cars. We were both a little anxious, I don’t think any amount of preparing can keep those feelings from coming. Once we did our first look, we busted in laughter just because you spend so much time working up to that moment, and boom it was there. We were doing the dang thing!

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day! 

Emile & Stephen: Simply Eloped was fantastic; they arranged everything, and all the information was accessible at anytime you needed to triple check your location. The show’s real stars are the people they select to help run your ceremony- the photographer, videographer, and officiant. We had the ultimate girl squad that truly kept everything special from beginning to end.

How did you celebrate after your elopement?

Emile & Stephen:  After the ceremony we sipped some Champagne, listened to the post-wedding playlist we made and drove back to our Air BNB to change. We went out for brunch and ran off to a little mini-moon in the mountains.

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

Emile & Stephen: Your ceremony should be just for you two! Slow down and take in all of the intimate moments that eloping can offer you. This is an opportunity to make your day completely your own, without the pressure and stress of numerous outside sources weighing on you.

What is the greatest strength of your relationship?

Kevin: We are open and honest about anything and everything. We love each other with clear intentions. We always put each other as a priority.

Lauren: Our commitment is unbreakable and constant. We make each other laugh and want to make each other happy every day. When that is a priority, then nothing can break us.

Why did you decide to elope?

Lauren: It is our second marriage and we wanted the moment to only be about the love that we share. That was more than enough for us!

How did you find Simply Eloped?

Lauren: We googled ‘elopement’ online.

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

Lauren: Simply Eloped made it so very easy! They handled everything for us and did the planning and the day, effortless and stress-free.

What attracted you to the venue you eloped you chose for your elopement?

Lauren: We were interested in a beautiful mountain view where we could feel God’s presence right there with us. And that is exactly what we got at Wiseman’s View!

What did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement?

Lauren: We visited the Biltmore Estate the day before. On the day of the wedding, we had a relaxing morning at our hotel before hair and makeup came to help me get ready.

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day!

Lauren: We booked with Simply Eloped only one week in advance! They were communicative and wonderful in helping us throw it together so quickly.

How did you celebrate after your elopement?

Lauren: We went home to our two boys to share pictures and stories with them!

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

Lauren: This is a wonderful way to make getting married super easy and stress-free!

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at? What were your favorite parts about eloping there?

Samantha: The view at Something Blue Mountain Venue attracted us, and we didn’t need to know more! It was absolutely stunning, and they communicated so quickly with us. Our favorite parts were the bridal suite and the owner, who was so involved in making sure everything was perfect. We also loved the amazing views, the amazing setup, and the fact they worked so hard to marry us at sunset. They also have so many amazing locations on the property for photos.

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

Samantha: I would describe it as a hidden and secret spot to view the Blue Ridge. It also has a wonderful brick setup, as you see in castle courtyards.

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

Samantha: We rented a house on Lake Lure before the wedding. We celebrated New Year’s there with family! We also took advantage of the amazing views, hiking, kayaking, boat rides, and lots and lots of food! We practiced with the flower girls, stayed in contact with our wedding coordinator, and wrote our vows. Simply Eloped did everything else, so not that much preparation, which is the point! We felt very excited, prepared, and anxious to see the site in person after only viewing pictures online.

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Samantha: I recommend Simply Eloped to every person I know who is getting engaged. I would never ever do it differently. As a bride, stress is something that usually comes with a wedding. However, I view my marriage as stress-free and focused on our love for God and each other, which is precisely, what we wanted.

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

Samantha: We went back to the rental house and had a fajita bar, cake cutting, and drinks! Then we said our ‘goodbyes’ and went to Chimney Rock.

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

Samantha: I say, ‘do it!  You can have people there as well, as we had our family and closest friends. We also had our Pastor come up for the wedding. Eloping does not have to mean just the two of you. Also, eloping is the best stress-free way to celebrate your love. You can party later!

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

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

Alyssa: We chose to elope in Asheville, NC because I think the mountains are beautiful. We live near the beach in SC, and I wanted a change of location. After looking through the locations offered on Simply Eloped, we decided to go with Craggy Gardens even though we had never been there before! The pictures we saw online were amazing.

JJ: We chose the location because it was beautiful, and it was still close to home because we could drive. We also had our first big vacation in Asheville two years before our elopement, and it just felt like a great spot.

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

Alyssa: There are bathrooms and a large parking lot before the trail when you get to the location. The hike up isn’t too bad; it’s not steep, but it is a consistent incline, and it is rocky. It gets a bit muddy when it rains! If you’re not a frequent hiker, you might want small breaks on the way up. Once you get to the top, there is a cute covered pavilion, and to the right, there is a flat area that overlooks the mountains and has a nice view. There are a lot of locations to take pictures or do your ceremony.

JJ: After a really scenic drive, you get to a parking lot where there are bathrooms. The hike isn’t bad, but it is constantly uphill because you are going to the top of the mountain. There’s a covered pavilion at the top where you can sit and catch a breath if you need to. We held our ceremony to the right of the pavilion, a flat grassy area with nice views and a few wildflowers.

