Asheville Weddings
Asheville weddings are very popular as couples come from all over to say their vows in this beautiful mountain setting.For a really romantic Asheville wedding, consider getting married in a mansion or a castle. The world-famous Biltmore Estate (800-211-9804) offers a number of truly spectacular indoor and outdoor wedding settings, along with superb catering. Wedding packages make it easy to plan your special day.
Homewood (828-232-9900), a restored 1920's stone manor just north of downtown Asheville, features original hardwood floors, cherry walls, 20-foot ceilings, grand Appalachian stone fireplaces, and a picturesque turret. Wedding ceremonies can be held in the lovely glen adjacent to Homewood, and the Piano Room provides reception space for up to 100 guests.
Wolf Creek Cove (828-669-6998), in nearby Black Mountain, features gorgeous gardens and an open-air chapel built over a scenic creek. The chapel accommodates 55 seated guests and an adjacent tent can accommodate another 45 guests. Wolf Creek Cove is available for weddings from May 10th until October 31st.
Other Asheville wedding locations include the High Vista Country Club (828-891-1986), situated between Asheville and Hendersonville, and Mélange: Inn and Gardens (828-697-5253), a charming inn with landscaped gardens, bubbling fountains, and a covered tile pavilion. For a really special touch, A Spirt's Wings (828-582-9115) can arrange for the release of doves or butterflies at your Asheville wedding.
Asheville vacation rentals are perfect for housing the wedding party, and a cozy Asheville cabin makes the perfect honeymoon getaway. Asheville honeymoons can include long walks in the woods, scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, browsing art galleries and studios, or being pampered at a local spa.
For a romantic candlelight dinner, head to Horizons (828-252-2711), an elegant restaurant at the Grove Park Inn Resort, or Gabrielle's (828-252-7313) at the Richmond Hill Inn's mansion. Both restaurants are AAA Four Diamond rated and offer extensive wine lists. For more casual fare, check out the New South cuisine at Tupelo Honey Café (828-255-4404) or Early Girl Eatery (828-259-9292).
Asheville weddings require a North Carolina marriage license, which can be obtained from the Buncombe County Register of Deeds (828-250-4301) located in Room 110 of the Buncombe County Courthouse at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays; applicants should arrive no later than 4:00 p.m. to allow for processing time. Marriage license applications can be downloaded from the Buncombe County website. The license fee is $50, cash or check.
Both parties must appear in person to apply for the license and present their Social Security card or other proof of Social Security number as well as photo identification. If one of the parties is unable to appear, one party to the marriage must appear in person and present a sworn and notarized affidavit from the other party. If you are divorced, you will need to know the month and year the divorce became final. If divorced within the past 60 days, bring the signed divorce decree. There is no waiting period after issuance of the license, and you must have two witnesses to the marriage.
