Asheville Elopement Photographer

Documenting Renegade
Love Stories

Adventure Elopement & Wedding Photography in the Blue Ridge Mountains & Beyond

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Simple + Real + Outside

More Fun. Less Stress.

If “traditional” isn’t your thing, you’re in the right place. Let’s build a wedding day with renegade heart: simple, intentional, and fully yours.

I photograph elopements and small weddings around Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains for couples who want to ditch the performance and keep the real stuff. Think: beer first, boots next, golden-hour vows, and a plan that feels effortless. I wrap it up in a raw but composed, documentary aesthetic.

I’ll help you find the best locations, help you nail the timing and logistics, and more. My job is to help make sure your day flows easily, that the light hits right, and help make sure it never feels like a production.

I bring a fun, laid-back presence on every wedding so you can stay in the moment with your partner and make some memories worth framing.

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Bride and groom kissing while holding drinks in a black and white wedding portrait.

If you're looking for a photographer who is down with whatever crazy outdoorsy wedding you are dreaming up, Andy is your guy.

We pretty much put him in charge of the entire day - he selected a picturesque brewery to start, then followed with an awesome hike up Shortoff Mountain, where we met up with our officiant for a sunset ceremony. Andy never stopped suggesting ideas and we were pretty much down for anything: we made perfect little guinea pigs. He captured so many beautiful, fun, and heartfelt moments. And while he kept things light, loose, and fun, he's nothing short of professional. This is probably the millionth time we're thanking him for creating and capturing a truly memorable day but THANKS AGAIN, DUDE! You rock.

–Chris B.

Featured In:

The guy behind the camera—self-portrait of your elopement photographer with a film camera, here for the renegade stuff.

Weddings can get complicated. Let’s make photography the easy part, and keep the whole thing simple, low-stress, and unapologetically you.

I’m Andy, your stoked-to-be-outside Asheville-based elopement and wedding photographer. When I show up, I’m drawing upon 10+ years of outdoor adventure experience behind the camera.

I’ve spent countless hours framing moments in the mountains, scrambling on rocks for creative angles, and bringing that calm, capable energy to couples who’d rather feel the day than perform for it.

Think of me as your energetic, camera-wielding, mountain-loving friend who’s here to help you build a wedding day that’s slower, simpler, and has YOU written all over it… and a little renegade spark baked in.

Let’s plan something that diverges from the pack. Something that colors outside the lines; the kind of day that feels like your relationship, not someone else’s expectations.

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Bride owning the moment at sunset—intimate venue outside Asheville, zero fuss, all golden light.
A bride and groom standing on top of a white Jeep in a wooded area, with the bride in a wedding dress and fur stole, and the groom in a suit, facing each other lovingly.
Cozy-in-the-cold moment—groom warming the bride’s hands during a blustery sunset elopement near Asheville.
Bride and groom relax on a blanket after their mountaintop ceremony in Linville Gorge, sipping drinks with sweeping fall views.
Group portrait on a cliff overlook: elopement couple with their officiant and photographer, smiling with sweeping mountain views behind.

Let’s Avoid The Same-’ol Touristy Spots…

And Plan Your Wedding Where A Local Would.

Too many couples get funneled into the same crowded, over-shot locations. Hard pass.

Together, we’ll go for places that feel genuine: spots with quieter trails, uncluttered views, and the Blue Ridge Mountain vibes you’re here for.

If we do hit a more known spot, we’re not doing the paint-by-numbers version. Let’s twist it with some smart timing, fresh perspectives, and real moments so it feels new.

Whenever possible, I scout ahead, watch the weather, approximate the light, and keep a solid backup plan ready just in case.

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Client Testimonials

  • An african-american bride and groom standing outdoors by a body of water and rocks, holding a sign that says 'MR & MRS', with green foliage in the background.

    We recently had our pre-wedding pictures done with Andy, and the experience was absolutely amazing. From the moment we met him, he made us feel comfortable, relaxed, and confident in front of the camera.

    Andy has a real talent for capturing natural moments and genuine emotions. Every pose felt effortless, and he guided us the whole time without ever making it feel forced. The photos came out beautiful, crisp, and full of life—exactly what we hoped for and more.

    We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer for such a special moment in our lives. If you’re looking for someone who’s professional, creative, and easy to work with, Andy is the one. We’re so grateful and excited for him to capture the wedding day too! 💍📸

    –Joseph M.

  • A same-sex couple in formal attire stands on top of a white Jeep vehicle in a forest with tall trees. The woman on the left wears a white dress and a brown fur shawl, and her partner wears a dark green suit. The sunlight filters through the trees.

