Eloping At Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival Of Music & Dance

Full of bright colors, diverse cultures and homegrown influences, Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance is a four-day festival that captures hearts and embodies a freedom and feeling that can only be expressed as “Happy Shakori,” turning strangers into friends. Hidden away just a short drive from Raleigh, this Pittsboro farm welcomes folks from all over to embrace the spirit of community, art, and music.

With a spirit so warm and welcoming, many who enjoy the festival can’t help but return again year after year, so it’s no surprise that couples have chosen Shakori Hills as the backdrop for their intimate weddings. When designing a styled shoot to embrace the spirit of Shakori,

We wanted to be fully engaged in the magic and wonder surrounding us…

Miranda & Brandon arrived at Shakori Hills on a crisp October day, with a small team of vendors to bring the elopement to life. While Miranda used one of the few buildings on site to get ready, Brandon set up their honeymoon tent, where the couple would enjoy a long weekend to kick off their marriage.

The ceremony was set on the edge of a field, with trees behind them, overlooking the main stage at the bottom of the field. A triangular backdrop was adorned with artificial greenery, paper flowers, and lanterns, and a white throw rug marked the aisle, which guests would gather around to witness the vows.

After the ceremony, guests were invited to explore the festival and visit the amazing food vendors before returning to the elopement site, where they could enjoy their meal at a table set for eight. The table was made of recycled pallet boards set on rugs, with pillows for seats, and eclectic place settings with floral patterns. Boho details like the macramé table runner and gemstones added to the overall design, making the paper flowers really pop!

As our group finished dinner and made their way to dessert, a new band hit the main stage, so the couple and their guests were in a dancing mood. A small wedding cake and earthy lemon-lavender whoopie pies were placed on gem slabs set atop a small blue table and rug. With sweet treats in hand, they headed down the hill to join in with the other festival-goers, dancing at the front of the stage.

When the couple has danced to their hearts’ content, a simple A-frame tent waited for them at the top of the hill, surrounded by dreamcatchers and lanterns, with pillows and a macramé quilt inside, and a beautifully painted canvas draped over the tent.