Elopement Packages

NC Elopement Packages

North Carolina (NC) is a beautiful location to plan your intimate elopement. With its gorgeous mountains and dense forests, NC has plenty to explore. Our comprehensive list of locations, vendors, and tips is perfect for your NC elopement plans. From permit questions to location ideas, we got you covered.

Are you recently engaged? Do you want to elope somewhere down to earth and beautiful? Then you came to the right place to build your NC Elopement Package. 

*While we don’t offer bundled elopement packages in NC, we do provide you with all of the information and resources you will need to create your perfect elopement package. Our Wandering Weddings members are also amazing vendors to ask questions. These members have plenty of experience curating awesome elopement experiences for couples. 

How to Elope in NC

This is a long resource packed with awesome tips and inspiration. Use the links below to jump right to the section you’d like to check out.

Vendors For Your NC Elopement Package

When putting together your NC elopement package, you want to consider your overall elopement budget. Elopements have a pretty big range when it comes to an average price because it all depends on what vendors you decide to include on your wedding day. Please note that you are not required to include every vendor type in your package.

Are you ready to start planning your North Carolina elopement?

Check out our vendor categories to consider when thinking about your elopement package:

Photographers

These vendors are where most of your elopement budget will be going towards, but for good reason. On average, our photographers will charge $2,500-$6,000 per elopement. This depends on how many hours of coverage (half-day versus full-day) a couple is looking for their NC elopement package.

Videographers

Like elopement photographers, videographers are going to be a great investment for your elopement day to document your adventures together. On average, our videographers will charge $2,500-$6,000 per elopement. Keep in mind, this depends on how long you want your elopement footage to be. For example, a full-day video coverage would cost more versus covering just your elopement ceremony.

Officiants

On average, our officiant members will charge $500-$800 per elopement. Officiants are great to orchestrate your favorite traditions and wedding vows. It’s also important to note that some other vendors are also officiants, so we recommend always asking.

Elopement Planners

You don’t necessarily always need a wedding planner for your elopement adventure, but having a planner does help if couples have a very clear elopement vision. The average price for our planner members is $1,000-$3,000. Planners are also great for couples who don’t want to DIY or worry about anything, or couples who live far from their elopement destination.

Florists

Since you’re planning an elopement, you’ll need fewer floral arrangements than your average traditional wedding in North Carolina. If you aren’t down to DIY your own bridal bouquet, then a florist in NC can average from $300 to $600.

Venues

Are you looking to elope in Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, or Durham? Even though there are plenty of public land options to consider eloping to in North Carolina, there are also some pretty neat private venues in NC too. Our team loves private venues because they do offer you more privacy and flexibility when you two are going to elope. Private venues, on average, will charge $300 to $4,000, depending on the location.

Places to Elope in NC

north Carolina elopement packages

Photo by Superlove

So you’re ready to start planning your elopement in North Carolina, but you aren’t sure where you should exchange your vows with your husband or wife to be. Check out these locations to elope in NC. 

North Carolina Park Locations 

We love NC for many reasons, including its down-to-earth nature and scenic views. North Carolina has some fun options when it comes to parks to plan your elopement adventure. Here are some of our favorites:

Chimney Rock State Park

This is a perfect spot to elope if you are looking for a destination with a view. There is a 315-foot spire overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure, making Chimney Rock the perfect place if you are looking for some dramatic portraits. There is an admission fee ($10 for the day), but this access comes with a range of things you can explore throughout your day, including trails and more than 5,700 acres of land. 

Hanging Rock State Park

With more than 20 miles of hiking trails that weave and turn into amazing views, Hanging Rock State Park is the ideal destination for adventurous couples. Aside from the trails to explore, there are also campgrounds with a lake and canoe rental!

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Your NC elopement package doesn’t have to just include mountains and forests. North Carolina also has some gorgeous beaches to explore off the coast. Cape Hatteras is one of our team’s favorites. Here you will be able to enjoy the beach, kayak, and enjoy the famous lighthouse. 

DuPont State Recreational Forest

If you are looking to plan a whimsical elopement, then we suggest DuPont State Recreational Forest. This forest has a lot to offer. You can hike the multiple trails during your elopement, or you can also visit multiple falls such as High Falls, Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Photo by Forever June

No list would be complete without mentioning the Great Smoky Mountains. There is plenty of scenic views, historic structures, and wildlife to appreciate here. You can also enjoy multiple waterfalls and hiking trails during your wedding day. Fun fact: did you know that this park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee?

Waterfalls and Mountain NC Elopement Locations

In North Carolina, you have numerous options when it comes to planning your special day. You can plan your romantic elopement at many amazing places including on a mountain, in a forest, by a waterfall, or on a beach. 

Blue Ridge Parkway

If you both are adventurous and love road trips, then maybe you should plan your elopement overlooking the blue ridge mountains along the blue ridge parkway. This is an amazing drive as you and your honey can enjoy the scenery. We are also sure you’ll find an amazing spot to stop and have your ceremony. Get with one of our members to help you decide which one is best. 

Whitewater Falls

This waterfall will definitely give you a dramatic look and feel during your elopement. The Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. The fall plungest at 411 feet, and you can also admire the beautiful wildlife surrounding the area. If you are thinking about eloping here, then we recommend a sunrise elopement to avoid the crowds.

Linville Gorge and Falls

If you’re visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains, then we suggest Linville Gorge and Falls for your elopement destination. This waterfall’s trail is 1.6 miles round trip, so this is an easy hike for your elopement adventure! This is also a great place to bring your pets, but they do need to be on a leash. 

Looking Glass Falls

Looking Glass Falls is an ideal elopement destination if you are planning a winter elopement. The name actually comes from when the falls freeze and glisten like a mirror in the sun during winter. This waterfall also has easy accessibility to get to! 

Max Patch

Max Patch is a favorite among our team. This mountain has a 360 view, and you can also see Mt. Mitchell and the Great Smoky Mountains on a clear day. One of the things we love is the grassy trails where you can sit down and enjoy the view and the breeze. 

Update: North Carolina’s National Forest is requesting the public not to use certain locations and to check with them prior to planning an elopement. Some of these places include Max Patch along the Appalachian Trail, Black Balsam adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Looking Glass Falls, Linville Gorge Wilderness, Middle Prong Wilderness, and Shining Rock Wilderness.

Check out North Carolina’s National Forest site for more updated information on rules and regulations for events in NC. We encourage everyone to practice LNT (leave no trace) practices, so more couples can enjoy these areas.

Permits for North Carolina Elopements

NC elopement locations

Photo by Superlove

If you decide to have your wedding ceremony at one of the locations we mentioned above, then you should check to see if that location requires a permit to get married. State and national parks have these permit applications on their park’s website. If you aren’t sure about the logistics, we suggest you partner up with one of our awesome North Carolina elopement photographers or other vendors to help make sure you cover all the bases.  

Top 5 Things to Remember When Planning an Elopement in North Carolina

  1. Fall is the best season to elope as far as the weather goes, 43% of weddings take place between September and November.
  2. The climate varies with the changing elevation, so pack in layers!
  3. Be aware of thunderstorms and hurricanes from late summer to early fall.
  4. Remember to obtain permits and pay location fees (if applicable).
  5. Have fun and enjoy the view!