Sunflowers, a tan wide brim hat, family cheering in the backyard, and a night out in downtown Asheville. Laura and Steve’s Asheville elopement was cozy, playful, and full of the people they love most.
Backyard Vows at Home
Laura and Steve said I do in the wooded backyard of their parents’ house, surrounded by their closest family. Laura walked down a set of stone steps into the trees in a white sweater dress, tall cognac boots, and the cutest tan hat, carrying a bouquet of sunflowers, red roses, and deep burgundy dahlias.
They stood together on a little stone patio under tall pines for vows, rings, a sweet first kiss, and one very joyful hat toss the second they were married!
A Champagne Toast and So Much Family Love
Back at the house, everyone grabbed a glass of champagne to toast the newlyweds. Then we rounded up the whole crew for family photos in the sunny yard, and their pup got in on the fun too.
Colored Smoke, a Rope Swing, and Golden Light
For portraits, we wandered the woods as the afternoon light poured through the trees. We lit a peach smoke bomb for some dreamy, colorful shots (Laura’s hat went flying again), and she even hopped on a rope swing. These two were up for anything!
Portraits in Downtown Asheville
As the sun started to set, we headed into downtown Asheville for a totally different vibe. Steve swapped into a cozy rust sweater, and we wandered the streets for a sidewalk dip and a few shots with an old green truck loaded with surfboards that was too good to pass up.
Dinner at Kimpton Hotel Arras
They wrapped up the day with dinner downtown at Kimpton Hotel Arras. Their table had the same sunflowers and roses as the bouquet, and their simple white cake was topped with matching blooms.
Tips for Planning Your Own Asheville Elopement
- Mix nature and downtown. Asheville gives you woods, mountain views, and a walkable downtown, so you can get both looks in one day.
- Say I do somewhere meaningful. A family backyard keeps things relaxed, makes it easy to include everyone, and skips the crowds.
- Plan around fall light. Late fall sunsets come early, so start portraits in the afternoon and save city photos for golden hour.
- Book dinner downtown. A reservation at a favorite restaurant is a relaxed way to celebrate without planning a full reception.
- Bring a fun prop. A smoke bomb, a hat toss, or your dog makes photos feel totally you. Check local rules first, since smoke bombs aren’t allowed everywhere.
Dreaming of your own Asheville elopement? I’m based just a couple of hours away in East Tennessee and love heading over the mountains for North Carolina adventures. For more inspiration, check out this downtown Asheville couples session, this Max Patch elopement, and this Roan Mountain adventure elopement. Ready to check my availability?
