
5 Outdoor Wedding Venues Near Asheville, NC
- 6, May 2017
- By: HeartLight Wedding Officiants
- No Comments
- Wedding Locations
In a place as lush and lovely as Asheville, many couples dream of saying their “I do”s in a cathedral of nature instead of church halls. Outdoor wedding venues are plentiful in Asheville. From elopements to ballrooms, you can find the perfect venue on any budget.
North Carolina Arboretum
Picture your wedding taking place before 65 acres of curated gardens, rustic gazebos and a stately conservatory with rolling mountains beyond. The North Carolina Arboretum is minutes from downtown Asheville and is a wedding venue that tops many local couples’ wish lists. Guests are free to walk the gardens, and you can capture incredible photos amidst the colors of the Quilt Garden, the poise of the Bonsai Garden and the glorious view from the Forest Meadow.
The Arboretum provides ample space as an outdoor wedding venue and plenty of interior space as well. A perfect choice for eco-conscious couples, the Arboretum requires wedding parties to make an green wedding pledge promising to respect the garden grounds and minimize the environmental impact of their ceremony and reception.
Asheville Botanical Gardens
Travel to the heart of Asheville for your wedding venue and reception location. A sylvan sanctuary of forest glades, meadows and streams, the Botanical Gardens is a verdant backdrop for small to medium-sized weddings. Choose from favorite wedding spots like their creekside gazebo, meadow-side cabin and wooded back gardens to put together your dream stage.
The Botantical Gardens is an affordable outdoor wedding venue with an indoor reception area, the Butler Room, available for parties up to 60 people. Banquet tables and chairs are provided for use in the Butler Room. Larger, outdoor receptions can be accommodated as well.
Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary
In intimate oasis hidden just minutes from the heart of Asheville, Beaver Lake is the perfect spot for a quiet ceremony. Two decks along the lake boardwalk provide sweeping views of calm water, dense forest and meadow grasses. Late spring through early fall promises songbirds and wildflowers along a well-tended path.
The Bird Sanctuary is a free outdoor wedding venue with space for an elopement or a small ceremony with only a few guests. Parking is ample and free, but a $1.00 donation per vehicle is recommended to help maintain this hideaway for many years to come.
Buck Springs Gap
Take a drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway and stop at Milepost 407.7. Park and head to the trail head sign. Just 500 feet up the trail, you’ll come to an overlook. Buck Springs Gap’s breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a glorious backdrop for small ceremonies. You can tie the knot on the top of the world and come back to visit any time you like.
Buck Springs Gap is a free Asheville wedding venue with no charges for parkway access, parking or the venue. It’s ideal for eloping or just a few guests. Wedding parties that feel a bit adventurous can find beautiful photo opportunities, including an overgrown retaining wall and an old spring house, not far from the Overlook. Book your honeymoon at a nearby resort and get away from it all without setting foot on an airplane.
Lake Eden Events
Escape to a mountain valley and have your ceremony on the banks of a glittering lake. Just 25 minutes from the city, Lake Eden has the ambiance of a destination wedding while being convenient for your friends, family, and Asheville wedding officiant. The retreat’s 90 acres offers picturesque views, a gorgeous dais for your ceremony and ample space for your reception.
Lake Eden’s rustic, renovated Barns is a fantastic spot for an indoor reception. They also offer several services to enhance your experience. Cabin accommodations for up to 34 guests, next-day brunch, bonfires, golf cart shuttles and more are available.
Don’t forget to make plans for rain, limited electricity and other necessities that come with outdoor settings. With a good plan and the perfect spot, the memories of your wedding day will be as enchanting as you’ve always dreamed.