DuPont State Forest • Elopement Guide
How to Elope at DuPont State Forest
Ceremony at the meadow. Portraits at the waterfalls. Everything you need to make it legal, beautiful, and stress-free.
The Short Version
Ceremony Location
Guion Farm Only
Picnic shelter and surrounding meadows. The only approved ceremony spot in the entire forest.
Waterfalls?
Portraits Only
Ceremonies are not allowed at any waterfall. But you can do portrait photography there after your ceremony.
Max Guest Count
25 People Total
Includes the couple, officiant, photographer, musicians, and every guest.
Ceremony Permit
Free (30-Day Lead)
Special Use Permit for noncommercial elopements. Free of charge. 30 business day processing time.
Marriage License
$60, Same Day
Any NC Register of Deeds. No residency requirement. Valid 60 days statewide.
No Flowers Allowed
Silk Only
Live and dried plant material prohibited. Silk or artificial flowers are the workaround.
DuPont State Recreational Forest sits between Brevard and Hendersonville near Cedar Mountain in Transylvania County, the Land of Waterfalls. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, it is one of the most requested elopement locations in the Appalachians, and for good reason: 12,500 acres of waterfalls, granite summits, mountain lakes, and forest trails, all free to visit and roughly 50 minutes from Asheville.
As an Asheville elopement photographer, I have documented ceremonies at DuPont across every season. But eloping here is not as simple as walking to a waterfall and saying your vows. The NC Forest Service has specific rules about where ceremonies can happen, what you can and cannot bring, and how many people can attend. Most elopement guides skip these details or get them wrong. This page covers everything, honestly and completely, so you can plan your day with confidence.
If you are planning a proposal or engagement session (not a ceremony), we have a separate, detailed guide with a waterfall-by-waterfall breakdown covering every location, seasonal lighting, crowd patterns, and insider tips. Read the DuPont Proposal & Engagement Photography Guide.
Your Ceremony at Guion Farm
Every elopement ceremony at DuPont State Forest takes place at the Guion Farm Picnic Shelter and surrounding meadows. This is not a suggestion. It is the only location the NC Forest Service has approved for ceremonies of any kind. Weddings, elopements, religious ceremonies, nonreligious ceremonies, vow renewals, all of them happen here or they do not happen in the forest.
That restriction sounds limiting until you see the space. Guion Farm is a wide, open meadow surrounded by forest on all sides. The picnic shelter is a simple, rustic structure that provides cover in case of rain. The meadows stretch out around it with mountain views and natural grass that photographs beautifully in every season. It is quiet, private, and far removed from the busy waterfall corridor on the other side of the forest.
The shelter is accessed from the Guion Farm parking area on Sky Valley Road. This is a separate entrance from the main Hooker Falls and High Falls parking areas that most visitors use, which means your ceremony traffic is naturally separated from the hiking and biking crowds.
Wintergreen Falls is a 1.5-mile hike from the Guion Farm parking area. This is the most private waterfall in DuPont and receives a fraction of the foot traffic that Triple Falls, High Falls, or Hooker Falls see. After your ceremony at Guion Farm, you are already at the trailhead for some of the best portrait locations in the forest. Geographic continuity becomes a meaningful part of your story. For the full breakdown of each waterfall, see our DuPont Proposal & Engagement Guide.
The Ceremony + Portraits Workflow
This is the detail that nobody else explains clearly. Your elopement at DuPont is a two-part day: the ceremony at Guion Farm, followed by portrait photography at the waterfalls, granite summits, or wherever you choose. The ceremony and the portraits happen in different locations, and that separation is actually an advantage.
Part One
The Ceremony at Guion Farm
You exchange vows at the picnic shelter or in the surrounding meadows. Your officiant, your witnesses, your guests (up to 25 total), and your photographer are all present. Acoustic music is allowed. The ceremony itself is usually 15 to 30 minutes.
Transition
A Brief Moment to Breathe
After the ceremony, take a few minutes to celebrate with your people. Sign the marriage license. Hug everyone. If guests are departing and not joining for portraits, this is the natural goodbye point.
Part Two
Portraits at the Waterfalls
Now the hiking begins. From Guion Farm you can walk to Wintergreen Falls (1.5 mi), or drive to the Hooker Falls lot (5 min) and hike to Triple Falls, High Falls, or the covered bridge. This is where the dramatic backdrop photos happen. Plan 60 to 90 minutes for portraits at one or two waterfall locations.
Afterward
Celebrate in Brevard
Head into downtown Brevard for dinner. The Square Root, Bracken Mountain Bakery, and the local breweries are all within 15 minutes of the forest. You just got married in the Land of Waterfalls. You deserve a good meal.
