FAQs
FAQ's
It's your wedding day, and we are certain you have many questions! We have walked thousands of couples through the process of eloping, and so we have the experience necessary to make this an easy, stress-free process for you. Below are our most Frequently Asked Questions so that you can better understand the whole process of getting married with Smoky Mountain Elopement Company.
Marriage License/Legal
Couples getting married in North Carolina must get a marriage license before the wedding. If your wedding will be in North Carolina, you can get a marriage license from the Register of Deeds in any county in the state. In general, both partners must visit the Register of Deeds office, though some counties allow online applications to be submitted before visiting the office to save time.
There is a $60.00 fee for the license. Cash, in-state check made payable to Registrar of Deeds, or credit card (minimal processing fee) are accepted.
You will receive your license immediately, and you can marry immediately after receiving your license.
Applicants for a marriage license must pay a fee and fill out a form stating their names, ages, marital status, and intention to marry. Applicants must provide either a Social Security number or a notarized statement that the applicant is ineligible to receive a Social Security number. The Register of Deeds may require proof of age, such as a government-issued ID or birth certificate. The Register of Deeds may also require proof of divorce if either partner was previously married. Because requirements can vary, you should contact the Register of Deeds in your county with any specific questions.
The marriage license must be issued before the wedding. North Carolina has no required waiting period between the issuance of the marriage license and the wedding. A marriage license expires after 60 days if the wedding has not taken place, and applicants must apply again if the wedding does not occur within 60 days.
You do not have to be a previous or current resident of North Carolina to obtain a marriage license. But, you do have to get a license in the county the wedding will take place in.
No blood test or physical exam is required.
You must be 18 years old or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.
Nope! You need only to bring your government-issued ID.
Absolutely! Just let us know ahead of time, and we will provide witnesses for you at no additional cost.
We will ensure it is filled out correctly and will file it within 10 days of the wedding date, according to North Carolina state law. However, we try to file it within 1-2 business days of your wedding day so that you can have your official marriage certificate as quickly as possible.
A wedding can be performed by a magistrate or by any minister who is ordained in a religious denomination or authorized by a church. Marriages can also be performed in the recognized manner of any religious denomination that does not use officiants, or in the recognized manner of any federally or state-recognized Native American tribe.
You should contact the magistrate’s office in your county, because availability varies by county.
No. Judges cannot perform marriages in North Carolina.
Logistics
You must bring your marriage license. As well as your soon-to-be spouse!
We keep a close eye on weather, and we have multiple options for inclement weather – from braving the rain with an umbrella, to changing locations, to changing the date and/or time of your wedding (with your approval of course).
We ask that couples, family, and friends arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before the agreed-upon start time. Arriving earlier may cause additional charges to be incurred against SMEC that would unfortunately have to be passed along to you. We will be waiting for you at each venue’s parking area.
All of our wedding events are an hour in length unless otherwise specified. This amount of time covers the wedding ceremony, photo session, and lots of celebratory hugs and kisses by the two of you and your guests (if attending).
For most of our weddings, seating is not necessary. Some of our venues have limited seating available on-site, so please ask about your venue of choice when booking if seating is needed. If additional seating is necessary, you can rent seats from us for $10 per chair, which includes delivery, set-up, and break-down. It will be on-site waiting for you when you arrive!
Venues
- Gardens
We typically use the Asheville Botanical Gardens or the NC Arboretum because of their great location and beautiful landscaping, let us know if you have another garden in mind!
Yes; you will need to contact volunteer reservations coordinator, Kaita Collier, to obtain permission to hold your ceremony at the Botanical Gardens. The Gardens require contact directly from the couple, not SMEC, to obtain permission. The Gardens charge their own fee depending on the size of your wedding party. This fee is not included in the package pricing with Elope Asheville. We simply need you to let us know once you’ve obtained permission from Kaita and are ready to move forward with booking the Botanical Gardens as your venue. You can contact Kaita at 828.252.5190 or office@ashevillebotanicalgardens.org.
8 guests (10 total, including the couple) are included in any of our package prices. Up to 20 additional guests are allowed at $15/person.
The gardens have public restrooms that are available only during times the guest shop is open. We do not recommend counting on using these spaces to get ready.
