Because of the current ban on large gatherings, many couples are considering eloping to the mountains in one of our many forests and parks, with a few family members and friends. Here's the 411 on that. The mountains are not as wild and free as you might suppose. Most of these places do require a permit. (A lot of people try to sneak in and do a quick wedding without a permit, but park rangers are actively patrolling to disburse groups, and there are fines for having events without permits.) Federal parks are stricter than the state parks, especially where alcohol is concerned. Local elopement companies may be able to help you find the perfect spot, but there are also restrictions on elopement companies and professional photographers doing business on public lands. Even with a permit, you do not have exclusive use of the area, so motorcyclists, tourists and other groups will be around. Some popular locations, such as Max Patch, Black Balsam, Craggy Gardens, and Looking Glass Falls, are prohibiting groups due to overuse. And the Covid-19 pandemic has brought a slew of restrictions and closings. Check before you go to assure that your chosen location is not closed due to local or state restrictions, snow/storm damage, or maintenance. Group limits and social distancing rules still apply, even in nature. 

A few tips for planning your outdoor, mountain wedding in 2020 Pick 2-3 places, and be ready to move to one of your backups if your first choice is overcrowded, or if it starts to rain. Be warned that motorcycle and vehicle noise are particularly troublesome at overlooks and spots close to the road. Sites further away are quieter, though they may require a hike. Check the internet for information about the trail and its difficulty (one we like is https://www.alltrails.com.) Email everyone involved beforehand with the timeline, directions, the back up plans, and the post-ceremony meetup location. Instruct guests to print these out since cell phone service is spotty at best. Tell them to proceed to the trail and start hiking as soon as they get there, so there is no gathering in the parking area, and to leave for the rendezvous point as soon as photos are done. You may find restrooms are closed, so go before you go. Needless to say, hiking boots are recommended over heels. (You can put those on once you get there.) And watch out for bugs and bears! (Read more about that and other unique aspects of getting married in W.N.C. here. ) 

Here is a list of the best places for eloping in the Western North Carolina mountains.

National Parks (National Park Service)

Appalachian Trail 
Appalachian National Scenic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

Blue Ridge Parkway 
You can read information about the process of getting a permit to have a wedding on Parkway lands here: Wedding Permits - Blue Ridge Parkway (U.S. National Park Service). 

Carl Sandburg Home
Permits & Reservations - Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (National Park Service)
Cades Cove Chapels, Cataloochee Chapel, Clingman's Dome, Newfound Gap
Please call (828) 497-1930 for permit information

National Forests (US Forest Service)
Appalachian Mountains
Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls
Flat Top Mountain
Hot Springs, Lovers Leap
Pisgah National Forest, Big Ivy
Nantahala National Forest
Roan Mountain (Currently closed)
Shining Rock Wilderness
Whiteside Mountain
National Forests in North Carolina - Event/Commercial Permits

State Forests and Parks (State Forest Service and NC Division of Parks and Recreation)

Chimney Rock, Rumbling Bald, Eagle Rock (Chimney Rock, Lake Lure)
Gorges State Park (Brevard/Sapphire)
Mount Mitchell
https://files.nc.gov/ncparks/north-carolina-state-parks-special-activity-permit.pdf

Dupont National Forest-Currently closed to groups
https://www.dupontstaterecreationalforest.com/Pages/FacilitiesAndPermits.aspx

Grandfather Mountain (a privately-owned attraction near Linville)
Weddings | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN : Wonders Never Cease

Today is May 4, 2020. Currently, the Asheville area is under a Stay at Home order that allows only essential business and travel, and restricts gatherings of more than 10 people, even on private property, unless they are all members of the same family. Our Governor, Roy Cooper, is planning to begin to ease these restrictions in three phases over the next three months, as long as our infection rates continue to decline.

What does this mean for events? I have researched state and local government sites, and scanned the blogs of our national event planning organizations, including the Event Safety Alliance, NACE, the Natl Restaurant Association, the Convention Management Association, and others, to come up with an answers. Here is my summary of what the current thinking is nationally:

Phase 1: May. Events still restricted to 10 people or less. Attendees must wash hands, avoid physical contact, stay 6 feet apart,  and face coverings highly recommended but not required. Some state, local, and federal parks may reopen. No food or drink service at events. Current restrictions on interstate travel still in effect, with travelers required to self-quarantine for 2 weeks if they have come from out of state or out of the country. Hotels and similar lodging may re-open under strict capacity guidelines. Elevators limited to 1 at a time. Strict sanitization with approved anti-viral products required before, during, and after event.