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

Alyssa: We actually did our elopement and honeymoon all at the same time. So we had an Airbnb booked right outside of Asheville. On the wedding day, we got breakfast downtown together and then hung out at the Airbnb until two of our friends came in. We ordered Poké Bowls for lunch, and then we separated and JJ went to our friends’ Airbnb to get ready while I stayed at our Airbnb with a few friends and my parents. We blasted some music, and they helped me do my hair and get dressed – I did my makeup. Then I rode to the location with my parents and a friend. It was very relaxed and low-key, and I didn’t feel stressed throughout the entire process. I did feel pretty nervous on the ride to the venue, though.

JJ: Before the wedding, we had lunch with some of our friends, and then we went separate ways to get ready. Alyssa and her family got there before us to hike up, so we could do first looks. I met up with the vendors at the trailhead, and we hiked up together. I was feeling very nervous on the hike up.

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Alyssa: We enjoyed our experience! It was simple, and we don’t have any complaints. All of our vendors were wonderful, and they made the day go by stress-free.

JJ: We had a great experience. Everything went well, and we’re glad we went with Simply Eloped.

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

Alyssa: After our elopement, two of our friends hosted everyone at their Airbnb and made us dinner. It was wonderful, and it was a great way to finish out the day.

JJ: We stayed in Asheville for the rest of the week for our honeymoon. We went hiking, went to waterfalls (Graveyard Falls are awesome), went tubing, and had a lot of great food.

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

Alyssa: Do it! It’s so fun and is such a stress-free way to get the wedding day that you want. If you’re worried about upsetting family or friends, just remember that this day is about YOU.

JJ: Do it. It was the absolute best way to get married. Compared to what we’ve heard from our other friends that have done traditional weddings recently, ours was the most stress-free wedding (and we had the coolest venue).

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

Jennifer:  I thought of a couple of different venues within the Asheville area but landed on Craggy Gardens simply because it looked gorgeous in pictures. We moved to North Carolina 2 years ago and still had never been to Asheville, so we based the decision on pictures. It had everything we wanted, mountains, flowers, and stunning views. Although I was bummed it was raining, I think that added to the beauty of our pictures and part of the reason the day was so special. There were only two other people at Craggy Gardens that day (thank goodness!) because of the rain, who ended up being out witnesses. It’s hard to explain, but I really just felt like Morgan and I were the only people there during our ceremony, which is what we wanted.

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

Jennifer: Number one, absolutely beautiful. Even the drive to Craggy Gardens through the blue ridge parkway is incredible. I would say Craggy Gardens is versatile. There are beautiful blooming months, wonderful fall colors, mountain views, and green forestry. You really can create any type of background you want. It’s hard to see all that in our photos since it rained, but if Craggy Gardens can still be that beautiful on a rainy day, it says a lot about the location.

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

Jennifer: The night before, we made our wedding cake from a box. That morning I went out and got us some incredible doughnuts from a place called Hole Doughnuts. After breakfast, we decorated the cake and ironed Morgan’s clothes. Morgan was finishing up a semester of school, so that morning was a little hectic. I had my make-up and hair done professionally, and we were on our way. We jammed out to all of our favorite songs through the Blue Ridge Parkway.

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Jennifer: Absolutely wonderful!! I had no idea how to even go about eloping, and this made it so easy. They guided us on how to get our marriage license and permit for the Blue Ridge Parkway. I even had to change my date and time like four times because of COVID, and they were ALWAYS accommodating and understanding. Megan was helpful in letting us edit our ceremony to make it more personal and gave us advice/guidelines on how to write our vows because we had no idea where to start! Cappy, our photographer, was awesome! We gave her ideas of what kind of photos we wanted to get, and she remembered them all, even the ones I forgot about! She was even willing to drive to multiple overpass areas to get the mountain views we wanted since there was a lot of fog at Craggy Gardens. I wish Morgan and I could repeat that moment in time all over again. SO HAPPY with our experience with Simply Eloped

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Jennifer: We met in an Alehouse, and we love beer and food! So Asheville provided a plethora of options. We went to Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium Brewery and had some great beer and food! We had so much fun. We went straight there from the ceremony, so we still had on our wedding attire. No one really said anything at first, but then a table bought us a round of tequila shots which happens to be our favorite! A restaurant full of strangers cheered and clapped for us as we took our shots. Our waiter brought us complimentary glasses of wine and dessert on the house. From there we went home and ate our cake and drank more tequila and watched Game of Thrones. It was such a good day.

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

Jennifer: Do it!!!! You won’t regret it. I think people are nervous about what their friends and families will think, but to me, that’s the problem! Remember, it’s not about what your families want. It’s about what you guys want as a couple. Not one person was mad at us when we told them about our marriage. It was just pure joy. Everyone was just happy we got to have the wedding of our dreams. Telling everyone was kind of part of the fun of eloping, too. It’s like we got to share that excitement and celebrate over and over again. My advice would be to do what will make you happy and remember this day is about you two!

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.

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.