Asheville, North Carolina, has long been a popular destination for weddings, and part of Asheville’s allure is its beautiful mountain setting along with its friendly residents.
Because the location is so highly sought out for weddings, Explore Asheville offers a complimentary consultation to couples who may need a little guidance getting started with wedding planning.
If you’re considering Asheville for your wedding, we rounded up three properties, a mid-level and a luxury hotel, and a bed-and-breakfast, to show the different kinds of venues available. We’ve also included lots of activities around each hotel that can be done pre- and post-wedding.
Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville
Offering views of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains from almost every guest room, Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville is an ideal venue for a wedding. The hotel has a rooftop terrace for evening cocktails or a meal from Hemingway’s Cuba, the hotel’s on-site Cuban-inspired restaurant. Spacious accommodations include wood floors, oversize leather armchairs and faux brick walls that bring the rugged outdoors inside. The guest rooms also have walk-in showers with Bluetooth mirrors and large closets; select guest rooms have private terraces. The 136-room hotel also has more than 3,400 square feet of event space to host the perfect mountain wedding.
Things to Do Nearby
The Cambria Hotel is less than three miles from the Biltmore Estate, Asheville’s iconic mansion, which is a perfect afternoon activity or backdrop for photos. For beer enthusiasts, consider a trip to Highland Brewing Company. Founded in 1994, it is the largest independent brewery in Asheville. The 40-acre facility offers in-house craft beers, a tasting room and guided tours. In the summer, guests can drop by for live music and volleyball games on regulation sand courts. Finally, no visit to Asheville is complete without a hike. Asheville Hiking Tours can arrange private tours and guided hikes that are perfect for guests and family.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
The Omni Grove Park Inn is a luxury hotel that has been open for more than 100 years. There are lots of high-end amenities, including a spa, indoor pool and championship golf course. The guest rooms feature king- and queen-size beds with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains or the golf course. The sprawling inn has several bars and restaurants, including an outdoor terrace, a piano bar and a spa café. The Omni Grove Park Inn also has four indoor and outdoor wedding venues to choose from. The venues can accommodate up to 200 guests. The hotel’s wedding team has an in-house catering company, a floral and design décor team, and an on-site audio-visual team, which ensures that wedding planning is stress-free.
Things to Do Nearby
The Omni Grove Park Inn has lots to keep guests busy, but if you want to venture off the property, grab a rental car and head to the North Carolina Arboretum. The 443-acre public park is especially gorgeous during the fall and spring months. The park is a mix of cultivated forests, manicured gardens, plants and flowers. For a stress-relieving activity, check out Asheville Wellness Tours, a local tour company that provides mountaintop yoga in the mornings. If you want to turn things up a notch for the wedding party, consider Joyride Slingshot Rentals, a high-energy motorized ride that’s a cross between a car and a motorcycle. Drivers must be at least 25 years old and licensed. Passengers must be at least 9 years old.
Applewood Manor
The two-story Applewood Manor is a charming bed-and-breakfast that consists of five guest suites and a private cottage. The bright red colonial home has warm, eclectic décor with soothing neutral wall colors, contemporary furnishing and original artwork. The guest rooms have hardwood floors, cozy fireplaces, luxe Duxiana-branded beds and linens, and balconies for enjoying the fresh mountain air. Guests enjoy a delicious three-course breakfast made from fresh, local ingredients. The B&B also offers private beer and wine tastings on-site. For weddings, the property has several indoor and outdoor locations for an intimate ceremony and reception.
Things to Do Nearby
Applewood Manor provides bicycles to explore downtown Asheville, which is only 15 minutes away by car. The B&B is also a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, a picturesque stretch of road that passes by Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain peak in the Eastern United States. The parkway also includes views of Whitewater Falls and Linville Gorge, the deepest gorge east of the Grand Canyon. A visit to the parkway can be done in one day to a specific area or guests can explore several areas over the course of a few days. Applewood Manor is also close to the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, a 10-acre park with picturesque trails, gazebos and bird-filled gardens.