Sunrise Elopement In North Carolina | Tomi + Erik
How Tomi and Erik’s elopement day panned out is kinda my favorite. They had originally planned to get married in Spain because that is where they met when they were both teaching English, I know, how cool right?! Sadly, the pandemic last year ruined that plan. However they didn’t want to wait much longer to get married since there wasn’t much end in sight with the pandemic so they figured their only option was to go to the courthouse. And then we hopped on a call…..Tomi had inquired with me and typically once a couple inquires we jump on the phone the chat details and get to know each other. While we were having this conversation I asked them how they decided to get married at the local (somewhat depressing) courthouse. They said other than that, they didn’t know what options they had to legally get married.
OH OOH OH PICK ME (hand raised) PICK ME, I KNOW THE ANSWER! I felt like an eager kid in the classroom with the right answer.
While it is my day to day job to help create dream elopement days for clients and I know plenty of options out there, that isn’t always the case for my clients. In reality it’s not that likely that they’ve been married before! And on your own, it can be quite daunting to figure out what is possible, how untraditional you can be, and how to make it all legal. That is why I make sure to chat with you throughout the planning process to help you find options you did not even know existed! Such as, hiring an independent officiant who will go anywhere (and hike anywhere) you want to go for your ceremony.
And so, we went from a quick courthouse ceremony to a beautiful sunrise elopement in the Linville Gorge Wilderness that is a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina.
They went from this depleted place of “I guess this is our only option.” to being so thrilled about their new plans. After we chatted they were 100% sold. In our emails Tomi said “That just makes me over the moon excited! (way better than the courthouse!) We knew you were the right fit.”
We met at the trailhead at 6:00 AM. We chose a sunrise elopement because the location we went to is an extremely popular spot and knew the earlier the better to avoid crowds and have some privacy. When we met at the parking lot it was about 47 degrees and still dark. Jake and I hiked up the trail about a mile in the dark with just the two of them and Tomi’s best friend, Maggie. As we were hiking up in the morning Tomi was so excited for their sunrise elopement saying “I can't wait to see this during the day! I'm so excited!” As we got closer to the summit and the sky started to brighten, a little piece of the mountains appeared and the anticipation for what was ahead was building.
When got up to the summit they both were just in awe. This is why I intentionally scheduled time for us to get up there early, so they could just soak in the view. One of my absolute favorite things about elopements is not being rushed. You are on your own time. We took a few deep breaths and watched the sun peek out.
It was pretty windy at the top, but we were able to find separate spots on the mountain for Tomi and Erik to get dressed. Tomi was tucked in quiet spot where the sun was warming the rocks. Her friend helped her brush her hair and slip on her dress. On the other side Erik, wandered into the woods to get dressed. It was so funny because we had no idea where he went and then 5 minutes later, he literally hops out of this dense brush of the woods in his full suit! Though Tomi had heels she quickly gave that up and went barefoot. You would have no idea that during their first look, while she was barefoot, they were absolutely freezing cold!
Tomi and Erik were just so game for anything and SO excited throughout every part of the day. If I had to boil it down, I think it was because they were just truly so excited to finally marry each other and that was what they focused on. They were so grateful we were there with them every step of the way to help and be a part of their special day. I felt so honored to be a part of it and help them create their “best day ever”.
Before the ceremony, they both were a little disappointed that their families were not going to be able to make it for the elopement due to travel restrictions .Though it can be disappointing when family is unable to attend there are ways to involve them. Not everyone who elopes, doesn’t want their family to attend or are not close with their family - that is a common myth. So while it was hard for them, they knew it was time to start their lives together and they had waited long enough.
Tomi and Erik chose to have their family members write and send them letters to read on their wedding day, which also provided them with a sweet keepsake. You can also include family by FaceTiming with them, having them create a video for you to watch during your day or they can send gifts in advance for you to open on your day.
After their first look the officiant had hiked up and met us for the ceremony. We picked a spot protected from the wind that was drenched in sun to warm them up. Tomi and Erik were able to share their heartfelt vows in privacy and they both teared up expressing how much they loved each other. There is something about being surrounded only by nature that seems to let your guard come down and make it easier to share such intimate words. Often couples tell me they don't like being the center of attention and the idea of standing in front of a lot of people, sharing such intimate words sounds very uncomfortable. I totally get that and your wedding day is NOT the day to feel uncomfortable!
Post ceremony they celebrated with donuts and champagne - breakfast of champions right there! Then they played music for their first dance as husband and wife, alone in the pine grove with the day just beginning to warm.
We ended the day exploring the summit in the morning sun. I know it’s hard to imagine a stress free wedding day - but it is truly possible. We weren’t in any rush and Tomi and Erik got to enjoy exploring. I always leave room for time to just let the couple roam and do what they want while I get some candid shots and genuine interaction. We spend all this time picking the perfect location, some couples traveling quite far just for these mountains for their wedding day, so I find it important to be able to spend time without any pressure to do anything or be anywhere. Every time we get a chance to do so, it allows the couple to relax and allows me to take my time and get more creative. A wedding day isn’t just about going through the motions, we’re meant to sit and just enjoy it too.
As Jake and I drove down the mountain after their sunrise elopement I remember telling him that I just felt so fulfilled.
While Tomi and Erik were incredibly grateful and gracious towards us, it was us that felt grateful for them. I say it all the time, but truly mean it, it is such an honor to play the role I do on wedding days. Especially during elopements when I am one of the few people that get to witness their day and hear their vows. I get big fat tears in my eyes at their sweet words, I get to share in the giddy excitement during the hike up, I get to crack jokes with them, I get to share in the celebratory donuts, I get to sign as their witness, I get to cheer for them when they are announced husband and wife. Every day I get to do this, I feel so lucky.