Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

  • Couple running together at golden sunset during their elopement on Roan Mountain trail in the Appalachian mountains by Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

    Thoughtfully Photographed in Blue Ridge, Georgia & Western North Carolina

  • Romantic couple standing together on Aska rock overlook in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia by Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Blue Ridge, GA wedding photography for couples who'd rather feel natural than stand and smile.

    Natural direction. Cinematic results. Real moments, real emotion.

  • Surprise engagement proposal at Payne Meadows in the Appalachian mountains photographed by Emilie Gates — Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

    Thoughtfully Photographed in Blue Ridge, Georgia & Western North Carolina

  • Newlywed couple joyfully riding a bicycle together after their intimate mountain wedding in Blue Ridge, Georgia by Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

    Thoughtfully Photographed in Blue Ridge, Georgia & Western North Carolina

  • Eli and Caitlyn's romantic wedding portrait at Hawkesdene with a dreamy rainy mountain backdrop in Western North Carolina by Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

    Thoughtfully Photographed in Blue Ridge, Georgia & Western North Carolina

  • Romantic couple portrait at a misty waterfall during their elopement in the Appalachian mountains of Western North Carolina by Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

    Thoughtfully Photographed in Blue Ridge, Georgia & Western North Carolina

  • Bride celebrating with her bridesmaids at Fall Creek Falls forest wedding in Tennessee photographed by Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

    Thoughtfully Photographed in Blue Ridge, Georgia & Western North Carolina

  • Sweet family portrait with parents kissing their baby during an intimate North Georgia family wedding by Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

    Thoughtfully Photographed in Blue Ridge, Georgia & Western North Carolina

  • Couple embracing at a waterfall during their mountain elopement in Western North Carolina by Appalachian Wedding Photography

    Intentional Elopements and Small Family Weddings

    Thoughtfully Photographed in Blue Ridge, Georgia & Western North Carolina

Wedding couple holding hands in a tender portrait moment in the Blue Ridge Georgia mountains by Appalachian Wedding Photography

Photographs that feel like memories.
Moments that unfold like your favorite movie.

Where love stories meet the mountains.

Our approach is a slower kind of storytelling — where your love, your connection, and your story are seen and felt, never staged.

At Appalachian Wedding Photography, we’re drawn to weddings that feel like the very best day of your honeymoon: a beautiful adventure, sometimes shared with your closest friends and family. We work with couples who want more than just pretty pictures—they want imagery that feels honest, nostalgic, and alive with real emotion.

Appalachian Wedding Photography Logo Stamp.png

Give us your misty mountaintop mornings at the Airbnb, your backyard receptions, your waterfall vows, your courthouse elopements, and your flower-farm proposals. Give us your walk on the Appalachian Trail, your first glimpse from the fire tower, and your sweet kiss at sunset.

Your story deserves to be told with artistry and heart.

Based in Blue Ridge, Georgia, we’re honored to travel near and far to document weddings that feel unmistakably like you.

Couple caressing their dog on river rocks in Blue Ridge, Georgia during a relaxed engagement session by Appalachian Wedding Photography
Emilie Gates — Blue Ridge Georgia wedding and elopement photographer — holding two cameras, based in North Georgia

MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

I bring more than a camera - I bring presence, calm, and care.

I'm a backpack-toting, moss-path-wandering, pillownest-sleeping soul who finds deep joy in the little things that make life feel delicious.

My love tank fills in the kitchen, where my three kids and I turn cooking into a chaotic, flavorful symphony-and around the dinner table, where "mmm" is basically our family language.

I'm not just here to snap photos.

I'm here to help your day flow, calm the nerves, adjust the veil, and honor your story with images that feel like you.

You won't get stiff poses or cookie-cutter edits.

You'll get real, timeless, joy-filled photos that look like how your day felt.

If you're ready to chat more, just click the link below and let's start dreaming it up together.

I'd love to tell your story through my lens!!!

No matter who you are or who you love, you belong here. Your story is valid, your love is beautiful, and your presence is a gift.

Every step we take is guided by Leave No Trace values—because this earth, our shared home, deserves our care and respect.

Leave No Trace certified — Appalachian Wedding Photography respects and protects the natural environment during every session

Kind Words

What couples are saying

  • Five-star review from Kelley and John — Blue Ridge Georgia wedding photography client of Appalachian Wedding Photography

    “It wasn't until the day of the wedding, that I really realized how lucky I was to have Emilie there.”

    “We LOVED working with Emilie! Her photography style was exactly what we were looking for.She really knows how to make the entire day flow smoothly no matter what happens and get all the shots you want. Emilie was able to make things happen and keep to the schedule, much like a day-of wedding planner. She guides everyone through the whole day. I can't imagine how it would have gone without her.”

    - Kelley and John

  • Five-star review from Kayla and Nathan — happy couple photographed by Emilie Gates at Appalachian Wedding Photography in North Georgia

    “One in a lifetime experience with a magical touch.”

    “A day full of excitement with a touch of some extra nerves, and Emilie managed to keep us calm cool and collected. She was beyond helpful when it came to planning our day out and helping us set a timeline that allowed us to get more gorgeous photos than we could have ever plans for. She is extremely fair with pricing and works with you to help you get the most bang for your buck.

    10/10 recommend checking her out for all your photography needs!”

    - Kayla & Nathan

  • Five-star review from Elena and Alex — mountain wedding photography clients of Appalachian Wedding Photography in Blue Ridge, Georgia

    “Wow. Just wow.”

    If you're even thinking about it, BOOK EMILIE. She is best return on your investment.

