July 18, 2020

When COVID-19 upended Chloe and Reagan’s original plans to do a destination wedding in Saint Lucia, they scrambled to make a new plan. I met them just two days before they pulled off a gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain ceremony. Here’s their story…

How a twist of fate brought a couple from Wilmington, NC to the Blue Ridge Mountains for an adventure elopement.

Chloe: My husband and I had decided on eloping in Asheville after countless obstacles for our original wedding due to the coronavirus. With the idea of my own mother not being able to make it to our wedding (which was originally supposed to take place in Saint Lucia), our troubles with passport delays as well as the island opening and closing, we decided we needed to take our ceremony into our own hands.
Our first-ever vacation together was in Asheville, and knowing the beauty of the area, we couldn’t imagine a better place to get hitched. We threw together what turned out to be one of the most magical evenings of our lives in a matter of a few days.
On the drive from Wilmington to Asheville, I quickly threw together a bouquet that many people thought was made of real flowers. I knew not to introduce any new flower species into the environment, so I made sure to stop by Michaels beforehand - and have now discovered I actually have a craft that I’m good at!
We were lucky enough to be able to bring our little 9-year-old mini dachshund with us to be our “flower girl” and she hiked up those mountains as quickly as we did! Little spry thing. I also made her a bouquet that attached to her little collar which turned out to be adorable! I simply laced some flowers with wire and ribbons around her collar. Which made for one of our favorite photos with her under my wedding dress, the flowers really added something beautiful and I think made her feel more a part of it.
A storm rolled through a little over an hour before we were set to say “I do”...but the heavens opened and the temperature fell to a beautiful 73 degrees as we set upon our hike to say our vows.
One of our favorite moments of the evening was climbing craggy gardens to get to the top to become husband and wife. We walked up together, weaving through the greenery, holding hands and looking at one another in pure excitement with the sun peeking through the trees after the afternoon rain.

“Quite honestly, we couldn’t have planned a more magical day if we had 4 months versus our 4 days.”

With so many photos being our favorite from the night, it’s difficult to decide on a single favorite, but I would have to say the sunset photos at Craggy Pinnacle take the cake. We couldn’t have asked for more beautiful, rainbow sherbet sky backdrop amongst the lush green mountains. Quite honestly we couldn’t have planned a more magical wedding if we had 4 months versus our 4 days. We are so very thankful for you and Amanda during this process!

Officiant: Amanda at Happily Ever Asheville

Flowers: DIY by the bride from Michaels Art & Craft Supply