The two-part structure is actually better than a waterfall ceremony would be. At Guion Farm, you have privacy, shelter if it rains, room for your guests, and the ability to have music and decorations. At the waterfalls, you would have none of those things, plus crowds of hikers walking through your vows. Embrace the meadow ceremony. It is intimate and beautiful. Then use the waterfalls for the dramatic portrait session that will fill your gallery with the photos you are imagining.
What's Allowed & What's Not
DuPont State Forest is managed by the NC Forest Service, and all forest rules are state laws. These are not guidelines. Breaking them can result in fines, court costs, and criminal charges. Here is the honest list, pulled directly from the official DSRF Events Policy.
No live or dried flowers. This is the one that catches everyone off guard. Cut flowers, potted plants, and dried arrangements are all prohibited to prevent introducing invasive pests or vegetation into the forest. Silk or artificial flowers are the workaround. Plan your bouquet accordingly.
No alcohol. Champagne toast is not an option inside the forest. Save it for dinner in Brevard.
No drones. Prohibited throughout all NC state forests. State law.
No chairs, arbors, or structures without written permission at least one week in advance.
No releasing doves, butterflies, balloons, or confetti.
No rice, seeds, or thrown items.
No amplified music. Acoustic and acapella only. FM transmission for hearing-impaired guests is allowed.
No campfires or cooking. Charcoal, gas, wood, any fuel.
Pets must be on a physical leash at all times.
Pack out all trash. Every petal, every wrapper, every decoration comes out with you. Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times. The forest service enforces this as state law.
What CAN you have? Acoustic music (guitar, violin, harp). Silk or artificial flowers. Decorations on the picnic shelter itself (if reserved). Photography. An officiant. Up to 25 people total. Your dog (leashed). And 12,500 acres of some of the most beautiful forest in the Southeast.
NC Marriage License: Step by Step
North Carolina makes this straightforward. There is no residency requirement, no waiting period, and no blood test. You can apply for a license, get it issued the same day, and use it anywhere in the state.
- Both partners appear in person at any NC Register of Deeds office
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID)
- If previously married: bring the date of your divorce or a certified copy of the final decree (required if within 60 days of application)
- Pay the $60 fee (check accepted payment methods with your county; some are cash only)
- License is issued same day
- Valid for 60 days statewide from the date of issue
- At least two witnesses are required at the ceremony
- Officiant returns the signed license to the Register of Deeds after the ceremony
Transylvania County Register of Deeds (Brevard): 828-884-3162. Located at the Transylvania County Courthouse.
Henderson County Register of Deeds (Hendersonville): 200 N Grove St, Suite 129. Monday through Friday.
Either office works. The license is valid statewide, so it does not matter which county issues it.
Julie handles the logistics so you can focus on each other. Permits, timeline, officiant coordination, weather backup plans, all of it.
Start Planning Your DuPont ElopementPermits & Costs Breakdown
For the Ceremony
Noncommercial elopements (you are organizing this yourself, not through a paid planner or event company) need a Special Use Permit. It is free. Processing takes 30 business days. Apply via the DSRF e-form. Contact: [email protected]
Commercial elopements (organized by a paid planner, event company, or commercial venue) require a Commercial Use Permit ($81/year + $5/person use charge). Processing: 30 to 40 business days.
For Photography
A professional photographer at your elopement needs a Commercial Use Permit ($81/year + $5/person). Photographers involved in events at the Guion Farm Picnic Shelter and meadows are covered under the event permit and do not need a separate CUP for photos taken in that area. I handle all of this for my clients.
For the Picnic Shelter
The Guion Farm Picnic Shelter reservation is $40, nonrefundable but transferable to a different date. Strongly recommended even though not required for noncommercial events. Without a reservation, the shelter may be booked by someone else on your day.
June, July, and August: Shelter reservations (and therefore ceremony permits) are only available Monday through Friday. No weekend ceremonies in summer. September through May, all days are available except state holidays.
DuPont Elopement Photography Packages
Every package includes free elopement planning with Julie. Ceremony documentation, portrait session, and 48-hour gallery delivery guaranteed. All packages include permit handling for your ceremony location. Pricing shown is a starting point.
