If you’ve landed here, you’re either considering eloping in Blue Ridge, GA or are planning to elope in Blue Ridge buuuuut maybe you have NO idea where to start. In this blog post, you’ll find three unique idea for eloping in Blue Ridge to help spark your interest or even start planning!
Blue Ridge has SO much to offer for a Georgia mountain town– good food, great views, mountains, rivers, Lake Blue Ridge, and lots and lots of cool cabin rentals. There are also a few outskirts of Blue Ridge that are great options as well, including Morganton, Cherry Log, Mineral Bluff, and Ellijay!
All of these ideas are to be imagined with a full day photography coverage!
Elopement Idea No. 1: VRBO Only Vibes with Just the Two of You (and Your Dogs)
If you’re wanting to keep it fairly simple, low-key, and in one place, but still want incorporate nature, this idea is for you!
The first step finding somewhere to stay! There are SOOOO many options in the area. I found one for you! You can see it here. I choose this one because it has mountain views AND is waterfront. It’s also dog friendly!
*Note: This specific rental is not marked as event friendly. You should always to check in with the host to see if they’d be okay with any vendors you hire coming in!
The Day
- Start the day with coffee on the deck (after sleeping in, of course)
- Get ready! I love the idea of helping each other get ready, but to each their own.
- Private vows on the dock by the lake
- Legal ceremony with your officiant on the dock by the lake
- Couples photos around the property
- Hire a private chef and have them cook dinner while you’re saying your vows and have your ceremony!
- Eat + be in your newlywedded bliss
- Watch the sunset
- Jump in the hot tub for some sexy~ photos
- End the night with roasting marshmallows
Now imagine how freaking COOL your gallery will be. Of course this plan could be personalized to make it special and unique to you, but you still have full documentation of your wedding day! Not just a couple hours of potentially rushed photos.
Elopement Idea No. 2: Outdoor Ceremony with a Private Dinner
If you’re inviting a handful of people and like the idea of having more of an experience, this idea is for you!
First Step: Choose Your Ceremony Location
There are a handful of free spots to have your ceremony, including around Lake Blue Ridge, the Stanley Rapids, Long Creek Falls, and Horseshoe Bend Park. You can also go the venue route, but I’m not 10000% certain any of them are LGBTQIA+ friendly, sooo…yep!
Second Step: Choose Your Dinner Location
There are only a handful of restaurants in Blue Ridge that offer private dining. I have personally never been to any of these, but you can find them below!
Ferrero’s Kitchen (Italian)
Grace Prime Steakhouse
The Tavern at Old Toccoa Farm
The Lookout
The Day
- Getting ready and detail photos wherever you’re staying
- Travel to your ceremony location
- First look and private vows
- Ceremony
- Photos with your friends and family
- Couples photos!!!
- Head to dinner location
- Eat all the good food
- Toasts and a small cake cutting
Elopement Idea No. 3: Full Weekend Getaway with Your Favorite People
Imagine it– up to 10 of your favorite people together all weekend with your elopement day sprinkled in! It’s fun and easy and you don’t have to worry about finding a taxi or Uber in the middle of the mountains if you have too much fun, ya know?
There are a couple of locations I love and recommend for this!
The Toccoa Lodge is an amazing vacation rental that allows events. The interior is gorgeous, and there’s a stunning view of the Toccoa River in the expansive backyard. There’s also a honeymoon suite if you don’t wanna spend your wedding night in the same space as your guests!
5 Star Lodge and Stables is another lodge on a stunning property that hosts events. The view from the ceremony space is STUNNIN’ with an expansive view of the mountains.
You can also always go the VRBO route! Here’s a cool spot I found with awesome views and amenities.
The Day
- Coffee on the deck to start your day
- Getting ready with your besties
- Private first look
- Ceremony on the deck
- Photos with your guests
- Couples photos
- Dinner on the deck, catered or cooked by a private chef!
- Sunset photos
- Toasts and a small cake cutting
- Photos of everyone chillin’ around the fire pit and playing games
- A dip in the pool (in your wedding attire, obv)
- A few more couples photos in the hot tub!
Can you imagine it? I can, and it looks like so much fun!
Hey, I’m Colleen!
Your guide to eloping in North Georgia + photographing it in a way that’s genuine to you & your love for one another. From planning assistance to guidance day day, I’m here to help bring your dream elopement day come to life. Contact me today to get staerted!
