Romantic Fall Activities in North Carolina
Autumn Activities for your Elopement Day
We ADORE fall in Western North Carolina. It is arguably one of, if not THE best season to elope here, as the weather is stunning and the romantic activities are plentiful. Plus, who doesn’t love the idea of exchanging vows with the array of rich, vibrant colors as the backdrop? There is nothing quite like when golden hour meets a horizon of changing leaves.
What we love about fall activities is that they always have the underlying cozy vibes. And as far as we are concerned… cozy vibes= romance. We can’t help but get pumped when an engaged couple reaches out to us about planning and photographing their North Carolina Fall elopement. We just know it means the sweetest day is ahead.
Looking for some activity ideas for your romantic fall elopement? Grab your favorite coffee mug, wrap yourself in a blanket, play some acoustic tunes, and read on for some of our favorite ways to spend a fall day full of love in Western North Carolina.
Food-filled Festivities
Picnic
Yes, technically you can have a picnic at other times of the year. But picnics in the fall just have something a summer picnic doesn’t… relief from the heat! Fall is the perfect time to lay out your picnic blanket, create a yummy spread of meats, cheeses, jams, and crackers. And of course, don’t forget to pair some red wine, a spiced ale, or even some apple cider with your spread!
Farmers and Makers Markets
Doesn’t everyone love a fall harvest? Grab a latte and stroll through the market together. Stock up on some goods to cook your first married breakfast together, or buy a bouquet of seasonal flowers to use for your ceremony. You can also make a game of it, split up for a bit, and find your partner a sweet handcrafted gift to exchange.
Apple Picking
A classic fall date! Wander the orchard, go for a hay bale ride, munch on some donuts and sip some cider. If you’re feeling adventurous, maybe even take on a corn maze! And of course, pick some apples. They’ll come in handy if you want to pair this activity with the next one…
Fall Baking
The flavors of fall are notoriously some of the best. From apple crumbles to pumpkin pies, there is no shortage of autumn-themed baking options. Plus, how cute would it be to bake the dessert that you later eat to celebrate your marriage. Nobody said it has to be a wedding cake!
Creative Endeavors
Pumpkin carving
Carve or decorate some pumpkins to commemorate your day! Whether that looks like carving the date, a ring, some caricatures of each other, or something important to you as a couple, if up to you! You can use them as centerpieces later in the day, too! Bonus points for picking your pumpkins from a pumpkin patch!
Paint the Views
Grab some art supplies and head outside! Spend some quiet time together painting the autumn scenery. To add a layer of romance, paint a scene that is important to your elopement, whether it be the view from the porch of the bnb where you’ve enjoyed the last couple of mornings as an engaged couple, or the landscape of your ceremony spot itself!
Get Behind the Lense
Grab a couple of disposable cameras and go on a photography adventure together. Document each other, grab some selfies together, and develop them later on for some sweet candid moments from a very special day.
Autumn Adventuring
Hiking (and backpacking!)
We stand by the idea that a fall backpacking elopement would be the coolest wedding ever. But if backpacking doesn’t feel like the vibe for your elopement, fall hikes are pretty great too. Whether you’re hiking to your ceremony location, or starting the day with a sunrise summit, there are endless options for trails that are spectacular in the fall in North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Parkway Drive
There is a reason that people come from all over to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall. The famous road offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains as they transform from lush, green rolling mountains to all shades of reds, oranges, yellows and browns. The parkway provides access to many overlooks and dozens of trails, and proximity to wildlife from black bear to elk.
Small Town Exploring
Our western NC mountain towns are truly some of the best quaint towns you can imagine. Head into town early to hit up a cute cafe for breakfast, pop around the variety of shops, do a walking history tour, or maybe even do some brewery hopping! Definitely research some places you want to check out, but we always recommend letting the day take you where it takes you- usually this leads to the best places!
Post Ceremony Celebration
Bonfire time
A crisp fall evening is the perfect time to hang out around the fire with your newly betrothed and if you wish, your close friends and family. Roast some s’mores, drink some whiskey and hot apple cider, and bundle up with your love in a cozy blanket.
Stargaze
Fall tends to be a drier time of year in NC, meaning the sky is more likely to be clear and full of stars! Rent a telescope, grab a map of the constellations, and take in the beauty of the universe with your person. What’s more romantic than that?
Hot Tub soak
Relax and unwind at the end of your elopement day in a hot tub (or hot springs) with your partner. Reflect on the incredible day that you have had together, and feel at peace as you look ahead to many more.
This is truly just the beginning of what your elopement day could consist of in fall in Western North Carolina. We could not recommend choosing an autumn elopement more! We hope that you are feeling inspired, and maybe a little eager for the coziness of fall… we certainly are! If you want to learn more about what your North Carolina Fall Elopement could look like, reach out to us here ! We would love to give you more reasons why you’re on the right path, and that autumn is the perfect season for your dream elopement.
