West Virginia Elopement Collective

Last week, we had the absolute ✨honor✨ of planning and documenting Abbi and Carson’s secret elopement at their family’s cabin.

When we say we have the best jobs in the world, we mean it 💃

In our 10+ years of combined experience, a common phrase we hear over and over is “We want to elope but we don’t know where to start” and you may be feeling the same way! Totally normal 🤞🏼

The lack of awareness around elopements is one of the reasons we created our collective. We are passionate about helping folks down the non-traditional path. Plus having four vendors in one package and planned for you sounds like a total dream right?!

If you’re ready to just get married soon (like in 6-10 weeks!) and want a unique approach to your wedding day, our one-time Mexico elopement package may be perfect for you. Imagine the beaches and palm trees of sunny Mexico as your totally unique wedding venue in nature, plus dancing and tacos at the best bar in Sayulita for your reception? Hell yes!!

You were meant to have the wedding of your dreams and if your wedding dreams look different than what you see around you- than you are OUR PEOPLE!

Check out the highlight bubble for more info, peep the website, or just DM us with any questions. We know the perfect couple is out there looking for what we’re offering, they just have to find us ✨

When we think about this elopement in Joshua Tree, one thing comes to mind: be bold.

Six weeks prior to their elopement, Haley and Nathan came to us originally wanting to elope in our home state of WV with only one must-have: the date had to be on March 23, their 10-year anniversary.

With spring not quite ready to wake up here in Appalachia, we boldly pitched them the idea of going out west where the weather and scenery in March would fair us all much better. I’m certain that we all did a happy dance when Joshua Tree was chosen as their elopement location and this one was extra special for Michelle and Tom, since they used to live in down the road from JT. Trading in our rain jackets for sunscreen was exactly what we all needed to see this elopement come to life. After our permits were secured, our collective teamed up with a few elopement vendors out in the California desert for this destination elopement. Our first call was to the picnic company in Joshua Tree, . We highly recommend working with them for your elopement reception in Joshua Tree. They had the most beautiful picnic set-up that included boho decor, a charcuterie board, and other design touches that elevated the experience for Haley and Nathan. Next, we teamed up with for the bouquet and boutonnière. Working with Tara for the florals was smooth and the arrangements we delivered to H+N were truly stunning (highly recommend working with her as your florist in Joshua Tree!)

If Haley and Nathan’s spontaneity inspires you, our calendar is free for TWO travel elopements next year. We’re thinking Mt. Rainier and Arizona, what do ya’ll think?

We were reliving this beautiful elopement at Dolly Sods and skimming the feature in and came across this quote from the couple that we just have to share.

“Hill always knew she wanted to elope. She wanted something peaceful and intimate, no public speeches onlookers. Jess wanted something extraordinary with little to no worry. Eloping gave us everything we wanted… The decision to elope is not an easy one. But it was the absolute best decision for us. We went mushroom foraging, collected art, ate some amazing local food, listened to Appalachian music, explored Blackwater Falls in Canaan Valley. We spent time just enjoying each other and our son. And we were able to feel and remember every small moment without any added stress or distractions. That was something we didn’t fully understand until the day of. You can pause and play and slow down and let each moment imprint along the way.”

The number one thing we hear when helping couples plan their elopement is the stress of dealing with disappointing family members.

Our advice is one of two things: invite your parents if they can handle the trail to your ceremony spot, or keep it private with just the two of you and hope your parents understand. A common scenario we’ve seen lately is for couples to lean into their gut of keeping it stress-free and planning a lil shin dig later where they can show off their rad elopement photos and video.

If you’re struggling with similar decisions of eloping, ask us any questions you have. We’re an open book!

Our charcuterie board *may* be one of our favorite parts of our all-inclusive elopements. Tom has a serious skill for whipping these together in a mountain side and we love him for it 👏

Which board is your fave? Comment #1-7 and let us know!

I’m willing to bet this is the first time couture D& G was worn at Spruce K**b.

We had an absolute blast helping David and James get married on a mountain. 10/10 would recommend.

