Asheville Elopement Photographer
Meet Your Asheville Elopement Photographer
Congratulations on making the decision to elope! Your elopement day is JUST as important as if you chose to have a traditional wedding day.
There’s so many things you can do to make your day meaningful & unique – going to breweries, a restaurant, or a flower farm to make your bouquet, hiking, driving up to the blue ridge parkway, going to a second beautiful location for sunset & having a picnic – just to name a few.
You’ll get more candid & fun images if I tag along to document the story of your big day. & you’ll have more photos to remember your entire day by. Whether you’re wanting only half the day covered or you’re planning a multi-day elopement, I’m here for you!
I’ll be there with you every step of the way! You can count on me to help with vendor & location recommendations, permit assistance, timeline creation, & other logistics. When it comes to elopements, I’m not just the photographer – I also assist with planning, I’m a witness for your marriage license, & a friend who will help you in any other way that I can!
How it works
1. Inquire
Let’s make sure we’re a good fit for each other. First fill out the contact form below (or click the button below) & expect to hear from me ASAP. I try to respond within a few hours, but if you haven’t heard from me in 72 hours please send an email to hello@kirstenalexandriaphotography.com
2. LET’S CHAT
We’ll schedule either a zoom or phone call to chat more about your plans. I’m guessing this is the first time you’ve ever planned an elopement, so on the call I’ll give advice based off of my own experience photographing elopements & help you figure out how much coverage you’ll need.
On this call I’ll also ask how you two met, what you like to do together, & other simple questions to get to know you better & to make sure we’re a good fit.
Then we’ll talk about pricing & I’ll explain all of the unique services I offer to couples! Such as coverage on both film & digital, astro-photography for engagements, & more! 😉
3. ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
We’ll figure out the vibe you want for your engagement session. Whether you want it at a park, in a studio, on top of a mountain, at a brewery, or wherever! No, really. I offer travel engagement sessions. This also allows you to get a taste of what my shooting style is like so you know exactly what to expect on your big day.
4. LET’S PLAN!
I’ll answer any questions you have, send you guides & resources, & make you a photo timeline for your day. I’ll help with vendor recommendations, location ideas, & so much more.
5. ENJOY THE DAY
You’ve worked super hard to plan your dream day, & now it’s here!! Just be yourselves, enjoy the day (it goes quick!) & know that I have the photos taken care of.
6. WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR
I’ll send a sneak peek of your day within 72 hours. Then you can expect the rest of your gallery within 8 weeks – but usually way sooner because even after all the weddings & elopements I’ve photographed, I still get SO excited to edit & deliver your precious memories. 🙂 After you receive all your photos we will start the album designing process if your package includes one.
Asheville’s best Elopement Locations
I’ve put together a list of the most stunning elopement locations in western North Carolina, ranging from waterfalls, to pine forests, and mountains with breathtaking 360 degree views.
I’ve personally photographed at many of these locations so I can help with any questions you may have about eloping at them.
why work with me?
✓ 35mm film & More
Not only will your elopement be documented on digital, but also 35mm film! I love the nostalgic feel of film, which is why my editing style is inspired by it. I also offer a fuji instant add on if you want polaroid photos delivered to you by the end of the night!
✓ CUSTOM LOCATION GUIDE
After answering a short questionnaire, I’ll send you a custom location guide full of beautiful places to choose from for your ceremony and photos. Whether you want to splash in a waterfall, hike to the top of a mountain, book an airbnb where you can spend the weekend with friends and family, or want a small private venue for your elopement.
✓ VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS
I’ll share my list of trusted vendors, from hair & makeup artists who are more than happy to meet you at your hotel room at 2AM so you’re ready for your sunrise elopement, to private chefs who will curate the perfect menu for your dinner celebration, luxury picnic companies, videographers, and more. These are all listed in the elopement planning guide & are marked with a rainbow icon if they are not only LGBTQ+ inclusive, but also LGBTQ+ celebrating! 🙂
✓ PHOTOS THAT CAPTURE THE JOY OF YOUR ELOPEMENT
Don’t worry, your elopement won’t be an all day photoshoot. I like to keep things candid, & try not to overly pose you. That way you can forget there’s even a camera there & fully enjoy your day. You’ll receive all the best photos taken by an experienced & professional elopement photographer.
✓ TIMELINE
For elopement packages 4 hours or longer, I’ll put together an elopement timeline. I’ll make sure to include some downtime for you to truly enjoy your day & ensure we have plenty of time to get all of the photos you want so you can have a stress free day.
✓ UNIQUE & FUN ACTIVITY IDEAS
For full day elopements, I’ll help figure out what activities to do! Some fun ideas are hot air balloon ride, helicopter ride, hike through the mountains, swimming at a waterfall, visiting your favorite restaurant or book store, & more!
✓ ELOPEMENT PLANNING GUIDE
Every package 4 hours or longer includes an 80+ page elopement planning guide full of everything you need to know about planning the perfect elopement.
