Mountaintop Elopement Style

High atop a mountain in Arkansas, Brandi Smyth photographed the breathtaking beauty of a styled elopement shoot that blends inspiration from the rugged landscape with elements of a more ephemeral nature. From the custom ombré veil that easily catches the mountain breeze, to jewel-toned florals that evoke the feel of an alpine meadow, to a flowing Free People gown that befits such a remote elopement location, the combination is striking and relaxed all at once.

Now I realize the possibility of hosting a wedding in a location like this might not be an option for many, but for those considering a more intimate affair, or an elopement or vow renewal, this kind of setting could easily facilitate a simple ceremony and picnic-style meal. By using blankets and a few folding director's chairs for seating, choosing charcuterie, salads, and pies to dine upon, and either enlisting guests or hiring a team to carry everything to the location, a wedding of this nature is absolutely feasible. One could also hire a floral designer who loves foraging, to collect local blooms and grasses and create bouquets and arrangements that compliment the environment, If you're planning a smaller affair, ensuring a backup location in the event of inclement weather isn't as difficult or pricey as it would be with a large guest list, but one option that could work well even with a larger number of guests, would be to rent a local vacation home both as accommodation for out-of-town guests and as a location for a mingling-style reception.

For more remote location inspiration, you'll love this North Carolina mountain setting as well as this prairie ceremony from Saskatchewan. And as a final note, if you've been wondering if the 'bride' in this shoot looks familiar, you might recognize Becca Tilley from her time on The Bachelor. Her natural beauty is a perfect compliment to this extraordinary setting and Brandi did a lovely job of capturing her radiance in an artistic yet relaxed style.