There are weddings that feel like productions—and then there are weddings like Melissa (she/her) and Marshall’s (he/him): intentional, intimate, and full of heart. Their summer celebration took place at Cahas Mountain Overlook, one of many beautiful overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Their Blue Ridge mountain wedding brought together their closest people, the mountains they love, and all the little touches that made their wedding feel unmistakably them.
First Look with Dad at Cahas Mountain Overlook
Melissa’s wedding day started with a quiet, meaningful moment between her and her dad. They shared a long hug, the kind that doesn’t need words. “I love you,” he said softly as they held each other. It was one of those still, grounding moments that set the tone for the rest of the day.
With a bit of extra time before the ceremony, we took individual portraits of Melissa. A bee lingered near her artificial flower bouquet—a tiny, gentle presence that felt symbolic of the day’s quiet magic. Her friends stood nearby, watching with warm admiration, clearly overjoyed for her. Melissa’s makeup was beautifully done by Kayla Poff with The Refinery Hair & Makeup Studio earlier that morning.
A Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding Ceremony
As more guests arrived, parking logistics that we had carefully planned out in advance started to fall into place. We worked together to make sure guests stayed out of ceremony sightlines and everyone was so gracious and helpful.
Melissa wanted a “walk down the aisle” moment with her dad and a surprise first look with Marshall during the ceremony itself. To achieve this, I guided her and her Dad to a secluded spot across from the ceremony spot. To keep her hidden from the road, her friends used their dresses as a curtain—shoutout to Lee, one of their guests, for the clever idea.
Marshall arrived a little later, driving in with his hand over his eyes so he wouldn’t accidentally see Melissa. Once he was at the overlook, he helped carry in chairs for a few family members with limited mobility. Then, we got everyone arranged in a loose semicircle with a beautiful view of the mountains behind them. When everything was set, I gave Vanessa, their officiant, a quick thumbs-up. Melissa and her dad made their way down the makeshift aisle. Her bouquet was handed off to Marshall’s sister and she met Marshall with a big, glowing smile.
Their ceremony was sweet and simple—full of quiet laughter and heartfelt vows. One especially endearing moment? When Melissa slid the ring on Marshall’s finger, it caught on his knuckle and everyone erupted in a quiet laughter. They sealed the deal with a kiss… and then a second one as everyone kept clapping and cheering.
Family & Friend Portraits + Mini Reception along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Immediately after the ceremony, we rolled right into family and friend portraits. Everyone pitched in to help direct folks and keep things moving smoothly. One of Melissa’s close friends, Jordan, helped guide people to our photo spot.
What followed felt like a relaxed, impromptu mini reception. Everyone lingered, chatted, and cooled off in the shade. Friends and family snapped photos on their phones, film cameras, and Polaroid cameras. It was casual, full of laughter, and honestly, just felt like a bunch of loved ones hanging out at a mountaintop reunion.
A Light Dinner Picnic at Cahas Mountain
Once the guests said their goodbyes, Melissa and Marshall settled into a quiet picnic just for the two of them. They laid out a quilt—handmade by Marshall’s grandmother—and tucked into a beautiful spread they had packed themselves. Underneath the blanket, I placed a tarp to keep everything dry after the previous day’s rain.
This picnic was a long time coming. The couple had owned their vintage picnic basket for years but never used it for fear of ruining it. So using it for their wedding meal felt like a full-circle moment. They enjoyed a spread of cheeses (which Melissa was especially excited about!), meats, and some sparkling waters—what they called “cracking a couple cold ones.”
They saved their cupcakes—chocolate caramel and vanilla from Bubblecake—for later, wanting to keep their outfits clean for portraits.
Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding Portraits at Golden Hour
Golden hour on Cahas Mountain did not disappoint. The temperature dropped, the light turned soft, and the skies treated us to an unreal sunset full of blues, pinks, and purples. It felt like the mountains were showing off just for them.
As we walked and took photos, a rainbow peeked through the clouds. We’d been joking all day about nature’s many “blessings”—from butterflies to bunnies to deer—and this just felt like the perfect final nod from the universe.
