Blue Ridge Elopement

The Blue Ridge Mountains are the perfect backdrop for your elopement. Whether you want mountains, waterfalls, or lakes- there are so many possibilities. The endless possibilities can be overwhelming when trying to plan alone, but this blog will help you narrow down the perfect spot and plan an epic Blue Ridge Elopement!

Blue Ridge Elopement Photographer

Hey! I’m Jenna, an adventure elopement photographer. After moving South from New England, I fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains. I love exploring new places and revisiting places I have been to many times. No matter how much time I spend in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it always finds ways to surprise me with new beauty. 

I love my job as an elopement photographer. Being an introvert myself, I understand wanting privacy and a calm wedding day. I am here to support my couples with a calming presence and by understanding what they need from me and providing that- whether it be a cheerleader, quiet presence, or a take charge leader, I’m basically a chameleon and will adapt to any situation that presents itself. 

Best Places to Elope in the Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains are a vast range extending from Pennsylvania to Georgia. Some of the most popular spots are in Smoky Mountain National Park and Shenandoah National Park. The North Carolina portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains are also a popular spot since you can drive through the mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The South Carolina and Georgia portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains are less popular which makes them a great place for beautiful views while maintaining privacy!

The Blue Ridge Mountains are a main attraction on the east coast, especially in the Fall when the leaves are changing colors putting on a beautiful show. If you are wanting to elope in a popular spot like in one of the national parks or on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s important to plan ahead and secure any necessary permits ASAP!

Let’s dive into the Blue Ridge Mountains by each state!

Georgia

The Blue Ridge Mountains extend well into North Georgia. There are many places all throughout North Georgia that allow for gorgeous mountain views, lakes and waterfalls to elope at. Blue Ridge, Georgia is also a very popular elopement destination. This is a cute mountain town in North Georgia at the Southern part of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range.

The Georgia portion of the Blue Ridge Mountain range is a great option for those wanting mountain views without all the crowds. While TN and NC see lots of tourists, especially in the fall. North Georgia is a great place to still see the leaves changing on the mountain range without all the crowds. You can easily have the trails and mountains to yourselves eloping on a weekday here. 

North Georgia also has great things to do. Each town has a cute downtown area to explore. It is also known for having LOTS of wineries, vineyards and breweries to explore and celebrate your new marriage. There is also great food and BBQ for you to stop and grab a bite to eat and refuel before continuing on with your elopement day adventures!

Some of my favorite spots for elopements in the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains are

• Blue Ridge, GA
• Brasstown Bald
• Preacher’s Rock
• Black Rock Mountain State Park

Check out more options on where to elope in Georgia!

Tennessee

The Tennessee portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains are mainly along the western border. The Smoky Mountains are actually a small portion of the greater Blue Ridge Mountain Range. The Western Tennessee border has so many great spots for elopements with gorgeous balds offering 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. This means both sunrise and sunset elopements are great options!

Roan Mountain in Northwest TN is a popular spot for elopements! There are many different hikes offering plenty of adventure and leading to gorgeous 360-degree views. This is a great spot for late May and early June elopements when the mountain is covered in blooming rhododendrons. Please note, some trails are still currently closed as they recover from Hurricane Helene.

In Southwest TN, you will find the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is a very popular tourist attraction and beautiful spot to view the Blue Ridge Mountains. Everywhere you go, you will find jaw dropping mountain views. Some of my favorite spots in the park for elopements are the Foothills Parkway and Cades Cove. The national park has strict rules for eloping and permits are required. I secure all permits for my clients! The park is the #1 most visited national park in the US so it can be VERY crowded. I typically recommend sunrise or sunset weekday elopements to beat the crowds!

North Carolina

North Carolina is famous for its Blue Ridge Parkway which offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Driving the parkway is one of my favorite things to do while in NC. Eloping on the parkway does require a permit and has stricter rules. There are lots of different national forests surrounding the parkway and in the Blue Ridge Mountains that I prefer using for elopements because they are less crowded and have less restrictions!

Pisgah National Forest is one of my favorite spots for a North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountain elopement. There are endless hiking trails, off roading spots, and drive up overlooks. There are also plenty of waterfalls to explore! It is conveniently located near Asheville which is the perfect spot for a romantic reception dinner or just a cool place to explore! 