A common misconception about elopements is you can’t invite family and we’re here to share that this is simply not true!

People choose to elope for a variety of reasons and to some, having family present is a top priority. Our all-inclusive packages include planning for guests but if you’re going the DIY route here are our top tips for inviting guests to your elopement:

1) scope the parking situation and make sure the parking areas can accommodate everyone’s cars. Or carpool if necessary.

2) take into account your guests physical capabilities and if the trail to your ceremony is passable for all skill levels.

3) encourage a color scheme for your guests outfits if you want cohesive photos. Earthy neutrals always photograph well.

4) have an exit plan. Meaning- you’ll most likely want private couple photos with your photographer/videographer after your ceremony so it’ll be helpful to communicate to your guests what time they should exit the area.

If the DIY route is not your jam, we’d love to help you out with our elopement packages where we do everything for you! The link to our website is in our bio and if you’re feeling a bit spontaneous, we have room for ONE more elopement this year and our last free date is in August ☀️☀️☀️

Can’t wait to hear from you!!

Don’t ever make us choose between a waterfall or a mountain view, because I don’t think we could.

Party for two among the Joshua Trees 🥂

Did you know we offer our all-inclusive elopement packages all over the US?

2023 is basically wide open for all of you early bird planners! Check out our packages on our website and fill out of inquiry form to get started planning your adventurous elopement 🌵

If you could get married anywhere in the world, where would you go?

We have a jam packed schedule this year and we’re officially down to TWO elopement dates left (in August). If an adventurous wedding day is in the cards for you, inquire through our website and we’ll be stoked to guide you through the planning process.

Also- we are officially accepting 2023 bookings! Next year’s availability is wide open- early bird gets the worm!

In preparation of launching our new website, we thought we’d reintroduce ourselves and what we’re all about 🎉

Our elopement collective is made up of Tom and Michelle () and Braiden () and we’re stoked that you’re here.

Tom is an Oregon transplant who fell in love with West Virginia during his first visit to our mountain state several years ago. He’s our officiant, occasional drone-pilot, master charcuterie board maker, and reception guru. He’s a big fan of kissing every dog he meets, all the sushi and Asian food, and exploring mountains near and far. He’d love to tell you about his hike up Mt. Fuji and his time living in Japan. We love Tom and so will you.

Michelle is the other half of The Breiters. She’s our lead photographer, expert timeline builder, and is usually the voice behind emails and client calls. Her strengths are guiding couples through an intentional elopement experience and making folks feel hella comfortable in front of the camera. When she’s not working, Michelle loves day-dreaming about international travels, camping under the stars, and spending time in nature with Tom and their daughter August.

Braiden rounds out our dynamic trio just perfectly with her calm presence and vibrant energy. She’s our lead videographer, master location-scouter, and the heart behind this collective. She spends most of her time outside, foraging and connecting with nature. If she doesn’t answer her phone, it’s a 95% chance that she’s in the woods. Braiden is the glue, not just in this collective, but in West Virginia. She’s an Appalachian through and through and there’s no doubt that she leaves a lasting impression on every couple she works with.

We would LOVE to answer any questions y’all have about eloping, intimate weddings in WV, or about us. We’re an open book and we’d love to let you in ❤️

Did you know that we offer our services outside of West Virginia too? We’ve talked to a handle of couples this year who are exploring a mega-adventure elopement day out west and we’re stoked to ease the planning burden for folks who want a little more wanderlust to their wedding day.

As we prepare the launch of our new website, we’re putting together our out-of-state packages and shew are we excited at the practically limitless location opportunities to offer our couples.

If you’re an exploring an elopement package with us, rest assured that we are a well-traveled team and know our way around logistics and planning elopements in national parks and other scenic areas across the US.

