With all of the remarkable places in the USA to get married, many couples are choosing domestic destination wedding locales that keep travel costs low for guests while providing a dramtic setting for their big day. Southern cities like Asheville, NC, offer awe-inspiring scenery alongside a welcoming vibe, and are quickly are becoming hotspots for newlyweds looking for unique places to say “I do”. Nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the city features breathtaking views, historic sites, and a diverse scene of talented vendors to help create your perfect day. 

Ask a local why they live in Asheville, and they could easily give you a long list of the area’s qualities. When you consider the sheer number of hikes, waterfalls, and outdoor activities available in this corner of the world, alongside the abundance of creative makers, chefs, and artists that call Asheville home, the reasons to visit start piling up fast. Your wedding venue choices in the region are limitless, whether you want to get married in a castle, on a sprawling farm, or even top of a mountain.

Still not convinced? We’ve rounded up a few reasons why couples are choosing Asheville for their wedding:

1. Beautiful Four-Season Climate

People remark on the surrounding beauty of Asheville a lot, and for good reason. The mountain air, colorful blooms, and long-range views make for stunning photo ops, and create ambience for outdoor spaces at wedding venues, breweries, and restaurants. A walkable downtown and easy access to high elevation means you’ll get to enjoy Asheville’s outdoor scenery from every angle during your wedding weekend, no matter what season you choose.

2. Playground for You and Your Guests

Asheville attracts couples, families and groups of friends for vacations year-round, so rest assured your wedding guests can explore Asheville their way, on their budget. Some folks will surely flock to iconic Biltmore to tour the massive estate and gardens, while others will take advantage of free activities like walking Asheville’s Urban Trail, hiking to one of the area’s gorgeous natural waterfalls, or driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Shoppers will love Lexington Avenue’s quirky gifts, clothing, and decor, while beer lovers can hop around South Slope and hit 11 breweries within one square mile. Explore Asheville also offers free travel guides for your guests to help them best navigate one of the top travel destinations in the U.S.

3. Your Wedding, Your Way

Asheville’s personality has many facets – indie, fantastical, outdoorsy – which means couples have a wide range of options when it comes to wedding styles. Let your imagination run wild with the possibilities of a mountaintop, farm, mansion, riverfront, brewery, garden, or campground wedding backdrop! If you can dream it, it can come true in Asheville thanks to accommodating venues and vendors who thrive on artistic challenges. 

4. Travel Made Easy

The city’s central location makes it simple for guests from the north, south, east and west to arrive via plane or car. Asheville is along the route of three major interstates, and the regional airport has daily flights to and from Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago as well as non-stop flights to Florida and Washington, D.C. Plus, its smaller size and convenient layout make it a breeze to pick up and drop off guests, rent a car, or jump in a taxi or car-sharing service.

5. Asheville’s Creative Vibe

Present a wacky, inventive, or non-traditional idea to an Asheville business, and it will be met with sheer enthusiasm. Ashevillians thrive on doing things differently – just take one bride’s word for it: “Knowing that I could walk down the aisle to the Jaw’s theme song and it would be embraced as unique, wonderful and special without ever feeling the need to be conventional. This describes Asheville to me – its ability and ease of embracing and encouraging the unique, the special, the non-conventional.”

6. LGBTQ Friendly

Asheville is a warm and welcoming place that celebrates diversity, and the businesses there embrace all newlyweds-to-be. While many wedding venues and vendors specifically identify as LGBTQ-friendly, you’ll find an open, diverse atmosphere throughout the city.

7. Complimentary Explore Asheville services for booking guest accommodations

Couples can check “guest lodging” off their list quickly with the help of Explore Asheville. The tourism team will work with you to determine what hotel amenities are most important to you and your guests and, based on your input, will reach out to the local hotels. You will receive rate proposals directly from a variety of accommodations that meet your needs and budget parameters. Make your pick and know that with your vetted options, your guests are in great hands! 

For more information about weddings in Asheville, visit exploreasheville.com/weddings today!