If you don’t mind crowds and are looking for an easily accessible location, the Blue Ridge Parkway has great locations for you! There are restrictions on where you can have your actual ceremony, but you are free to explore the parkway and take portraits anywhere! I love planning Blue Ridge Parkway activities like hiking, driving the parkway in a convertible, or just having a mountain side picnic!

South Carolina

A small portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains extend into the Northwest corner of South Carolina. Since SC isn’t typically known for its mountains, this makes it a great spot for a mountain backdrop on your elopement day with less crowds! Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in SC which offers great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway extends from TN up through NC and into Virginia. It connects the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to Shenandoah National Park. Eloping in VA on the Blue Ridge Parkway has the same rules as NC, you must obtain a permit and follow any rules they might have. 

Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful place for your elopement. They have less strict requirements and you do not need a permit if there are less than 15 people at your elopement and there is no excess setup like chairs or arches. For 16 or more people, special use permits are required for an elopement. 

Seasons in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Each season is so unique in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While weather can vary from state to state, you can’t go wrong eloping any time of year here! Whether you are looking for a snowy mountain backdrop, colorful red and yellows on the cascading mountains in the fall or a hot day to go for a swim- you can do it here!

Winter

Winter can bring snow to most of the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially in VA, NC and some parts of TN. On rarer occasions, North Georgia can also see some snowfall! 

Winter is a great time for an elopement because the Blue Ridge Mountains tend to be less busy and crowded. While it can be cold, it’s also a fun time to add in a snowball fight or make snow angels for an elopement day activity and then cozy up around the fire for a romantic evening after saying your “I do’s”.

It is important to note that some roads can shut down due to snow or ice. It’s important to have back up plans, just in case the weather is truly unsafe and roads are closed!

Spring

Spring is one of my favorite times in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Everything is coming back to life after winter. The trees are vibrant shades of green, wildflowers are blooming and all the wildlife is out and about! 

Early May is one of my favorite times for an elopement. There are typically less crowds with great weather. Mornings and evenings can be cooler while the midday sun heats everything up to a great temperature!

Summer

Summers in the Blue Ridge Mountains can be HOT! While there is typically a breeze at higher elevations to keep you cool, hiking there can be difficult due to the heat and humidity. Summer is a great time to elope at a lake or waterfall and even cool off with a swim. It is also great to find those easily accessible drive up spots to keep you from overheating on a hike!

You can easily beat the heat in the summer by choosing a sunrise or sunset elopement. This will make sure you are out of the sun and maximize your privacy before others start hitting the trails! No matter what you choose, make sure to stay hydrated if you choose a summer elopement!

Fall

Fall is a very popular time to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains, and for good reason! The Fall foliage here is AMAZING!! Standing on top of a mountain looking out and seeing cascading shades of red, orange, yellow and gold will never cease to amaze me! This makes the perfect backdrop fro your elopement day. 

Fall also has milder weather which means less sweating and allows for more hiking to secluded spots! Fall is one of the busiest times of year for visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains so be prepared to have crowds and onlookers at your elopement!

Planning a Blue Ridge Mountain Elopement

Planning an elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountains can definitely feel overwhelming. It spans over such a variety of states, all with different rules and regulations- it can feel impossible to figure anything out. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful. 

One of the first things I always recommend to couples eloping is finding a photographer that specializes in elopements (oh hey there!). We are specialists for a reason and can help with all the planning. I help all of my couples find the perfect location, dream up their ideal elopement day, create timelines, and bring their dream to life through planning. I figure out what permits are needed, help secure them and walk my couples through the licensing process to make it legal. 

Would you go to a heart doctor if you were having knee pain? Probably (hopefully) not. So don’t just settle for a cheap photographer who doesn’t know anything about elopements. Do your research and find someone knowledgeable on eloping to save you time, energy and the stress of planning an elopement. 

If you are interested in eloping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, check out my Adventure Elopement Photographer page for all of my packages and offerings!

Eloping in the Blue Ridge Mountains

I can’t say enough great things about eloping in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Not only does it have spectacular views, but it also has the cutest mountain towns to explore and southern hospitality. No matter where you chose to elope, you will have the best day of your lives soaking in the views. If you are looking for someone to help plan and photograph your elopement, reach out to me!