    The photos received are the most beautiful photos we've ever received. We wanted someone who could capture candid photos that would feel like you're watching a classical romance movie --- and we got just that. I also want to add that Emilie was the perfect individual to spend our wedding day with. Your photographers are the people you will most likely spend the most amount of time with on your wedding day - minus your future spouse. Make it be people that you can feel as though you were friends for ages, that is how we felt with Emilie.

    They weren't photographers, they were old friends. And they made the day extra special. DO IT.”

    - Elena & Alex

  • Five-star client review for Emilie Gates — Appalachian Wedding Photography covering family, engagement and mountain wedding photography in Blue Ridge, Georgia

    “We can’t wait to have her document our mountain wedding next year!”

    “Getting family pictures with 5 kids is chaos enough but add in senior pictures and engagement pictures and you have a whole zoo!

    Not with Emilie though! We love our pictures! They really capture our families authentic selves! More than that, we loved the experience! The kids got to be themselves, Emilie makes us laugh and makes everything fun and smooth!

    She listens to what you want and has amazing ideas when you draw a blank! We could not be happier with her! Stay tuned for another review!”

    - Ryan & Laken

  • “We LOVED working with Emilie! Her photography style was exactly what we were looking for.

    It wasn't until the day of the wedding, that I really realized how lucky I was to have Emilie there. She really knows how to make the entire day flow smoothly no matter what happens and get all the shots you want. Emilie was able to make things happen and keep to the schedule, much like a day-of wedding planner. She guides everyone through the whole day. I can't imagine how it would have gone without her.”

    - Kelly Koswalt

  • “One in a lifetime experience with a magical touch. A day full of excitement with a touch of some extra nerves, and Emilie managed to keep us calm cool and collected. She was beyond helpful when it came to planning our day out and helping us set a timeline that allowed us to get more gorgeous photos than we could have ever plans for. She is extremely fair with pricing and works with you to help you get the most bang for your buck.

    10/10 recommend checking her out for all your photography needs!”

    - Kayla Pinkston

  • “Wow. Just wow. If you're even thinking about it, BOOK EMILIE AND CHAD. They are best return on your investment.

    The photos received are the most beautiful photos we've ever received. We wanted someone who could capture candid photos that would feel like you're watching a classical romance movie --- and we got just that. I also want to add that Emilie & Chad were the perfect individuals to spend our wedding day with. Your photographers are the people you will most likely spend the most amount of time with on your wedding day - minus your future spouse. Make it be people that you can feel as though you were friends for ages, that is how we felt with Emilie & Chad.

    They weren't photographers, they were old friends. And they made the day extra special. DO IT.”

    - Elena Tsvetkova

  • “Getting family pictures with 5 kids is chaos enough but add in senior pictures and engagement pictures and you have a whole zoo! Not with Emilie though! We love our pictures! They really capture our families authentic selves! More than that, we loved the experience! The kids got to be themselves, Emilie makes us laugh and makes everything fun and smooth!

    She listens to what you want and has amazing ideas when you draw a blank! We could not be happier with her! We can’t wait to have her document our mountain wedding next year! Stay tuned for another review!”

    - Laken Ward

Emilie Gates Sitting in a Squat Position Holding Camera.png
Emilie Gates Sitting on a Couch with a Laptop on her Lap Thinking.png

02

03

How it works?

THE CREATIVE COLLABORATION

We’ll confirm your date, secure your spot, and start bringing your vision to life with a short questionnaire.

Next, you’ll receive your contract and a timeline and family shot guide filled with helpful tips, along with our notes from our connection call- for a smooth, stress-free photography experience.

From there, we’ll stay connected throughout the planning process- collaborating on ideas, locations, and timing to make sure your dream photos come to life.

SAY HELLO

Fill out the contact form click the link and tell me a little about your wedding or elopement plans. I’ll get back to you soon with availability and how to officially reserve your date.

Prefer to chat first?
I’d love that. There’s no pressure to book during our call—I just want you to feel confident and excited before making a decision.

01



BRINGING YOUR STORY TO LIGHT

We’ll confirm your date, secure your spot, and start bringing your vision to life with a short questionnaire.

Next, you’ll receive your contract and a timeline and family shot guide filled with helpful tips, along with our notes from our connection call- for a smooth, stress-free photography experience.

From there, we’ll stay connected throughout the planning process- collaborating on ideas, locations, and timing to make sure your dream photos come to life.

How it works?

SAY HELLO

Fill out the contact form click the link and tell me a little about your wedding or elopement plans. I’ll get back to you soon with availability and how to officially reserve your date.

Prefer to chat first?
I’d love that. There’s no pressure to book during our call—I just want you to feel confident and excited before making a decision.

01


THE CREATIVE COLABORATION

We’ll confirm your date, secure your spot, and start bringing your vision to life with a short questionnaire.

Next, you’ll receive your contract and a timeline and family shot guide filled with helpful tips, along with our notes from our connection call- for a smooth, stress-free photography experience.

From there, we’ll stay connected throughout the planning process- collaborating on ideas, locations, and timing to make sure your dream photos come to life.

02


BRINGING YOUR STORY TO LIGHT

We’ll confirm your date, secure your spot, and start bringing your vision to life with a short questionnaire.

Next, you’ll receive your contract and a timeline and family shot guide filled with helpful tips, along with our notes from our connection call- for a smooth, stress-free photography experience.

From there, we’ll stay connected throughout the planning process- collaborating on ideas, locations, and timing to make sure your dream photos come to life.

03

A Look at Blue Ridge Elopements

Planned & Designed

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @APPALACHIANWEDDINGPHOTOGRAPHY