Asheville’s Most Beautiful Historic Wedding Venues
From grand estates to intimate historic homes in the Blue Ridge Mountains, these venues offer a sense of warmth, character and history that’s hard to replicate.
As an Asheville wedding photographer, I’m especially drawn to venues that feel personal and lived-in rather than overly polished.
If you’re searching for a historic wedding venue in Asheville or Western North Carolina, these are a few of the venues that stand out most to me for their architecture, atmosphere and ability to host weddings that genuinely feel like the couple.
Zelda Dearest
Zelda Dearest
Douglas Ellington House
Douglas Ellington House
Douglas Ellington House
Douglas Ellington was an award-winning architect who helped to shape the landscape of Asheville, having designed many iconic buildings, including the Asheville City Building, S&W Cafeteria, First Baptist Church and Asheville High School.
From the original cabin homestead, Douglas designed a whimsical stone and brick addition that blends naturally into the hillside. The entire structure was built completely by hand, as Douglas would allow no machinery on the grounds. The home never had a blueprint, incorporated many architectural remnants from Douglas Ellington's civic projects, and also included salvaged and recycled building materials from the Asheville region. Stone was gathered from the hillside, beams came from a former schoolhouse, and brick was harvested from a demolished storefront.
Lovingly preserved in its original splendor, the grounds are made available on a limited basis for small outdoor weddings, wedding receptions, dinner parties, and other befitting gatherings. A one-bedroom storybook cottage is also available as part of our wedding packages. Careful consideration is always paid to the scale and nature of the request in an effort to preserve this historic property in perpetuity.
Sherrill’s Inn
Sherrill’s Inn is a registered historic place established in 1801, with the main inn being built in 1845. Throughout its 200 year history, this property has served as a getaway for people looking for crisp air and beautiful views.
Sherrill’s Inn is a special place where people have been gathering for over two centuries with several main venues for wedding ceremonies, gatherings, receptions and dancing.
Homewood
Located in Asheville's post-Victorian historic district of Montford (less than a mile from downtown Asheville), Homewood is in a neighborhood setting with abundant parking and surrounded by lush grounds. In its early years, Homewood was the home of Dr. Robert Carole and Mrs. Grace Potter Carole, who hosted the likes of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Vanderbilts as Bela Bartok played Mrs. Carroll's grand piano in the Great Room.
Today, Homewood is a beautifully restored stone manor, hosting special events of all kinds. The elegant castle features original hardwood floors, cherry walls, grand Appalachian stone fireplaces and alabaster sconces. Luminous wrought iron chandeliers cast graceful lighting from the 20-foot ceiling of the Great Room.
Douglas Ellington House
Biltmore Estate
Zelda Dearest
Zelda Dearest is a 20-room hotel in downtown Asheville, shaped in partnership with the F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald estate. Zelda Fitzgerald spent meaningful time in Asheville, and her point of view still feels at home here. The setting is historic, the stay is contemporary.
Zelda Dearest is also a venue for intimate events and full weekends. Host in the garden courtyard, with tenting available for weather-ready ceremonies and receptions, or gather indoors in the Parlour at Wine & Roses for smaller events. Full hotel buyouts are available.
The Farm at Old Edwards Inn / The Barn
This charming early-1900s barn combines rustic warmth and elegant style, featuring heart-pine floors, antique furnishings, a stone fireplace, and covered colonnades perfect for mingling indoors or outdoors in any weather.
Biltmore Estate
A list like this can’t leave off the most iconic historic home in WNC - the Biltmore Estate. Offering timeless elegance, romance and Blue Ridge Mountain beauty, Biltmore Estate is well versed in the Vanderbilt tradition of gracious hospitality. The estate is a destination all on its own with two hotels, home tours, special events and a wine tasting room on property.
Sherrill’s Inn
Sherrill’s Inn
Homewood
Homewood
The best wedding venues are the places that make people feel something the moment they arrive. Historic homes tend to do that especially well.
If you’re planning a wedding in Asheville or Western North Carolina and want photos that feel honest, artful and grounded in real moments, I’d love to connect.