The Elope Asheville Story

Our Goal: To give you the wedding experience everyone wishes they would have had.

Apart from providing beautiful, romantic, fun, and stress-free weddings, we at Elope Asheville are passionate about supporting our local economy, being ecologically conscious, and supporting the belief that all love is equal.  

Above all, we aim to be warm, real people for your wedding day.  You are putting a lot of trust in us to be a part of one of the best days of your entire life.  We aren’t just providing your wedding, we are advocating for you every step of the way. 

Elope Asheville was created because we believed there was a better way to do weddings – less stress, just as beautiful, more customization.  We don’t believe in going into massive debt just to say, “I do.”  

This is our team – all of us experts in what we do.  Thank you for trusting us with your wedding day.  We can’t wait to meet you!

Jon-Paul

Founding Owner / Lead Officiant
Jon-Paul started Elope Asheville in November of 2010 while planning his own wedding. His was “only” going to have about 50 guests, but the budget and stress both went through the roof. He dreamed of a wedding experience that was beautiful, fun, yet inexpensive and stress-free. He decided to create that experience for others, and the business took off! Jon-Paul has planned and officiated approximately 5,000 elopements since starting Elope Asheville, and yet each wedding still feels new and exciting for him! He loves connecting with couples who put their trust in him for their wedding day.

Sarah

Lead Photographer
Sarah is Elope Asheville's lead photographer and has been shooting with us since 2019. She also owns her own photography business at https://www.sarahdooleyphotography.com/ where she specializes in destination elopements and larger, traditional weddings all over the globe!

Crystal

Creative Director / Photo Sales
Crystal is a morning radio co-host on Mix 96.5fm, and she is a seasoned photographer who’s been capturing life’s most meaningful moments since 2009. When she’s not waking up Western North Carolina with her voice, she’s behind the camera—bringing her signature warmth, humor, and heart to every shoot. A devoted wife and mom, Crystal pours her passion into helping couples feel seen, celebrated, and completely at ease when it is time to reveal their most celebrated wedding day memories. At home, she’s a devoted wife and mom—and everywhere else, she’s the kind of person who makes you feel instantly at ease.

Jesse

Photographer
Jesse is a photographer with a deep love for capturing real moments—whether it’s a couple’s quiet glance, a burst of laughter, or the golden light of a mountain sunset. He takes a documentary-style approach, focusing on the genuine emotions and in-between details that make a wedding day truly unforgettable. Photography is his passion and his way of sharing in people’s joy. When he's not behind the lens, he's usually out in the woods hiking, camping, or just soaking in the beauty that inspires his work.