Great post from Asheville Indie Weddings blog on some affordable and unique wedding venues that you may not have thought of.
Kiersa Holy, of Events by Kiersa, gave lot’s of advice, which Asheville Indie Weddings shares on their blog:
1.A new, historically renovated, green certified theatre, The Altamont, located in the heart of downtown Asheville, is available to rent for weddings with a few added extras (professional lighting and sound) that you won't find at many other venues, which helps bring your cost down.
2. WNC summer camps can be more affordable and they also have dining halls (so you cut the cost of needing a tent).
3. City parks and county parks. For example, UNCA Botanical Gardens is available for ceremonies and receptions at a great rate.
4. Restaurants, on their closed day, often rent their space for a flat fee. Local places to check: Avenue M, Fiores and Limones.
5. Local wine bars are a great option for wedding receptions.
6. Rent a private home for an event. Kiersa passed along two websites where you can research a broad range of mountain rental properties: www.homeaway.com or www.vrbo.com
7. Private homes, or your own home, are options for elegant and simple affairs. Start your life where you’ll live! But one thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want to turn into a host, working at your own wedding! With that in mind, it’s a good idea to hire a wedding planner for homespun weddings. Keep in mind, private homes aren’t set up for weddings, so a coordinator can help you understand surprising costs if you choose this route.
8. Check out local Bed and Breakfast options. Here are a few to begin with: Hawk and Ivy and Bella Luna Inn (connected to Black Eyed Susan Catering).
Kiersa also said that when planning a wedding, the first thing to do is to define your budget, number of guests and the ideal venue. Once these three elements are in harmony your have the best foundation to move forward.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
New Asheville Wedding Venue: Yesterday Spaces
Yesterday Spaces is a 70 acre family farm located in Leicester, just minutes from downtown Asheville N.C. They have just completed a beautiful, very rustic, and yet very comfortable barn with a large conditioned loft space for year round use.
This space is available for social, business, and educational events including:
* Weddings
* Receptions
* Rehearsal dinners
* Reunions
* Retreats
* Meetings and Seminars
"Our farm is deeply rooted in history and we feel blessed to be able to preserve another important piece of productive farmland here in Western North Carolina. We are farming with sustainable agricultural techniques and maintain a reverence for the land…” - Owners Mike & Chris Grier
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Wedding Decor from The Drygoods Shop
Looking for someone to style your event? Check out these unique wedding decor ideas from a recent WNC wedding styled by Leigh of The Drygoods Shop in west Asheville.
Get in touch with Leigh at The Drygoods shop in west Asheville, 474 Haywood Road. Or give her a ring: (828) 505-8595. You can also check out her blog.
Original Photos for Asheville Indie Weddings by Jennifer Callahan
Get in touch with Leigh at The Drygoods shop in west Asheville, 474 Haywood Road. Or give her a ring: (828) 505-8595. You can also check out her blog.
Original Photos for Asheville Indie Weddings by Jennifer Callahan
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Devin + Chris’ Beautiful Eco-Southern Wedding near Asheville
This rustic, charming wedding was held at The Farm in Candler, North Carolina, just a short drive from downtown Asheville and planned by Asheville Event Co. These photos by Two Ring Studios were published last week on Eco-Beautiful Weddings.
Devin’s s bridal bouquet was created by Aria Floral, who specialize in sustainable floral designs, while the centerpieces were made with reclaimed vintage barn wood with local wildflowers, calla lilies and succulents. At the end of the night – the flowers were repotted for the guests to take them home to enjoy.
Devin’s s bridal bouquet was created by Aria Floral, who specialize in sustainable floral designs, while the centerpieces were made with reclaimed vintage barn wood with local wildflowers, calla lilies and succulents. At the end of the night – the flowers were repotted for the guests to take them home to enjoy.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Asheville Courthouse Wedding
In the midst of wedding planning, Chelsea and Nate had a change of heart and decided to elope to their local county courthouse, bringing along Kat Braman to photograph the results.
The bride shared some of her insights and advice for an Intimate Asheville Wedding in this Hindsight Bride interview.
Things you’re glad you did:
1. Hired a photographer that understood my vision. I can’t stress this one enough. I think I spent the most time researching this aspect and in the end it really paid off. There’s nothing better than getting your photographs back and feeling like they completely captured the energy of your wedding day.
2. Kept it small and intimate. We went back and forth on this issue a lot. Looking back we both agree that keeping it small was the right decision for us. It really kept the day feeling comfortable and casual which was a priority for us. For those of you who aren’t keen on being the center of attention – 25 guests is perfect!
3. Wore something old. I’m not much for wedding traditions but wearing something old was something I’m glad I did. It was a way for me to honor my family and my past, while creating a new branch on the family tree. I used my grandmother’s handkerchief to wrap my bouquet and also wore a piece of jewelry from my mom, grandmother, and great grandmothers.
Things you wish you had done:
1. Prioritize. The blog world can be an amazing yet scary place, with so many options you can easily veer away from your original intent. Make a plan and stick to it throughout the entire planning process.
