Gabriel and Austin

Gabriel and Austin

A November Wedding 2023: A Mountain Wedding Tale In the embrace of the Nantahala Forest, Gabriel and Austin discovered a love as enduring as the ancient mountains themselves. Their story began with a chance meeting through mutual friends, an instant connection...

Kayla and John and little John

Kayla and John and little John

A February 2024 Elopement:  A Rain-Kissed Wedding in Nantahala At Nantahala Weddings, Kayla and John celebrated their enduring love story amidst the serene beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Dating back to High school, they found solace in each other's company from their...

Kristin and Elaine

Kristin and Elaine

A DECEMEBER WEDDING 2023: Mountain Vows - Kristin and Elaine's New Year's Eve Love Story In the heart of the bustling city, where lights danced and laughter echoed through the streets, Kristin and Elaine's love story unfolded like a tale spun from the purest of...

Patrick and Carter

Patrick and Carter

A November Weddings 2023: From Coast to Coast then to the Mountains and into Forever  Once upon a time, in the vast expanse of the internet, where communities thrive and connections are made in the blink of an eye, two souls found each other in the most unexpected of...

Charlotte and Justin

Charlotte and Justin

AN EARLY OCTOBER WEDDING 2023: From College Sweethearts to Forever How it all began: In the Fall of 2013, destiny unfolded on the vibrant campus of our college. On that move-in day, our paths crossed, and a simple, sarcastic compliment about an old microwave sparked a...

Kissila and Doug

Kissila and Doug

A SEPTEMBER 2023 ELOPEMENT: "Whispers of Love: Kissila and Doug's Smoky Mountain Elopement" In the heart of the Smoky Mountains, where the mist weaves its secrets through the ancient trees and the cascading waterfalls sing their eternal song, Kissila and Doug embarked...

Erin and Dave

Erin and Dave

August 2023:  Erin and Dave's Effortless Love Erin and Dave first crossed paths on the soccer field in Wilmington, NC, playing for the same adult league team. Despite the physical challenges that come with adult contact sports, their friendship grew over the seasons,...

Brooke and Daniel

Brooke and Daniel

July 2023: Brooke and Daniel - From Childhood Friends to Forever Adventure Partners Brooke and Daniel’s journey is rooted in the shared memories of childhood escapades and the unspoken bond that tethered their hearts together. Brooke and Daniel, the epitome of a super...

Francesca and Austin

Francesca and Austin

June 2023: Francesca and Austin's Journey to Forever Francesca and Austin's love story is a testament to the power of love, trust, and resilience. Their journey began on an Army base in Sierra Vista, Arizona, where they were assigned the task of cleaning machine guns....

Lindsay and Matt

Lindsay and Matt

​May 2023: Lindsay and Matt - From Swipe Right to "I Do" (and embrace the rain) Love stories have a magical way of unfolding, and for Matt and Lindsay, theirs began with a serendipitous connection on Valentine's Day in 2015. Little did they know that a simple swipe...

Amber and Ryan

Amber and Ryan

April 2023: Love's Summit - The Wedding of Amber and Ryan Amber and Ryan, the epitome of a sweet and fun-loving couple, decided to embark on their next adventure amidst the majestic mountains of Western North Carolina. Their love story had been filled with laughter,...

Nantahala Weather in January

Nantahala Weather in January

Karen and Adam’s January 2023 Destination Elopement in the NC Mountains on Lake Nantahala January brings in the winter season with magnificent views and quietude on Lake Nantahala. Winter’s sparse vegetation provides an uninterrupted panorama of long-range mountains....

Nantahala Weather in December

Nantahala Weather in December

Mary Katherine and Lawton's 2022 Destination Wedding in the Western NC Mountains on Lake Nantahala While the mountain tops may get significant amounts of snow, snow is only occasional and short-lived in Nantahala in December, generally not enough to stick to the...

Nantahala Weather in November

Nantahala Weather in November

Theresa and Evan’s 2022 Destination Wedding in the Western NC Mountains on Lake Nantahala In November, snow showers start to increase in the high country, so you’ll be witness to snow-capped mountains. But you won’t be hearing snow crunch underfoot or go sledding in...

