The Ultimate Guide to Planning an Epic Elopement at Sassafras Mountain

That right there – it’s beautiful right?! It happens to be one of my absolute favorite places in all of South Carolina to shoot. It’s called Sassafras Mountain, located in Sunset, SC. It’s the highest elevation point in South Carolina and happens to be filled with the most beautiful trails and forest spots, along with some killer views of the blue ridge mountains. This of course, was taken during the winter but it’s the prettiest during the summer and fall! If you’re into killer views and epic landscapes for backdrops for your love, keep reading!

WHY SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN?

If you’re new here, hi! My name is Tanner Reuss – I am your expert South Carolina Elopement Photographer and Sassafras Mountain is one of my favorite places statewide. You’re probably wondering what sets me apart from every other photographer you’ve seen and the answer is simple. First of all, I’m not a tourist. My husband and I call Greenville, South Carolina our home. We truly love it here and we know all the perfect spots for all your photography needs. Second of all, I specialize in elopements. I began shooting large weddings and after we eloped in Greenville, I fell in love with the entire process. Now, it is my heart to serve you and help you plan your own elopements no matter where they are! Not only is Sassafras Mountain a dreamy location for all types of photos, but it is also where my husband proposed to me back in 2020 so I am quite literally an expert on all things Sassafras Mountain. Here we are below!

Photos by: Kaitlin Haines Photography, LLC

This day is forever etched in my brain because of the amount of our true, raw emotion that was captured. I feel like in general, with proposals you can tell in the photos that a lot of them are staged and I am so grateful that our photos do not reflect that. Our photographer came at our special day with a documentary approach and that is always my heart, as well. I want to make sure that your core memory is captured as authentically as possible. I truly think that this little glimpse into one of my most special days speaks volumes for what exactly Sassafras Mountain has to offer. It is filled with gorgeous greenery, forests, and a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is one of the East Coasts’ most popular feats. However there are so many more perks of hosting your elopement here. I’ve compiled some of the questions I get the most about this dreamy location below.

IS THERE A FEE TO VISIT SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN?

As of right now, it’s free to visit Sassafras Mountain yearround.

WHEN IS SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN OPEN?

While Sassafras Mountain is open year round, there are closing times and weather conditions that will prohibit public access. Nine times out of ten, the observatory will be closed if there is ice/snow on the roads and trails. You are still able to hike up to the overlook during this time, but it is strongly advised against to prevent injury and just head up to mountain when weather conditions are safe! The observatory is also limited to hours of sunrise to sunset.

WHERE IS SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN LOCATED?

Sassafras Mountain is located along the Appalachian Trail in a small town called Sunset, South Carolina. One of things that makes this such a cool location is that it is the highest elevation point in the state! It is also in pretty close proximity to Greenville, SC (about 1 hour away), where I reside, making the closest airport GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport).

DO WE NEED A PERMIT TO ELOPE AT SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN?

As of right now, there is no requirement for permits to elope at Sassafras Mountain! The only thing you need to bring with you is your South Carolina marriage license! I explained how to obtain your south carolina marriage license in another post How to Elope in South Carolina. This post also details how to go about obtaining your marriage license depending on the county you are getting married in! If you have specific questions about the marriage license process and South Carolina marriage laws give it a read or visit the probate court website for the county you’d like to get married in!

WHAT TIME OF YEAR IS BEST FOR A SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT?

The wonderful thing about living in South Carolina is that it stays pretty warm just about year round minus a couple of winter months. Even so, we don’t really have a true winter compared to colder areas in the United States. This makes South Carolina a wonderful place to hold an elopement. If you’ve taken a look at my other elopement resource blogs, then you know weather isn’t the only factor when deciding what time of year you should elope. The warmest months are always the most crowded, especially around sunset. Quite frankly, I’ve never seen a prettier sunset than the ones South Carolina has to offer. They are truly something to be seen. Here’s a guide for how to choose the time of year for your special ceremony.

