Asheville Elopement Packages

Choosing Between Different Elopement Packages

There are so many different Asheville elopement packages, photographers, collectives, and companies, that it can be a bit overwhelming. Do not worry, we are here to guide you through this and make everything as simple as possible. You are tasked with creating the most amazing day possible for you and your partner. But you are going to need some help, planning assistance, and just someone to point you in the right direction. If you have felt overwhelmed as to where to start, keep reading.

You Get to Choose

Ultimately this is your wedding day and you get to choose exactly how everything goes. Allegory and Elm are merely here to help offer guidance and resources. We fully believe in choice. And we believe that you do not fit into a specific box and so we don’t want to put you in one. You may vibe better with a specific officiant and we don’t want to offer a one size fits all. You may have your own friend or family member who you want to handle the ceremonial aspects of your elopement. This is totally fine.

Again, you don’t have to fit into a pre-prescribed box. You are unique individuals and this is your story. The way your story is told and who you choose to surround yourself with on this day really matters. With the philosophy aspect out of the way, what do you specifically need to know when thinking about Asheville elopement packages?

Key Questions To Consider For Your Elopement Package

Focus on these few key questions to help narrow down what is important to the two of you. Don’t worry about what anybody else wants. This is not about them. This day, this moment is all about you. Communication is key throughout this process, so make sure to stay connected to each other and to your “why.” Why do you want to elope? This is where you should start. These other questions will help guide you as well. We aren’t here to just tell you what you need, but these questions will help you to figure out exactly what you need…

• Why Are You Eloping?
• Which Elopement Photography or Photographer Do You Connect With Most?
• Consider What Vendors You Want To Include
• What Is Your Budget?
• Decide On A Location
• What Add On’s Are Most Important To You?
• Do I Need a Planner/Coordinator?

Why Are You Eloping?

If you do not understand this very fundamental point of why you are choosing to elope, then the rest won’t really matter all that much. You will be making decisions somewhat willy nilly, and without a real sense of purpose and focus. Are you eloping to save money? Or is it that you want something deeply personal and less performative? Do you want something that truly reflects the two of you as individuals? Go ahead and write your answer down, because it will be super important to keep coming back to this reason as you answer the other questions.

If you don’t understand “your why,” then you are going to be aimless in this process. We cannot guide you if you have no idea where you are going. Once you have a clear understanding of “your why,” you will have your motivation and can make easy decisions and understand WHY you are making them. So WHAT vendor should you focus on first?

What Elopement Photography Resonates With You Most?

Why does photography matter so much for your elopement? Many elopement companies will provide planning services or all inclusive packages, but the photography is just sub par. You don’t want sub par for your elopement. You want the best. We provide elopement packages with an emphasis on crafting beautiful imagery through our photography and videography. Photography is the best way to show just how amazing your day was. An artistic image has the power to transport you back to a moment in time. It makes time travel possible. You can relive the moment of saying your vows to your partner.

Your journey together can begin with someone who specializes in making dreams become a reality, or you can have Aunt Carol snap a few shots on her iPhone. Imagine a beautiful print on your wall or an album that has the power to transport you and let you relive your wedding day for years to come. We are an elopement company with an emphasis on photography and crafting an amazing experience. Besides photography, what should we focus on?

What Other Vendors Do You Want To Include?

Why are we not talking budget yet? Don’t worry it is just around the corner. Firstly, you should first focus on what you want, and then focus on how much you want to spend. Of note, many people do the opposite and make so many compromises. Secondly, plan exactly what you want and then figure out the budget piece to see if you need to cut anything.

So here are the main vendors to consider for your wedding. A vendor is simply someone offering something for sale. Your vendors are here to ensure that you look and feel your best on your elopement day. We are rooting for you and want you to succeed. This is where you have choice to mix and match and decide what you actually want and need.

Asheville Elopement Package Vendors

• Photographer – That’s Us Allegory & Elm.  This is a must for your Asheville Elopement Package.
• Videographer – Allegory & Elm Covers That Too – More and more people are wanting video to show and share the story of their day.  Video can tell a story that sometimes photography alone simply cannot. Want to see one of our Cinematic Elopement Videos? Click HERE.    
• Hair and Makeup – Professional Hair & Makeup Is a Game Changer.  Check out AnaRie, Flawless, and Della Terra Beauty.  
• Officiant – The Person Guiding The Ceremony For The Elopement.  Love and Wisdom are some of the best in the business.  They have multiple different officiants and offer someone that matches the vibe you are looking for.  Heartfelt Elopements is also amazing at holding and creating space for couples.  
• Flowers – Spice things up and add some flair, life, and color to your day.  You can do a simple bouquet, hair piece or go all in with an arbor or other decor.  Dream Events By Daria stands tall above the rest.  She is a bit more expensive, but her setups are unmatched! Urban Farm Girl Flowers is also an amazing option.  Other choices include Occasions By Emily and Shady Grove Flowers.
• Rentals –  If you are wanting to go all in and add some more flare, you can rent sofas, arbors, “set dressing” or other incredible vintage rentals to stage an epic elopement stage. Check out Vintage Indigo Rentals for all your decor needs.
• Musician – Imagine your favorite dramatic or action movie without the score or any music in it.  It is just not the same.  Music creates atmosphere, ambiance, and is super grounding and connecting.  That is the whole point of your elopement, to connect.  So if you have a bit extra in your budget, then hire a musician. Brooke & Nick are a Americana-Indie-Folk duo based in Asheville, North Carolina. Brooke plays cello and sings alongside front man, Nick, who sings, plays baritone ukulele, and foot percussion. Kelly Morris of The Mobros is so legit.  If you are wanting smoky vocals and clean guitar strumming, Kelly has you covered! 