2. Trust my first instincts. If I had a quarter for every time I changed my mind in the planning process we’d be taking 3 honeymoons this year! In the end our wedding consisted of details thought of in the first few weeks of being engaged…and we were engaged for almost 2 years.
3. Bring a guest book. This wasn’t something that I thought much about and, in focusing so much on all the other details, I forgot to bring the guest book. Now that the day is over I’m really sad that I didn’t document all the well wishes.
Things you wish you hadn’t done:
* Let the groom cut his own hair. Nate attempted to shave his head 2 days before the wedding and forgot to put the guard on, resulting in a 3 inch bald spot on the side of his head. Pre wedding jitters? Perhaps. Grooms, if there is ever a time to splurge on a professional haircut it’s your wedding day.
Things you wish you hadn’t worried about:
* Other people’s opinion of what our wedding should be. So many times throughout the planning process we heard “Just do what makes you happy BUT you have to have a *fill in wedding tradition here*.” And of course we tried to fulfill every request made. It seemed like everyone had some tradition that had to be included and next thing we knew it had spiraled into the wedding we never wanted. Sure, we want everyone to be happy but, trust me when I tell you, nothing will make them happier than seeing you happy on your wedding day…even if you don’t walk down a proper aisle.
Your very best hindsight advice:
Plan the wedding as if you and your partner are the only ones attending. Throw convention out the window and make the day be a reflection of the two of you!
* Ceremony venue: Buncombe County Courthouse
* Reception venue: The Market Place
* Wedding Photographer: Kat Braman Photography
* Wedding invitations: e.m. papers
* Wedding cupcakes: The Sisters McMullen Cupcake Corner
The bride shared some of her insights and advice for an Intimate Asheville Wedding in this Hindsight Bride interview.
Things you’re glad you did:
1. Hired a photographer that understood my vision. I can’t stress this one enough. I think I spent the most time researching this aspect and in the end it really paid off. There’s nothing better than getting your photographs back and feeling like they completely captured the energy of your wedding day.
2. Kept it small and intimate. We went back and forth on this issue a lot. Looking back we both agree that keeping it small was the right decision for us. It really kept the day feeling comfortable and casual which was a priority for us. For those of you who aren’t keen on being the center of attention – 25 guests is perfect!
3. Wore something old. I’m not much for wedding traditions but wearing something old was something I’m glad I did. It was a way for me to honor my family and my past, while creating a new branch on the family tree. I used my grandmother’s handkerchief to wrap my bouquet and also wore a piece of jewelry from my mom, grandmother, and great grandmothers.
Things you wish you had done:
1. Prioritize. The blog world can be an amazing yet scary place, with so many options you can easily veer away from your original intent. Make a plan and stick to it throughout the entire planning process.
2. Trust my first instincts. If I had a quarter for every time I changed my mind in the planning process we’d be taking 3 honeymoons this year! In the end our wedding consisted of details thought of in the first few weeks of being engaged…and we were engaged for almost 2 years.
3. Bring a guest book. This wasn’t something that I thought much about and, in focusing so much on all the other details, I forgot to bring the guest book. Now that the day is over I’m really sad that I didn’t document all the well wishes.
Things you wish you hadn’t done:
* Let the groom cut his own hair. Nate attempted to shave his head 2 days before the wedding and forgot to put the guard on, resulting in a 3 inch bald spot on the side of his head. Pre wedding jitters? Perhaps. Grooms, if there is ever a time to splurge on a professional haircut it’s your wedding day.
Things you wish you hadn’t worried about:
* Other people’s opinion of what our wedding should be. So many times throughout the planning process we heard “Just do what makes you happy BUT you have to have a *fill in wedding tradition here*.” And of course we tried to fulfill every request made. It seemed like everyone had some tradition that had to be included and next thing we knew it had spiraled into the wedding we never wanted. Sure, we want everyone to be happy but, trust me when I tell you, nothing will make them happier than seeing you happy on your wedding day…even if you don’t walk down a proper aisle.
Your very best hindsight advice:
Plan the wedding as if you and your partner are the only ones attending. Throw convention out the window and make the day be a reflection of the two of you!
* Ceremony venue: Buncombe County Courthouse
* Reception venue: The Market Place
* Wedding Photographer: Kat Braman Photography
* Wedding invitations: e.m. papers
* Wedding cupcakes: The Sisters McMullen Cupcake Corner
Thursday, August 4, 2011
A Blooming Wedding Favor!
Sow True Seed, Western Carolina’s open-pollinated seed company, offers fully customizable wedding favors for your guests! This environmentally responsible wedding favor highlights your wedding celebration as the seeds of your marriage, and offers your guests the chance to plant and grow flowers, herbs, or vegetables in honor of your special day. There is a $35 set-up fee and discounting on packets begins after 75 packets are ordered. The high-quality seed from a local source is truly a memorable offering versus something basic grabbed off the internet with no real connection to the Carolinas. Sow True Seed also works closely with you to ensure you are happy – you even get to approve your layout before the packets to go print – a benefit of going local. Popular seeds for weddings include the Autumn Beauty Sunflower and the Annual Cut Flower Mix.
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