Six years of driving toward the mountains before the sun comes up, of helping couples build their day from scratch and watching them choose something different — something that breaks from tradition, over something performance-heavy — that’s the foundation my work is built on. Colorado shaped how I see wedding photography. The Rockies have a way of clarifying what actually matters when you strip everything else away. But for 2026 and 2027, I’m bringing that same philosophy to the East Coast! I’m so excited to officially begin documenting Blue Ridge Mountain elopement in a way that prioritizes presence over production.
Blue Ridge Mountain Elopement Experience: Why the Appalachians are Different
Colorado is bold and wide open. The kind of landscape that announces itself. The Appalachians are something else — some of the oldest mountains on the planet, and you can feel it. That age has settled into them. The mist that pools in the hollows, the way the ridgelines layer into one another, the light moving through the old-growth canopy in a way that has no equivalent out West. It’s quiet in a way that’s hard to manufacture.
I’m not here to compare ranges. Both have their own version of stillness, and that stillness is exactly what I’m after in both places. What I will say is that if you’ve ever been drawn to the East Coast mountains — to that soft, misty, almost nostalgic quality that the Blue Ridge carries — this is your sign that we can make something there together.
But even within that quiet, there are layers. Some couples are drawn to the vast, hazy ridgelines. Others find their place in a sun-drenched forest clearing or tucked beside a waterfall nobody else knows about. To help you find the setting that fits your specific rhythm, I’ve built a quick location quiz below — takes about two minutes.
Comprehensive Planning — The Same Way I Work in Colorado
The way I work in Colorado is the same way I’ll work in North Carolina. I’m not just your photographer. I’m your planner, your location scout, your permit researcher, your guide, and your unofficial built-in meteorologist who already has a backup plan before you even think to ask.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is federal land managed by the National Park Service, which means most formal ceremonies at overlooks require a Special Use Permit. I walk you through every step of that process — identifying the right location, drafting the application, knowing what to say — right up until you hit send. The homework is mine. The day is yours.
I also work with couples planning smaller, more intimate weddings — not just elopements. If you’re envisioning something with 20, 30, or 50 guests in a mountain setting rather than a traditional venue, that’s a conversation I’m very open to. The Blue Ridge region has some genuinely beautiful small venues and private properties worth knowing about.
A Few Practical Things Worth Knowing
North Carolina is one of the most destination-friendly states in the country for elopements, and the marriage license process is a big reason why.
No waiting period. Your license is valid immediately upon issuance — same day, no waiting.
Any county works. You can obtain your license from any Register of Deeds office in the state, regardless of where you plan to marry. Both partners typically need to be present, with valid government-issued ID and your Social Security numbers. The fee is $60.
60-day window. The license is valid for 60 days and the ceremony must take place within North Carolina.
You’ll need two witnesses. Two people (18+) must be present to sign the license after the ceremony. If you’re eloping with just the two of you, I can help you think through this — it’s a common question and there are easy solutions.
Officiant required. North Carolina does not allow self-solemnization, so you’ll need an ordained minister or a magistrate. I have recommendations for officiants in western NC who are wonderful at what they do and won’t make your ceremony feel like a courthouse transaction.
After the ceremony, your officiant returns both signed copies of the license to the county that issued it within 10 days — that’s their responsibility, not yours.
Currently Booking 2026 + 2027 Blue Ridge Elopements and Intimate Weddings
I’m accepting a limited number of elopements and intimate weddings in North Carolina and Tennessee for 2026 and 2027. Colorado is still home base, and this expansion to the Blue Ridge is only the beginning. More landscapes are coming, and I genuinely can’t wait to share them with you!
If you’re drawn to the Blue Ridge — to the mist, the history, the feeling of being somewhere that asks nothing of you except to slow down — I’d love to help you design that day.
Reach out here to start the conversation.
Presence over production. Always.
