Winter Elopement in North Carolina: Dani & Mel
A warm and intimate winter elopement with a touch of vintage charm, set against the peaceful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Not many people think about a winter elopement—probably because of the chilly weather and the chance of closed roads. But if you’re willing to have a solid backup plan and brave those colder temps, winter weddings have some truly amazing perks!
Here’s why winter elopements are so special:
The trails and public spots are way less crowded, giving you a better shot at privacy and quiet to say your vows.
If you get lucky with a little snow that’s still easy to access, it’s breathtaking. But even without snow, winter’s moody, soft colors offer a unique kind of beauty all their own.
In places like Western North Carolina, bare trees open up mountain views you just don’t see in the other seasons—those hidden vistas suddenly come into full view.
The Couples Winter Elopement Story:
Now, about Dani and Mel’s winter elopement: they planned their day around the full moon, but unfortunately, a cloudy sky kept it hidden from us. Still, that didn’t stop them from squeezing every ounce of magic out of their experience.
I love sharing the timeline I created with them—it can be a helpful guide when you’re dreaming up your own winter elopement. So, settle in and enjoy the truly special story of their day!
The Elopement Need-to-Knows:
Their Package: Half (6 Hours)
Time of Day: Evening / Sunset
Location: Blue Ridge Parkway & Private Rental
Getting Ready
Dani and Mel somehow scored the cutest little mountain cabin not far from where they’d say their vows. It looked like something straight out of a fairytale, tucked perfectly beneath tall pines, with soft morning light streaming through the windows.
Inside, they had a small box filled with all their rings, vows, and letters—plus a few special stones they planned to hold during the ceremony. These little keepsakes helped ground the day and made the whole experience feel even more personal and meaningful.
A handful of their closest loved ones were there too, quietly helping with last-minute touches, sharing smiles, and keeping the mood light and loving. Their sweet doggie was right there as well, happily lounging nearby and offering all the good puppy vibes.
It was such a relaxed, warm scene—a perfect start to a day filled with love and quiet anticipation. As they got ready, there was a gentle calm in the air, a feeling like time had slowed just enough for them to soak in every little moment before stepping into their new chapter together.
First Looks at the Cabin
Dani and Mel wrote letters to each other to read along with their vows—and honestly, I loved that extra touch of sweetness. Right before their first look, they took a quiet moment to read those letters to themselves, soaking in every word.
They stayed connected, holding hands tightly while peeking around the corner of the cabin, savoring the anticipation and closeness of the moment.
As you’ll see in the photos and the video up top, their goofy, joyful energy is totally contagious—they’re just so clearly in love and having the best time being themselves together.
Signed and Sealed
Sometimes the signing of the marriage certificate gets overlooked, but I actually think it’s such a special moment to capture. It’s the legal part of the day, yes—but it’s also a powerful symbol of commitment and celebration.
For many couples, especially LGBTQ+ couples who only gained the legal right to marry in 2015, this moment carries even more weight and emotion. It’s a milestone that deserves to be honored and remembered as part of their story.
Capturing that joy and significance can add a beautiful layer to your story—turning what might seem like a simple formality into a moment full of emotion and meaning.
Portraits with Family and Loved Ones
We took some time to get photos with all their important people in different groupings—some more formal, where everyone posed and smiled for the camera, and some candid moments that felt totally natural and full of love.
Those candid shots are my favorite because they capture real connections—the laughter, the hugs, the little glances that say so much without words.
Balancing the posed pictures with those relaxed, genuine moments helps tell the full story of your day and the people who mean the most to you.
“When the day came, she helped us feel completely at ease and fully in the moment. Not only did she capture the beauty of it all, she captured the small, special moments that reflected our love and adoration for each other.”
— Dani & Mel
Ceremony Bound
We set off on a short hike up to a stunning rock face with sweeping mountain views. Even though it was winter, the trail was lined with lush rhododendron and evergreens, adding a splash of green that made everything feel alive and cozy.
Also—can we talk about Mel’s silk bouquet tucked perfectly into her bright yellow backpack? It was such a fun, unexpected pop of color and style!
Pro tip: Don’t forget to build in travel time between spots when planning your elopement timeline. Those little in-between moments add up and make the day flow so much better.
Married in the Mountains
Dani knew exactly how they wanted the moment to feel—seeing Mel walk up the “aisle” to them with their favorite song playing softly in the background. And of course, we made that happen! Their ceremony was packed with personal touches that really brought out the emotions and meaning of the day.
