Thinking about an Elopement in Asheville NC – Perhaps a Black Balsam Knob Wedding?
Check out this natural, outdoor setting near Asheville, NC! Black Balsam Knob is a beautiful spot with 360 degree views – just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
An Elopement in Asheville NC Experience
Clarin & Bobby – Part 1
Funny story … Clarin ALWAYS wanted to elope. As in “my mom remembers me talking about it since … well since forever.” After meeting Bobby, as their relationship grew – the desire only grew stronger. Then – he proposed. Discovering they were on the same page for their wedding, the next step was clear – plan an intimate elopement together in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Yet life had different plans for them. With so many family members and friends invested in their relationship, they took the high road and organized a large wedding event in downtown Greenville (at Grace Church). We were along to film their entire day as their wedding videographers – and you never would have known it wasn’t their “first choice.” Their positive, joyous spirits clearly shined through the day as they celebrated starting life together as husband and wife.
Still – they felt something had been left behind. Our hearts felt their struggle (just as we had wanted to have a smaller, Blue Ridge Parkway wedding when we said our vows many years ago) – and we wanted to help bring them the experience they had always wanted.
Starting the Journey … Together
Soon after their wedding day, we got back in touch with Clarin & Bobby to pitch them our idea – why not elope together now that the wedding is over? If you think about it, it’s not so crazy – many couples who embark on an elopement adventure are already married – having “made it official” at a courthouse beforehand in their home city or state, then journeying afar to experience their unique day together. In those cases, it’s a point of convenience (to keep the paperwork local and much more simple). For Clarin & Bobby – you could say we got creative with the same idea. Officially married in their home city, they could now adventure together in their own special way.
Of course, they jumped at the idea to create their perfect elopement experience! We walked them through the process we’ve created for intimate weddings & elopements – choosing locations and a time of year with an eye on weather patterns, National Forest and Blue Ridge Parkway jurisdictions & regulations – and of course based on their personalities & vision for what type of experience speaks to them as a couple.
We decided on an itinerary of 2 locations: A secluded & epic waterfall in Nantahala National Forest (Dill Falls) early afternoon, and Black Balsam Knob (Pisgah National Forest) close to golden hour – both an easy day-trip from Greenville, SC (our home base) or Asheville, NC.
August was the timeframe they preferred for many different reasons (busy life schedules for one!). This was also before leaf season, which could be ideal or not – depending on your desire for a backdrop. While the fall colors are nice, sometimes they detract from you (the couple!) as a subject. So late summer it was – but not without risk of mountain thunderstorms, for which we were ever vigilant.
Dill Falls – One of the Natural Waterfall Wedding Venues in NC
Why Dill Falls? Plenty of reasons, but first you need to see Clarin’s beaming smile with Bobby at her side. Looks like we made the right choice together!
Check out more photos of their waterfall elopement experience together!
Clarin & Bobby – Part 2
Enjoying a Black Balsam Knob Wedding Experience
After taking the time to experience the wonder of Dill Falls together, we chauffeured our beautiful couple to Black Balsam Knob – about 20-30 minutes away. As we drove higher in elevation, we loved feeling the cool mountain air after having left the heat of 90 degree summer days below in Greenville.
We setup a fun picnic for them to relax and take a moment to look back on their journey together – we loved capturing these two on photo and video. They take a few somber moments to talk about life – and then crack up with infectious laughter. So much fun to hang with these two!
When they weren’t laughing at each other (or more accurately, when Clarin wasn’t cracking up at Bobby’s corny jokes) they did share a few words with each other of thankfulness to the Lord for Him bringing them together. Before they met, they had both contemplated the possibility of never marrying – but never gave up either. Everyone still searching for that special someone should hear their story and draw inspiration from it.
Soon after they met, Bobby took to calling Clarin by such a sweet nickname … you are my “Sunshine.” Being quite the shopping geek, he searched high and low for the right gift for her to capture that sentiment – captured in this bracelet so well. (Funny story – what else he bought on that shopping trip. Watch the end of their Asheville elopement video to see what he did!)
Similarly, Bobby is the ever consummate engineer (and geek, we might add with endearment). He designed this ring himself – beautiful!
A Black Balsam Knob Elopement in Asheville, NC
While there is little to no phone service at Black Balsam Knob, we have found a spot or two were you can squeak through some data. With clouds moving in and out we were concerned with the weather, but saw that the typical afternoon thunderstorms were tracking away from us. Time to hike up to the views!
This is where “the moment” happened. It’s something we always watch for and what we work so hard to create for our couples – that moment when they look at each other, take in the views – and everything else just melts away. Sometimes they say “I’m so happy we decided to do this!” Other times, they look into each other’s eyes – and just sigh.
Followed by a dance together…
… and then stopping to take it all in.
Did we mention Bobby is funny? Meaning, REALLY funny? After popping some bubbly together, we all knew fairly quickly he wasn’t into the taste … and there is Clarin’s amazing laugh again!
Black Balsam Knob – a Great spot for Blue Ridge Mountain Weddings
Just as we were finishing up a champagne celebration – the sun pierced through the clouds with a beam reaching to the valley below. Without missing a beat, these two instantly reacted with the perfect dip together…
That began what looked like a chain reaction across the sky – soon the cloudy, foggy day we hoped wouldn’t break out into a thunderstorm – blessed us with a light show to remember.
One last time, taking a moment to reflect on the day – and finally reaching closure on the Asheville NC elopement they always wanted.
Not for long though – Bobby is always up to his wise-cracking, corny ways – and gets Clarin laughing once again. We love seeing the joy in these two!
Before running out of light on what turned out to be a beautiful (no rain!) summer afternoon, we hiked back down off of the mountain. What a great day together!
On the way back, we stopped at The Square Root restaurant in Brevard for dinner. (Did you know it is a dog friendly restaurant?)
Check out part 3 next where we bring it all together in their Asheville elopement experience video!
