Where to Get Married in Asheville: Locations with Spectacular Mountain Views
For my destination couples traveling to Asheville to get married!
Planning a wedding in Asheville, NC, and dreaming of a breathtaking mountain backdrop? Look no further!
Asheville and its surrounding areas are home to some of the most picturesque wedding venues, offering stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Keep on scrollin’ on to discover the top wedding locations in the Asheville area that offer unforgettable mountain vistas.
Sky Mountain Events
Wedding Venues
Traditional venues with mountain views, fit for weddings of all types including large guest lists!
Chestnut Ridge: Located in Canton, NC, this elegant venue offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a white barn and chapel on-site.
The Ridge: Located in Marshall, NC, this venue offers incredible mountain views and an upscale barn for the reception. Pictured below!
The Crest Center & Pavilion: Situated on Crest Mountain, this venue offers panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Claxton Farm: A rustic barn venue with scenic mountain views, perfect for a countryside wedding.
The Venue Asheville: Located downtown, but with a rooftop offering views of the surrounding mountains.
The Omni Grove Park Inn: A historic resort with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, perfect for a luxurious wedding.
Biltmore Estate: The grounds offer various spots with beautiful mountain views, especially near the gardens. Pictured below!
Hidden River Events: Situated along the Swannanoa River, this venue combines riverfront and mountain views, with a variety of outdoor and indoor spaces.
Laughing Waters Retreat: Located in the Hickory Nut Gorge, this venue offers a secluded, natural setting with forest and mountain views.
The Farm – A Gathering Place: Located in Candler, NC, this venue offers a charming, rustic setting with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Sky Mountain Events: Located in Hendersonville, NC, this venue provides expansive mountain views and a blend of rustic and elegant spaces. Pictured above with ceremony arch!
Sherrill’s Inn and Event Barn: Located in Fairview, NC, this historic inn and barn provide a picturesque setting with views of the Hickory Nut Gap mountains.
Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure: Offers a lakeside venue with mountain views, perfect for a waterfront wedding with a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The North Carolina Arboretum: Offers several scenic spots within its extensive gardens and natural areas, including woodland settings and mountain vistas.
Laurel Falls: A wooded retreat with historic cabins nestled amidst waterfalls and mountain views.
Yesterday Spaces: A rustic farm venue located just outside of Asheville, featuring a charming barn, open fields, and beautiful mountain views. It’s perfect for couples seeking a blend of countryside charm and natural beauty for their wedding day.
Nature Locations
Outdoor locations in WNC fit for elopements and small guest lists!
Black Balsam Knob: Known for its 360-degree panoramic views, this location is ideal for a small, intimate ceremony.
Craggy Gardens: Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this spot offers stunning mountain views, especially during rhododendron bloom season.Max Patch: A popular bald with wide-open views of the surrounding mountains and perfect for a picturesque outdoor wedding.
Mount Mitchell State Park: The highest peak east of the Mississippi River offers breathtaking vistas.
DuPont State Forest: Home to several beautiful waterfalls, like Triple Falls and Hooker Falls, this forest offers multiple picturesque spots for an intimate wedding.
Roan Mountain: Straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee border, this location offers stunning views from its balds, especially during the rhododendron bloom.
Crabtree Falls: Another beautiful waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway, surrounded by lush forest, ideal for a secluded, nature-filled ceremony.
Big Butt Trail: A lesser-known spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this trail offers a more private setting with great views of the surrounding mountains.
John Rock: Located in the Pisgah National Forest, this spot offers a unique view of the surrounding mountains and the nearby Looking Glass Rock.
Craven Gap: A quiet spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway that offers lovely forest views, making it a peaceful and intimate location for an elopement.
Glassmine Falls: A beautiful overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway offering views of a distant, seasonal waterfall cascading down the mountainside. It’s a serene spot perfect for a quiet elopement with a backdrop of forested peaks.
Buck Springs Overlook: This overlook offers expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with rolling peaks stretching into the distance. It’s a peaceful and accessible spot, ideal for an intimate ceremony with sweeping mountain scenery.
Chestoa Overlook: A small, lesser-known overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway that provides stunning views of the Linville Gorge and the surrounding mountains. It’s a quiet, scenic location for a private elopement with dramatic vistas.
The Ridge
Permits and Regulations
For any location outdoors that isn’t a traditional wedding venue, you must be aware of all policies!
Blue Ridge Parkway Locations (e.g., Craggy Gardens, Graveyard Fields, Big Butt Trail, Craven Gap):
These areas are managed by the National Park Service. Weddings and elopements typically require a special use permit. Check with the Blue Ridge Parkway headquarters for specific guidelines and fees.
Pisgah National Forest Locations (e.g., John Rock, Looking Glass Rock, Black Balsam Knob):
Generally allowed for small, low-impact gatherings. However, larger events or those requiring setups (like chairs or arches) may need a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
DuPont State Forest (e.g., Triple Falls, Hooker Falls):
Permitted but require a special use permit. DuPont State Forest has specific guidelines regarding group size and setup restrictions, especially near popular sites like the waterfalls.
Mount Mitchell State Park:
Small weddings are allowed, but larger groups or any setup typically require a permit from the state park.
Roan Mountain:
Managed by both Tennessee State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service. A permit may be required, especially for larger groups or events with setups.
For your consideration:
Important insight from a local mountain-lover!
Rainy day location: Please have a backup location for any outdoor wedding day plans. Rain is always an option here in the mountains! Have cute umbrellas handy for a light sprinkle.
Accessibility: Each outdoor location has its own unique trail to hike to get to the mountain views. Consider your guests and if they can safely hike the necessary trail to get to your location. Trails can be steep and strenuous.
Attire: Consider the accessibility of your location when selecting your wedding day clothes and shoes - same goes for your guests and vendors.
Distance: Although we get to enjoy the mountains throughout our little city, getting to a hiking trail and specific mountain-view-spot could require a 30-90 minute drive from Asheville. Consider how that will affect your guests and timeline!
Privacy: Any location that isn’t a typical wedding venue will continue to be open to the public while you hold your ceremony. We’re a tourist town and the mountains are for all to enjoy! Consider how much privacy you prefer for this celebratory moment.
Time of Day: Keep in mind that the ends of the day (near sunrise or sunset) offer the most flattering natural light. Avoid scheduling anything midday when possible!
Time of Year: why seasons matter for your outdoor wedding - read more here!
Leave No Trace. These beloved mountains are home to us locals and we care a lot about the outdoors here. As a guest, you must: dispose of all waste properly, leave anything you found as it was and respect the wildlife. Leave no trace!
Biltmore Estate
Choosing the perfect location for your wedding can set the tone for a truly unforgettable day. With Asheville’s stunning mountain vistas and diverse outdoor settings, you have the opportunity to create a magical and unique ceremony that reflects your love story.
Be sure to check permit requirements and plan ahead to ensure a smooth and memorable celebration. Here’s to finding the ideal spot that makes your dream wedding a reality amidst the beauty of Asheville’s mountains!