If you want to hear their beautiful, heartfelt vows, be sure to check out the video at the top of the blog—you won’t want to miss them!
(Shoutout to their officiant, Gina Angel of All the Things Ceremonies, for helping create such a meaningful experience.)
One of my favorite moments? Right after their first kiss, they just burst out into dance mode—pure joy shining through. That kind of happiness? That’s what life’s really all about.
A Little Silly, A Lot in Love
We took some time for portraits with Dani and Mel separately, right in front of those breathtaking mountain views. Since real flowers aren’t allowed in many parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway, they brought along beautiful silk blooms that added a soft, personal touch without worrying about the rules.
What I loved most was how they really let their personalities shine through during these moments—laughing, being a little goofy, and just enjoying themselves. Those playful, unscripted smiles and silly poses are some of my favorite kinds of photos—they show the real joy and connection behind the day.
“She celebrates all love and all kinds of couples, which was very important to us. She embodies the perfect blend of warmth, kindness, excitement, and structure.”
— Dani & Mel
First Dance by Candlelight
Since it was a cloudy winter day, we didn’t get the classic sunset glow—but hey, sometimes that’s just how Mother Nature rolls. Instead, we embraced the moody clouds, knowing they were quietly getting ready to bring a beautiful snow the next morning.
Dani and Mel set up a circle of electric candles around them to mark their dance floor. As their song played, they sang along, danced close, hugged tight, and giggled their way through their first dance together. It was intimate, sweet, and full of that kind of love that warms you from the inside out—even as the sun faded behind the clouds.
Also, how cool is this vintage looking gramophone bluetooth speaker? I loved that they though of all the little details that would make their experience unique and fun!
Tea Time Picnic at Dusk
These two are big tea lovers like me! So of course they packed a thermos of hot water, a couple of their favorite mugs, and some beloved tea bags to share on the mountain top. After the ceremony and portraits, this was their way of slowing down—of pressing pause to breathe in the crisp air, soak in the mountain views, and let the joy of the day settle in.
It was such a sweet, grounding moment. Just the two of them, sipping tea as the light began to fade, chatting about the day and what was still to come. No rush, no expectations—just presence. This is what I love most about elopements: the chance to build in moments like this that feel deeply you.
Embarking for the Airbnb
With two trusty headlamps and a very cool LED lantern lighting the way, we packed up and began the hike back down the mountain. It was Dani and Mel’s first time hiking in the dark, and I love when couples get to experience something brand new on a day already full of so many once-in-a-lifetime moments. There’s something kind of magical about the quiet, post-elopement descent—just the two of them, surrounded by soft glows and mountain stillness.
Meanwhile, their loved ones had stayed back at the cabin during their private mountaintop ceremony, but they certainly weren’t just hanging out. They had spent those few hours turning the Airbnb into a cozy celebration space—setting up a table filled with all the good stuff: tacos, chips, charcuterie, a cake, and cupcakes! It was such a sweet surprise to walk into that warm, love-filled space after being out in the chilly mountain air. You could just feel how loved these two are.
Winding Down by the Fire
As the evening settled in and the last bits of daylight faded, Mel’s dad got a small bonfire going outside the cabin. Dani and Mel slipped into their comfy clothes—sweats, flannels, the works—and took a few quiet minutes just for themselves. Wrapped in blankets and each other, they cozied up next to the crackling fire, sipping warm drinks and letting the day sink in.
There’s something really special about having a little breathing room at the end of an elopement day. No rushing off. No big grand exit. Just space to be together and feel everything.
Eventually, their loved ones came out to join them, all bundled up and glowing with excitement from the day’s celebration. Laughter mixed with the sound of firewood popping, and the night ended not with a bang, but with the kind of gentle warmth that lingers in your heart. A perfect ending to a winter elopement full of adventure, intention, and so much love.
★★★★★
A Love Note from the Couple
“Before we found Kathryn, we didn’t know an intimate outdoor elopement was possible, nor did we know what to expect in terms of planning and procedure. We just knew a traditional wedding was not for us.
From the start, she took the time to understand our story and what we hoped to capture in our photos and video. She helped us find the perfect location and guided us through every step. When the day came, she helped us feel completely at ease and fully in the moment. Not only did she capture the beauty of it all; she captured the small, special moments that reflected our love and adoration for each other.
We can’t recommend Kathryn enough! She celebrates all love and all kinds of couples, which was very important to us. She embodies the perfect blend of warmth, kindness, excitement, and structure. From the moment you meet her, you’ll know exactly what we mean.”