Nantahala Weather in February

Nantahala Weather in February

Nantahala Weather in February The weather in February is generally moderate, but weather extremes do occur. January and February are the most likely months for snow. Average highs are in the 50s, nightly lows around 30. You will surely find serenity in Nantahala in...

Nantahala Weather in March

Nantahala Weather in March

Nantahala Weather in March March is probably the most all-around unpredictable and variable month in Nantahala. March daytime highs may get into the 60s while nights drop below freezing. Flurries or snow showers may briefly whiten the lowlands, and the mountain tops...

Nantahala Weather in April

Nantahala Weather in April

Nantahala Weather in April By April, temperatures in Nantahala are rapidly warming up, with highs in the low 70s and nighttime lows in the 40s or 50s. The mountains turn silvery green quickly, and wildflowers are blossoming.Alex and Michael’s April 2022 Outdoor...

Nantahala Weather in May

Nantahala Weather in May

Nantahala Weather in May May is starting to get pleasantly warm, with average highs in the mid-70s and average lows around 50. This is when spring truly takes over. The venue grounds are a verdant green and blossoms are abundant. You’ll also see outstanding wildflower...

Nantahala Weather in June

Nantahala Weather in June

Nantahala Weather in June In June, an offshore South Atlantic high-pressure system, the Bermuda High, strongly influences Smoky Mountain weather. Warm and moist air streams contribute to the iconic haze that gives the Great Smokies their name. Emerald green is the...

Nantahala Weather in July

Nantahala Weather in July

Nantahala Weather in July July in Nantahala is marked by mid-afternoon rain showers that break just in time for early-evening ceremonies at Chapel in the Sky. The cloud formations after a July thunderstorm create a dramatic backdrop for summer weddings. Hydrangeas in...

Nantahala Weather in August

Nantahala Weather in August

Nantahala Weather in August High pressure dominates the mountains in August. Mornings are often clear, but clouds typically build up early-afternoon and dissipate in late-afternoon - just before ceremony start time. Hydrangeas in full bloom, hiding the street from...

Nantahala Weather in September

Nantahala Weather in September

Nantahala Weather in September September is reliably clear and the driest month in Nantahala. The first gentle frost tends to arrive by late September, triggering the first pops of color. But the temperature remains pleasantly warm: highs in the mid-70s, lows in the...

Nantahala Weather in October

Nantahala Weather in October

Nantahala Weather in October October brings the first consistent hard frosts, and with hard frosts come autumn’s glory. Day time highs in the low 70s, and average evening temps in the 40s, then dropping into the 30s in the wee hours of the morning. Your guests will...

Kritzia and Ben

Kritzia and Ben

Kritzia and Ben, September 2021 Photographs by Amy Weits Photography

The Best Wedding Venue in North Carolina

The Best Wedding Venue in North Carolina

Picture this - it’s another Monday, you are sitting at your desk to start working, and (as usual) your mind begins to wander. Since you were young, you have had this same daydream about your fairytale wedding. What does the scene look like? Are you tying the knot...

Smoky Mountain Wedding Video by Wildwood Media

Smoky Mountain Wedding Video by Wildwood Media

Whimsical, romantic wedding with outdoor reception and ceremony and panoramic mountain views near Asheville and Bryson City, North CarolinaRomantic Wedding Venue Near Asheville This video features a romantic wedding venue near Asheville in July of 2021. Outdoor...

Heather and Daniel

Heather and Daniel

Fairytale Forest Wedding in Mountains Near Asheville, NC Watch this video of a fairytale forest wedding in December at a Smoky Mountain wedding venue near Asheville on Nantahala Lake. Heather and Daniel, December 2021. Their love story in Daniel’s own words… How we...

Hannah and Cody

Hannah and Cody

Whimsical Wedding Venue in North Carolina This whimsical wedding venue in NC featured a barn owl, sweeping out of the trees, and circling down to deliver the rings to the bride and groom as they take their vows. Everything about this wedding was magical, but...

