Our wedding day was incredible! We decided to forego the large wedding ceremony and have an intimate elopement in the most beautiful setting, surrounded by just family. We avoided the stress of a big wedding and spent the whole day with the people that mean the most to us.

We eloped at sunrise on a mountain overlooking Linville Gorge. My day started at 4:00 in the morning. While my sister helped me do my makeup and get ready, Michael was back at the campground getting himself and our four dogs ready. We had our first look in the trail head parking lot, before making our way to the overlook. We had an intimate ceremony, officiated by my dad, surrounded by family and our dogs.

Not everything went according to plan (I forgot the rings and the marriage license), but everything came together in the end and it was the perfect day.

A month after our elopement, we held a shared reception with my sister and her fianc at Pig Pounder Brewery, which gave us a chance to celebrate with all of our family and friends. Although we had an amazing day and loved every minute of our reception, it reaffirmed my decision to elope. I left our reception wishing I would have had more time to visit with everyone, whereas on our wedding day, we were able to spend meaningful time with a select few people. ~ Heather