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Adventure Elopement Packages
A Carefree Experience for Brides and Grooms
Forget about cookie cutter "all inclusive" elopements where you have a few limited choices. We believe that just creates a smaller version of "everyone else's wedding day."
Instead, we focus on your hearts' desire for your dream day, and craft your experience to be a beautiful celebration of you.
Your Personalized Celebration
Take a moment and forget everything that the big wedding industry forces on couples. No rushed timelines, awkward posing, or missing out on a chance to eat the whole day (yes, this happens all the time!)
Think of the fun adventures you like to experience together, and combine that with all the emotion of getting married. That's the kind of day you deserve!
Adventurous
We know what you're looking for because we lived the world of traditional weddings from both sides.
As bride and groom at our own wedding and as photographers for when we (used to) be a part of the big wedding industry, we know all the stress you want to avoid.
We are here to handle all the details so you can relax and enjoy your day!
Carefree
The elopement experience you've been looking for...
We believe in celebrating marriage in the beauty of God's Creation.
Psalm 95:4-5
Mark & Carolyn + the Team
❤️🙏
We've learned a thing or two after adventuring in the Blue Ridge Mountains for over 20 years. We're here to share with you all of our local knowledge, every nuance of the weather in each season, and cover all the details of your wedding day.
We aren't typical "hire and forget" wedding vendors. After all the text and email messages back and forth, helping you answer all the "how do I" questions - we're definitely going to be friends. The kind of friends that pack in a pop-up changing tent for you, bring extra water for you, and a spare bottle of champagne just in case y'all want a redo for the perfect shot.
This is our calling - to serve you on your wedding day and bring you the best experience. EVER. Reach out to us today, reserve your date before it's gone & let's get started on creating your best day ever!
Let's create the experience you've always wanted together.
your carefree & Adventurous wedding day
Travel: Getting us to your destination is included in each package. No hidden fees!
Planning for weather backup locations
Managing all the details of your day like communicating with vendors and guests
Bringing "Just in case" gear like headlamps, hand warmers, snacks...
Wedding Day Coordination & Support: Handling all the little details for you:
Packages from Ceremony to Multi-day coverage with Mark & Carolyn, Rebekah, or Sara
Gorgeous, hi-res digital photography
Full printing rights for personal use
Online gallery to mark favorites, order prints & share with family and friends
Photography coverage by our talented team:
Access to our Comprehensive Elopement planning resources which include:
Consulting for your best-match locations & nearby cabins/airbnbs
Location scouting of your chosen spots
Timeline of your Elopement Day - customized for you
Assistance matching you with vendors for hair, make-up, officiant, cake & florals
Planning Questionnaire to help you envision your day
Elopement Planning Reference Guide (all the details you'd want to know!)
Personalized, online portal to visualize your choice of elopement locations & planning details
Elopement Planning Expertise:
Take advantage of our team's combined local knowledge of the Blue Ridge Mountains to plan your perfect day:
5100 to 9800
Packages range from:
Planning the perfect elopement still means handling just as many details as a big wedding. But with us, you don't have to experience any of the big wedding stress.
Eloping with us means just focusing on what you want to experience together as you celebrate your love.
Maybe you want to get away from the crowds and hike into the wilderness to a peak that feels all your own. Or you want to combine a traditional ceremony with family at an accessible overlook, a small Airbnb reception, then end your day with a hike to catch sunset - just the two of you. No matter your vision, this is your beautiful day from start to end. A day worth capturing in total - because it is uniquely about you.
Expert help to craft your perfect wedding day adventure.
leave all the planning stress behind!
Included IN every elopement Package:
Our Carefree planning process!
While we LOVE the outdoors, the reality of getting married in far off places means you have to do without some of the comforts of a traditional wedding venue.
Or do you?
For most* of our elopements, our van comes along for the ride. This means you'll always have:
A private place to change.
A clean restroom at the ready.
Need to shower? Got you covered.
Want to keep your picnic cold? Use our fridge.
Getting cold out and need to warm up? Let's turn on the heat and make some coffee for you.
We really mean it when we say we're here to show you an amazing time!
Meet Our Van: The ultimate Elopement support vehicle.
Included when you book with Mark & CArolyn!*
we literally think of everything for you.
*Our van cannot make it to some off-road destinations. Exclusions may apply.
Press play to watch!
Watch this completely unscripted testimonial to find out!
But what does it really feel like to elope with us?
Meet your "More Than" Photographers
Our heart's desire is for you to feel loved and cared for throughout your entire experience.
From our very first planning steps together, we come alongside you to immerse ourselves in your vision, and then take you through the steps to effortlessly make it a reality.
Behind the scenes, we are preparing for your every need should it arise. Water bottles if you're thirsty. Bug spray for the gnats. A warm blanket for a cold wind. Umbrellas for the rain.