Shonna and Rocky

Shonna and Rocky

Romantic Asheville Wedding in May Watch this video of a romantic Asheville wedding with panoramic lake and mountain views at an out destination wedding venue on Lake Nantahala. Photographer: Blueberry Rocket Studios See more romantic Asheville Weddings: Beautiful...

Pam and Darren

Pam and Darren

Breathtaking Mountain Wedding at Wedding Venue Near Asheville These photos of this breathtaking mountain wedding by one of our very favorite photographers, Derek DiLuzio, tell their own story. Midwestern boy meets Latin American glamour and magic happens. Pam is...

Morgan and Corey

Morgan and Corey

NC Mountain Wedding on Nantahala Lake Check out Morgan and Cory's romantic winter NC Mountain Wedding on Nantahala Lake. First look at Wayah Bald and Wilson Lick Ranger's Station. Sunset photos on Nantahala Lake, immediately following ceremony at Chapel in the Sky....

Michelle and Manny

Michelle and Manny

Outdoor Asheville Wedding Venue "Life changing and flawless" is how Michelle described her wedding experience in Nantahala. Watch this video to see a 4th of July weekend wedding at our outdoor Asheville wedding venue. Including fireworks on Nantahala Lake! After her...

Kaity and Drew

Kaity and Drew

Mountain Wedding Venue in North Carolina Watch this video of a romantic summer destination wedding at a Mountain Wedding Venue in North Carolina on Nantahala Lake. This love story starts out with a conundrum: when did they actually first meet each other? Kaity and...

Julia and Ujjawal

Julia and Ujjawal

Smoky Mountain Wedding Venue Check out his video of Indian-American fusion wedding at a Smoky Mountain wedding venue video. The couple hosted two ceremonies and two receptions! From Julia's review of our venue: "What an incredibly magical place to have a wedding!...

Amanda and Matt

Amanda and Matt

Wedding Venue Near Wayah Bald Watch this short video of a wedding that took place at a wedding venue near Wayah Bald, Bryson City, and Asheville on Nantahala Lake. Read Amanda and Matt's love story, in Amanda's own words... How they met We met in 2012 in Missouri....

Nyreisha and Gordon

Nyreisha and Gordon

Fall Mountain Wedding - Nyreisha and Gordon Brown Ny and Gordon met while they were both active-duty US Navy. When Ny booked her fall mountain wedding in Nantahala, Covid-19 was surging. she was on a 9-month deployment on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Her entire ship...

Sarah and Alexander

Sarah and Alexander

Sarah and Alexander met on Hilton Head Island South Carolina where they worked together at a health and fitness resort. They first realized they were in love when they shared a long weekend together in Charleston, SC and found they had a lot in common as they were...

Alistarr and Ashley

Alistarr and Ashley

In Alistarr’s own words: “Ashley and I met on a dating app in June of 2019. Our first date was a hike in Durham, NC a few weeks later. I don’t think either of us really knew or expected to fall in love on the app. We both kinda fell in love around the same time. It’s...

Danielle and Ira

Danielle and Ira

Danielle never believed in love at first sight until she met Ira: “I knew right away, he was my person.” Ira took a bit longer to come around. “He realized he was in love when I continued to love him without fail. He felt that he was undeserving of my love.” Over...

Ali and Chad – professional video

Ali and Chad – professional video

Ali, in her own words, from a letter she wrote to Chad… “When we first met seven years ago, I was 18 years old and had zero responsibilities and was just beginning what it was like to be on my own. When I was with you, I felt like I was in a fairy tale, and you were...

Kelsey and Joseph – professional video

Kelsey and Joseph – professional video

Kelsey and Joe’s love story, in Kelsey’s own words Joe and I met on Tinder in 2017. We had both been using dating apps off and on for a few years before meeting each other. We talked over text for a couple weeks before meeting up for a brunch date. Joe remembers the...

Berina and Chris

Berina and Chris

"Our wedding day meant so much to us and our family and the fact that we got to do it overlooking the mountains (our first trip as a couple was in the mountains and we joked we’d get married in the mountains) meant SOOOOO much to us! We definitely look forward to make...