Mini Package
Elopement + Mini Session
$800
Perfect for intimate moments
What's Included
- Elopement ceremony documentation
- Mini portrait session at ceremony location
- 15 hand-edited high-res images of your choice
- Complete gallery (100 to 175 photos total)
- Raw professional video OR instant iPhone delivery of ceremony
Complete Planning Support
- Full elopement planning with Julie Included
- Detailed location scouting & seasonal previews
- Backup plans & insider tips
Professional Delivery
- 48-hour turnaround guarantee
- Digital gallery with download & sharing
- Basic editing & color correction
- Access to online pro lab for prints
or call Julie: 828-243-2755
DuPont Package
Elopement + Extended Session
$900
Our signature experience
What's Included
- Elopement ceremony documentation
- Extended portrait session throughout location
- 25 hand-edited high-res images of your choice
- Complete gallery (150 to 300 photos total)
- Raw professional video OR instant iPhone delivery of ceremony
Complete Planning Support
- Full elopement planning with Julie Included
- Detailed location scouting & seasonal previews
- Backup plans & insider tips
Professional Delivery
- 48-hour turnaround guarantee
- Digital gallery with download & sharing
- Basic editing & color correction
- Access to online pro lab for prints
or call Julie: 828-243-2755
Cinematic Package
Extended + Highlight Video
$1,200
The ultimate keepsake
What's Included
- Elopement ceremony documentation
- Extended portrait session throughout location
- 30 hand-edited high-res images of your choice
- Complete gallery (150 to 300 photos total)
- Professional highlight video of elopement & portraits
Complete Planning Support
- Full elopement planning with Julie Included
- Detailed location scouting & seasonal previews
- Backup plans & insider tips
Professional Delivery
- 48-hour turnaround guarantee
- Digital gallery with download & sharing
- Basic editing & color correction
- Access to online pro lab for prints
or call Julie: 828-243-2755
All packages include permit handling for your ceremony location. Pricing shown is a starting point.
Every elopement package includes our full planning support at no extra charge. I handle the ceremony permit application, the shelter reservation, the photography permit, the day-of timeline, officiant coordination, weather backup plans, and a final week-before checklist call. You focus on each other. I handle the logistics.
When to Elope at DuPont
Each season changes the look of the meadow, the waterfall flow, the light, and the crowd levels at the portrait locations. Here is the elopement-specific breakdown.
Spring (March through May)
The Guion Farm meadows come alive with wildflowers and new green growth. Waterfalls are at peak flow for dramatic portrait backdrops. Afternoon rain showers are common, so the picnic shelter becomes essential. All days available for ceremonies.
Summer (June through August)
Lush, full canopy. Longest daylight hours give you the widest window for portraits after the ceremony. But weekend ceremonies are not available in summer. Monday through Friday only. The waterfall trails are at their busiest, so plan portrait timing carefully. Early morning or late afternoon avoids the worst crowds.
Fall (September through November)
The most popular elopement season. Peak leaf color at DuPont typically hits late October into early November. The meadow at Guion Farm takes on warm gold tones, and the waterfall trail corridors are spectacular with fall color. Weekend ceremonies available again starting in September. October is one of the three busiest months in the forest. Book early.
Winter (December through February)
The quiet season. Crowds nearly vanish. The meadow is dormant but has a stark, beautiful quality. Bare trees open up mountain views from Cedar Rock and Stone Mountain that are screened by foliage the rest of the year. Waterfalls can develop ice formations. No shelter reservations in January. Shortest daylight hours mean tight portrait windows.
Do not let a drizzly forecast scare you away. Some of our most romantic elopement galleries came from days when it rained lightly. The trails empty out, the waterfalls get more dramatic, the light goes soft and cinematic, and everything looks lush. I always have a weather backup plan, but more often than not, the "bad weather" days produce the best photos.
Sample Elopement Day Timeline
Every elopement is different, but this gives you a sense of how the day flows. I build a custom timeline for every couple based on the season, the light, and what matters most to you.
3:00 PM
Arrive at Guion Farm
Park at the Guion Farm Access Area. Meet your officiant, witnesses, and photographer. Take a few minutes to settle in and enjoy the space.
3:30 PM
First Look & Couple Portraits at the Meadow
If you want a first look before the ceremony, this is the moment. The meadow surrounding Guion Farm provides beautiful, soft backgrounds.
4:00 PM
The Ceremony
Exchange your vows at the picnic shelter or in the meadow. Acoustic music plays. Witnesses sign. The officiant does their work. Usually 15 to 30 minutes.
4:30 PM
Sign & Celebrate
Sign the marriage license. Hug your people. Take group photos if you have guests. Guests who are not joining for the portrait hike say their goodbyes here.
5:00 PM
Drive to Waterfall Trailhead
A short drive from Guion Farm to the Hooker Falls or High Falls parking area. Or walk directly to Wintergreen Falls from where you are.
