Fern Paths & Waterfalls A Blue Ridge Elopement Adventure

How about fern paths that lead to waterfalls?

I remember traveling up to the mountains from my hometown in Florida with my youth group and feeling that shift in the air — that change in humidity that came with elevation. Freedom from the heat. Freedom from the mosquitos.

And there was different soda.

Cheerwine. Served so cold it actually took your breath away.

Why was everyone so excited about Cheerwine at our summer camps? It was just soda, after all. But it’s those things that are hard to find in everyday life that become special when you finally get them. You taste, you share, and the moment imprints itself in your memory. Sharing, friends, and simple good times.

Now that I think about it, Cheerwine might be the perfect drink — cheer for happiness and wine for sharing.

Fern Paths and Mountain Magic

Fern paths tell me the trail hasn’t been trampled so much that the ferns and moss have died away. They tell me others have wandered there, but gently. That the path still leads somewhere worth exploring.

I’ll take those trails every time over the bare Georgia clay paths that have been stripped of all growth and green. Sometimes too many people go searching for the same jewel — the same waterfall — and it becomes too much. So much that the spirit of the place stops showing, stops sharing.

I tend to go beyond the popular trails marked on the maps of the local townships. Those are often flooded with tourists who come to take from our mountains instead of savoring them. I’d rather find a spot still carpeted with moss, where overgrown footpaths wind between the trees. The kind of place you have to read about, jot down directions to, and give your best shot finding.

And when I’m photographing an elopement or an intimate mountain wedding, those are the spots I love most — the ones that still feel sacred. Where the couple can hear the water and the wind, where it feels like the mountains themselves are the witnesses.

Finding Magic in the Nantahala Forest

Visiting the mountains growing up was a whole new world for me. I was raised on the Indian River Lagoon — also known as the Intracoastal Waterway — in Palm Bay, Florida. Back then, that part of Florida still had a wildness to it. We could bike out into the boonies and find canopies of oaks and mangroves that felt like our own secret world.

That same magic lives here in the mountains.

The Nantahala Forest is pure magic. The fly-fishing community knows it. The hikers know it too. Honestly, if I were famous, I’d never write this blog — I’d keep these spots secret. But since my reach is small, I SHARE!

Nantahala has the easiest-access waterfall I’ve ever seen. It’s grand, powerful, and sometimes even welcomes kayakers who take the plunge right over the edge. The creeks and lakes here are pristine — and cold. Really cold. Cheerwine cold.

For couples dreaming of a waterfall elopement in North Georgia, this is your place. It’s got that fairytale energy without the crowds.

Blue Ridge: Where Small-Town Nostalgia Meets Elopement Dreams

I love the views from the Airbnbs in Blue Ridge, Georgia, too. There’s a small-town charm to downtown that brings back that nostalgic feeling of childhood road trips. Any place that has canoes filled with candy for scooping into a paper bag is a winner in my book.

Downtown Blue Ridge is a sweet strip of shops and restaurants — something for everyone. Come hungry and thirsty! And if you’ve got a cute outfit, wear it, because you’ll definitely want to grab some snapshots of the vibes.

One of my favorite things after an elopement is walking that one-way street with my couples — the new Mr. and Mrs., still glowing. “Look at us,” they’ll say, “we just got married… now we’re getting ice cream, casually, in our wedding attire.” Dreamy.

That’s the kind of candid, joy-filled energy I live to capture — the kind that tells a story, not just fills a frame.

Orchards, Caramel Apples, and Mountain Traditions

The orchards up here in the mountains are something else. Apples falling from the trees, covering the ground in red and gold. It’s family fun and nostalgia rolled into one.

And let me just say — caramel apples are my absolute favorite meal. (Yes, meal.) If I could pick one birthday gift, it would be a caramel apple covered in pecans. That’s how deep my love for these mountain traditions runs.

History and Charm in Murphy, North Carolina

Another dreamy spot in these tucked-away towns is the historic courthouse in Murphy, North Carolina. The marble exterior is stunning, and inside you’ll find grand staircases that absolutely blow your mind. The classic black-and-white checkered floors and circular balcony make it feel like stepping back in time — and it’s all open to the public.

Murphy has done such a beautiful job keeping it updated and accessible. Well done, Murphy.

For couples planning a courthouse elopement, this one’s a total hidden gem — elegant, cinematic, and perfectly preserved.

Hidden Gems and Gentle Adventures

Appalachian Wedding Photography has a long list of top picks for those seeking a little adventure — whether it’s for an elopement, a wedding, or simply exploring the tucked-away, hidden gems of these mountains.

But hey — don’t post them all on your 80K-follower page, okay? We’ve got to protect these places. Leave no trace. Love the land, and leave it better than you found it.

Everyday Mountain Life

It still amazes me that I don’t have to wait for summer youth group trips to come to the mountains. This is home now. Every day I work on my back porch while fall leaves drift by. I can hear black walnuts dropping and rolling down the hill.

This morning, after a hike with a friend, I stuffed my pockets full of chestnuts. Life is so sweet — even sweeter here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Ready to plan your own mountain elopement?

Let’s find your hidden waterfall, your fern path, and your moment of magic.

Contact Appalachian Wedding Photography