Kelsey and Joe

Kelsey and Joe

"I realized I was in love with Joe after my twin brother died. He passed away about three months into my relationship with Joe. I knew I really liked Joe before that happened, but the way he showed up for me during my darkest days solidified my love for him."- KELSEY...

Jax and Nick

Jax and Nick

November 2020 Jacqueline and Nick had the clear walls hung in the reception pavilion and covered up with fur shawls for their wedding reception. It was 22 degrees the night of their wedding! Nantahala Weddings provided commercial-grade stand-up propane heaters to keep...

Erin and Ken

Erin and Ken

Ken and Erin initially planned an elopement at Nantahala Weddings & Events, but then all of their children wanted to come! Who would want to miss the wedding of such fun parents in the middle of the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina in September, when...

Lily and Kyle

Lily and Kyle

Lily and Kyle met a food truck in Florida, so what was important for their wedding vision? Beyond a gorgeous natural setting in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina with lake view, a multi-day destination wedding location, and lots of amenities, they wanted catering...

Megan and Aaron

Megan and Aaron

 Mid-October 2020 elopement in the Smokies. Sweet simple and FUN – what more could you ask for? This couple made the most of their special day and had a blast doing it. No-stress wedding in the mountains.  Reserve your day with us today

Jessica and Brandon

Jessica and Brandon

  October 2020 and playing it safe. Jessica and Brandon were not going to delay their wedding, so they chose to socially distance their guests and wear masks. Florals: Jodie McCord, https://greatbluefarms.com/ Photographer: Appalachian Wedding Photography,...

Hazel and Brandon

Hazel and Brandon

September 2020 Arch Florals: Jodie McCord, https://greatbluefarms.com/ Photographer: Mike Waller, https://www.scotchandwaller.com/Reserve your day with us today

Michelle and Ken

Michelle and Ken

September 2020 elopement. Barefoot, pregnant, and getting married in the rain with a wildly beautiful backdrop of Lake Nantahala and the Smoky Mountains. Not to mention miles of smiles.   Photographer: Mike Waller, https://www.scotchandwaller.com/   Reserve...

Ashley and Austin

Ashley and Austin

"We went for a midnight walk on the beach and he waited until the tide came up and told me there that he wanted to spend his life with me, and that he loved me. He knows how much I love water, so he waited until the water was ankle deep and we were under the stars. It...

Cait and Ryan

Cait and Ryan

Cait and Ryan originally planned a full-scale wedding in June of 2020. Instead of postponing or canceling altogether like many other couples, they decided to down-size and socially distance. Close family and friends and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Smoky Mountains,...

Veronika and Seth

Veronika and Seth

"I know it's cliché, but Seth is really my rock. He makes me feel confident - with his support I feel free to pursue all my goals"- Veronika -Seth and Veronika first met at a local rock-climbing gym in Charlotte. After their second date, Veronika told her mother, “I...

Wendy and Sean

Wendy and Sean

Wendy and Sean are both medical professionals who met after Wendy lost her small son, Lucas, to the flu. They found so many ways to include him in their celebration, including reserving a seat for him at “Chapel in the Sky” where they took their vows and performed a...

Ali and Chad

Ali and Chad

Ali, in her own words, from a letter she wrote to Chad… “When we first met seven years ago, I was 18 years old and had zero responsibilities and was just beginning what it was like to be on my own. When I was with you, I felt like I was in a fairy tale, and you were...

Rachel and Reed

Rachel and Reed

Rachel and Reed incorporated precious stones and burning incense into their wedding ceremony, bringing the healing properties of rocks and chakras Rose Quartz restores trust and harmony in relationships, encouraging unconditional love. It purifies and opens the heart...

Lyndsey and Rob

Lyndsey and Rob

Lyndsey, in her own words… When my fiancé proposed I knew I wanted somewhere special and outdoorsy. I looked and looked but couldn't find what I wanted. My mom suggested a destination wedding and that is how I stumbled upon this beautiful venue. I spoke with Jody and...

Tracy and Troy

Tracy and Troy

Tracy and Troy spend most of their time at sea, working as crew members on a yacht, so when they had their wedding weekend, they took advantage of our beautiful roads. The newlyweds, along with their family and friends. rented motorcycles and toured the twisty...

