Their Elopement: Black Mountain – Asheville, NC

I had the absolute honor of flying out to North Carolina to photograph Amanda and Jennie’s Black Mountain Asheville Elopement this spring! I arrived a few days ahead to explore the beautiful city of Asheville, which was the most charming, quaint town full of lively bars, great food, and stunning hikes! The day of their elopement, they slowly got their hair and makeup done together in their hotel suite. I love that they spent all day together with their family instead of spending those special moments apart!

When we arrived, they were hanging out with drinks and plenty of laughter in the room! The best energy was we started the day!! After some adorable robe photos together on the balcony where they would later share their first look, they got into their wedding attire separately! This made for the sweetest getting ready moments like Amanda’s sister and mom helping her lace up the back of her gown to Jennie’s mom and sisters helping tie up her Doc Marten’s and pin on her boutonniere!

Their sunny first look was so emotional as they embraced, laughed, and recounted how their getting ready went! After venturing over to Black Mountain, I hiked up with Amanda and Jennie to get a head start on their portraits together! The weather and mountain were giving us everything we needed from stunning glowy light to nature in bloom. The view from the mountain was absolutely breathtaking, and only became more and more beautiful as the sun set!

When family arrived, they began their self-solemnizing ceremony with thoughtfully written vows, a ring exchange, breaking the glass, and an epic kiss as the sun had set! It was such a serene moment in their lives, and I’m so glad I could be the one to capture it all! They made their way back to downtown Asheville for a decision dinner and celebration to close out the night! The following week, they had a big celebration planned in Asbury Park, NJ to celebrate with friends and family – can’t wait to share their reception pictures so soon!

Their Love Story

Jennie and Amanda are from the same small town in New Jersey and even went to the same high school, but their paths never crossed until the time was right! They said, “The universe has done everything in its power to bring us together when we look at our past and little coincidences here and there.”

They had a mutual proposal on a cold, rainy day last May! They walked down to the Hoboken waterfront, right near where they were living at the time and read letters to one another. They shared, “We had a bottle of champagne, blankets, and each other’s rings that we each picked out together at a local boutique in Jersey City. We ended the night at our favorite restaurant two doors down from our apartment at the time, enjoyed plenty of drinks and food, and just relished in the moment. Honestly, the night was so calm yet exciting.” They felt grounded in the present and excited for the future which is exactly the vibe they wanted for their celebration.

Jennie loves Amanda’s overflow of emotions – “how when she feels so passionately about something, it pours out of her uncontrollably.” She loves how Amanda is always trying to be her best self and the best partner she could be.

Mutually, they adore the connectedness and partnership that came with their engagement. It was always there, but the sense of the future and their lives truly being “theirs” together feels definitive, exciting, and tangible. I love how they both perfectly align with one another in every way – it’s so clear when you see them together!

Amanda & Jennie,

You two are a DREAM! It’s been such a joy getting to know you two during this elopement planning experience, and I’ll forever be so grateful that you had me fly out to capture this perfect day! Thank you for being so kind-hearted, genuine, and true-to-you in all that you do – you make my job so endlessly fun! Love you both and wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness!! xoxo