Sarah and Ryan's Shenandoah Mountain Elopement and Boho Autumn Wedding at Rivers Bend Ranch

Photography by Aaron May Photography

Ryan and Sarah's first date was a hiking expedition in the Shenandoah Mountains, and they have been each other's rock since. After tracking through the Rocky Mountain Region countless times over the past six years, the couple decided they wanted to elope on top of their favorite peak, the Stony Man, located at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The following day, Ryan and Sarah invited their closest friends and family to a reenacted ceremony, followed by a reception at Rivers Bend Ranch in Stanley, Virginia, just 20 minutes from the park.

The couple chose to incorporate an autumn wedding color scheme to complement the foliage. Some unique decor features include the table numbers named after the different peaks in the Shenandoah they've climbed, as well as broken terracotta clay pot pieces with guest names calligraphed on with paint. Ryan and Sarah's vegan lifestyle inspired them to have a vegan charcuterie board for cocktail hour, all the while their love of coffee was highlighted through a staffed coffee bar throughout the reception using thrifted mugs the guests could choose as a wedding favor to take home.

As seen in Southern Bride Magazine

Photographer: Aaron May Photography

Elopement Location: Shenandoah National Park

Venue: Rivers Bend Ranch

Planner: Forever Moments

Caterer: Kelley Farm Kitchen

Rentals: Sammy's Rental

Mobile Bar: Rusty Barrel Traveling Spirits

Coffee Bar and Favors: Chestnut Ridge Coffee

Florals: West Virjeni

Cake/Desserts: Sage Cakery

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