Mountain Planning Tips

Venues

Downtown Asheville’s chic new property, The Foundry Hotel offers hot air balloon microweddings for adventurous couples. Photo by Fancy This Photography.

Local pros share their best mountain wedding advice

By Rachel O’Hare

North Carolina’s beautiful Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are a dreamy setting for couples looking to have a nearby destination wedding. With an amazing climate, jaw-dropping views and unique, local vendors, the mountains provide endless event options. To make planning a mountain wedding a breeze, read our tips below. Holiday lights and snow flurries will have you wanting to cozy up to the fire or venture out to the many ski slopes in the area. Springtime brings cool temperatures and beautiful bright greens across the mountain ridges. Lastly, summertime in the North Carolina mountains is a well-kept secret. With elevation keeping humidity and temperatures at bay, the summer months rarely see weather above 85 degrees. Your guests will enjoy local attractions like swimming in rivers and lakes, mountain biking and touring wineries during the summertime. Dance the night away at an outdoor mountain wedding in the summer without the heat of Central and Eastern North Carolina!

• Venue options in western North Carolina vary depending on your personal style and location choice. You’ll find rustic and renovated barns, quaint inns and chapels, summer camps, mountain lodges, beautiful mountain chateaus, ski lodges and downtown warehouses.

• Interested in highlighting the flavors of Western North Carolina? Food and drink in this region have a heavy focus on local, farmto-table fare. Enjoy fresh trout, organic fruits and vegetables and Southern classics like biscuits and grits. As for alcohol, take your

• North Carolina’s mountains have some hidden gem small towns that make perfect wedding weekend destinations. Towns like Highlands, Cashiers, Sylva, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock have small-town charm and sweeping views of the picturesque scenery. Couples looking for a bigger city or industrial-style venue might enjoy the City of Asheville’s downtown, with bars, restaurants and shopping galore.

• Each season in the North Carolina mountains provides unique weather and is important to consider when planning a wedding in any region of the mountains. Fall is a popular tourist season for the region. Aside from the cool temperatures, the beautiful gradient of changing leaves will leave you and your guests speechless. Be aware that booking travel and stays during the fall should be done far in advance to secure your spot among leaf enthusiasts! Winter is cozy and quaint in the mountains.

Rebecca Johnson and Ryan Davis share a kiss atop Beech Mountain at Overlook Barn wedding and event venue. Photo by Fancy This Photography.

pick of many regional wineries and breweries - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Asheville is a destination within itself! Some of these wineries and breweries even make great venues for rehearsal dinners and receptions. Check out Banner Elk Winery and Grandfather Winery in the High Country if you’re looking specifically for a winery venue.

• Are your guests looking for things to do in the region? In Western

North Carolina, you’re never far from amazing trails, freshwater swimming spots, ski slopes, or shopping. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs the length of most of North Carolina’s mountains, providing beautiful views from the car and access to some of the most popular hikes in the state. Guests can also enjoy access points on the Appalachian Trail or the iconic Grandfather Mountain, Mt.

Mitchell, or Chimney Rock parks.

• Want to run away to the mountains for an intimate ceremony or elopement? Popular locations include Wiseman’s Overlook, Beacon Heights and Rough Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Inquire about permits for small ceremonies or elopements at local scenic overlooks.

• Planning a mountain bachelor or bachelorette weekend?

Consider a unique local excursion like rafting or hiking. Or inquire with a local rafting guide about tubing, they even throw in an extra tube for your drink cooler! Feeling more adventurous? The region also offers amazing climbing, fly fishing and kayaking tours. Maybe your idea of getting outside is shopping or lounging by the pool? Don’t worry. Quaint small towns offer incredible downtown boutiques and outfitters, while

Asheville offers bigger name retailers and unique, bohemian shops scattered through downtown.

• In need of a beautiful, romantic stay after the big day? Choose from hundreds of charming inns, restored motor lodges, or upscale hotels, lodges and resorts.