Roan Mountain State Park Elopement Guide
Roan Mountain is one of our favorite places to recommend for couples looking to elope in North Carolina and Tennssee! It lies on the North Carolina and Tennessee border in Cherokee National Forest, right on the edge of Tennessee's Roan Mountain State Park. It's a popular location for backpacking and hiking, and a highlight of the NC/TN portion of the Appalachian Trail.
A place close to our hearts: Roan Mountain is also where Becca and I originally fell in love with the Appalachian Trail, and where Becca decided she was going to make the full trek from Georgia to Maine! You could say it's the start of this whole Trail Magic Journey :)
It's no secret that Roan Mountain is absolutely beautiful, with its open balds, grassy meadows, and meandering trails. The views are truly 360 degrees, and it's an incredibly accessible location for couples looking to get married with a few guests out in nature or as an adventure with just the two of you!
Keep reading to learn more tips on how to plan your elopement at Roan Mountain State Park!
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Check out these North Carolina elopements and other guides!
Are you thinking about eloping in Tennessee or North Carolina but need some help or inspiration? We also recommend checking out these guides!
Logistics to Consider for Your Roan Mountain Elopement
Best Time of Year to Elope at Roan Mountain
The short answer: There truly isn't a bad time to elope at a place as beautiful as Roan Mountain. However, as local experts, we know this place like the back of our hand and would definitely recommend either spring or fall as your best options for consistent, pleasant weather conditions and fewer crowds:
Spring
Spring is incredible on Roan Mountain! The flowers are in bloom—mountain laurels, rhododendrons, and all other types of native species come alive and speckle the landscape.
Spring is a great time for those lush greens in the grass and is much more pleasant temperature-wise than the summer humidity!
If Spring sounds like your vibe, we’d recommend choosing either late May or the first week of June!
Fall
Fall is a surreal time of year in the highlands because the flowers are different than in spring and have darker tones to them. The grasses change, and the landscape is quiet as the season transitions.
It's a great shoulder season for the area, with crisp, incredible weather and very romantic fall vibes.
If Fall sounds like your vibe, we’d recommend choosing early to mid October!
Roan Mountain Wedding Permits
Good news: You don't need a permit to elope on the trail on Roan Mountain when starting from Carver’s Gap, because it is not technically in the state park, which makes planning your elopement significantly easier.
The catch: Although the National Forest doesn't require permits for groups up to 75 in this area, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy only allows groups of up to 10 people in total to have ceremonies along the trail—and this area is protected through this conservancy.
Additionally, if you want to get married in the actual state park, you will need to get permission and a permit. We also recommend that if you have more than 8 guests, to reserve one of their venues in the State Park, through Tennessee State Park’s website.
Pro Tip: Permits are an important aspect to keep in mind, and if you have any questions about this process, it's best to consult a local elopement photographer and planner to make sure you're following the correct regulations, as they can be conflicting (and confusing!) at times.
Parking Logistics at Carver's Gap
Know before you go: Carver's Gap is the trailhead where this area is most accessible to the public, and because of this, it can get incredibly crowded at times. There is limited parking available, and you should only park in designated areas and adhere to all no-parking signs and restrictions!
Parking is strictly enforced by rangers and law enforcement officers in the area, so we absolutely recommend planning ahead for parking and carpooling if you're bringing a group of people to your elopement.
Trail Considerations and Crowds
Because the area is so popular, we have some tips for how you can beat the crowds and have an overall positive elopement experience that is safe, beautiful, and makes minimal impact on this incredible spot:
Always Follow Leave No Trace Principles- Leave No Trace is near and dear to our hearts here at Trail Magic, and it's something we champion with our eloping couples. In an area like Roan Mountain, it's important to stay on trail at all times and to remember not to pick wildflowers or remove any natural items from their environment. This area is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out type of place, and if you see trash along the way, be a great neighbor and pick it up if you have the resources!
Elope on a Weekday - Our tried-and-true method: the best way to avoid crowds is to go when they aren't around, which is on weekdays!
Elope at Sunrise or Sunset - This tip benefits your photos as well. Many hikers tend to enjoy the trail only in the middle of the day, so a great way to beat the crowds is to elope at sunrise or sunset.
These are also the best times of day for incredible photos, so it's truly a win-win recommendation!Hike Farther, or Start at a Different Trailhead - The farther you're willing to hike, the more privacy you'll get, because many people who start at Carver's Gap don't make it past the first or second bald (we're not going to lie—it can be quite a trek, so do keep that in mind!). There are also different trailhead options nearby for those willing to hike that offer a variety of scenery in addition to the grassy balds!
Roan Mountain Elopement Cost
Although this can differ greatly due to vendor costs, guest count, and your priorities, here at Trail Magic, our couples tend to spend between $12,000 - $20,000 for their entire elopement experience at Roan Mountain.
That total includes the cost of our packages, their activities, accommodations, food, and all other vendors.
Sample Roan Mountain Elopement Timeline
8-Hour Elopement Day Experience
To give you a sense of what an elopement experience could look like at Roan Mountain, here is a sample timeline from one of our real elopements in the Spring!
2:00 PM - Photographer arrives at your Airbnb to capture getting ready photos and cozy vow-writing photos
3:30 PM - First look with your partner & photos around Airbnb
4:00 PM - Head out to Carver's Gap Trailhead
5:00 PM - Hike out to ceremony spot in the Roan Highlands
6:00 PM - You're married!! Celebrate with a delicious charcuterie picnic packed by your elopement planner!
7:00 PM - Couple portraits out on the bald for sunset
8:00 PM - Hike back to car, taking photos with lanterns as the sun leaves the horizon
9:00 PM - Have a private dinner back at the Airbnb from a private chef & toast your new marriage!
9:30 PM - FaceTime and read letters from family members & cut cake
10:00 PM - Coverage wraps up!
Want to see a sample of a real Roan Mountain Elopement? Check out Kayla and Ethan’s full elopement day {COMING SOON!}
Packages for your Roan Mountain Elopement Day
These tips will definitely help you get ahead on your elopement planning, but if you find yourself wanting extra help, we've got you covered!
Roan Mountain elopements are our specialty here at Trail Magic, and we've put together custom elopement packages that make planning them incredibly easy and stress-free. Some things our packages can include to make your experience amazing are:
6-hour to multi-day photography options to capture the full story of your day and trip
Full-service planning from a certified wedding planner who specializes in elopement experiences and knows the best timelines, tips, and vendors for your perfect day
Day-of coordination so your day flows seamlessly without you (or any of your guests) having to worry about anything
Aesthetic picnic setups based on your preferences for an unforgettable (& yummy) elopement activity!
Conclusion
Hopefully this post has you inspired and informed about the logistics behind planning an elopement at Roan Mountain. It is truly a stunning spot for getting married, and if you love the Appalachian Trail like we do, it's a great place to pay tribute to the trail.
If you're interested in learning more about how we can help you plan your Roan Mountain elopement, we'd love to chat with you!
Planning your own Roan Mountain State Park Elopement?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A North Carolina Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Elopement planning and documenting is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