Throughout it all, we are your biggest fans; celebrating alongside you and showing you just how awesome your wedding day can be without a care in the world.
Just have a look at what couples have said about eloping with us!
You deserve a day to celebrate your love without a care in the world.
"Organized and detail oriented ... y'all were a HUGE stress reliever!"
Ashley + Nick
"We could not have possibly had a better day. If we could leave 10 stars we would!"
John + Catherine
"You are both magical! Your kindness to us and love for each other stands out."
Samantha + Aaron
AM:
Getting ready at your Asheville AirBnB
Drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway to your spot
Saying your vows just as the sun lights up the sky
Adventuring on a nearby trail
Taking time to be in the moment
Enjoy a champagne celebration and picnic lunch together
Itinerary inspiration: Blue Ridge Mountain Elopement
PM:
Drive back to your AirBnB
Downtime after lunch
Welcome reception for closest family and friends
Group photos
Private dinner from a local farm-to-table chef
Campfire toasts and celebration!
AM:
Head out from AirBnB
Arrive at a "secret" trailhead
Hike to a secluded waterfall
Epic portraits & fun with the water!
Back to the AirBnB for lunch
Extend the adventure the next day!
Experience your own carefree adventure
testimonials from our couples
Wow! There are not enough words to express how blessed we feel to have had Mark and Carolyn as a part of our wedding day! They were extremely responsive to every email, easy to talk to, and overall just super FUN people to get to know!
Not only did they photograph our wedding, but they also helped us through the entire planning process. Their thoughtful suggestions, research on the perfect location in Shenandoah National Park, attention to detail, and months of planning created the most beautiful and perfect day… truly so meaningful and better than we ever dreamed of or imagined possible!
Mark and Carolyn are the type of people that you meet and never forget. They have the warmth of family and the spirit of an energetic child. They are so kind and so passionate about creating unique and intimate wedding celebrations.
We are speechless about our entire experience. Absolutely grateful that we just happen to come across their website and send them a quick email. If you’re looking for a professional and adventurous photographer for an extraordinary wedding experience, look no further.
We would recommend Story Bright Films to anyone! They will produce stunning photos and an experience you’ll cherish forever.
"Mark and Carolyn are the type of people that you meet and never forget. They have the warmth of family and the spirit of an energetic child"
Kristianne, Karl and Gracie
Mark and Carolyn were the perfect match for our anniversary adventure shoot! We had a pretty traditional wedding so we really wanted this experience to reflect our personalities, including our love of hiking, backpacking, and all things outdoors.
From our first contact with them, we could tell how passionate they are about helping couples have a unique and authentic experience. They really want to help bring your vision of a perfect day to life.
Mark and Carolyn have the planning down pat and remove all the worry that you've forgotten something. My husband and I were truly able to focus on each other and having an awesome day. Mark and Carolyn know all of the best spots in the Blue Ridge Mountains for amazing views and no crowds. We couldn't believe how private the day felt. They were completely on board with us incorporating our hiking shoes, backpacks, and dog; all of our essentials for a great day in the woods.
The weather wasn't on our side that day, but Mark and Carolyn had several backup plans and made sure we still had an amazing time. The photos and videos are incredible! We love looking through them and can't believe how well they capture our personalities and some of our favorite places. We were worried we would feel awkward on camera, but Mark and Carolyn know how to talk you through it and make it feel completely natural. We were thrilled to have them help craft the perfect anniversary adventure and are so thankful to have their beautiful work to remember the day by!
"Mark and Carolyn have the planning down pat ... my husband and I were truly able to focus on each other and have an awesome day."
Andrea, Jarred and Kona
Mark and Carolyn were absolutely amazing during our whole experience with them. The phone calls were fun and they took everything we said to heart and made it come to life.
We wanted a fun elopement and they were willing to do anything to make it happen. 3 weeks before our wedding day, we called them saying we wanted to move our wedding to a different state, hundreds of miles from the original place. They never skipped a beat, and immediately changed their plans.
They came so prepared for our special day and we had the most fun time taking pictures with them! I can assuredly say they played such a huge role and it went much smoother than I could’ve ever imagined.
"We wanted a fun elopement and Mark & Carolyn were willing to do anything to make it happen"
Hannah & AJ
There are not enough kind words to say about Mark and Carolyn! They truly made our wedding experience so unique and beautiful.
The process leading up to our day was so simple, the two of them have got this down to a true science. Mark and Carolyn are open to so many places to explore, but also showcase so many places they have already explored.
They both answered any question we had so quickly, they provided many options to make our day even more special to us. And on top of that, their bright personalities melded so well with ours and it really just made the day that much better.
Also, the pictures we got from them are absolutely stunning. Wow. If I had to go back, I would choose them time after time. Seriously, could not recommend enough!
"There are not enough kind words to say about Mark and Carolyn! They truly made our wedding experience so unique and beautiful. "
Stormy & Sergio
I can’t say enough great things about Mark and Carolyn with Story Bright Films!
