Mountaintop Winter Wedding: Abigail & Dane
Sometimes I focus on just photography on a couple’s elopement day, and Abigail and Dane’s sweet, intimate sunrise wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains was one of those times.
These two planned a half-day adventure and filled it with little moments to soak in the best of Western North Carolina. They first met each other at a work dinner—she had just started working at a pet kennel where he used to work full time, and he went back to help out over the holidays. From there, their relationship grew into something quiet and steady. In their words, “Our relationship is very trusting and patient. We listen to each other and always give each other room to express our feelings and listen.” You could feel that ease between them the entire morning.
We started their day with an intimate sunrise ceremony on a mountaintop, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Waking up before dawn meant almost no one else was around—just the quiet mountains and the soft glow of the first light. That early hour gave them space to be fully present, to take in the view, and to enjoy the adventure of just being together. Sunrise has this way of stretching out time, letting the world feel fresh and new, which was exactly what this morning called for.
As the sun rose, we made our way down into the forest for more traditional wedding-style moments and photos. The soft golden light filtered through the trees, highlighting laughter, quiet glances, and the little moments that make a day feel truly theirs. Planning around sunrise gave them both privacy and peace on the mountaintop, plus a relaxed pace for the rest of their celebration—proof that a little planning goes a long way when you want your day to feel personal, intentional, and unforgettable.
The Elopement Need-to-Knows:
Their Package: Half (6 Hours)
Time of Day: Morning / Sunrise
Location: Blue Ridge Parkway & Pisgah National Forest
A Chilly Mountain Ascent
Before the sun even started to peek over the horizon, we were packing up at the car in the dark, layering up against the chilly morning air and getting our headlamps ready. The quiet of the parking lot made the whole thing feel like the start of a real adventure—just us and the trail ahead.
The hike up to the viewpoint was magical in its own way. Light from our headlamps cut through the darkness, casting long shadows on the trail and making the forest feel both mysterious and intimate. Once we reached the top, the sky was starting to shift from deep purple to soft pink, and we took a few early photos in that low, glowing light. There was something unreal about the contrast of the darkness fading into color—the perfect start to the day and the perfect backdrop for documenting the first moments of their mountaintop ceremony.
Getting Ready Together
Once we reached the top, Kirsty and Nick settled in to get ready together. There wasn’t any rush—just a quiet, intentional time to help each other with the small details. Nick helped with jackets, Kirsty adjusted the dress, and together they worked on floral touches and little finishing touches.
It was simple, unhurried, and full of the kind of small, real moments that make a day feel completely theirs. You could see how much care and attention they put into supporting one another—it wasn’t just getting ready, it was part of the experience of being together on the mountaintop.
Sunrise Views
As the sun began to rise, the sky lit up with soft pinks and oranges, and we took some quiet moments to capture portraits of Kirsty and Nick together. These weren’t just photos—they were images they’ll look back on years from now, moments that will remind them of this morning, the light, the mountains, and the way they felt in that exact moment.
The soft glow of the early light, the stillness of the mountaintop, and their connection made every shot feel personal and timeless. These are the kinds of photos that don’t just capture a look—they capture a feeling, a memory, a story that will be cherished forever.
Warming Up
Once we were on the mountaintop, it became clear just how cold it was. The wind was biting, so Kirsty and Nick wrapped themselves in fuzzy blankets and sipped on some warm tea to take the edge off. At one point, we even ducked down below a rock wall to get a little shelter from the frigid gusts. I particularly loved the classic picnic basket they brought to add a fun detail to the day.
Even with the cold, there was something fun and real about it—the kind of day that makes memories stick. Between the blankets, the tea, and the cozy moments together, they were still able to enjoy the mountaintop and each other, making the morning uniquely theirs.
“Breathing in crisp air and feeling warm sunshine was such a grounding feeling that would've been missed if we had a "traditional" ceremony. I wouldn't have changed a thing and love getting to share the photos we have.”
— Abigail & Dane
Exploring the Parkway
After the mountaintop, we made our way down and onto one of the quiet stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway. With almost no one around, we stopped in front of the classic tunnels to take some fun, playful photos. Kirsty and Nick ran along the yellow lines, laughing and letting loose, fully enjoying the moment.
Forest Breakfast Picnic
Next, we moved down to a quieter spot near a waterfall. Kirsty and Nick unpacked their gorgeous granola breakfasts and settled onto a log, taking a moment to chat about the morning adventure so far. The sound of the water, the warmth of their food, and the calm after the mountaintop made it feel like the perfect pause in their day.
It was simple, relaxed, and exactly the kind of time that makes an elopement feel personal—just enjoying each other, reflecting on the morning, and soaking in the beauty around them.
Vows and a First Dance
After breakfast, we headed to a quiet spot by a creek, where Kirsty and Nick shared their vows. The sound of the water, the soft light filtering through the trees, and the peaceful forest made it feel intimate and personal—exactly what they had wanted for their day.
Once their vows were complete, they had a spontaneous first dance right there among the trees. The forest became their private dance floor, and for a few minutes, it was just them moving together, enjoying the morning, and celebrating in a way that felt completely theirs.
“I get easily overwhelmed by large crowds and being the center of attention, and Kathryn made me confident that having a ceremony with just us was going to be ideal.”
— Abigail & Dane
Sweet Treat Celebrations
To wrap up the celebrations of the morning, Kirsty and Nick popped some champagne and enjoyed a little cake right there on the dirt and pine-needle-covered ground. There was no table, no formal setup—just them, their celebration, and the forest surrounding them. It was simple, relaxed, and joyful, the kind of moment that perfectly fit their day: personal & playful.
Barefoot Waterfall Finale
The celebration didn’t stop there. After champagne and cake, Kirsty and Nick headed down to the waterfall, kicking off their shoes and letting their feet touch the cool, rushing water. It was playful, freeing, and just so them—another moment of laughter and connection in the middle of their adventure.
Being barefoot by the waterfall added a relaxed, joyful close to the morning, letting them soak in the final part of their half-day elopement in a way that felt grounding.
★★★★★
A Love Note from the Couple
“Knowing I'd wanted a small ceremony my whole life, it wasn't until I found Kathryn's Instagram by accident that I knew eloping in the mountains was my best option. Getting married during Covid was a challenge, but a welcome opportunity to elope. Previously living in Swannanoa made me trust Kathryn's knowledge of the Asheville area to make a plan that worked for us, and she did not disappoint!
I get easily overwhelmed by large crowds and being the center of attention, and Kathryn made me confident that having a ceremony with just us was going to be ideal. You are welcome to include family and close friends if that's your preference, but we kept it simple and had just the two of us. We received questionnaires and phone calls to go over things, and honestly the planning was the easiest part of the whole experience - getting our notary meeting was more complicated than getting things set up for our day!
We had sunrise tea time, lunch in the woods, and champagne by a waterfall. The only downside to the day was how windy it ended up being - my hands were frozen, so getting dressed by myself was impossible, but that's what makes it an adventure! Breathing in crisp air and feeling warm sunshine was such a grounding feeling that would've been missed if we had a "traditional" ceremony. I wouldn't have changed a thing and love getting to share the photos we have - something so small and simple I tell everyone about is that Kathryn also carried a Polaroid camera with her to take some candids along the way. We obviously received so many photos from the day that we can save/print, but I hold the instant photos close to my heart from the memory of taking them. I keep them on our fridge so visitors can experience it too :')”
