THE ADVENTURE WEDDING DRESS CHALLENGE

Day 1 of Forever:

Embrace Adventure and Begin Your Journey with the Wedding Dress Challenge

Nothing compares to wayah bald at sunrise. We got there just before the sun came up and photography can't even do the sight justice.

What is the Wedding Dress Challenge?

 

At Nantahala Weddings & Events, we believe marriage is more than just a day—it’s the beginning of a lifetime of adventures. In the spirit of empowering women and embracing nature, we challenge future brides to push boundaries with the Adventure Wedding Dress Challenge. On Day One of marriage, brides who accept the challenge will hike, paddleboard, bike, and white-water raft in a wedding dress, proving that they can conquer anything, no matter what they’re wearing.

It’s not just about an event; it’s about celebrating love, strength, family and friends, and the wild beauty of life’s next chapter. Complete the challenge, and not only will you earn a prize, but you’ll also break through traditional boundaries in the most empowering way possible.

Read the story behind the challenge: Why The Adventure Wedding Dress Challenge?.

How to Partake in the Adventure Wedding Dress Challenge?

We recommend you complete this challenge with your husband – it is just so much more fun that way! Contact us to discuss logistics and options to hire a local guide to facilitate Bikes, Paddles, and the rafting excursion. 

quad view of all four activities for the wedding dress challenge. The colors try to match the palette of the activity and give the energetic vibe of the smoky mountain mass of outdoors adventures.

What are the Rules?

Of course, there are rules and guidelines to any challenge.

Rule #1: Bride must wear a wedding dress for the duration of the course.

Rule #2: It must start at sunrise and be completed before sunset.

Rule #3: You must start at Wayah Bald (Appalachian Trail highlight) and end at the River Pull Out by the Nantahala Outdoor Center, exactly as described in “How does one partake in the Adventure Wedding Dress Challenge?”

Rule #4: You must follow the course map on foot, SUP, bike, and raft, as specified. 

What is the Prize?

The brave souls who complete the challenge will receive a personalized charcuterie board by WoodProShop as a prize… in addition to the epic memories and photography that will likely come out of it as well.

Woodproshop from Etsy donated NANTAHALA WEDDINGS many charcuterie boards and we are so grateful that we decided to make these board, engraved of course with the couples names on it and the date of the wedding dress challenge, as a prize for any one who takes on the challenge and completes it within the guidelines
top photographer in Franklin, highlands and nantahala for weddings, food and real estate. Molly Harris masters the art of combining nature within her photography.

Photography Credit to Molly Harris Photography

Molly Harris, a Franklin-based photographer, brings her passion for mountain adventure to every project. She was the creative force behind the Wedding Dress Challenge, capturing its essence from the first shot to the final edits. Her attention to detail, boundless energy, and deep love for the outdoors make her an ideal match for couples looking to celebrate their love amid nature’s beauty. Molly regularly photographs weddings at Nantahala Weddings & Events, often leading couples to hidden gems for unforgettable post-ceremony shots. If you’re seeking a photographer who thrives on adventure, Molly will enthusiastically join you for any outdoor escapades, whether it’s a hike, paddle, or other mountain experience surrounding your wedding day. Molly is an external vendor and not affiliated with Nantahala Weddings; contact her directly for availabilty and rates. Molly’s Website.

