Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.
When Gouri & Luke first started planning their big, beautiful, destination wedding in India, odds are they never thought a worldwide pandemic would interrupt a thing… Enter COVID stage right.
Much like many of our other couples, Gouri & Luke’s world, and all their carefully made wedding plans, were flipped upside down when the rona came crashing into 2020 like a wrecking ball. With travel bans and borders closed around the globe, this sweet couple bid adieu to what could have been and said hello to their new normal - an epic elopement adventure in the North Carolina Mountains.
With only a few weeks to plan something epic for Gouri & Luke, we set out with their wish list in hand determined to make magic for them. And boy, oh, boy, did the magic happen!
:: badass asheville & highlands elopement vendor team ::
planning, design & styling: scarlet plan & design // venue: secret waters // photography: gipe photography // officiant: Rodney McClain for Love & Wisdom, Inc. // cake: Hey Hey Cupcake // hair & makeup artist: AnaRie Brides // gown: The Sentimentalist // flowers: fern & flora
The couple rented a gorgeous cabin set high, HIIIIGGGGHHHH up on the side of a mountain, far above the rest of the world in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside Asheville, NC where they stayed with their only wedding guest, their sweet Great Dane! Gouri’s stunning, custom red sari, originally purchased to wear at their overseas wedding, had been flown in from India with Luke’s traditional kurta. Normally it takes several experienced hands to fold and dress a bride in such a garment, but Luke had spent weeks learning how to assemble the intricate folds and layers so he could help Gouri dress that morning. Watching him slowly and carefully help Gouri get ready was one of the most beautiful moments I can honestly remember ever seeing!
After doing a first look outside the cabin, the couple spent the first part of the day in their traditional Indian wedding garb, taking photos in scenic vistas all along the way from Asheville to Highlands with the incredible Gipe Photography. This genius husband and wife photography duo are always down for an adventure, adore travel, and have become our first phone call when we need bold photography for our rad couples!
Secret Waters, a brand new venue in Highlands, North Carolina, and the only venue we know of to own their own private waterfall, was the most magical location imaginable for this sweet couple to exchange vows. Nestled deep in the woods, this venue is truly one of a kind, offering absolute privacy and unparalleled customer service for intimate events. I could honestly gush about the owners, Greg and Mary Lou, all day long!
Once they arrived at Secret Waters, Gouri & Luke changed out of their South Asian attire and into their western style gown and suit. After quickly refreshing the bride’s hair and makeup, we pinned a gorgeous, dainty rose gold and fresh floral crown into her hair and they were ready to say I Do!
We adore when couples choose to get ready together the morning of their wedding! There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a groom help his bride into her gown or the bride helping him to fix his tie… honestly we cry happy tears every single time and LOVE seeing this trend continue with more and more couples!
This is the first time Luke had seen Gouri in her western style wedding gown and the look on his face is absolutely priceless! This is also the first time Gouri had seen the waterfall so she got a double first look! Haha!