5:15 - 6:30 PM
Waterfall Portraits
The golden hour session. Triple Falls, the covered bridge, High Falls, or Wintergreen Falls, depending on the season and the light. This is where the dramatic, gallery-defining images happen.
7:00 PM
Dinner in Brevard
You are married. Downtown Brevard is 15 minutes away. Celebrate with a great meal.
Planning Your DuPont Elopement
What Julie Handles
Julie has planned hundreds of proposals and elopements across Western North Carolina. For your DuPont elopement, she coordinates the ceremony permit, the shelter reservation, the photography permit, the day-of timeline, the weather backup plan, officiant coordination, parking logistics, and a final week-before checklist call. If you need to keep planning communications discreet from your partner, she has systems for that too.
What You Need to Handle
- NC marriage license (any Register of Deeds office, $60, same-day)
- Special Use Permit from DSRF (free, 30 business day processing. Julie handles this for all our packages)
- Your elopement officiant (a North Carolina ordained minister, magistrate, or other legally authorized person. We can recommend local elopement officiants if you need one)
- Two witnesses (required by NC law)
- Attire and shoes suitable for meadow and trail
- Silk or artificial bouquet (no real flowers allowed in the forest)
- Water, sunscreen, and layers for the portrait hike
What to Wear for the Portraits
Your ceremony outfit can be anything you want at Guion Farm, the meadow is flat and gentle underfoot. But for the waterfall portraits afterward, footwear matters. Trails are gravel and dirt, waterfall platforms are granite, and you will be walking at least half a mile. Bring trail-friendly shoes for the hike and change into portrait shoes at the waterfall if needed. For the full breakdown of what to wear, see our DuPont Proposal Guide: Planning Your Session.
The biggest mistake couples make is not giving themselves enough time between the ceremony and the portraits. You just got married. Let that moment breathe. Do not rush from vows to a trailhead. Build in 30 minutes to celebrate, sign the license, take a few group photos, and let the emotion settle. The portraits will be better for it because you will be relaxed, present, and glowing instead of winded from rushing.
Choosing Your Portrait Locations
We have a complete, waterfall-by-waterfall breakdown covering all six waterfalls, both granite summits, the covered bridge, and the lakes. It includes distance, difficulty, crowd patterns, light direction, seasonal recommendations, and the Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans filming connections.
Read the Full Waterfall GuideDuPont Elopement FAQ
No. Ceremonies are only allowed at the Guion Farm Picnic Shelter and surrounding meadows. However, you can do portrait photography at any waterfall in the forest after your ceremony. This is what we recommend: ceremony at Guion Farm, portraits at the falls.
Maximum 25 people total. That includes the couple, officiant, photographer, musicians, caterers, and every guest. No exceptions unless specifically noted in the permit.
No live or dried plant material is allowed, including cut flowers and potted plants. This rule exists to prevent introducing invasive pests or vegetation into the forest. Silk or artificial flowers are the workaround, and they photograph beautifully.
Not in the forest. Alcohol is prohibited throughout DuPont State Forest. Save the champagne for dinner in Brevard afterward.
No. June through August, the Guion Farm Picnic Shelter is only available Monday through Friday (excluding state holidays). Weekend ceremonies are available September through May.
No. North Carolina has no residency requirement. You can apply at any Register of Deeds office in the state, get the license issued same day, and use it anywhere in NC. It is valid for 60 days. The fee is $60.
The closest offices are Transylvania County Register of Deeds in Brevard (828-884-3162) and Henderson County Register of Deeds in Hendersonville (200 N Grove St, Suite 129). Both partners must appear in person with valid photo ID.
At least 30 business days (about 6 weeks). That is the processing time for the Special Use Permit. The picnic shelter reservation is first-come, first-served, so popular dates (October weekends especially) should be booked as early as possible.
Only with written permission from the forest service at least one week in advance. Without pre-approval, no chairs, arbors, stands, risers, or tents are allowed. Ask about this when you apply for your permit.
Unreliable in many areas. Plan all logistics, meeting points, and vendor coordination before you arrive. Download trail maps to your phone while you have data.
Henderson and Transylvania Counties have several private venues near the forest that offer more flexibility with decor, alcohol, catering, and guest counts. We can help you explore those options if DuPont's forest rules do not fit your vision. You can still do portrait photography at DuPont's waterfalls even if your ceremony is at a nearby venue.
Let's Plan Your DuPont Elopement
Julie handles the permits, the timeline, the weather backup, and the officiant coordination. I handle the photography. You focus on each other.
Get in Touch