Phase 2: June. Gatherings of up to 25 people are allowed (in some cases, up to 25% of capacity). Restaurants and venues may reopen, but capacity is limited. Event permits may be required. Tables must be spaced 6 feet apart, with no more than 6 per table, chairs spread out, no bar service, no buffets, and all food and drink must be delivered table side by workers with gloves and masks, so plated or boxed meals are ideal. Use of disposable dishes, flatware, and glassware required. Bottled or canned beverages preferred over open containers. Trash cans must use liners, and be emptied frequently; Step cans preferred. Linens must be laundered in hot water after every event, and all surfaces, including chairs, cleaned. Workers must stay 6 feet apart in the kitchen and prep areas. Keep staff/guest contact to a minimum, e.g., once to deliver food to table, once to replenish, and once to bus, after guests have left. Elevators may carry up to 2 people. Ubers, limos, shuttles and buses must limit the number of riders. Guests should enter and exit events through different doors, or in phases. The same with suppliers, and vendors. Guest books, photo booths, bars, self-serve drink stations, and other activity stations where people might line up are discouraged, unless a line management system that keeps people 6 feet apart is used. A check-in station is strongly encouraged, with guests signing their name and contact information in case later tracing is needed. (Possibly: Have guests answer a few screening questions, and turn those away who are sick or who have travelled from a hot spot. Temperature checks optional for guests, but not for staff.) Have hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, and masks for guests who want them. For ceremonies, participants should walk single-file. All venues and vendors involved with the event are encouraged to have general liability insurance in case of an outbreak traced to the event. (Some companies are dropping coverage for pandemics; read your policy carefully and shop around.) Hosts should likewise have event insurance that covers an outbreak.

Phase 3: July. Gatherings of up to 50 people (or 50% of capacity) allowed, with the same restrictions as before. Special event permits may be required, not just for alcohol. Bars may reopen, but there should be more servers per guest (currently, one bartender per 50 people is recommended), no lines at the bar, strict cleanliness must be adhered to, servers must wear gloves, and bottled or canned drinks preferred over open containers. Self-service food or drinks still discouraged. Elevators may carry up to 4 people. More people allowed in buses and shuttles. Staff and vendor safety training mandated. With Covid-19 still active, hand washing, hand sanitizer, no physical contact, and social distancing still required. Salons may re-open. Air BnB/VRBO's may reopen. Hotels can take more guests. Fewer restrictions on interstate travel, except for those traveling from hot spots. International travel still discouraged.

Phase 4 (August - December) Gatherings of up to 100 people allowed, with same restrictions as in the first 3 phases. Hotels, restaurants and bars may go up to 75% capacity. Local authorities may require inspections or more conditions to issue permits for events, especially assurance that the venue is adhering to strict sanitation protocols. Reusable china, flatware and glassware may be used again, but MUST be run through a sanitizing dishwashing machine. Travel and lodging restrictions eased. 

Phase 4 restrictions may be extended up to 2 years if there if the percentage of new infections does not decline sufficiently. A surge in the percent of new cases may trigger a return to an earlier phase.

Phase 5: The Future. (These is conjecture based on my research.) 100% capacity returns, but the concept of capacity changes. Safety inspections may move from the Fire Marshal's office to a new authority, who will determine capcacity based not only on safety in case of emergency, but also on preventing transmission of infectious diseases. Possibly, staff, vendors, and attendees must provide proof that they are Covid-19 free (based on an antibody test.) OSHA requires safety and health training for anyone who comes into contact with the public.  Stricter Serv-Safe standards, and new standards for bartenders. Suppliers offer more anti-microbial products. Increased emphasis on healthy indoor air, with new types of filters for HVAC systems, humidity controls, and increased fresh air intake. Businesses closed on Sunday for Deep Clean Day. A number of lawsuits related to the Coranavirus Outbreak and the management of it surface. Supreme Court determines whether or not a pandemic is a fource majeure event or not. As a result, changes in event insurance and general liability occur. Vendors require clients to turn in head counts earlier, so they can assure numbers match what has been approved. Smaller events strongly encouraged, with discounts for weekday events and events under 50 people. Outdoor venues and those with lots of windows become even more popular. Stricter rules on tented events, with sides discouraged. Inspection may be required for tents. Handshakes, fist-bumps, kissing, hugs, and high-fives go the way of the dinosaurs :(

Please comment if you are aware of additional rules that are coming down the pipeline!