Mike & Christina: A McAfee Knob Wedding | McAfee Knob | Virginia Elopement Photographer

What's the difference between a wedding in a ballroom and a wedding on top of a mountain? Yes, it is still possible to have the bride's hair & makeup down professionally. Instead of eating a buffet dinner, you might be eating a Kindbar. Yes, the bride and groom can still dress fancy and there are the same amount of people at both events (unbeknownst to us). The difference is this though, the view.

On October 7th, the prettiest day this past fall, Christina & Mike hiked up to McAfee Knob along with their friends, family and production team. We had suspicion that it would be crowded but.... IT WAS PACKED! Thankfully, when people see a wedding dress or hear rumors of it making it's way to the summit, they tend to move out of the way. I have to give a shout-out to everyone who was there and not a part of the event. They were so sweet to move & let us have the actual "knob" for the ceremony and halt their picture opportunities so we could have the wedding for 10 minutes.

To be somewhat traditional, Christina hiked up the trail with the "bridal party", her hair & makeup already done & her dress in a dress bag hanging off of her backpack. About 20 minutes behind them, her soon to be husband Mike was hiking & carrying their son so they wouldn't see each other before the ceremony. At the summit, Christina had a friend touch up her makeup followed by her sister helping button her dress & put in her veil. She hid a safe distance behind the knob & walked through the crowd to her hubby to be. In the moment, everyone went silent, it was so surreal. Their ceremony was small & sweet. To make it even more unique than what it already was, Christina read her vows in a rhyme similar to the sound of a Dr. Seuss book (she is obsessed with Dr. Seuss).

Moments like these don't have to be expensive, elaborate or stressful. I cannot wait to photograph more elopements but theirs, theirs is my favorite.

Ceremony Location: McAfee Knob
Photographer: Anna Bowser Photography
Videographer: Michaels Videography & Wedding Cinema
Dinner: The Homeplace
Cake: Fresh Bake Bakery
Shoes: Merrell