Thinking about getting married in downtown Asheville but aren’t sure where to begin?
There are many wonderful aspects of getting married in Asheville’s city center (like being able to walk to the venue for instance!). But of course, as with every choice, there are also some tradeoffs that are important to consider when planning your wedding.
In this post, we outline some of the advantages and disadvantages of getting married in downtown Asheville. We hope this helps you in your planning process!
Wedding at The Capital Club in Downtown Asheville, NC
Photo Credit: Ryan Bumgarner Photography
The Pros & Cons of Getting Married in Downtown Asheville
When considering a city wedding, there is a lot to think about! We would like to provide some pros and cons surrounding the logistics and details of planning a downtown Asheville wedding below. Note: we also have an entire blog post dedicated to our favorite downtown Asheville wedding venues.
What you and your guests gain from a downtown Asheville wedding:
Ease of Access: One of the best parts of hosting a downtown Asheville wedding is that guests are easily able to transport themselves to the venue and find accommodations nearby. With so many beautiful and historic lodging opportunities located within or surrounding downtown Asheville, guests could walk or take a short Uber ride to a downtown wedding venue!
Photo Credit: Foxhouse Studio
The Experience: Hosting a wedding in Asheville’s downtown area allows your out-of-town guests to experience what makes Asheville so wonderful. Most guests make a weekend out of the trip and downtown Asheville provides them with plenty of opportunities to enjoy unique craft breweries, farm-to-table dining, live music and beautiful artwork!
Photo Credit: Ryan Bumgarner Photography
The After Party: One of the best parts of getting married is being surrounded by everyone you love! Many times, it’s hard to leave the reception because you are enjoying the company of your closest friends and family. With a downtown Asheville wedding, the party can continue long after your newlywed exit! Featuring many wine bars, beer gardens, and upscale cocktail lounges, the city offers a variety of places for you and your guests to enjoy a nightcap and create more wonderful memories on your special day.
Photo Credit: Taylor Heery
Compromises of having a downtown Asheville wedding:
Parking: While some guests may stay in nearby hotels, a few may want to book Airbnbs or are driving from home. For guests traveling by car, it may be difficult finding parking near downtown. While street parking is free after 6PM, if your wedding date is on the weekend, there is a chance that the city is filled with tourists and locals taking advantage of all that it has to offer. For this reason, couples may have to provide transportation for guests which could be an added expense.
Photo Credit: AMW Studios
The Mountains: Although a handful of downtown Asheville venues offer views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, some may not. If you and your partner are choosing Asheville for the beautiful mountain setting, having a downtown Asheville wedding may mean sacrificing the mountain experience, and the views that may come with it.
If you are looking for a way to have both the mountain and downtown experience, consider having a mountaintop ceremony and having a downtown reception. You can find a list of a few of our favorite wedding venue receptions in the Asheville area here.
Photo Credit: Foxhouse Studio
The Cost: Since wedding venues in Asheville’s city center provides a unique experience for couples and guests, it may come with a higher price tag than other venues. Many downtown Asheville wedding venues are in high demand and offer excellent food and service. While the cost is worth the venue, be sure to consider this in your overall budget.
Oftentimes we find that couples have spent more than budgeted on their venue as this is typically the first wedding vendor a couple books. When planning your Asheville wedding, be sure to account for additional expenses such as food and beverage costs, floral decor and rental costs and costs of lodging for yourselves.
Photo Credit: John Branch IV Photography
Conclusion
Hosting a wedding ceremony and reception in downtown Asheville gives our couples a lot to think about. If you and your partner are considering getting married in Asheville and are in need of guidance or assistance, feel free to reach out to us! We would love to work with you in planning your perfect downtown Asheville wedding.
