The Best Places to Elope in Asheville North Carolina
Trying to find places to elope in Asheville can get overwhelming with the myriad of options, so I created this list of options for easily-accessible ceremony spots, hiking trails for portraits, private event spaces for your elopement dinner, and more. You’ll find much more than just a generic list of tourist traps here. Instead, you’ll find unique and beautiful locations that can be paired together to create the perfect elopement day in Asheville. And…If you’re looking for more personalized location recommendations, I would love to help you plan your elopement by providing a custom location list based on your unique vision for your day!
In order to preserve and protect these beautiful outdoor locations so that couples can elope in Asheville for years to come, please be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and rules for getting married on public lands. You can learn more about Leave No Trace here.
Top 8 Places to Elope in Asheville
1. The Blue Ridge Parkway
Along the The Blue Ridge Parkway, you can find hundreds of overlooks and hiking trails all throughout Western North Carolina. There are a variety of places including pull-off overlooks, short hikes, backpacking trails, parks, and everything in between, and the nearest entrance is within a 15 minute drive of Asheville. The trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway are under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service, so there are rules and regulations regarding weddings on BRP land. Some trails can be used for ceremonies with under 25 guests. A permit to elope on the Blue Ridge Parkway costs $100, making this a very cheap place to elope in North Carolina. Others, like the one pictured below, are not permitted for ceremonies, but can be used for portraits on your elopement day.
2. Jump Off Rock in Hendersonville, NC
Jump Off Rock is one of my personal favorite ceremony locations, and a favorite of my couples as well! It is located in Hendersonville, about 30 minutes from Asheville. This park is the perfect spot for a ceremony with guests, with plenty of parking spots and space for chairs. A permit is required and costs $600.
3. Carver’s Gap
Carver’s Gap is located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, but only about an hour drive from Asheville. This area is known for it’s towering evergreen trees, 360 degree mountain views and grassy balds. The trail pictured below features all 3 of these within a mile of hiking from the trailhead.
4. Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest is separate from the Blue Ridge Parkway, but covers a large amount of land and trails in Western North Carolina, similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The USDA does not require permits for ceremonies here with under 75 guests. The Pisgah National Forest is one of the few elopement locations near Asheville where you can get married for free! Trails like the one pictured below can be used for ceremonies and/or portraits.
5. Asheville Courthouse
If you’d like a simple ceremony with just a couple of witnesses, you can get married at the courthouse for just the cost of your marriage license. Take a walk downtown in your wedding attire to enjoy the incredible architecture and food that Asheville has to offer!
6. Laurel Falls Venue
Laurel Falls Venue is located only 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, on 18 acres of land tucked away in the mountains. There are 4 on-site cabins to sleep up to 19 guests, making this the perfect venue for couples who have guests traveling in from out of state for their wedding. They offer a variety of different outdoor spaces for your elopement, including 2 ceremony spots with stunning views of the mountains, 3 reception spaces to choose from, as well as trails and waterfalls on the property for portraits.
Margaret & Kyle’s Laurel Falls Elopement
7. Airbnb or Private Home near Asheville
When it comes to places to stay, Asheville has everything! A-frames, luxury homes, treehouses, family homes, and everything in between. Many couples choose to have their small ceremony at an Airbnb, VRBO, or other rental property. Choosing this route allows you to have a beautiful setting for your ceremony with guaranteed privacy, making Airbnbs one of the best places to elope in Asheville during tourist season. Many Airbnbs also make a great unique getting ready space or catered dinner space. Make sure to check with your host or rental company to confirm that events are allowed before booking.
Click Here for The Best Airbnbs in North Carolina for Your Elopement
8. Chestoa Overlook
Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is an easily-accessible spot with a beautiful stone overlook, mountain views, and enough space for a few guests to gather to watch your ceremony.
Event Spaces in Asheville for Your Elopement Dinner or Reception
Most couples that elope in Asheville with a small circle of family and friends choose to host a dinner or reception following their ceremony. Asheville is known for it’s amazing food options, and although there is no shortage of restaurants, there are a select few with private event spaces that provide an exceptional experience. All 3 of these private event spaces are located in downtown Asheville.
Reverie Venue in Downtown Asheville
If you’re planning on inviting additional guests to your reception, or want a space for dancing in addition to dinner, this venue would make the perfect addition to your mountain elopement. The charming outdoor courtyard makes this a one-of-a-kind spot, accommodating up to 60 guests for dinner. Reverie has so many things to offer: plated & buffet style dinner options, custom cocktails, dessert table spreads, custom bouquets and centerpieces, and all the decor you’ll need. Planning & day of coordination is provided by Abby and her amazing staff!
Posana Restaurant
If you’re dreaming of an intimate celebration with your guests, a candlelit dinner at Posana is the perfect option! Posana is a contemporary American restaurant with a beautiful indoor private event space, accommodating up to 40 guests for a seated dinner. They offer custom dinner and cocktail menus for your event, table decor, and have an exceptional event staff.
Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
The atmosphere here is warm, welcoming, and intimate, making this the perfect space for a welcome or cocktail party. The event room is located on the second floor, where you’ll be immersed in an atmosphere of books, live music, ambient lighting, and antique furnishings.
Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
Additional Options:
- Rhubarb: Farm-to-table restaurant located in downtown Asheville with a charming and intimate private event space. They have seasonal event menus with options for hors d’oeuvres, 3 course meals and desserts.
- Curate: Described as “a portal to Spanish culture”, this restaurant is an experience unlike any other. They offer a variety of Spanish tapas-style food, and have a private wine cellar dining room for events.
- Bargello: An Italian and Mediterranean restaurant with a variety of private spaces to choose from.
Next Steps to Plan Your Asheville Elopement:
Now that you’ve browsed through the best places to elope in Asheville, click here for a step-by-step guide to planning your elopement in Asheville, North Carolina. This free resource will guide you narrowing down which locations are the best fit for your elopement, as well as setting your date, choosing who to invite, getting permits, booking vendors, and more!
Hey, I’m Erin! An elopement photographer and planning expert based in Asheville. I hope you find a place in this list that stands out and feels like home for your elopement day! Although these are some of my absolute favorite elopement locations, this barely scratches the surface of all the options here. I’ve been planning and photographing elopements here for 4 years, and would love to share custom location suggestions for you based on your guest count, desired scenery, hiking distance, etc.