✓ NO ADDITIONAL TRAVEL FEES
All of my local packages include travel within a 100 mile radius. Anything further is a flat fee and covers all of my travel. I have package options for local elopements as well as an anywhere in the USA package. You’ll never have any hidden or unexpected fees.
✓ PERMIT ASSISTANCE
I’ll assist you in obtaining any permits that are necessary for you to elope at your location.
✓ Professional Experience
I have thousands of miles of experience backpacking & hiking. I am a certified wilderness first responder, have helped many couples plan their epic elopements, & have a bachelor’s degree in photography.
kind words
Pricing
Asheville Elopements
Starting at $1800
Couples typically Invest $3600-5900
– 2+ hours of continuous coverage
– Minimum of 30 Images Per Hour Delivered
– Vendor Recommendations
– Custom Elopement Photo Timeline For 4+ Hour Packages
– Digital & Film Photography
– Online Gallery
– Printing Rights
– Elopement Planning Guidebook For 4+ Hour Packages
– Location Guide & Permit Assistance
– Unique Activity Ideas Based Off Your Location
(Weddings and engagement sessions have their own informational pages.)
frequently asked questions
DO WE REALLY NEED MORE THAN JUST A COUPLE HOURS OF PHOTOGRAPHY COVERAGE?
Eloping doesn’t make your wedding day any less important! So let’s plan some fun activities & go on some adventures. Having me follow you around – starting when you’re getting ready for the day until the sun goes down – allows me to document the entire story of your day. The little details – the big moments – all of it. & it makes for a great narrative in your wedding album! 🙂
WHAT IF I WANT TO INVITE FAMILY?
Invite whoever you would like! Generally though, elopements are around 25 people or less. Many of the beautiful locations you see couples eloping at have strict guidelines on the number of people allowed at the ceremony. Another option is to have an intimate ceremony, adventure the rest of the day, & have a reception with guests the next day. Best of both worlds.
BUT WHAT ARE ELOPEMENT CEREMONIES LIKE?
They’re whatever you want it to be! Most of the elopements I’ve photographed have had private vow readings, an officiant performing the ceremony, ring exchange, & then an added unique touch such as a unity ceremony. I have plenty more ideas in the planning guide I give all of my couples.
WHERE SHOULD WE ELOPE?
Anywhere in the world! No, for real! I will photograph your elopement wherever you want it to be. Pick a location you’ve never been to before but have always wanted to go. Or a place that is meaningful to your relationship. No matter where you choose to say “I do,” I’ll be there to help with the logistics of it all.
HOW DO WE LEGALLY GET MARRIED IF WE’RE ELOPING?
It depends on where you choose to elope. Here in NC, you need an ordained minister (online does not count) & two witnesses. In some states you don’t need any witnesses & can marry yourselves. In other states you can even have your dog “sign” your marriage license. I will happily help you figure out the legalities. Another option if you want to be completely alone on your day is to do all of the legal stuff a different day.
DOES A BACKYARD WEDDING OR MICRO-WEDDING COUNT AS AN ELOPEMENT?
That’s a matter of opinion. But as far as my photography packages go, sometimes! My elopement packages are for couples getting married with 25 guests or less! I put my whole heart & soul into helping my couples plan their day, so the pricing is different than my wedding pricing.
ARE ELOPEMENTS CHEAPER THAN WEDDINGS?
It really depends! As far as photography goes, no, they’re actually more expensive. This is because of all the extra planning, time, travel & effort I put into my elopement packages. Elopements generally involve multiple locations, additional gear, certifications (Wilderness First Responder & CPR), permits & more in order to keep everyone safe & happy.
HOW DO WE TELL OUR FAMILY & FRIENDS?
Whatever feels right. You can invite some of them. Or you can wait until afterwards and announce it on social media, with a printed card, or phone call. Or you can tell everyone ahead of time so that they have time to process the news. (I’m not even engaged yet & I’ve already broke the news to my mom that we plan to elope.) They might not be happy at first, but they’re family, so they’ll come around.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
The show must go on! When you choose to elope, you’re choosing to embrace the adventure. & weather is part of it. I always help my couples come up with at least 2 backup plans. Usually one involves a more sheltered area such as a forest or somewhere at a lower elevation. & the second option usually involves somewhere indoors such as the airbnb you’ve booked for your stay. Rain & fog actually make for some awesome photos!
WHY I BECAME AN ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER IN ASHEVILLE, NC.
When I moved to Asheville I had no idea that adventure elopements were even a thing that people did. I followed a friend on instagram who was a wedding photographer turned elopement photographer & after seeing her portfolio grow, I just knew that’s exactly what I wanted to do! I location scouted all the best spots to elope in the surrounding areas & attended a few styled photoshoots to build my own portfolio.
After living in North Carolina for 7 years now, I’m still so in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains. There’s just so many awesome trails to explore, Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks that make the perfect backdrops for elopement ceremonies, & enough yummy restaurants that I’m still nowhere near done trying them all.
While I didn’t grow up here, nowhere has ever felt more like home than Appalachia.
Get In Touch
If you’re looking for a photographer and you connect with my work, I would love to hear from you! Please allow 72 hours for a response.