Eloping in Asheville & WNC After Hurricane Helene

In October 2024, Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding and landslides to Asheville, North Carolina and across the western part of the state. The storm displaced residents, caused widespread power outages, shut down water systems, and entire communities were devastated by flooded roads, houses, and businesses. Many residents lost loved ones and places they called home. Along with the grief and deep sadness I’ve experienced after seeing the destruction and devastation in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I’ve had to reevaluate what the next year will look like for my business and elopements here.

If you’re thinking about eloping in Western North Carolina in 2025, keep reading for everything you need to know about eloping here after Helene.

Is it Possible to Elope in Asheville after Helene?

The short answer is yes, but there are a few things you’ll have to keep in mind. It’s important to note that although most of the news has been on Asheville, the entire western part of North Carolina was heavily affected. Due to varying elevations throughout the mountains, some towns were completely devastated and others were minimally affected. For this reason, it’s important to do your research and stay up to date on specific areas before choosing a location for your elopement.

Progress Updates as of November, 2024:

With the progress we’ve seen, I am confident that it’s still possible to have a beautiful elopement here in WNC in 2025. It’s our duty to plan ahead, do research, and be mindful out of respect for those that lost their homes, families, belongings, and beloved places.

• Asheville’s downtown is almost completely re-opened, but many surrounding areas are still full of debris and destruction. Planning your elopement for late 2025 will give these communities time to clean up and start to rebuild, but it’s going to be a quite a while until things are back to the way they used to be.
• There are also several mountain towns that are currently welcoming visitors, as they depend on tourism to carry them through the year. If approached safely, eloping here in WNC in 2025 can be of great benefit to the communities that need support.
• Even just throughout the last month since the hurricane, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway have been restored and reopened.

Booking Vendors

Be open to booking your vendors before choosing a specific location. Booking local vendors (photographer, hair & makeup artist, florist, officiant, etc.) and paying your deposit now will help us keep our businesses afloat after the inevitable cancellations this fall. I book elopements based on state, so all you need to know to officially book me as your photographer is that you’d like to elope in North Carolina. From there, I’ll work closely with you to find locations that are open & safe for your elopement. With part of the BRP and the Pisgah Ranger District opening back up recently, I’m confident that there will still be plenty of options for your elopement next year!

Choosing Your Date

Choose a date in the summer or fall of next year. It’s hard to know what spring will look like next year because the winter weather will likely cause delays in the rebuilding progress. Eloping in the second half of the year will give WNC more time to recover & rebuild, and give you more time to plan.

Where to Elope in WNC post-Helene

Book a Venue

Many venues in Asheville are suffering due to the amount of cancellations this fall, and most were forced to shut down for the remainder of the year. Booking a venue for next year will not only guarantee you a safe location, but it will help keep these venues in business. Laurel Falls, Nantahala Weddings, Twickenham House, Rockwood Lodge, and Something Blue Mountain Venue are welcoming 2025 bookings. For more elopement and small wedding venue ideas, check out this blog post.

Elope at an Airbnb

Eloping at an Airbnb, VRBO, or rental property is a very dependable option. Many homes tucked away in the mountains have beautiful views and outdoor spaces that can be used for a small ceremony. Just be sure to check with the host about events before booking.

Blowing Rock, NC

This is one of my absolute favorite areas for elopements, a charming small mountain town, close to Boone, with easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Blowing Rock is already open again & welcoming visitors, and part of the parkway nearby was opened recently.

Hendersonville, NC

Just south of Asheville, this beautiful town is home to one of my favorite overlooks for ceremonies with guests, making it the perfect home base for your elopement. Hendersonville was minimally affected, and we have been able to use the area this fall for elopements!

Greenville, SC

This is where I live, about an hour south of Asheville. We have some beautiful parks, trails and mountain views, great places to stay, and a beautiful downtown. Similar to Asheville, there are lots of great restaurants here that have private event spaces, perfect for an intimate wedding dinner.

Next Steps

Now that you’re updated on the progress in Western North Carolina, you can confidently make a decision about when & where you’d like to elope. If you’d like to continue planning your elopement for 2025, reach out at the link below to get started!