Asheville Sunrise Elopement & Waterfall Adventure

Mary & Brian | Epic Mountain Sunrise & Waterfall Adventure Elopement in Asheville

Authenticity Meets Adventure in the Blue Ridge Mountains

When we first connected with Mary and Brian, it was clear they were a couple who loved forging their own path. With Brian’s extensive experience in the outdoor industry—he’s hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim, climbed mountains like Rainier, and backpacked internationally—it’s no surprise that adventure played a huge role in their relationship! Together, they’ve explored some big hikes out West, balancing Brian’s more rugged pace with Mary’s love for soaking in the views.

But when it came to their wedding, Mary and Brian were feeling stuck. “We’re a bit lost right now, to be honest,” they shared in their inquiry. “We are not so great with the details. We will take any and all guidance! We keep talking and talking and talking about what to do for this elopement, and we have now been engaged for a year.”

They dreamed of a day that was meaningful, adventurous, and all about their love for each other. The question was: where to begin?

That’s where we started with them — a vision of a day that needed to be crafted in just the right way to be the exhilarating and meaningful experience they were looking for.

The “Why” Behind Their Decision to Elope

Mary and Brian’s decision to elope came down to one thing: staying true to themselves.

“I have never wanted a big ceremony,” I remember Mary sharing with us. “For me, some traditions feel too rigid. We both don’t want the day to be overshadowed by family and others’ wishes. We want something simple and just want to share it with each other… and then share the video with others. Haha!”

Their love for adventure made an elopement feel like the perfect fit. By stepping away from tradition, they could focus on what mattered most: their emotions, their connection, and their shared love for nature. From the first time we talked we were all-in on creating the right adventure for them!

Their Elopement Vision

Mary and Brian envisioned a day that was adventurous, intimate, and symbolic of their new beginning together. While their vision was still vague, they loved the idea of:

• Watching the sunrise at a mountain summit, representing the start of their new life together.
• Exploring secluded trails and finding hidden gems like waterfalls.
• Wrapping up their day with a cozy picnic in the woods.

Brian also had one request: bringing his lifted Jeep Rubicon down for the day. “I’m pretty sure he just wants a photo in the Jeep together,” I remember Mary telling us!

Designing Their Elopement Experience

Mary and Brian came to us without a clear idea of where their elopement should take place. Having been engaged for a year and spending that time trying to figure out what was next, they were clearly stuck.

They were considering options all across the Southeast, including the coast. With our guidance, we narrowed in on the mountains of North Carolina—a location that perfectly matched their adventurous spirits and love for breathtaking landscapes.

Mountains and waterfalls were non-negotiables for their day, so we crafted a plan that combined one of our favorite mountain sunrise spots with a secluded waterfall off the beaten path. This balance of epic views and hidden gems gave Mary and Brian the intimate, awe-inspiring experience they were dreaming of.

We also designed a timeline that felt natural and unhurried, giving them the chance to fully immerse themselves in each moment. From warming up with coffee in the van at dawn to ending the day with a private picnic in the woods, every detail was intentionally planned to reflect their love and sense of adventure — to feel like a spontaneous day of exploring together where they also … just happened to get married at the same time.

Mary & Brian’s Elopement Story | Highlights Film

Feel what their experience was like! Press play to view their Highlights Film below:

Mary & Brian’s Elopement Story | Photo Gallery

Act I: Stars and Sunrise

The day began under a canopy of stars as we met up in the early morning hours. There was an air of quiet excitement as we prepared for the hike to their sunrise ceremony. Brian changed into his suit using the back of his Jeep Rubicon (he was pretty proud of that Jeep!), while Mary stayed warm in the van as we made fresh coffee to wake us all up. Lanterns lit the way as we set out through the forest, with the first light of dawn beginning to peek over the horizon. It was a windy morning, so just before we brought them up the mountain, we scouted out the best place to find a windbreak. 

Their ceremony was as intimate as it was meaningful. With just the two of them standing together as the sun rose, it felt like the rest of the world had disappeared. They had chosen to keep their vows completely private—not even captured on video—making the moment feel sacred and deeply personal.

One particularly moving detail was how Mary gently touched Brian’s arm as he spoke his vows. It was a quiet, tender gesture that radiated love and support. In that moment, the connection between them was palpable, and it was clear this was more than a ceremony—it was the beginning of their life together, built on a foundation of deep love and understanding.

As the sun painted the sky with hues of purple, orange, and gold, they committed their lives together in this intimate moment, with the sheer joy of knowing this moment was truly theirs.

Act II: Mountain Adventure

After their ceremony, we popped champagne to celebrate! Then they continued exploring the mountain, hand in hand on the trial. Mary and Brian embraced the moment, hiking to a higher viewpoint for panoramic views of the Blue Ridge, and taking the time to sit together and enjoy all the views as the sun brought it’s warmth to all of us on this amazing day. On the way back down, we saw them skipping along the trail, laughing and soaking in every moment!

Act III: Hidden Waterfalls and Quiet Forests

Next, we headed to one of our favorite hidden waterfalls—a spot that requires a bit of bushwhacking to reach. Mary and Brian were all in, eager to discover this secluded gem. Standing by the waterfall, dipping their toes in the cool water, and taking in the quiet beauty around them, it felt like they were the only two people in the world. We were so happy to share this special spot with them!

All that adventure seeking makes for a good appetite, but we had the perfect ending of their day; to finish with a luxury picnic beneath towering evergreens. The peaceful forest setting was the perfect place to reflect on their incredible day and toast to their future together.

Personalized Elements of Their Day

Mary and Brian’s elopement was filled with unique touches that made it entirely their own, such as:

Mary’s Accessories: Mary wore the coolest white hiking boots that perfectly matched her wedding outfit!

Completely Private Vows: They chose to keep their vows completely private, a deeply personal moment shared only between the two of them. We kept our distance and honestly didn’t hear a single word, giving them the space they needed to be completely immersed in the moment.

Brian’s Jeep: Brian was a big fan of his Jeep Rubicon, driving it all the way down to NC from Wisconsin!

Yes, I do! Illustration: Brian took the time to draw a fun cartoon of the two of them on the back of his vows, saying “I do!” at the top of the mountain. Loved it!

What They Had to Say About Their Day

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Mark and Carolyn didn’t just handle the photography, videography, and more—they became a part of our journey. Their kindness, understanding, and incredible communication made the entire process feel effortless.

Their deep knowledge of our elopement location, including hidden trails and secret waterfalls, added a magical element to our ceremony that we never could have planned on our own.

They didn’t just document our elopement; they brought an incredible warmth and joy that made our day truly unforgettable. We would recommend StoryBright Films in a heartbeat to anyone who wants their love story told with the care it deserves.”

Mary and Brian, it was an absolute honor to be part of your journey. Your love for each other and your adventurous spirits inspired us every step of the way. Thank you for trusting us to help create and capture your incredible day!

Our Partners in Creating Their Adventure

A big thank you to these incredible vendors who helped make Mary and Brian’s day so special:

• Hair & Makeup: Brushes and Braids
• Luxury Picnic: Picnic Pop-Up AVL
• Cake: Short Street Cakes

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Ready to start creating your personalized experience?

The reality of planning a completely customized elopement is that there are many details to pull off the perfect experience. It is a lot more than just finding a beautiful place to get married! If you want expert help putting it all together, we are here to help!

Let’s create something unforgettable together!