Why We Love Buncombe County Courthouse Weddings

I consider myself so incredibly lucky to photograph the sweetest, most heartfelt Buncombe County Courthouse weddings right here in downtown Asheville. There’s just something so special about courthouse elopements—simple, genuine, and focused entirely on the two of you. It’s no secret that we love any chance to visit the magistrate’s office for another beautiful ceremony, and if you’re considering eloping at the Asheville courthouse, I’m thrilled to walk you through what that experience might look like!

Why More Couples Are Choosing to Elope in Asheville

Since the start of the pandemic back in 2020, we’ve seen a huge shift in how couples choose to celebrate their wedding day. With so many large weddings postponed or canceled in those early days, courthouse elopements and smaller gatherings started to take center stage—and they’ve stuck around for good reason.

Some of the couples we work with have adjusted their plans due to travel, budget, or scheduling issues. Others are simply choosing to skip the stress of a big wedding altogether. A courthouse wedding offers a refreshing alternative—no guest list headaches, no timelines to micromanage, and no pressure. It’s just the two of you (and maybe your closest people), saying “I do” in one of Asheville’s most charming and historic buildings.

Finding the Right Photographer for Your Asheville Courthouse Wedding

One of my recent brides, Kiersten, mentioned something during our initial meeting that stuck with me. She said trying to find an Asheville wedding photographer felt completely overwhelming. There are hundreds of local photographers—how do you even begin to choose?

Luckily, she found me through a Google review from another Buncombe County Courthouse wedding we had photographed, and she immediately connected with the style and feeling of our work. Within 24 hours of reaching out, she booked us for her ceremony. Just like that. And the rest, as they say, is history.

If you’re in the same boat, scrolling through photographer after photographer and wondering how to narrow it down—here’s a little secret: go with the one whose work makes you feel something. The one whose photos look like real moments, not just pretty poses. If that sounds like what you’re after, you might’ve just found your match.

What It’s Like to Elope at the Buncombe County Courthouse

If you’re considering booking us for your Asheville courthouse elopement, welcome! Here’s a step-by-step look at what your day might look like when we work together.

• Getting Ready for the Day

Some of our couples choose to get ready separately and have a sweet little First Look right outside the courthouse doors. Others prefer to get ready together—maybe in a cozy Airbnb, a downtown hotel room, or even at home—and then ride over together for the ceremony. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, and we’re here to support whatever feels right for you both.

• Where We Meet

We typically meet at the parking garage right across the street from the courthouse. It’s convenient, easy to find, and only a quick walk away. From there, we’ll head into the courthouse together. After a brief security check, we make our way to the magistrate’s office.

• The Ceremony

If you don’t have witnesses, no worries at all—my second shooter and I are happy to step in and sign your marriage license as your official witnesses. We’ve done it plenty of times before, and it always feels like such an honor. The ceremony itself is short and sweet. You’ll stand in front of the magistrate, exchange vows (or not—it’s totally up to you), and just like that—you’re married! It may be simple, but it’s always incredibly meaningful.

• The Post-Ceremony Adventure

This is where the fun starts! We’ll head straight into photos and hit up all our go-to locations for our Buncombe County Courthouse Weddings.

Our Favorite Asheville Courthouse Photo Locations

We love photographing in and around the Buncombe County Courthouse buildings-there’s so much character, history, and beauty tucked into this little corner of downtown.

Some of our favorite spots include:

-Inside the old courthouse with its gorgeous architecture and vintage vibes

-The newer courthouse building, especially in front of those tall glass windows

-The steps and stone columns out front

-The top level of the parking garage across the street with mountain views and urban charm

If you book us for extra time, we can keep the adventure going! We’ll head into downtown Asheville and explore some of our favorite hidden gems—alleyways, murals, mountaintop overlooks, and charming brick backdrops. You can check out more ideas in our engagement photo location blog post for inspiration.

Make It a Full-Day Celebration

One of the best things about choosing a courthouse elopement is that you get to decide how the day unfolds. Want to grab brunch at one of Asheville’s iconic cafes after your ceremony? Let’s do it. Planning a tiny candlelit dinner reception with your closest friends that evening? We’d love to tag along and capture it. Or maybe you just want to wander the city and soak in your first few hours as newlyweds-no timeline, no pressure. That sounds perfect, too. We can make it happen.

Courthouse weddings might be small, but they’re full of heart. Whether it’s just the two of you, or a handful of your favorite people, your wedding day deserves to be documented with the same love, care, and intention as any big celebration. And that’s exactly what we’re here for.

So, what do you think? Can you see yourselves standing on the courthouse steps, hand in hand, ready to start your marriage in the heart of Asheville?

If so, we’d love to be there with you-quietly documenting all the unposed, unfiltered, unforgettable moments.

Ready to elope at the Buncombe County Courthouse?

Reach out through our contact form and let’s make it happen. ✨