Enjoy the View of a Mountain Wedding
If the beach just isn’t your jam, North Carolina offers other gorgeous destinations for a getaway wedding. It’s no secret that the mountains of Western NC offer breathtaking views. The beautiful Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are dreamy settings for couples looking to have a destination wedding in North Carolina. With a moderate climate, jaw-dropping views and unique local vendors, the mountains provide endless event options. If a barn wedding isn’t your style, Western NC is also home to historic inns, chapels, mountain lodges, urban warehouses and sweeping vineyards. To make planning a mountain wedding a breeze, read our tips below.
What time of year is best for a mountain wedding?
The most popular season to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains by far is fall. This is when leaf colors peak. However, contending with tourists and busy season may not be the experience you want for your guests. And, we’re here to tell you that spring and summer are equally gorgeous times of the year to plan a mountain wedding. Unlike the Piedmont or coastal regions of North Carolina, the mountains remain cool and tranquil during these seasons. There’s no reason to avoid the warmer months in Western NC. The only season we’d be wary of in the mountains is winter. That’s when weather conditions could make it difficult for guests to reach your venue, and temperatures may make outdoor festivities impossible.
Keep Guests Entertained During Your Wedding Weekend in the Mountains
Hidden gem small towns make ideal wedding weekend destinations. Highlands, Cashiers, Sylva, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock have small-town charm and sweeping views. Couples looking for a bigger city or industrial-style venue might enjoy Asheville’s downtown which offers bars, restaurants and shopping galore, and is an urban hub for the arts.
Guests may enjoy a scenic drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway for the best mountain views. Go for a hike down one of the region’s countless trails with access points on the Appalachian Trail, or Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, or Chimney Rock parks.
Guests won’t want to miss Western North Carolina’s bustling craft beer and wine scene. Sierra Nevada’s Mills River facility is one of the area’s largest breweries. Green Man Brewery has been an Asheville favorite since it opened in 1997. Direct your guests to Banner Elk Winery or Grandfather Vineyard & Winery to enjoy a glass. Close proximity to these breweries and wineries provides plenty of entertaining excursions for guests.
Mountain Venue Highlights: Rumbling Bald Resort on Lake Lure
Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure is situated on Blue Ridge Mountain on Lake Lure. This location is perfect for planning a weekendlong getaway that includes outdoor fun like water sports – and, the resort is famous as the backdrop of the film “Dirty Dancing.” If that isn’t enough to gain your interest, Rumbling Bald’s accommodations include lakeside villas, private homes and other options so that you and your guests can stay on-site for your entire event.
Mountain Venue Highlights: Hidden Hill Venue
This charming mountain wedding venue is not far from Asheville in the smaller town of Morganton, North Carolina. Eleven acres offer unrivaled ridgeline views and Hidden Hill’s handsome barn has a partially covered patio that can be used in any weather. This venue is perfect for the couple seeking a classic and comfortable venue in Western NC.
Mountain Venue Highlights: Old Edwards Inn and Spa
Old Edwards Inn and Spa is a celebrated Western NC event venue and hotel. In fact, it was listed as the No. 1 hotel and resort in the state by US News & World Report. The main thing to know about Old Edwards is that there’s a vast number of options for your wedding when you book with them. From the 30-acre farm that boasts a 4,900-square-foot event pavilion to Piermont Cottage, an intimate outdoor event space designed for gatherings of 130 or fewer, options abound.
Why host a destination wedding in the NC mountains?
Hear from real couples who tied the knot at NC mountain wedding venues.
The biggest perk of a mountain wedding is, well, the mountains! The region’s beauty worked its magic on Ellen Thomas and Carolyn Huddy, who visited Overlook Barn – in Banner Elk, just west of Boone, North Carolina – the day after they got engaged. They booked the venue on the spot.
Ellen and Carolyn say that Overlook’s views and versatility – especially that of the Cliffside Barn, which provides a convenient indoor space plus a covered patio – impressed. The pair tied the knot there on Oct. 2, 2022.
The High Country has always felt like home to Robert Kleinmaier. So when it came time to tie the knot with his fiancee, Sunni Goodson, she says that finding a venue in the mountains was key to them. The pair married on Aug. 27, 2022, at The Barn on New River. This family owned barn sits on 100 acres bordered by the South Fork New River in West Jefferson, North Carolina. “The setting is so secluded and private, yet less than 30 minutes to Boone, with plenty of amazing vendors and guest amenities in West Jefferson and the surrounding area,” Sunni says. “Even when we first drove up in the dead of winter, it had soul. It was the only venue that brought me to tears when I walked in.” The pair were the first couple to host their ceremony at The Barn on New River’s dahlia garden.
For Sunni and Robert, their Ashe County venue checked every box. “The Barn had everything we were looking for – the tactility of a historic building (in the Old Hay Barn) and a rural setting that would put guests at ease, coupled with the polish and charm of the new barn with its crystal chandeliers and stone patio.”
Cole Ellis and Travis James wanted to take advantage of peak season in the mountains, when autumn’s beauty is at its most vibrant. Their October 2022 reception at The Mill at Rock Creek in Boone brought gorgeous views. “Everywhere you look you can see mountains. Even in the distance you can see a Christmas tree farm (the location where we had our ceremony),” Cole says. “The back patio is perfect for cocktail hour and dreamy pictures. The inside was able to be decorated and coordinated to have our large wedding feel even more intimate. The wooden tables, beams and bar plus the rock fireplace are perfect for a fall/winter wedding.”
More Tips for Planning a Mountain Wedding in NC
This region brings beautiful weather three seasons out of the year. Let’s be real – an outdoor wedding in many parts of North Carolina just isn’t comfortable in the heat of August or July. “We were right to head to higher elevations – it was a perfect day even in August,” Sunni says. Fall brings gorgeous scenery as the leaves change color and cooler temperatures roll in. Winter may be the one season to avoid when it comes to weddings in the westernmost parts of the state. Finally, spring brings gorgeous greenery and mild temps.
Be aware that transportation may take extra planning if you’re hosting a mountaintop celebration. Guests may not be used to navigating winding mountain roads with occasionally unreliable GPS access. We recommend investing in a transportation service, especially if you will be serving alcohol.
