Forest Elopement in the NC Mountains: Sallee & Daniel
A laid-back celebration in the heart of North Carolina’s woods, where Sallee and Daniel’s connection took center stage.
Sallee and Daniel wanted a wedding day that truly reflected who they are and what they love most—adventure, nature, and being completely themselves. As locals here in North Carolina, an elopement in the mountains felt like the perfect fit.
Funny enough, the spot I suggested was actually the very first place Daniel took Sallee backpacking. The moment they saw it on my list, they both knew it was exactly where they wanted to say their vows and start this new chapter together.
We shaped their day around all the things that felt right for them—sharing it with just a few close loved ones, camping under the stars, swinging in hammocks, cracking open a few beers, and settling in around the campfire as the evening faded. It was relaxed, deeply personal, and full of the kind of joy that only comes when you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
The Elopement Need-to-Knows:
Their Package: Half (6 Hours)
Time of Day: Evening / Sunset
Location: Nantahala National Forest
Campsite Bound
Our adventure kicked off with a gentle hike from the parking lot to Sallee and Daniel’s campsite—about 1.5 miles through the beautiful North Carolina forest. I always plan for roughly an hour per mile on elopement days, because it’s not just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about soaking up the sights, taking in the fresh mountain air, and stopping to capture those quiet, meaningful moments along the way.
We moved at a relaxed pace, pausing now and then to admire wildflowers and ferns, listen to the rustling leaves, and snap some photos and film some video that really tell the story of their day. It’s in those little pauses that the magic happens—the laughter, the quiet looks, the shared excitement for what’s to come.
Easing into the Evening
Luckily, Daniel had gotten a head start earlier that day, hiking out to set up their tent and snag their perfect campsite. When you’re out in the backcountry without reservations, there’s always that little bit of uncertainty about whether the spot you want will still be there.
These two worked together like a dream team, quickly pitching their cozy North Face backpacking tent with ease. And thank goodness they did—because when a surprise rainstorm rolled in, Sallee and I happily took shelter inside while Daniel made his way back down the trailhead to meet his mom and kids.
It was one of those little moments that remind you how teamwork and a bit of prep go a long way when you’re living your adventure.
A Forest Bridal Suite
I loved how simple and natural Sallee kept her makeup—it felt perfectly in tune with the calm and quiet energy of the forest around us. This part of the day was such a sweet, simple ritual—a little moment of calm to prepare for all the emotions Sallee and Daniel were about to share during their ceremony.
Honestly, I adore the idea of the forest as a “bridal suite.” There’s something so special about mother nature quietly wrapping you up in her beauty, offering a peaceful and stunning space for couples to get ready. To me, those natural moments always feel more genuine and grounded than any traditional dressing room ever could.
The Family Gathers
One of the most touching parts of the day was seeing Daniel’s young boys helping him get ready—and how Daniel gently helped them in return. You could feel the quiet love and connection between them, a beautiful glimpse into their growing family.
For Sallee, these moments were even more meaningful, as she prepares to become a stepmother to these sweet boys. Watching them all share this simple, personal ritual together, through the photos and video later, made the day feel even more full of hope, new beginnings, and the kind of love that builds family beyond biology.
These small, everyday acts of care and togetherness are the kinds of memories that stick—and they perfectly captured the spirit of this day for everyone involved.
“Kathryn guided us seamlessly through our time, ideas, thoughts and planning. She had grace and put heart into everything she did to make our day just what we wanted it to be.”
— Sallee & Daniel
The First Look
When Sallee walked up to him, framed by a lush, colorful backdrop of the forest’s vibrant greens and dappled sunlight, it felt like time slowed down just for them. When she reached Daniel, they hugged and quietly giggled trying to hold back tears. That physical connection—the simple, quiet closeness—was so powerful. You could see the depth of their bond in that small gesture, as if the world around them faded away and it was just the two of them, fully present and completely connected.
Daniel began their first look by reading a letter from Sallee, with the heartfelt note to “open before you marry me.” As he read her words, she gently rested her head on his shoulder and the moment was filled with quiet emotion and a tender stillness that you could almost feel in the air.