Figure Out Your Budget

Finally we have arrived at that super important question. Why didn’t we start with budget? Budget is important, but can be a major constraint for your vision. We want you to envision an epic wedding day, not just a courthouse quickie. With that being said, dream. Dream big, dream bold, and craft what you want first. Also, pretend as though money isn’t even a factor.

When my wife and I got married, we did everything for everyone else and the day reflected that. We honestly had regrets and plan to have a redo this year. Therefore, we don’t want you to experience regrets or feel like you need to do your wedding day over because you made compromises.

How Much People Spend On Average

So yes, budget is important, but not paramount. The average wedding in the U.S. costs about $30,000. That actually seems pretty high. Let’s just call it $10,000 for those who book a venue, photographer, and food and drink for the reception. You are already saving so much money by eloping. Put that money towards doing something you might not do under normal circumstances. Rent a hot air balloon, climb a tall mountain, play in a waterfall. Do something with your life and with your wedding day. You only get one. So set a budget of $5000 – $8000 for everything and go wild.

If that doesn’t sound like you, you can still have an incredible day and experience for around $3000 -$4000. If you are setting a budget of $500-$1000, you may need to reassess. You likely won’t find just a professional photographer for that amount. My goal here is to help. Most Asheville area elopement photographers charge around $2000 plus for 3 hours of coverage. We have a package that starts at $1500 for those who are just looking for the bare minimum.

What Is The Actual Cost?

Professional hair and makeup runs roughly $200- $500 for the Asheville area. A nice bouquet will cost around $200-$500. Your Officiant will cost around $500 including taking care of the paperwork. I don’t recommend skimping out on any of these, but perhaps flowers aren’t important to you. Or maybe you have a family member or friend who could handle the officiating. One can become ordained online in about 5-10 minutes. So those are a few ways to potentially save. I want you to realize that being “cheap” doesn’t best serve you. Just ask Uncle Frank from Home Alone how that turned out. In conclusion, you’ll realistically expect to pay around at least $3000 on the low end for your Asheville elopement. This will include a photographer, officiant, hair and makeup, and flowers.

Choose Your Asheville Elopement Location:

There are a slew of options for your elopement. Check out our full Asheville Wedding Guide for more in depth details on these locations.

Black Balsam:  Click HERE To Check Out This Amazing Black Balsam Elopement near Asheville NC. 

Max Patch:  Click HERE To See This Beautiful Max Patch Elopement. 

Craggy Gardens:  Check out this KILLER ARTICLE HERE to see some amazing views and all of the things you can do while in Asheville.  

Linville Gorge Wilderness:  Click HERE if you have a truly adventurous spirit!! 

Also if these feel too boxed in for you, we can find a spot that is super meaningful to just the two of you. We can do custom location scouting which is included in some of our packages. For a full list of Asheville Elopement Packages, fill out our contact form HERE, and we will send over all the information.

Indoor Elopement Options

Biltmore Estate – Biltmore offers indoor and outdoor elopement packages and you don’t have to break the bank. The space they offer is around $3500 for either the wine cellar or the knoll at The Biltmore Inn.

Homewood – In 1904, Dr. Robert Carole came to Asheville from Duke University to build Highland Hospital. In 1927 Homewood was built as Dr. Carole’s private home. It is used today with it’s beautiful architecture to house events, including your elopement!

The Asheville Courthouse (Buncombe County Courthouse) – Getting married at the courthouse does not sound all that great, until you see what kind of images you can get there. A true artist knows how to capture you in any space.

Haiku I Do – Haiku I Do is a place of zen and a super chill place to have an indoor elopement ceremony. This is especially nice if you are eloping in the winter time. Here is what you will be looking at in terms of pricing for up to 10 people in the space:

Zen Garden & Chapel: $900*
Sky Mountain (Technically Outdoors) & West Asheville Sanctuary: $1200*
*additional $300 Friday-Sunday

Add On Services

Videography

We offer a variety of add on services. You can add a 2-5 minute Cinematic Elopement Film to any of the Asheville Elopement Packages. If you are feeling like you want to spice things up, we offer Boudoir and Saucy Sessions. Boudoir is available for people who want to surprise their partner with something sexy. A Saucy Session is where you strip down your wedding threads and show the world what you really have to offer.

Boudoir & Saucy Sessions

Do We Need A Planner/Coordinator?

Well, in a word, No, you don’t need a planner. You don’t need a planner because you will have us. We provide all planning assistance to all of our people. This includes vendor recommendations, location suggestions, timeline help, and assistance in crafting the most amazing day possible. In conclusion, you can sit back, relax and know that we have your back and that we are here for you. Asheville has a super rich history and interesting culture. Make sure to stay a few days and really enjoy all that Asheville has to offer.

You Are Only Limited By Your Imagination

You do not have to be confined to the Asheville area for your elopement. We offer elopement packages all over the United States. If this is something you are interested in, the possibilities are unlimited. Just know that we can help you with all the planning. Below you will see what’s possible. “The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.” -Lao Tzu. If you are interested in having the best day of your life, take the first step right now. Contact us HERE and we will begin helping you on your amazing journey together.

LET’S DO THIS! CONTACT US HERE!