June-August: Warm Weather

Mid-September to Mid-October: Fall Colors

March-April: Fewer Crowds

December-February: I don’t recommend eloping at Sassafras Mountain during this time because of icy weather conditions and the potential of trails and roads being closed. This is also the coldest time of year at Sassafras Mountain because of the high elevation.

No matter when you decide to elope, be sure to pay attention to weather conditions in Sunset, SC to get accurate readings for weather at the top of the mountain. The weather in South Carolina is constantly changing and it rains frequently. It’s always good to have at least one backup location or alternate plan should the weather or road conditions not be what you expected.

Also, don’t be let down if it does rain on your special day! Most people want to see the sun and have gorgeous blue skies but as I said above, South Carolina weather is unpredictable. With rain, comes overcast which is great lighting! So the best thing to do is to go with the flow, no matter what the day throws at you!

WHERE TO STAY FOR YOUR SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN ELOPEMENT:

1. The Majestic Treehouse, The Magic Treehouse is one of South Carolina’s most sought after vacation rentals. People travel thousands of miles to get to experience the magic of Bolt Farm Treehouses. They are a mix of french and farmhouse styled decor and are truly romantic and almost like a hideaway from the real world. If you want to relax, this is the place for you. The closest Bolt Farm Treehouse to Sassafras Mountain is located in Walhalla, South Carolina and is approximately 50 minutes from Sassafras Mountain. It starts at $466/night not including taxes + fees and while this is pricey, it is totally worth is for your dream elopement experience.

1. Lake Keowee Hideaway, Lake Keowee hideaway is located on Lake Keowee in Sunset, South Carolina. Lake Keowee offers a gorgeous view of the water, the famous Jump Off Rock and Waterfall Cove, and an overall relaxing vibe. If you are bringing your family and friends with you for your elopement, this is a great option because it sleeps up to 14 people! Pricing starts at $244/ night not including taxes and fees and contains 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 9 beds! This location is approximately 24 minutes from Sassafras Mountain.

1. Ole Blue Bungalow, The Ole Blue Bungalow is a quaint bungalow style vacation home located in Sunset, South Carolina. It a cross between a rustic cabin and farmhouse chic and is extremely spacious, with a capacity of up to 6 guests! It contains 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and 4 beds and is approximately $293/night not including taxes and fees. It is approximately 24 minutes from Sassafras Mountain.

ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR ELOPEMENT:

I’ve stated in multiple of my elopement guides how important it is to figure out what it is you want to do with your partner on your elopement day. Because, quite frankly, it is more than your ceremony. You have an entire day to spend with your person and you should do things that feel unique to you and your partner, or try a new actviity for the first time. Truly, the possibilities are absolutely endless! Whether you want to kayak, hike, go swimming, or just stay at your air bnb and make breakfast together, we need to know this in advance to the day of so we can prepare your timeline correctly.

It is important to remember that this is not just any other day, YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED! As such, you want to make this an experience to remember and that’s what adventure elopements are known for and the entire reason behind them! What makes elopement days so freaking special is the ability for you to do whatever you want on your wedding day. There’s nowhere you need to be other than with your partner and whomever you choose to accompany you. I challenge you to think about what your dream day would be from start to finish when choosing your activities.

These are some really cool things i’ve seen with elopements:

• morning yoga
• stargazing
• visiting a dive bar + sharing a drink together
• elopement day tattoos by a local artist
• fishing at a nearby lake
• backpacking through a state or national park
• making breakfast/cooking at your cozy air bnb

You do not have to choose any of these, but they are great options!

HIRING YOUR SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER:

As i said at the very beginning, I’m Tanner – an Expert Sassafras Mountain Elopement Photographer. I am OBSESSED with capturing beautiful moments at this dream location. I offer Sassafras Mountain elopement packages for every couple’s unique day and would sooo love to explore this amazing mountain with you two. Let’s get y’all married – contact me here and I’ll send you a customized pricing guide within 24-48 hours! Can’t wait!