They are truly some of the best people and their passion for the Lord and making your wedding story authentic is incredible. They prayed for us throughout our planning process, checked up on us periodically, genuinely wanted to learn and know about us and our family, they are super funny and sweet, swatted gnats away from us during sunset photos with a towel, dug through my disastrous diaper bag to find a letter I had written to Brandon and forgotten and never once did they make us feel uncomfortable while capturing the day.
Honestly, they fit right in and made it feel and seem very natural. Mark and Carolyn are your people. I promise you will be blessed just by reaching out to them and meeting such a great couple.
"Mark and Carolyn are your people ... you will be blessed just by reaching out to them!"
Shelby & Brandon
Mark and Carolyn did an amazing job ... the highlight video is incredible!
The moments he chose to include in the highlight film are perfect. His video really tells the story of us, and he makes it all come alive. He captured the audio from our first look, and other very special candid moments where neither my husband nor I knew we were being filmed.
I would highly recommend Story Bright Films because they are very professional, easy to work with, and you can clearly see their passion for their work! Thank you so much for your hard work and helping us remember such an amazing day!
"Thank you so much for your hard work and helping us remember such an amazing day!"
Jackie & Kyle
Hector & Brianna
My husband and I had the BEST experience with Story Bright Films....we were incredibly blessed to find Mark & Carolyn! They took the time to really get to know us and our story ... one of the kindest, most talented vendors we worked with!
They always responded to my texts and emails right away, and the turnaround time was quite reasonable. We cannot recommend Story Bright Films highly enough!
"We were incredibly blessed to find Mark and Carolyn!"
Q & A
We're here for any of your questions!
We can definitely help you answer this on our phone or Zoom consult! Everyone's needs are different, and we can show you example timelines of our prior elopements to help you visualize how everything can come together for your elopement.
Our best analogy for deciding on coverage: It's like planning a vacation away from it all.
Taking a trip for a month away let's you forget about everything else and decompress vs. taking a day off where you really don't get a chance to forget about "work."
This is like choosing a package! Want to truly forget about everything and enjoy your experience to it's fullest? Then our multi-day package is what you'll want.
One quick note: Mark & Carolyn are typically only available to book Complete Day and Multi-day packages - thank you for your understanding!
Our calendar opens up on an 18 month window; peak season dates book up about a year in advance. The sweet spot for planning is to book your date 9-12 months ahead of time to not have any details overwhelm you. We have planned elopements in less than 2 months, but it's always best to have more time so you're not in a rush!
Of course! Some of the sweetest elopements we've witnessed are with close family and friends along. Please just take our word of caution - this day needs to be about YOU & not about satisfying anyone else's opinion of what your day should look like.
We've handled LOTS of family elopements and would love to share our tips with you!
Yes! We shoot in a storytelling "cinematic" style. Our Highlights Films are 6-9 minutes and capture ALL the emotion of your day together. Video is especially useful to share with family and friends back home after you elope - for example at a reeption party! You can see what our style is like on our Porfolio page (scroll to the bottom of the page).
Videography is available as an upgrade to any of our packages.
We will always have backup plans at the ready! If it's unsafe on top of the mountain (thunderstorms for example) then we will have backup plans at a lower elevation just in case. And in case you're wondering about your photos, actually photography in the rain can come out EPIC! For more reading check out our blog post What about Rain on my Wedding Day?
Generally, no. Elopements are a very specialized niche of weddings and we believe in focusing 100% on the client experience that our couples depend on us for. We typically only plan and photograph elopements up to 25 guests (and strongly recommend a size of 15 or less). This is because the natural areas and public lands we visit for elopements simply cannot be treated the same as a big barn wedding venue. A few locations will go up to 30-40, but they aren't very common.
However we do sometimes work for couples who want a blended experience - for example an adventurous elopement for just the two of you and then a larger reception later in the day, or the next day. Or we have planned and photographed days that are a mix of adventure for just you and a ceremony at a venue which can handle 50+ people!
Please reach out to us if you want to chat more about the kind of day we can create together!
Of course! Just let us know in your contact form if you have a preference! Check out our About Pages for sure. You may be drawn to Mark & Carolyn as your husband and wife team for your day, love the energy of Rebekah as she meets your every need, or want to embark on an adventurous hike with Sara. Just let us know!
If you're not sure, please describe as much as you can to us in the contact form what you're looking for in your day, location, and your date flexibility. Then we can match you with the best fit from our team for your day!
One quick note: Mark & Carolyn are typically only available to book Complete Day and Multi-day packages - thank you for your understanding!
For adventurous Brides and grooms
Ready to experience your carefree day? Send us a message below!
Psalm 95:4-5
Mark & Carolyn
For adventure proposals, engagement sessions
& Vow Renewals,
please email us for Our current availability.
For Adventure Elopements, please use our contact form below!
