What beautiful day for this Greenville, SC Elopement! An historic bridge, mountain creeks and a waterfall dip on this awesome adventure!
Jessica + Garrett
When we first spoke to Jessica and Garrett, we immediately knew we were about to have so much fun together! There was something about their sense of humor & light-heartedness that drew us in right away. Then when they started talking about getting in the water below a waterfall, we were all in to create their epic day!
The North Carolina mountains might get a lot of attention for adventure elopements, but there are so many unique places just to the south for a Greenville, SC Elopement. These two came to us intent on an elopement near Greenville and we had lots of ideas for them!
If you’re interested in eloping to the mountains of South Carolina, check out our resource How to Elope in SC & you might also be interested in taking a peek into how we create customized South Carolina Elopement Packages. We’ve lived in the area for years and would love to share with you all the great places for an adventure elopement!
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Poinsett Bridge Wedding | Greenville, SC Elopement
Jessica & Garrett had an idea of a unique bridge for the backdrop of their wedding ceremony, and we had the perfect historic find with Poinsett Bridge!
This is well known among area photographers for an engagement photo spot, but it’s so perfect for an elopement near Greenville. The architecture of the 19th century bridge frames so well for portraits & the creek running through adds an element of cool water on warm days in the south.
Poinsett Bridge is managed by Greenville Rec and is one of the top picks for free wedding venues in Greenville, SC! Pro-tip: weekdays are a perfect time to have this bridge all to yourself for an elopement ceremony.
We helped them find a nearby airbnb cabin so it was a short drive from there to the bridge. Then we let them take their time and explore the bridge and a little bit of the hiking trail that goes around it as well. This is one of the things we love so much about eloping – we had a “time” for the ceremony but not set in stone; it’s more important to relax and let the day come to you. When it feels right, then it’s time to say your vows and get married!
Ceremony at Poinsett Bridge
The really cool thing about the time leading up to their ceremony is how it had an air of spontaneity. It’s as if we glided along the path around and above the bridge, to land right at their ceremony spot and declare “let’s get married here!”
Shout out to our good friend Megan Roberts for officiating for Jessica & Garrett!
Taking time to enjoy the moment together
Have you ever been to a big wedding and immediately after the ceremony the couple is whisked away to take photos with everyone? Or sent into a receiving line, or straight to the reception? It’s like we got in our heads as a society that something must be scheduled right after the ceremony for the couple.
What if we just gave couples time after their ceremony to be in the moment?
That’s pretty much how we plan out elopements, with a gap in time after your ceremony – for pretty much whatever. It’s up to you!
For Jessica & Garrett, it was being able to pause life in a very real way, and just be – together.
First Dance Together | Greenville, SC Elopement
After their ceremony at Poinsett Bridge, we drove back towards their cabin – but first we stopped at a SC State Park just nearby. Just up the trail is a combination of boardwalks, bridges and three cascades of waterfalls into a mountain creek. This was just the place for their first dance and a little more adventuring before nightfall!
Let’s get in the water together | Waterfall Elopement Greenville, SC
Before we go any further – we should mention that this was planned out a bit ahead of time to make sure everyone would be ok. We had towels at the ready & a pop-up changing tent so Jessica & Garrett could get into dry clothes as quickly as possible, and this waterfall was only a short walk from the parking lot. This is all because hypothermia isn’t usually thought about until it’s really cold outside, but in reality it is a risk as temperatures fall into the mid-60s. This day was warm and in the 70s, but mountain valleys can cool off quickly – so it’s always important to be prepared!
All that to say we’re all about adventuring but doing so safely! (oh and just a quick note, Mark was in the water too taking these photos. Anything to get the right angle!)
These two wanted to finish off their day taking a plunge in the water next to a waterfall, and we knew of just the place with a shallow pool and just the right size waterfall. There are many cascades in the area that are incredibly tall that work well for photos on a rock in front of the falls, but not the right scale for that time you actually want to get into the water. We’ve been here with our kids many times before so we knew it would be a great option.
Somehow Garrett found an old pair of sunglasses hidden in the water. Too funny!
Free Download: Elopement Budget Spreadsheet
Campfire Celebration | Greenville SC Elopement
After drying off, we all headed back to their cabin and started a fire to warm up. This was an airbnb rental we helped them find for their elopement – a really unique place! Covered porch, fire pit and a mountain creek just nearby. Only a few minutes off of Highway 11 and convenient to so many great spots to adventure north of Greenville.
We all got the fire going and added countless tea light candles as accents. Smores and champagne are a great way to finish off of the day!
We are so thankful that this fun couple chose us for their elopement near Greenville, SC.
Congratulations Jessica & Garrett!