Cupcakes for Dessert in the Blue Ridge Mountains
After golden hour portraits, it was finally time for dessert! Melissa and Marshall sat side by side and fed each other a bite of each cupcake. It was simple. Sweet. Satisfying. Just like the rest of their day.
Melissa & Marshall’s Love Story
Melissa and Marshall first met while working at the same company in different departments. They connected over their shared love of hiking and the outdoors. After months of friendly conversation (and a bit of mutual flirting), Melissa asked Marshall for a hiking recommendation—adding that she’d be going solo, just in case he wanted to join. He did and that first hike sparked something special between them.
Marshall originally planned to propose on a Christmas Day hike in Roanoke—Melissa’s favorite holiday in her favorite place—but COVID-19 threw a wrench in those plans. A few months later, while looking through an old photo album, they landed on a picture from their first date hiking Cole Mountain. Marshall suggested they go back that weekend and Melissa suspected something might be up. However, when he ate lunch mid-hike (a sure sign he wasn’t nervous), she figured it was just a hike. At the summit, banana in hand, she turned to find him down on one knee with a ring. It was sweet, unexpected, and perfectly them.
Together, they love exploring Virginia’s trails, parks, and back roads, checking out breweries and local events, and spending quiet nights puzzling, playing cards, and watching Survivor. They’re happiest outdoors or at home with their cats, Rudy and Leroy. When it came time to plan their wedding, an intimate celebration in the mountains with their closest people made total sense. A Blue Ridge mountain wedding gave them space to be fully present with each other and celebrate in a way that felt real and relaxed.
Final Thoughts
Melissa and Marshall’s day was full of thoughtful little details—and I was honored to help bring it all together. From planning out their ceremony layout and coordinating parking logistics to helping Melissa hide away for her walk down the aisle and placing a tarp under their picnic blanket, I worked closely with them to make sure every moving part flowed seamlessly.
We had check-ins leading up to the day, an in-person walkthrough the day before, and clear plans for guest arrival, timeline pacing, and photo logistics. I also stayed in the background when needed and jumped in to guide or adjust when the moment called for it. My goal, always, is to help couples feel supported so they can actually enjoy their elopement—and I’m so glad Melissa and Marshall got to do just that.
Are you excited to start planning your Virginia elopement?
Whether you’re planning ahead or thinking about a last-minute elopement, I’m here to help you create something intentional, flexible, and 100% you. No pressure, no stress—just a day filled with real connection and stunning memories.
Melissa and Marshall shared that when they first started planning a traditional wedding, they kept putting things off and felt more overwhelmed than excited. But once they shifted gears, chose an intimate Blue Ridge mountain wedding celebration, and connected with me, things started falling into place—and they actually looked forward to their elopement day.
If we haven’t met yet, I’m Cameron (she/her)—a Virginia elopement photographer and partial planner. I’d be absolutely honored to help you plan and document a day that feels authentic to y’all from start to finish.
Reach out to me today to schedule your free consultation call! Let’s turn your dream elopement into a reality. Curious about my packages and pricing options? Head over to my pricing page for more information. I can’t wait to hear from you and help you bring your vision to life!
More Resources & Inspiration for your Virginia elopement
Looking for more inspiration? Here are a few more elopements I’ve photographed that might spark ideas:
- Christian and Lana’s Liberty Trust Elopement in Roanoke, Virginia
- Jenny and Adam’s Mill Mountain Star Elopement in Southwest Virginia
- Laura and Ted’s Tanners Ridge Overlook Elopement in Shenandoah National Park
- Frazier and Austin’s Heritage Park Elopement in Blacksburg, Virginia
- Hunter and Troy’s Blackrock Summit Elopement in Shenandoah National Park
Are y’all in need of more planning help? I’ve got ya covered! Check out some of my free elopement planning resources below:
- How to Elope on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
- Best Elopement Venues in Virginia: Indoor & Outdoor Locations by Region
- How to Plan an 8-Hour Virginia Elopement
- Blue Ridge Wedding Permit Guide: Protocols and Prime Spots in Southwest Virginia
- What to Wear for Your Elopement: A Guide to Elopement Wedding Attire
- Eloping in Virginia: The Complete Guide