The floral details made the moment even more personal: Daniel’s boutonniere was crafted from dried flowers Daniel and his boys had given Sallee over the years, and Sallee wore a matching floral wristlet with the same mix of blooms. Afterwards she gifted mini versions of the boutonniere for the boys to wear during the ceremony, so they were all connected. It was a beautiful symbol of their shared history, woven right into the fabric of their day.
Ceremony Among the Trees
Their ceremony took place in a quiet spot surrounded by tall trees and all the peaceful vibes the forest brings. It felt super personal and just right for them—like the whole place was holding space for what they were about to share.
The sounds of nature around them—the rustling leaves, soft birdcalls—added this calm, cozy feeling that made the moment even more special.
If you want to get a sense of how heartfelt and beautiful their vows were, be sure to check out the video at the top! Their words were full of emotion and so genuine—it’s the kind of moment that sticks with you long after the day is over.
Time Together by the Falls
After the kids, grandma, and officiant headed off, Sallee and Daniel took some quiet time to just be together. We made our way barefoot to the nearby falls—a spot that held a lot of memories for them.
As they wandered along the rocks and splashed in the cool water, they kept reminiscing about all the time that had passed since they were last there. It was this sweet mix of nostalgia and new beginnings, soaking in the moment and each other.
There wasn’t any rush—just easy laughter, gentle connection, and the kind of peaceful adventure that makes these days unforgettable.
“Kind. Caring. Skilled. Understanding. Communicative. Flexible. Relaxed. Creative. Friendly…are a list of words that come to mind when I think of Kathryn and the hard work and effort she provided to my husband and I for our elopement day.”
— Sallee & Daniel
Returning to the Campsite
This was our chance to get some hiking portraits with Sallee and Daniel dressed in their wedding clothes—since earlier in the day they’d hiked up in regular gear, we hadn’t gotten to those yet. The forest was so vibrant and green, I didn’t want to touch the colors at all—Mother Nature really outdid herself that day!
As always, we took our time heading back up the trail, soaking in the views and the quiet around us. Along the way, we even spotted some wild blueberries—one of my favorite little surprises when hiking in North Carolina. It’s like finding a sweet, tiny treasure tucked into the forest floor, and it felt like the perfect bonus for the day.
Eventually, we made it back to their cozy little campsite—what I like to call their “honeymoon suite”—complete with an amazing view for the night. We had planned to relax with some cold beers, enjoy dinner and snacks, watch the sunset, and spend time swinging in hammocks.
Though the clouds rolled in and mostly blocked the sunset, and we ran out of time for a full dinner, we didn’t miss out on the important stuff—hammock time, cheers with cold beers, and gathering around a warm campfire.
Gathered by the Fire
Unfortunately, the clouds rolled in fully, so the stars were a no-show that night. But we still got some really beautiful moments captured during hammock time and around the campfire. Daniel somehow worked magic, building a warm, glowing fire out of damp forest wood—it was seriously impressive!
At 9:30pm, our coverage wrapped up, and we said our goodbyes—which are always tough, since I usually feel like I’ve made new fast friends. I headed back down the trail in the dark, giving Sallee and Daniel the privacy to enjoy their cozy little campsite for the night.
The next morning, they sent me the sweetest texts—photos of their camp breakfast, topped with a handful of wild blueberries. It was the perfect little finish to an unforgettable day.
★★★★★
A Love Note from the Couple
“Kind. Caring. Skilled. Understanding. Communicative. Flexible. Relaxed. Relatable. Creative. Friendly. Focused... are a list of words that come to mind when I think of Kathrun and the hard work and effort she provided to my husband and I for our elopement day.
Coming to the decision to elope adventurously was an easy one for us as a couple. We know what we wanted and she had no reservations about helping us make that happen for and with us. Kathryn guided us seamlessly through our time, ideas, thoughts and planning. As well as through the uncertainty of panning a marriage during the beginning of COVID-19.
She had grace and put heart into everything she did to make our day just what we wanted it to be. She took time to understand us as people and as a couple, which showed in our film.
I could go on and on pouring my heart out about how great a choice Evergreen Era is!”