Annaliese and Craig

Annaliese and Craig

Annaliese and Craig did up their wedding right, hiring the Emerald Empire Band to perform at their wedding. This is how the band describes itself, and Annaliese and Craig’s guests could attest too the ruth of their marketing: “We're live music experts, wedding...

Anna and Stephen

Anna and Stephen

Anna, who is German, met Stephen, who is a member of the US Air Force, in Germany where he was stationed for three years. They originally planned to get married in June of 2018. When they found out Anna was pregnant and little Noah would be born at about the same time...

Annie and Ryan

Annie and Ryan

Annie and Ryan’s first date was a little unconventional. It started with dinner at Taco Bell and ended with dancing at the University of Cincinnati. Both Ryan and Annie were smitten with each other and began to fall in love. Together they explored the city. He...

Amanda and Andrew

Amanda and Andrew

Amanda and Andrew got ready at cozy lake front cottage near Lake’s End Marina & Grill. They did their “First Look” and group wedding photos at Wayah Bald, followed by their wedding at Chapel in the Sky.Reserve your day with us today

Rebecca and Josh

Rebecca and Josh

A love story within a love story Rebecca, in her own words….    Have you ever come across an old photo that made you feel something, a photo that “struck a chord” deep within your soul that you couldn’t explain why? I have. One particular picture in general has eluded...

Jessica and Bryan

Jessica and Bryan

Jessica and Bryan held their intimate, fairytale wedding ceremony at Wayah Bald.Reserve your day with us today

Mariah and Chase

Mariah and Chase

"Being apart from her felt like half of me was missing."- CHASE -At what point did you decide that you were in love? MARIAH: “We have known each other since 3rd & 4th grade, but we started dating in high school as a freshman and sophomore. He is exactly 11 months...

Alicia and Chris

Alicia and Chris

Chris and Alicia met over 25 years ago in Bitburg, Germany while they were both serving in the U.S Air Force. After dating briefly, the military took them on different paths and they lost touch. Over the next two decades Alicia thought about Chris often, but was...

Aimee and Sam

Aimee and Sam

Aimee and Sam know what they want: a full life of hard work, nature, and each other. As high school sweethearts, Aimee and Sam's support for one another has flourished into major accomplishments and a Good Samaritan lifestyle. Aimee just completed her PhD in...

Kayla and Chadwick

Kayla and Chadwick

Kayla and Chad’s story (in Kayla’s own words):If you don't know our story, then buckle up.I started attending Western Carolina University.  Shortly after, I was VERY homesick, ready to quit school and come home.  One of my teachers from Swansboro High encouraged me to...

Melissa and Paul

Melissa and Paul

Melissa and Paul went to preschools that were on the same street, attended the same college, and had mutual friends, but they didn’t meet until later in life on the dating app, Tinder. Their first date lasted six hours, and they shut down the restaurant! They knew...

Whitney and Ruth

Whitney and Ruth

Whitney and Ruth were both river enthusiasts before they met. Ruth had what she called “river head” after a day of paddling when she got a call from a friend who said: “There’s a girl here you’ve got to meet. Come over right now!” She was tired, but she pulled herself...

Kapri and Moshe

Kapri and Moshe

Kapri and Moshe met while he was teaching at Barnard in New York City, and she was working at Jacobi Medical Center. He was an Upper West Side boy and she an Upper East Side girl. On their very first date, he declared to her, "You are going to be the last first date I...

Sara and Andy

Sara and Andy

Perfect love is when two souls meet, greet, protect each other, and bow to each other’s independence. That’s precisely the love that Sara and Andy have for each other. Sara: “We both love the outdoors. Andy does every kind of outdoor sport you can imagine. I love to...

Kelsey and Andrew

Kelsey and Andrew

Andrew and Kelsey are both outdoor enthusiasts who love backpacking together. On the last day of a three-day hiking trip through the Smokey Mountains, Andrew proposed to Kelsey on top of Clingman’s Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail. They chose Nantahala...

