Affordable Wedding Venues in Asheville NC: Honeysuckle Hill Edition
Have you been searching for affordable wedding venues in Asheville, NC?
Then you’re in luck because I know just the place!
I’ve been so lucky to photograph many venues all over North Carolina specifically in Asheville. Finding the perfect venue for your wedding day is usually the first thing you do as a couple that’s planning their wedding day. I love being able to share the insight I’ve gained over the years as a wedding photographer to help future couples find the best venue for their wedding without having to scour the internet or social media. One of my favorite venues in Asheville is a hidden gem for sure and is likely to surprise you and your partner as well as your guests as they come to celebrate your wedding!
That’s why I want to share more with you about this special wedding venue as well as some tips on how to plan a fall wedding in Asheville North Carolina and some extra pro wedding photographer advice on wedding planning so that you can have your dream wedding day.
Well what are we waiting for… let’s dive in!
Affordable Wedding Venues in Asheville NC: Honeysuckle Hill
There’s so much I could say about Honeysuckle Hill but one of my personal favorite features is Honeysuckle HIll’s iconic ceremony location which has an old chapel attached to the venue that features wooden pews, large handcrafted industrial chandeliers, and has a truly unique feel to it.
But outside of this Honeysuckle Hill has so many other incredible features such as a tranquil lily pad pond, a gazebo, a renovated barn, and a waterfall, and this venue is only seven miles away from downtown Asheville. And don’t just take my word for it – Honeysuckle Hill also mentions directly on their website that they are a uniquely affordable North Carolina wedding venue.
So if you’re dreaming of having your wedding at a venue with a beautiful backdrop that is infused with nature, where you can also enjoy the vibrant fall colors, and the mountains in the distance, Honeysuckle Hill is the perfect place.
Of course, there are lots of great locations and venues in Asheville North Carolina but Honeysuckle Hill makes a name for itself as a gorgeous setting that is truly magical, especially in the fall.
How to Plan Your Perfect Fall Wedding in North Carolina
Speaking of fall – who doesn’t love a fall wedding? Everyone dreams of having a gorgeous wedding day surrounded by beautiful fall colors captured forever in gorgeous photos.
Peak leaf season in Asheville / Western North Carolina is arguably the best season of the year and happens from mid-October – to early November. This time of the year comes with cooler temps after a sweltering summer and the days aren’t too hot or cold and nothing compares to a perfect fall day. Asheville and Western North Carolina are well known for their breathtaking mountain views and stunning fall colors.
This time of the year also features pumpkin patches, pumpkin spice, comfort food, your favorite sweater, and of course, gorgeous fall foliage as the leaves change.
If you go to locations in higher elevations you’ll tend to see leaves change much sooner, such as Craggy Gardens and Black Balsam Knob. Sometimes you’ll even see leaves starting to change by late September in higher elevations and by mid-October they can be completely barren.
If you want to have a fall wedding in North Carolina let’s chat about what you need to know in advance!
Choose the Right Location
Whichever location you are choosing for your wedding venue if you want the perfect fall wedding in Asheville / North Carolina make sure you check and see when the leaves change and also when the temperature drops so that you can ensure that you pick a wedding venue that shows off gorgeous fall colors and is a perfect fit/temperature for your big day!
Book Your Photographer in Advance
Something to keep in mind is that October is a very busy month for wedding professionals and for a good reason. If you are planning a fall wedding make sure you plan and book well in advance your wedding photographer. Booking your photographer in advance is going to remove stress for you and also ensure that you’re getting the wedding photographer who perfectly matches your vision.
Weather
I know that you want the perfect fall day for your wedding but if you are planning a wedding in the fall it’s also good to know in advance that it may get cold, but that’s okay – that doesn’t mean you still can’t have a fall wedding.
Depending on the time of year or rainy weather just know you may need to host your ceremony indoors.
It’s good to make sure your venue offers an indoor and outdoor ceremony plan and that you and your partner are happy with.
The biggest things to consider for your indoor ceremony are making sure there’s enough space for your guests to fit (sometimes couples will ask guests to arrive during cocktail hour if the ceremony space is too small) and making sure that the indoor wedding venue has optimal lighting for your photos. Also, make sure that your wedding photographer is allowed to use flash to capture the best photos possible of your day.
If you are planning to have an outdoor ceremony my advice is to consider adding baskets with blankets or wraps for your guests to have during the ceremony which both add a nice touch. The same goes for during the reception – consider providing outdoor games or a fire pit for your guests to enjoy so that they can stay warm!
Fall Photography
The last thing you’ll definitely want to consider is that if you are going to have a fall wedding remember that it gets darker earlier – which means that you and your wedding photographer are going to be chasing that sunlight.
It’s good to be mindful of how long you’ll have sunlight for the day and plan to have at least 3 hours of sunlight post-ceremony if you want those gorgeous sunset photos.
Pro wedding tip – if your wedding is in November / December consider having your ceremony at 2 pm or 3 pm so you still have plenty of sunlight for your pictures.
By planning your wedding around these key times, booking your wedding photographer in advance, planning for chillier weather, and having your ceremony early enough in the day to have plenty of sunlight, you’ll be ensuring that your fall wedding in North Carolina is a magical experience with the best North Carolina has to offer!
Pro Wedding Photographer Tip
One of my favorite things to do is share my own wedding tips with you on different aspects of your wedding day so that you can have the best day possible.
So let’s talk about one aspect of your wedding day that you might not have had the chance to think about yet – first looks!
What is a first look?
To start, a first look on your wedding day means you and your partner set time aside to see each other before the ceremony.
Should you do one?
Having a first look with your partner on your wedding day is a big decision to make and is usually the first decision couples make on their wedding day because it determines how the rest of their wedding day will go.
I am definitely “pro” first look on wedding days but also nothing beats that magical moment of seeing your partner down the aisle for the first time at the ceremony.
There are so many different ways to do a first look such as a first touch or reading letters before the ceremony.
And if you choose to do a first look it will also make your wedding schedule more flexible because you will be able to do photos with your partner and the whole wedding party before the ceremony which will allow you to have more time during cocktail hour (after family formals) to spend time with your friends and family.
Spending time with your friends and family is super important on your wedding day and every wedding vendor will tell you that your day flies by super fast! Especially if you spend your cocktail hour getting the photos you need before sunset.
Family formals, wedding party formals, and photos of the married couple are typically the main photos that take place post-ceremony.
Having a first look means that we get to spend time pre-ceremony to get those photos done and we can focus on the ones we still need after the ceremony.
I love being able to tell my couples they can eat, drink, and hang with their friends during cocktail hour!
Final Thoughts
I know that was a lot of information, but I hope after reading this you feel ready to plan your perfect fall wedding in North Carolina and that you’ll consider Honeysuckle Hills as a potential wedding venue!
I can’t gush enough about how perfect Asheville is in the fall and with that being said if you are still looking for the perfect photographer to capture your dream fall wedding here in North Carolina You can click here to learn more about my wedding photography services or you can head over here to get in touch!
