Updated for 2026!

If you’re considering a eloping in Asheville, North Carolina, this guide is for you! Asheville has something for everybody; mountains, waterfalls, award-winning restaurants, breweries, art, you name it!

Read on for everything you need to know to elope in Asheville, NC!

Quick tips:

• Apply for a marriage license. The Register of Deeds office in Asheville is open 8am to 5pm Monday-Friday. Arrive in person along with a valid photo ID AND your social security cards. Make sure you arrive before 4:30pm. The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date issued (meaning you have 60 days to have an ordained, legal officiant to perform your ceremony and sign your license) and is valid for anywhere within the state of North Carolina.
• To avoid crowds, elope during the week. Elope at sunrise for even more privacy!
• Book a photographer that is familiar with the area. Contact me 🙂 I will also assist with suggesting vendors and helping with any permits you may need.
• Book an officiant! Your marriage will not be valid without an ordained minister or officiant in NC. The state of North Carolina requires an officiant and two witnesses to solemnize the marriage. See my suggested officiants in this post! If you want information as to why you should hire a professional officiant, click here for more info!
• Pick a location based on your comfort level for hiking and weather, etc. There is something for all comfort levels! I help with this step as well!

Read on for more helpful elopement tips!

Pick Your Date or Season!

There is no wrong season to elope in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Obviously winter can come with its challenges – in part because most of the Blue Ridge Parkway closes which can prevent easy access to some great views. However, there are still plenty of options! With that said, Spring, Summer, and Fall gives you the greatest return for excellent locations. Deciding on the time of year you want elope in North Carolina gives you a great starting point. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect for each season:

Fall

The autumn color in the Blue Ridge Mountains is beyond anything! However, the majority of humans also feel this way. Autumn is an extremely busy time in Asheville as tourism really ramps up that time of year. I highly recommend eloping at sunrise on a weekday in the fall if you’re wanting privacy. Additionally, you’ll have a better chance of booking wedding vendors during the week as well as most Saturdays will get booked for larger weddings. I recommend you start booking your vendors and accommodations early as calendars fill up quickly (sometimes even two years out)!

Summer

Let me just say one thing about summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains – THE WILDFLOWERS! These mountains start POPPIN’ in June with wild rhododendrons . Many locations even have tunnels of them you can walk through or get married between! Who needs an extravagant floral arrangement when you can get married amongst wildflowers?! The lush, green scenery is magical too!

Summer in Western North Carolina offers much cooler temps than the rest of the southeast as well. This makes for a very pleasant, less sweaty ceremony or hike to the ceremony location! The higher elevations can sometimes be 10 degrees cooler than the valleys!

Spring

Who doesn’t love Spring?! Spring is the rebirth where everything goes from brown to green, wildflowers start to bloom, the waterfalls start really flowing, and the mountains begin to come alive. The spring season can be rainy here in Asheville but isn’t rain on your wedding day good luck?! Even if it rains, I’m here for it. Don’t let the weather stop you from saying “I do”.

Spring offers fewer visitors so you can enjoy many of the more popular elopement locations in North Carolina without the crowds!

Winter

Don’t count out a winter elopement in North Carolina! Even though it can be quite chilly, it can be a blasy if you are prepared! WNC is less crowded in the winter time which leaves you with amazing locations all to yourself! Plus, you can always cozy up around a campfire if you get cold (just remember to extinguish your fire!).

Choose Your Vendors

Here are some of my favorite wedding vendors in North Carolina! I think it’s important to choose vendors that you’re aligned with – especially when it comes to an officiant. An officiant is just as important as choosing the right elopement photographer for you. You’ll be spending a lot of time with this person so make sure it’s someone you actually like! Here are some of my suggestions below!

Officiants

Vanessa Allen LaRotonda – Adventure Officiant www.adventureofficiant.com

Katherine Dupree – https://www.katherinedupree.com/

Amanda Jones – Happily Ever Asheville www.happilyeverasheville.com

Julia Albertson – Heartfelt Elopements www.heartfeltelopements.com

Florists

Carolina Flowers – https://carolinaflowers.com/

Bask Floral Studio – https://www.baskfloralstudio.com/

Videographers

Angelica Therese Films https://www.angelicatheresefilms.com/

Heartstrings Creative – https://heartstringscc.com/

Wedding Attire

Juniper James Bridal – www.juniperjamesbridal.com

Birchwood Bridal – https://birchwoodbridal.com/

Wildflower Bridal – https://www.wildflowerbridal.com/

Hair/Makeup

AnaRie – www.anarie.com

Bella Bridal Artistry – https://www.bellabridalartistry.com/

Private Chefs and Pop-up Picnics

Asheville Luxury Picnics https://www.ashevilleluxurypicnics.com/

Braised & Confit – https://www.braisedandconfit.com/

Chef Andreas – https://www.chefandreasavl.com/

Choose Your Location

Choosing a location to elope in North Carolina is one of my favorite parts about elopement planning! There are many considerations to this. Even if you’re involving family and/or friends that aren’t avid hikers, there are still plenty of options where you don’t have to sacrifice views. If it’s just the two of you, and you’re up for an adventure, the possibilities are endless! I have hiked more than 5 miles for a ceremony and I did an overnight, backpacking trip. Whatever your comfort level, I have something for you.

And, if a hiking adventure elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountains isn’t quite your style, feel free to check out my recommendations for small wedding venues in Asheville with beautiful mountain views. If you’re including guests, sometimes it’s easier to get a venue or even an AirBNB!

If you want to be out in it, check out some recommendations below!

Pisgah National Forest

Locations in Pisgah National Forest do not require special use permit for your wedding if you have less than 75 guests. So, if you’re eloping or having a small wedding, you’re in the clear! From mountains to forests to waterfalls – there’s something for everyone who wants to elope in Pisgah National Forest!

Roan Highlands

Roan Highlands (some know this area as Roan Mountain) is a series of balds along the NC/TN border. Balds are unique to the Appalachian Mountains making it a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your elopement! It’s home to some very rare and endangered plants such as Gray’s Lilly, and the Rhododendron and Flame Azaleas bloom here every summer as well! This place pure magic and since it’s open year round, it provides a beautiful backdrop for your North Carolina elopement in any season!

Nantahala National Forest

Nantahala has many hidden treasures that are more off the beaten path. I once did an overnight, backpacking elopement here and it was one I’ll remember for the rest of my life!

Nantahala is located in the most western part of North Carolina and is the largest national forest in the state. There so many possibilities here!

The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway offers so many amazing views with more accessibility. What’s better is that they actually allow ceremonies there too! There are some rules, however. Get more details on rules here. Here are the highlights:

• A permit is required. That will cost $150 which is non-refundable. ($75 application fee with a $75 administrative fee due at the time of application.) Wedding permits are limited to 25 total people – including wedding party, officiant, and photographer – or fewer depending on location.

• Live or dried natural plant/flower material is prohibited. This includes cut flowers for bouquets and potted plants. Live plant materials may contain insects or unwanted pests that could to be introduced into the park. Silk or paper flowers are allowed.

I hope this helps you get started on dreaming up your perfect elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Asheville, NC is a one of a kind place on the east coast and makes for an incredible place to say “I do!”.

PS – If you’re considering other areas and want general info for eloping in North Carolina, you can find more info here.