Photography from the First

Adventure Wedding Dress Challenge

The sweet victory cry from Wayah bald bride to all the past and future bride to scream out in appalacian bliss and victory. The sunrise orange hues fuel the femine soul beyond any other fuel in the world. The daring ledge represents the risks and challenges she accepts with getting married and all her steps along the way.
The twirly dress is something young girls are fascinated by. Something do not change. While breathing in the appalacian lookout at the firepower at Wayah Bald, there is no better place for a first look and a dress twirl than these flagstones.
Common photo still of the stuff needed for the wedding, in this case, this is what was needed for the wedding dress challenge: Bottle, with a NANTAHALA WEDDINGS and events sticker, water source, bouquet, hiking shoes and a map. All set on the ledge at Wayah Bald.
Wedding florals hold an energy of the wedding day. Especially with the florals are picked the day of your wedding by Harpp Florals' Holly. She also lives by a creek and uses the greenery for table wear dress up and more.
Hug trees and the trees will hug you back they say. At our venue at Nantahala overlooking the whimsical lake you have plenty of trees to choose from. In this case, the tree designates that the trail is part of the bantam (yellow) and Appalacian (white) official trails.
Wedding dress challenge bride navigates seven miles from Wayah bald to wine spring creek through ferns, thorns, sticks, roots, and stones. She perseveres.
Dirty wedding dress is an integral part of the wedding dress challenge. Just like rain weddings, when you embrace what you surroundings give you, everything become easy. picking the right venue that supports the levels of comfort within the dense nature of the nantahala forest and lake is something hundreds of bride have done and none regretted it.
After the first leg of the nantahala weddings and events wedding dress challenge, the bride may have some dirty and tangles to work out, but there is little time because her paddle awaits her. The bantam trail was glorious with its views, moss, and delicious scent of fall in the air. A fall wedding is something many-a brides desire, and for all the best reasons.
After the stand up paddle board course, the bride will take a moment to exhale and enjoy being in the flow of Nantahala Lake. Dress drifting in the water, memories of her yesterday's ceremony and commitment to a new life with her partner for life, she just relishes in this smoky mountain air.
Getting ready to paddle around treasure island for the wedding dress challenge leg 2. The bride, dirty dress and all, will regain the strength to persevere, in her dress. Paddly board in hand, supported by the vision of a life of adventure and love from all angles.
Stand up paddleboarding in a wedding dress is something you don't see every day. But every once in a while you can catch a bride completing the wedding dress challenge at nantahala wedding & events on her leg two she circumvents the Nantahala lake's treasure island just off wine spring creek beach.
No challenge is complete without a some mountain biking. Mountain biking on the Nobel steed, the Juliana - Santa Cruz bike, appropriately in fiery red, orange. This bride is about to cruise 6 miles to the next leg. Boquet and all.
Molly Harris photography is rather brilliant in the still and stuff shots, here and with her wedding actuals. this is a map of the Nantahala Lake and national forest area incorporated with polaroids along the day as we hikes, paddled, biked, and rafted the complete challenge.
Getting after the nantahala weddings and events wedding dress challenge cruising along hidden riverways in the smokey mountains and passing wild flowers and waterfalls along the creek road. at old river road.
Classic National forest sign of the Nantahala National Forest recreation area for the official nantahala river launch site. With the bouquet, but where the bouquet is, the bride is lurking too!
Bare foot in the waterfall by the nantahala river gorge cascade waterfall. Just taking a load off.
The nanthalaa river gorge cascades are a premier spot for couples to take their pre or post ceremony at nantahala weddings photo shoots. In this photo the bride stepped carefully down to the lower ledge and submerged her head into the water fall because... the wedding dress challenge isn't for those who don't care to sweat a little and get a little/lottle wet and dirty. It is fun and makes for a great photo.
Different perspective of the sitting on the cascade ledge spot. That river brings unlimited and unbound magic to Wayah road and is the perfect scene before the wedding Dress challenge takes the bride to the next step of rafting through the river's rapids with the endless river guide!
Before the raft goes in the water the raft has to get to the water. Even the bride is not exempt from the extra lifting efforts to enable the adventure that comes with the wedding dress challenge.
Ben is a great guide, with decades of guiding experience. He heard about the challenge and wanted to do his part in it! So he led us from Patton Run drop in to the Nantahala outdoor center pull out. And organized the van with all the logistics as well. Great times on the rapids!
a more artistic shot of the rafting guide and the bride in her dress during the wedding dress challenge for NANTAHALA WEDDINGS and events, first one ever in 2024.
Endless river owner and bride at the end of the wedding dress challenge day. The bouquet lasted the whole trip, and the pup made the scene complete with his cuddles.

Why the Adventure Wedding Dress Challenge?

Marriage was once seen as the turning point in a woman’s life that marked the end of her freedom, binding her to domestic duties. Today, women are breaking these chains, balancing careers with family, and sharing household responsibilities equally with their partners. The wedding dress, once a symbol of confinement, now represents freedom and the opportunity for an expanded life.

Jess Kawamura, nature enthusiast, Navy Vet, first bride at Nantahala Weddings in 2014, and now co-owner of Nantahala Weddings & Events, has devised “The Adventure Wedding Dress Challenge” in line with the progress of the feminine movement—recognizing that women are still working towards equality and empowerment. It also serves as a reminder that embracing adventure and strength in marriage is part of a larger journey to break barriers and redefine roles.