    Hands down the best experience working with Andy. From the planning and timeline of the day, to the creativity with photos, lighting and location. His flexibility, passion, and energy throughout the entire day and evening was absolutely phenomenal. He helped capture our energy and day in ways we will never be able to truly explain as anything but breath-taking!

    – Tara M.

  • A couple dressed in wedding attire walking hand in hand through a wooded outdoor area with tall trees and rocky terrain.

    We loved everything about our experience with Andy! Hurricane Helene had other plans for our wedding pictures last year so we decided to postpone until this year so we could get the fall colors in the mountains. Andy was accommodating to our request and we anxiously waited. Finally the time came and we had such a great time during our photo shoot! We are not posers and Andy was great in directing us all while making it fun. The pictures turned out amazing! My only complaint is choosing just one or two pictures to hang on the wall. We definitely recommend Andy for his knowledge of the area, the quality of his work, and his wonderful personality. Thanks Andy for capturing our special day!

    –Jessica D.

Why choose MountainWed

Photos that feel alive.

Not just pretty photos. I’m looking for the in-between, unscripted parts of the day: the laughs you didn’t plan, the quiet we’re-really-doing-this looks, the wind, the chaos, the calm.

I want the photos to feel artful, honest, and specific to the experience you actually had. Not a copy of every other wedding gallery on the internet.

Outdoor stories

I’m comfortable outside.

Adventure photography has been part of my work for a long time. I’m used to moving through rougher terrain, watching the weather, and adjusting plans without making the whole thing feel stressful.

Whether we’re on a ridgeline, at a tucked-away overlook, or working around wind and fog, I’m paying attention to the place, the light, the people, and the experience all at once.

Experience first

I want the day to feel easy.

A lot of that comes from having a clear plan, calm guidance, and enough room in the timeline for the day to breathe. I take the planning and logistics seriously so you do not have to carry all of that on your own.

I’ll give simple direction when it helps, and step back when the real stuff is happening. The goal is for you to stay present and feel like the day actually fit you.

The goods

The location has to make sense.

I’m looking for places that are beautiful, photograph well, and feel good to be in: privacy, views, trail feel, ease, and the overall experience. I call those the goods.

We’re not picking a spot randomly. We’re choosing the right version of that place for your date, then planning around season, weather, access, timing, and what the location is actually like in real life.

The point is not to force your wedding day into a location. It’s to build a plan around a place that actually works, then leave enough room for you to enjoy it.

Working with me is easy. Here’s how:

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Step 1: Connect

Fill out my short inquiry form and get the conversation started! There’s no pressure to book. I’ll reach out within 24-hours to set up a free 30-min intro call.

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Step 2: Book

If you decide that I’m the right fit, reserve your date with a deposit and signed contract and you can officially check “find photographer” off the to-do list.

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Step 3: Plan

We’ll plan the details: locations, timeline, and backup options so you can feel calm and ready.

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Step 4: Get Hitched

You’ve done the connecting, booking, and planning. Now you get to live it.

No second-guessing, no rushing, no trying to “perform” for photos. Just a meaningful day with your partner and any guests.

I’m there to capture it honestly so the photos maintain the true emotion, atmosphere, details, and more.

Black and white photo of a photographer Andy Wickstrom standing in profile taking a photo with a large film camera wearing a jacket and winter hat.

Timeless Film Nostalgia

Let’s make the time to craft some special film portraits on your wedding day.

For me, including a few film photos on your wedding day isn’t about being trendy. It’s about capturing moments in a slower, more thoughtful way and the results speak for themselves.

With film, every shot is carefully composed and meticulously captured, which is why the result is so amazing. Plus, in this era of screens, having a physical artifact from your wedding day is also special.

Film has a special look. The colors feel natural and rich, and have a depth that’s hard to explain, but easy to feel. Unlike digital files made of 1s and 0s, film creates a physical artifact from your day. How rad is that?

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Collage of outdoor wedding photography featuring couples in adventurous settings, text promoting 'Mountainwed Photography' with contact details and a description of capturing unique, emotional elopements and micro-weddings.
Badge reading 'Featured on Travel Guides Asheville 2024' with a city skyline silhouette.

Recognized by TravelGuides - Asheville:

The Best Elopement Photographers in Asheville, North Carolina

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Let’s get started.

Fill out this form and hit send! I’ll email or text you to start the conversation. We’ll set up a short, no-pressure discovery call to answer your questions and talk about your plans—no matter how far along you are.