A Western North Carolina DIY Wedding Rebuilt After Hurricane Helene
When Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina three weeks before their wedding, Katie (she/her) and McKayla (she/her) could’ve called the whole thing off. Instead, with no power, no road access, and a lot of help from friends, they built something beautiful out of chaos. Their intimate, woodsy celebration in Ridgecrest became less about perfect plans and more about community, resilience, and love that feels like home.
A Roommates-to-Wives Love Story in Asheville.
We’re a lesbian classic: roommates to wives. We met at a dueling piano bar in Asheville in 2018 and hit it off instantly. A few months later, we were asked to sing together for an event, started hanging out to practice, and ended up just hanging out for fun.
When my roommate moved out in 2019, McKayla needed a place to live, so I asked if she wanted to move in. We barely knew each other, but it worked. During lockdown, we spent every day together, long walks, bingeing shows, back porch coffee in the morning, ranch waters at night. It was honestly the best.
McKayla moved to Memphis for a nine-month program in 2020, and when she came back in 2021, something shifted. I caught feelings first, hers followed soon after. On New Year’s Eve, she said, “Let’s just give it a day.” One day turned into forever. I proposed on the Blue Ridge Parkway in June 2024 – and she pulled out her own ring too! We got married that October!
Pivoting Plans: A Western NC Wedding After Hurricane Helene
Oh, absolutely. We don’t have supportive families, so everything, planning, financing, all of it, was on us. Then Hurricane Helene hit three weeks before the wedding and wrecked our area. We lost road access and utilities for weeks.
It took a while to even decide if we could move forward, but our friends reminded us that everyone needed something hopeful. They rallied around us, helped us pivot, and pulled off the most beautiful day.
What led you to your venue?
We mostly needed something free. Our plan was to get married at our friends Scott and Jake’s place, but the storm washed out their drive. Ridgecrest, the next town over, got utilities back faster, and my best friend’s parents offered their yard. It ended up being perfect.
Tips for a $350 Outfit Budget & Community-Sourced Decor?
We were truly balling on a budget. My advice? Be creative and ask for help. We had guests bring beer from their favorite local breweries, cooked our own food, and thrifted or borrowed almost everything. Our only vendor was our photographer, Timberline and Tide Weddings, who’s also a dear friend.
How did you decide on the size of your wedding?
We knew it had to be small for budget and space, so we kept it to around 50 people. After some fallout with family and community, we focused on inviting people who were truly excited to celebrate with us. That made the day feel really special.
How did you choose your wedding photographer?
Marissa and her partner at Timberline and Tide Weddings are really good friends of ours. She’s taken our photos before and always makes us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. Her style is right up our alley. It was a total no-brainer. She’s the best.
Creating a Woodsy, Camping-Themed Wedding Vibe
We love the outdoors and usually spend our October weekends camping, so we wanted an elevated, woodsy vibe. Our friend Emily took that idea and ran with it. She designed everything perfectly. We made wood-burned coasters, used camp lanterns for light, and kept chili and cornbread warm on camp stoves. Friends lent chairs, and local flower farms donated blooms. It all came together beautifully.
Did you undertake any DIY projects?
Pretty much everything was DIY. We designed a little logo for our wedding and turned it into a wood-burning stamp for handmade coasters. We set up and cleaned up ourselves, made all the programs, cooked the food, and our friend hand-painted the sign. It was a big labor of love, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Tell us about your experience finding your perfect wedding outfits.
McKayla found a few options online at David’s Bridal, and her favorites happened to be in stock. We went the next day, tried things on, and both loved the first outfits we picked. Her simple white spaghetti-strap dress and my white jumpsuit. We spent $350 total, and they couldn’t have been more perfect for us.
Talk us through the wedding day – all the important details!
The water came back on at our house the day before the wedding, so I finally got to shower at home for the first time in weeks. We had brunch with friends, then got ready together (because of course we did). I’m hopeless at hair and makeup without McKayla anyway.
We walked in hand in hand as our friend sang I Belong to You by Brandi Carlile. Our friend Kelsey, a queer Episcopal priest, officiated, and friends read, prayed, and sang. Dinner was one long table under orange and red trees with homemade chili and cornbread, string lights, and laughter. We ended the night around a bonfire with whiskey, beer, and our people. It was perfect.
What were some of your favorite moments from the wedding day?
Getting ready together was such a calm, grounding start. Walking in to I Belong to You by Brandi Carlile, hearing Kelsey’s homily, and sharing a meal at one big table with all our friends (the same people who helped us pull this off) were the moments that meant the most.
Do you have any standout wedding vendors that went above and beyond?
We really didn’t have vendors. Marissa from Timberline and Tide Weddings absolutely crushed it, as always. Beyond that, it was our friends Shanna, Emily, Annie, Joy, Morgan, Anna Clare, Taylor, Perry, Jordan, Craig, Bryce, Dan, and Lydia who planned and executed everything. It was the most beautiful act of community I’ve ever experienced.
Photography by Timberline and Tide Weddings