Within our collective, we have experience in:
Oregon
California
Mexico
Idaho
Arizona
Hawaii
Maine
North Carolina
West Virginia (obvi)
Utah
Colorado

With the addition of these rad places in 2022:
Washington (this corner of the PNW is insane)
Montana
Wyoming
Michigan
Italy
Iceland

All this to say, our adventures are limited to our mind. Meaning, with elopements, we encourage you to dream big if you can. No adventure is too big and no destination is too far. Our current website is still active, but if you’re dreaming up an elopement outside of West Virginia, it’s more than possible and we’d be stoked to talk with you and help your day come to life.

In 2021, between the three of us, we helped plan and document nearly 20 elopements.

To us, that meant 20 instances where couples stood up for themselves and got married exactly how they wanted to.

The courage to buck tradition is hard. We’ve been there. But the difference in doing things “how you’re supposed to do them” and doing what feels right and true to you is how you’ll feel the rest of your life when you think back to your wedding day. Once you’ve found the inspiration to elope, we’re here to guide you the rest of the way.

We’re taking on 6 more elopements this year and then our calendars are full (YAY!) If you’ve been thinking about eloping, here’s your sign to get in touch with us. Our link is in our bio and we make the process as simple as possible 🎉

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual in which the hands are tied together to symbolize the binding of two lives. Trinity + Rick wanted to incorporate handfasting into their elopement to represent their commitment to one another. The beauty about booking with WVEC is that we create a unique ceremony just for you!! So whether you want religious, non-religious, or even incorporating ancient Celtic traditions, we got you covered!

We’re still obsessing about Jess and Hillary’s sweet elopement at Dolly Sods. This couple drove all the way from Texas to elope with us and it was a total fog out. It made for a pretty serene day and we all loved how moody it felt.

A million thank you’s for making the trek to WV to get married!

Elopement season is here! We’re loving all the adventures we’re documenting lately and are incredibly grateful for all the couples who are trusting us with their small, perfect weddings.

We are here to make your Elopement dreams come true! Check out this beautiful love story captured on a snowy April day

Lacie + Angel This is "Lacie + Angel" by Braiden Maddox on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Shew- have we been behind on this account! We’ve been busy bees working with the best people and soaking up as much summertime as our schedules will allow. Just a friendly reminder that we’re still here serving up the best all-inclusive elopement experiences in WV (and all over TBH)

Also- did you know that we offer engagement/couple/adventure sessions? Trinity and Rick added on an engagement session at Cooper’s Rock and will tie the knot later this year at Dolly Sods. We planned their session carefully to avoid the wild crowds at a popular summer spot in our beautiful mountain state.

Side note- we have been getting inquired left and right and we’ll be cutting off our 2021 calendar soon. So if you’re wanting to jump on the elopement train (and let us take all the hard work for you) hit that website link in our bio 🌙

When you choose adventure on your wedding day with an elopement either in the forest or on a mountain (or anywhere really) you’re taking a risk.

A risk of disappointing your friends and family who weren’t invited, a risk of getting your wedding clothes dirty, a risk of dropping your wedding ring over a cliff- I mean the list goes on but what’s a little adventure without some risk-taking. However the biggest risk of all is definitely the weather.

When we plan your elopement for you, the first step is choosing the date. This is based on your preference and our availability, but we definitely encourage you to factor in the average weather temperatures for the area. Our favorite places to plan elopements are in high elevation which comes with wind, rain, thunderstorms or epic sunsets with 70 degrees. Or a random snow storm in April. Even with choosing the perfect date in the perfect location, sometimes the universe has different plans for us. The best thing you can do if weather does not cooperate is- embrace it. Relic in the fact that the universe wanted something unique and wild for you on your wedding day. Dance in the rain. Smile through the snowflakes. Keep each other warm in the wind.

When we plan your elopement for you, we always make sure our couples are prepared and track the weather up until the very day. Sometimes we have to adjust our plans and other times we ride through the itinerary as planned. Either way, we got your back and are ready to brave the elements with you. If you’re ready for an adventure, a little risk-taking, and an epic elopement experience- contact us through our link in the bio. We are getting an increased amount of inquiries and want to make sure we are able to take on everyone who is ready to just get freakin’ married!

We want you to know that we’re bigger than elopements.