Gabrielle and Andrew

Gabrielle and Andrew

Gabrielle and Andrew were both attending the University of North Texas and living in the same apartment complex, across the hall from each other. One evening, they emerged from their apartments at the same moment and met in the hallway by chance, Gabe alone, Andrew...

Janna and Patrick

Janna and Patrick

Janna and Patrick were friends in high school, but didn’t start dating seriously until after Patrick joined the Army, got out, and moved back to their home town of Bowman, South Carolina. During their courtship, they fished frequently in the Nantahala River with...

Sheena and Kyle

Sheena and Kyle

Kyle and Sheena were high school sweet hearts. After graduation, the two parted ways. Sheena moved to San Francisco, and later to Denver, climbing the ladder to National Director of Operations at Pilates ProWorks. Kyle stayed in Franklin, NC running the family metal...

Cortney and Robbie

Cortney and Robbie

If you’re a bride whose wedding follows a trail of friends’ weddings throughout the spring and summer, what do you to out-splash the others and make the day memorable for your guests? The answer to that question for Cortney: have your wedding in the fairy tale land of...

Katie and Dalton

Katie and Dalton

Katie and Dalton – the first couple to take advantage of our military discount, and they emphatically deserve it. Taylor is in charge of the most strategically important asset to our nation: naval submarines. Service to our nation is not easy in these times, and...

Tiffany and Justin

Tiffany and Justin

Tiffany was a day care teacher at the YMCA when Justin’s daughter, Isabel, was 3 years old and his son, Michael, was 5. As their teacher, Tiffany was already very close to Justin’s children’s when she started to notice Justin. Not only was he “super handsome,” he was...

Missy and Josh

Missy and Josh

The first time Josh laid eyes on Missy, they were both 15 years old. He knew then he wanted to marry her. After high school, she became a traveling nurse and they didn’t see each other for 20 years. Then she moved back home. They ran into each to her, went out for...

Gue and Jordan

Gue and Jordan

Dancing in the rain until after midnight! Gue and Jordan met working at Atmosphere Designs in Tampa, Florida. As an event designer, Gue had a vision for their wedding that highlighted something close to both of their hearts: love of nature. When Gue and Jordan came to...

Heather and Thaine

Heather and Thaine

Pure joy and love surround this charming, adorable, happy couple Heather’s best friend was dating Thaine’s brother. After a party, Heather accompanied her friend and Thaine’s brother on a visit to Thaine’s home. Thaine and Heather immediately hit it off and talked...

Mary Beth and Hollie

Mary Beth and Hollie

A wedding composed like a poem Mary Beth and Hollie incorporated both Native American and Celtic traditions and personal symbolism into their wedding ceremony on Wayah Bald. It was a wedding composed like a poem. Following the tradition of handfasting, Mary Beth and...

Rechelle and Ryan

Rechelle and Ryan

These pictures paint ten thousand words, but you’ll have to read the full story to understand the depths of this couple’s love. Rechelle and Ryan met in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 2001 when they were both 19. They married in a court house soon after and had...

Gretchen and Dave

Gretchen and Dave

How do you let a woman know how much you love her, 10 years into marriage? It took a lot of planning, but Dave Mayo figured it out. He took Gretchen on a hiking weekend to Nantahala for their tenth wedding anniversary. That’s all she knew. As they approached Wayah...

Mallory and Patrick

Mallory and Patrick

A wedding,southern style in the mountains Mallory had a vision for her wedding. She wanted it to be in Nantahala because she met Patrick working on the river, and she grew up spending family vacations in Nantahala. They felt a passion for the place and wanted to share...

LouAnn and Ron

LouAnn and Ron

50th wedding anniversary and vows renewal on Wayah Bald Lou Ann came from a family that had to save their money for a long time in order to pay for her braces. The day after she got her braces off, she was in an accident and lost all her teeth. She was dating someone...

Jess and Colton

Jess and Colton

Dual-military couple tie the knot at 5,342 feet Jess and Colton were students when they met at the US Naval Academy. Great lovers of the outdoors, they took their first vacation together during spring break at Lake Nantahala in Western North Carolina. At an elevation...