How to have a Beautiful Waterfall Elopement

Waterfall Elopements are beautiful. Simple I Do’s has performed many of them. It’s your wedding day, and we want you to have the best day of your life. So, from our experience, here is what you need to know about having a Destination Elopement at a Waterfall.

Planning a Waterfall Elopement?

Many North Carolina waterfalls can be accessed all year round – even in the winter months.

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Waterfalls in general but especially those we have here in Western North Carolina, are renowned for their beauty. They never cease to amaze us with their awe inspiring scenes. Water in general has a calming influence on us. Listening to a waterfall as it cascades down a slope to it’s pool below is better than a week of therapy (in the opinion of this author)! And we have more waterfalls in the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains than one could practically see in a lifetime.

Be Aware – Natural Beauty holds Considerable Danger as well

Waterfalls are beautiful. Wild animals are beautiful too, but we know to approach them with caution and in many cases to avoid them all together, right?

Thus the flip side is that waterfalls create a unique environment that should be well considered before you venture out to view one, but – especially if you want to elope at a waterfall – you should consider a few things first. One, most people go to waterfalls in HIKING gear; comfy shorts, tee shirts, backpacks and hiking shoes. All designed for that purpose.

When hikers venture near waterfalls, their specially designed shoes still may not adequately grip the moisture laden rocks and trees. A waterfall – especially here in Western North Carolina creates it’s own environment. Fifty feet away from the falls may seem dry, but in close proximity, it is always sopping wet. Therefore, lots of mosses and other vegetation abound in it’s boundaries. As a result, everything around the falls is most likely slick – and that goes doubly for the rocks.

Secondly, most waterfalls are in ravines, canyons or gorges. Quite often where water falls, large boulders and trees have also fallen. You will most likely have to climb or scrabble over these obstacles. Trees, rhododendron, and mountain laurel grow abundantly around falls. They are beautiful but also provide a lot of shade which means surfaces are not exposed to as much sunlight and this along with constant abundant moisture makes them very slick.

Waterfalls are beautiful, but sadly, a dozen people or so die every year trying to climb or wade across waterfalls in North Carolina. I cannot emphasize enough that YOU MUST EXPECT THE ROCKS TO BE VERY SLICK. Be respectful of their dangers and don’t become a statistic.

On the positive side, a third feature, which is wonderful to consider, is that most falls have created pools at their base which can be waded into and enjoyed. In general these pools are shallow, but at many falls they are deep enough to swim in. When you go to waterfall, you may encounter someone doing just that. Yes, there is a waterfall in North Carolina named Skinny Dip Falls and some patrons have been know to do just that.

I actually encourage my couples to wade in the pools because it can make very nice photo opportunities. But take note that if you plan get wet, you should prepare have the means to dry yourself off, add additional layers of synthetic clothing or even bring a change of clothes along.

Wedding Fashion Choices for Waterfalls

Let’s begin with the most important choice you will make and that is what kind of shoes should you should wear at a waterfall? High heels? Not unless you’re planning on aerating the soil. The spikes will get stuck. Period. Wedges? These are also not a very good idea. In fact, no shoe with a heel should be worn for hiking in the mountains, or climbing over rocks, or getting into the ideal locations for wedding photography at waterfalls. Even on flat ground heels can cause you to roll your ankle and therefore they afford zero stability in uneven terrain. Also, most heels have slick bottoms which is the opposite of what you need around slimy wet rocks.

Shoe Selection

So what is the ideal shoe for waterfall elopements? Deck shoes would be the best – for guys and girls! Honestly, that is exactly what I wear because I have to be able to “stick” to rocks in difficult places. But, of course, deck shoes are probably a poor fashion choice for most couples getting married. Please consider a shoe with the following characteristics: flat rubber sole, preferably tied with a shoe string, and with a sole that does not get slick when wet. Some women wear flip flops. The danger there is that the toe is open. A closed toe sandal is much safer for rock hopping.

Wedding Dress Options

What about a woman’s dress? Is it OK to have a five foot train? Yes it’s OK, but for destination weddings by waterfalls, Simple I Do’s recommends dresses that are cut above the ankle up to just below the knee. Trains are beautiful but quickly get dirty in the mountains. They also tend to collect debris like leaves and sticks. Around water they get wet. And they have to be drug behind you or carried around over your arm as you hike from location to location. Many modern wedding dresses are cut shorter. We recommend these because you will have more freedom of movement and can access more places to take cool photos than if inhibited by a traditional wedding dress.

Below: The dress this bride is wearing is ideal. It is hemmed just above the ankles and will not get wet when she wades in this shallow pool. However, she has taken her shoes are off because they have heels and she could not safely hop on the rocks to get to this position. In the end, though, this all works artistically for the photos.

Below: The dress worn by the bride below is perfect for wearing to waterfalls, still it was very hard for her to climb on the rocks with the very tall wedges on her feet. The best style for Waterfall Elopements is the right combination of dress and foot wear. Note as well that even though it is July, she has a jacket with sleeves.

Don’t Forget the Guys

What about the men? For guys, the same considerations should drive your apparel choices. Avoid dress shoes. They typically have slick soles. Consider instead a dressier pair of tennis shoes or hiking boots – or even dress boots with a rubber sole. Wear comfortable pants. Be prepared to take off your shoes and roll up you pant legs to wade in the pool. I’ve had men show up in tuxedos for outdoor elopements. Is that OK? Sure it is, but really, why? I recommend the more contemporary Boho style for gentlemen. It really is more comfortable for hiking and climbing over rocks, and it looks great in outdoor settings. Finally, Simple I Do’s recommends that you ditch the tie altogether. Can I get an Amen?

Expect Mountain Top Weather to be Unpredictable

And, please, everyone – every time – you go into the mountains, be sure to carry with you a long sleeve jacket in the summer and coats, hats and gloves in the spring and fall. Showers can spring up quickly and hypothermia is always a danger – especially if you are wearing cotton-based clothing.

Below: This mountain top elopement was in April. We left Asheville at a balmy 77 degrees, when we got to our destination elopement location, it was 43 degrees with winds gusting to 50 mph. The wind chill felt like it was in the twenties. We were all freezing, but this bride in her thin sleeveless gown definitely suffered the most.

Below: This beautiful bride below never let it show, but she was very cold during these photos. It was 80 degrees in Asheville when we left for Black Balsam Knob in late May. When we arrived up on the mountain top, it was 59 degrees. Mountain temps are typically 15 – 20 degrees less than the temperature in the valley, and as you can see, the wind was blowing quite briskly that day.

Final Thoughts

Waterfalls Elopements are beautiful. We encourage you to come and enjoy the water as well as the scenery. Plan on getting your toes wet. Some couples bring a change of clothes. Remember to bring hydration and maybe even a snack so you can stay and soak in the moment. Be prepared for the potential difference in weather. We, here at Simple I Do’s, typically carry a blanket (shown below) for thermal protection, but also as a shield to dress behind. We want everyone to be safe, warm and healthy – especially in your most important moments – like when you are getting married!