If historic charm and misty mountain vistas are what you envision for your destination wedding, consider Asheville, North Carolina. The city grew in the late 19th century as a health haven for nearby big city dwellers thanks to its elevation and ideal weather conditions. Today, you can still enjoy the striking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but with added bonuses like dozens of craft breweries and a thriving Art District.

STAY

The Omni Grove Park Inn – Located on Sunset Mountain, the Inn’s granite façade blends with the natural surroundings and is charmingly unique. Once inside, the hotel’s lobby features two massive stone fireplaces fully equipped with fireside rocking chairs. Dating back to 1913, The Omni Grove Park Inn still feels like an exclusive mountain retreat – encouraging you to relax and mingle. Past guests include regulars like Thomas Edison, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford.

The Omni Grove Park Inn’s wedding venues make the most of the mountains with multiple outdoor terrace options. Autumn weddings are big here – swathing your photos in the fall foliage colors of red and burnt orange.

EAT

Sunset Terrace – This is the hotel’s most popular restaurant due to its sweeping views. The menu features elevated, chophouse classics.

Blue Ridge – In my opinion, the best breakfast buffet ever. Host a post-wedding brunch and treat your guests to Southern specialties like cheddar grits and a smorgasbord of house-made doughnuts.

PLAY

The Spa at The Omni Grove Park Inn – This 43,000 square-foot spa is in a class of its own. The subterranean spa features rock walls, arches and tunnels. Most impressive are the cavernous mineral pools with calming music below the water and thousands of fiber-optic stars above. 

If you opt to say “I do” here, don’t fret over the weather forecast. Cooler weather and rain showers bring the mist and fog over the mountains and it’s under these conditions that The Omni Grove Park Inn and Asheville really shine.