We’re providing an experience that is totally custom tailored to what you want from your elopement day. It’s a process that includes us getting to know you and crafting an experience that is truly one-of-a-kind.

If you’re tired of the family pressure to plan a wedding day that doesn’t feel right to you and want to know more about the freedom of an elopement, send us a DM or fill out the contact form on our website.

We are 100% an open book throughout our planning process and truly aim for collaborative experience based on what you want, need, and dream of.

We started the West Virginia Elopement Collective because we wanted to solve a problem in the wedding industry.

The problem? Not everyone wants the hassle of a big wedding.

If you’ve recently become engaged or have been trying to plan a wedding for some time now, you may find yourself feeling like the wedding industry caters toward a certain look, a big production, and an over-the-top experience that causes people to go into debt for a one-night party.

If that’s not your vibe, we’ve got your back. We take the hassle of planning off of your shoulders and cater a personalized elopement experience based off what you’re looking for and what feels the most true to you on your wedding day.

We’d love to start the planning process with you and ease your stress one step at a time.

Our website in our bio, hit that contact form and we’ll be in touch super quickly to get the ball rolling. After that, we do all of the heavy lifting for you 💪

Have you ever thought about eloping in Oregon? Now is the time! The WVEC team is heading to Oregon and would love to plan your dream wedding! lived in Oregon and have insight to all of the best locations and will make all your PNW dreams come true. We will create a one of a kind elopement experience planned for you, with no sweat off your back other than having a good time. Send us a DM or an email to learn more!

A common misconception about eloping is that your family/friends can’t/won’t attend.

While we’re all on board for a private and intimate experience with just the two of you, we appreciate the importance of being supported by your closest community. There are quiet a few options around our wild and wonderful state that can accommodate the space for your friends and family to attend your ceremony.

A large part of the elopement collective experience is that we do all the planning and logistics to make sure your elopement goes smoothly and if you’re planning on inviting your people to attend, they’ll feel included in all the plans. We create a custom itinerary that includes meet times, hiking times, and all the fine details like reminders to bring water, sunscreen, snacks for any little ones, and if there’s any cell phone service in the area. We literally think of everything.

So if you’ve been on the fence about eloping and are curious about the process with WVEC, feel free to send us an email at [email protected] or check out all the details at https://thebreiters.com/wvec

The elopement inquiries are starting to fly in and we couldn’t be more stoked to offer this truly one-of-a-kind service to all the rad couples in our beautiful mountain state, who just wanna get freakin’ married.

Our new friends L + A just snagged an April date at Lindy Point and the day we have started planning for them is truly custom to what’s important to them (insert hair flip here 💁‍♀️)

We have a *few* dates left in April if anyone is interested in a quieter spring elopement. As usual, the fall season is shaping up to be a wild one, so we totally recommend that if you’re considering working with us to plan your elopement, that you inquire sooner rather than later!

If you have any questions about what we offer or who we are- comment below. Or tag someone who is thinking about eloping!

All the information you need is on our website at:
https://thebreiters.com/wvec

Has the West Virginia Elopement Collective peaked your interest at all or curious about what we do?

WVEC is an all-inclusive elopement experience in WV crafted by a group of down-to-earth wedding vendors whose passion lies with helping people get married however the hell they want.

This is for you if you want a one-of-a-kind elopement planned for you and executed by us, with no sweat off your back other than having a good time and taking in the beauty of West Virginia while saying I-do in one of our favorite elopement spots.

One of our favorite aspects of bringing this one-of-a-kind experience to this area is the ceremony. It's created with your preferences in mind by our in-house officiant, Thomas Breiter, and allows the space for you to be vulnerable and feel safe. Not a big crowd fan? Or prefer to keep your vows super intimate? Our elopement experience may be the perfect fit for you (as long as your cool with getting a little dirty 😎)

Check out the ceremony photos from our last elopement of 2020. We can't wait to share more of this elopement day, but for now, we invite you to *feel* why we created this experience.

West Virginia Elopement Collective updated their information in their About section.

West Virginia Elopement Collective updated their business hours.