We offer an elegant luxury picnic experience, thoughtfully designed to accommodate intimate gatherings of up to 20 guests.
Modest decorations may be allowable on a case-by-case basis. Decorations are not provided by Elope Asheville; you must bring your own. If you purchase the Gardens Romantic Package or Gardens Special Package, which include photography, you are welcome to bring props for your wedding photos.
For most of our weddings, seating is not necessary. Some of our venues have limited seating available on-site, so please ask about your venue of choice when booking if seating is needed. If additional seating is necessary, you can rent seats from us for $10 per chair, which includes delivery, set-up, and break-down. It will be on-site waiting for you when you arrive!
Your ceremony can take place any day of the week. The latest possible start time for your event is an hour before sunset, which varies seasonally.
Yes. We just ask that you keep in mind that there may be other guests or passersby as these are public gardens.
We can always keep an eye on the weather and make last-minute adjustments as available. For example, we might suggest an earlier or later ceremony time depending on our availability and the weather forecast. There is also a small gazebo available in case of a light drizzle!
Absolutely. The Botanical Gardens is open to the public, so you are welcome to visit them on your own to be sure they are the right spot for your elopement.
- Mountains
We have select spots available for Mountain weddings depending on our availability and other locations on your chosen day. We will make sure to find somewhere lovely to meet you!
All Mountain packages are for 10 total guests (including the couple). Up to 20 additional guests may be added for $15/person.
A couple of locations may have public restrooms that are available seasonally. We do not recommend counting on using these spaces to get ready.
We offer an elegant luxury picnic experience, thoughtfully designed to accommodate intimate gatherings of up to 20 guests. You are also welcome to set up your own picnic separate from SMEC.
Modest decorations may be allowable on a case-by-case basis. Decorations are not provided by SMEC; you must bring your own. If you purchase the Core or Summit or Peak Package, which include photography, you are welcome to bring props for your wedding photos.
For most of our weddings, seating is not necessary. Some of our venues have limited seating available on-site, so please ask about your venue of choice when booking if seating is needed. If additional seating is necessary, you can rent seats from us for $10 per chair, which includes delivery, set-up, and break-down. It will be on-site waiting for you when you arrive!
Your ceremony can take place any day of the week. The latest possible start time for your event is an hour before sunset, which varies seasonally.
We can always keep an eye on the weather and make last-minute adjustments as available. For example, we might suggest an earlier or later ceremony time depending on our availability and the weather forecast.
Absolutely! You are welcome to visit on your own to be sure it’s the right spot for your elopement.
- Waterfalls
We have select spots available for Waterfall weddings depending on our availability and other locations on your chosen day. We will make sure to find somewhere lovely to meet you!
Waterfalls, by their nature, are small locations that can be difficult to navigate (wet rocks, etc.). We limit waterfall weddings to 8 *ABLE BODIED* guests in addition to the two of you.
A couple of locations may have public restrooms that are available seasonally. We do not recommend counting on using these spaces to get ready.
We offer an elegant luxury picnic experience, thoughtfully designed to accommodate intimate gatherings of up to 20 guests.
Modest decorations may be allowable on a case-by-case basis. Decorations are not provided by SMEC; you must bring your own. If you purchase the Waterfalls Core or Summit or Peak Package, which include photography, you are welcome to bring props for your wedding photos.
We’re sorry, but due to the natural terrain, the waterfalls are not a location where seating can be accommodated.
Your ceremony can take place any day of the week. The latest possible start time for your event is an hour before sunset, which varies seasonally.
Yes. We just ask that you keep in mind that there may be other guests or passersby as these are public waterfalls.
We can always keep an eye on the weather and make last-minute adjustments as available. For example, we might suggest an earlier or later ceremony time depending on our availability and the weather forecast.
Absolutely. Waterfalls open to the public, so you are welcome to visit on your own to be sure they are the right spot for your elopement.
- (Not a) Courthouse Wedding
We have select spots available for (Not A) Courthouse weddings depending on our availability and other locations on your chosen day. We will make sure to find somewhere lovely to meet you!
Two guests are included in the package (not including the couple). We allow up to four more guests for $15/guest.
You will need a valid NC marriage license. For details on how to do this, look at the above section in the FAQ list.
You must arrive ready for your ceremony, as our locations do not have facilities available.