When Jess became co-owner of Nantahala Weddings & Events with her mother, Jody Hafey, who founded the business in 2015, she knew she had to put her unique stamp on it. “Lots of brides are attracted to our venue for the incredibly gorgeous photo opportunities, and the luxurious summer camp vibe,” Kawamura said. “But I want to also attract those hard-core ADVENTURE-loving women out there who crave the deep connection to nature. By accepting the Wedding Dress Challenge, they can declare to their new partners for life: ‘I commit to you and our future, but I can do anything—even in this dress.’”

To prove it’s doable, Jess, who has been married for 10 years and has three children (born ’19, ’21, ’23), bought a wedding dress and completed the course she laid out. It’s all on video and in photos – watch it now.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Won’t I be super exhausted the day after my wedding? Do I have to do it that day? Can I do it on Day 2?

If you want to tackle the Challenge on an alternative date, that’s totally fine. Just extend your stay in Nantahala, recover, relax, then take on the challenge later in the week. Just know that only those who complete the challenge on day one of marriage will recieve the prize.

Shouldn’t I be there the morning after to bid farewell to my guests?

You have options!

  1. Bring your favorite guests along for the challenge! They can join for any or all sections of the challenge. Or assist in the support vehicle for you!
  2. If your guests know you’re staying an extra few days, they might stay, too; this would mean more together time. The Nantahala Outdoor Center (where the challenge ends) is a great spot to gather, dip your toes in the river, grab a beer, and enjoy some food, if they just want to meet you at the end.
Can my husband join the Challenge?
We 100% encourage and hope your spouse will join you for the Challenge! This adventure is all about partnership, and it’s meant to be a shared experience. You will have the option of renting gear, which will include two bikes and two paddle boards! And don’t worry—no formal attire required for the husband. (Fun fact: During the filming of the original Adventure Wedding Dress Challenge, Jess’s husband couldn’t attend, as he’s the primary caregiver for their three kids, allowing Jess to fully dedicate herself to supporting each wedding without interruption. That is why he is only seen in the final scene of the film.)
How much does it cost to participate in the challenge?

Nature is free, but a local guide will have to be hired. The guide will provide you with a day-of packing list and what to expect, they will have a truck to carry your equipment/snacks/water and transport you from station to station and then back to your vehicle at Wayah Bald, they will facilitate transitions and arrange the rafting. Cost: $1000 with rentals (2x Bikes, 2x SUPs), $700 without rentals. Does not include rafting fee.

Can I do this as my bachelorette party instead?
Yes! Great idea.
Do I have to wear the wedding dress I wore on my wedding day?

Wearing your actual wedding dress isn’t required, however wearing a wedding dress is. Feel free to buy a used wedding dress that allows you to perform all the activities comfortably; for the bike we encourage you to bring a large belt to cinch any extra fabric to prevent it getting caught in the chain. The dress featured in our video was an affordable option (~$150 from Lulu’s). We recommend looking for something breathable, ankle-length, and without a train for easier movement.

Is food provided, or do I need to pack my own? Water?
We recommend packing a day pack with snacks for the hike and stashing additional food in the support vehicle. You can also stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the route or later at the Nantahala Outdoor Center when the challenge is complete. You can certainly put extra water in the support vehicle to fill up your water supply as needed.
We got married at Nantahala Weddings before the Wedding Dress Challenge existed. Can we come back and do this for our anniversary?

Yes! 

Is a photographer included? Will they be with us the whole day?
You can hire a photographer and work through all the details with them! We highly recommend Molly Harris Photography to capture The Challenge! See her bio above. If you already have a photographer, they are more than welcome to navigate The Challenge with you!
Molly Harris is willing to accompany you for select or all parts of your Challenge. For the hike, it works best for her to start with you at Wayah Bald, hike a section with you, but turn around to catch a ride to later meet you at the lake for the next segment, giving you private time on the Bartram. For the SUP, she’ll shoot some of you getting ready on the shore and launch a drone to capture stunning aerial shots to follow your paddle around the island. For the bike portion, she’ll likely ride in the support truck to capture a few moments in action, then the support vehicle will drive ahead to meet you at the end of Old River Road. On the raft, she will attach a GoPro at the front of the raft, and Molly has the ideal spots scouted out along the river for capturing the full rafting experience. Reach out to Molly Harris Photography for more details on arrangements.
What if there is a medical emergency?
We are fortunate to have the EMS building just ~3 miles from the venue. In an emergency, the support vehicle would take you there for first aid and assessment, and to the closest hospital if necessary. Although cell service is limited around the lake, the Bartram Trail has good coverage as you leave Wayah Bald until you are about 30 minutes or 1.5 miles from the lake.

Ready to take on the Challenge?

First step, book your Wedding!

Contact Us