Looking for an Asheville Elopement Photographer that truly knows how to plan the right elopement experience for you? Here’s our tips on things you should ask your photographer so there are no surprises for your wedding day.
Questions you should ask your Asheville Elopement Photographer
For even more in-depth info on eloping to the mountains, check out our complete Elopement Guide below!
How well do you know the area for Asheville Elopement locations?
While there are options to choose from these days for Asheville elopement photographers these days, it’s critically important for your photographer to have an in-depth understanding of the area.
This is important for three BIG reasons:
- Without intimate knowledge of the area, you photographer will be limited to using the popular spots that everyone else wants to use for their elopement. On the other hand, a true local knows spots with less crowds (even in busy seasons) to provide you with a more private and intimate experience.
- Similar to above, a lack of local knowledge means your photographer will not be able to react on the fly if plans go awry. Sometimes weather or other circumstances keep you from your primary ceremony spot in the mountains. A photographer that knows the area can lead you to a suitable backup spot. Otherwise, everyone is left with that awkward situation of “what do we do now?”
- Lastly, some photographers might try to take you to a location that they have never seen before in person. Finding a spot through Google maps or Instagram is not the same thing as personally experiencing the location! Usually, the best crowd-free times for eloping in the mountains are dawn or sunset. When you are hiking in the dark, do you want to place your trust in someone who hasn’t been there at all?
What temperatures and weather can we expect for our elopement date on-location?
This is the next important question to which your Asheville Elopement photographer MUST know the answer.
Conditions in the mountains of Asheville vary drastically from what one would expect in town. Only a photographer who has lived in the area and experienced the weather first-hand can take you beyond the predictions of a weather app. Different areas have their own micro climates, and it’s important to have a handle on what you can expect for your wedding day.
When your elopement photographer knows the weather well, they’ll recommend clothing options for you to maximize your comfort. For example, on a sunny summer day in town, some mountain peaks can be overcast and cool. If you don’t know ahead of time to bring a suitable layer, your wedding ceremony will be much less enjoyable than it could be!
What are your backup plans if something doesn’t go exactly right?
Here’s a secret you ought to know about adventure elopements – something always goes a little off-plan. Not to scare you away, but it’s just a fact of life that plans always change, even just a little bit.
Sometimes, things have the potential to go completely off the rails.
Have you ever heard of the following situations?
- Thunderstorms in the area roll in and there are concerns of lightning on top of the mountain.
- Park roads are unexpectedly closed with no explanation from the Park Service.
- Rain turns your outdoor ceremony spot into a washout.
- A literal bus full of people unload at the trailhead leading to your ceremony spot and create an unexpected crowd.
We have seen all this and more happen. In each case we kept our clients safe, comfortable and happy because we had multiple backup options ready – just in case.
What else should we know about an adventure elopement in Asheville?
One myth we see about adventure elopements, is this misconception that they don’t require much planning. Honestly, if there isn’t much planning – something is VERY wrong.
We would say the questions above are the “big three” but so much more goes into making sure your day goes right. More examples of what to ask your Asheville Elopement Photographer:
- Do you help us with permits?
- Do you have direct contact with the permit offices to resolve any issues?
- What should I wear for my wedding day? What should I not wear?
- Just in case of weather, what should I bring?
- What do you bring to prepare for the unexpected? (tip: we have a LONG list of what we bring from our years of experience in the mountains)
In fact, we put so much effort into planning for your elopement that we’ve created a guide for you to see and visualize the experience. Feel free to check it out below!
For even more in-depth info on eloping to the mountains, check out our complete Elopement Guide below!
Looking for an experienced elopement photographer who knows the Asheville area well? We’re a husband and wife team who love adventuring together and can’t get enough of corny jokes. Reach out to us – we promise you we’re good for a laugh!
