WNC Bride - WNC and Asheville Wedding Locations, Venues, Vendors and Planning Information

Asheville Bridal Yoga

WNCBride — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:23:48 +0000

Guest Blog Post by: Mackenzie Guerin, Yoga with Mackenzie

If you are looking for something fun and new to do with your bridesmaids, a bridal yoga class may just be the thing. So many brides search, or go without, the perfect morning ritual for their wedding day. Why not spend the morning basking in bliss alongside your favorite people with a customized celebratory yoga experience?

As wedding planning and the actual wedding day can be a very stressful process, I can’t think of a better way to center and release built up tension than a short yoga session with friends and family. Sharing a personalized class deepens the bonding experience and heightens the awareness that you are all there for each other. Yoga is about being present and with the practice of focusing on your very own wedding day you will be able to slow down and notice the small details around you that make your day incredibly special. For most weddings, months and months of planning culminates into one day. When that day arrives I think it’s important to let all that planning go and actually feel and experience the moments around you. Yoga is a great practice to help create that shift of letting go and fulling arriving into the present moment.

My bridal yoga classes are designed to help you and your loved ones focus, relax and enjoy this special occasion. It’s great for grooms as well! All classes include yoga postures, breathing exercises and meditation. The classes are designed for all levels, in fact, many of my clients have only practiced once or twice before. Classes can be customized for the beginner yoga or experienced yogi.

A bridal yoga session helps create a space for compassion, inspiration, and inner peace for everyone around you who is there to support you. Yoga and weddings complement each other perfectly. Yoga literally translates as “union”, so what an amazing gift to include for your wedding as you are joining two lives, two hearts, as one.

Mackenzie Guerin is a registered yoga teacher in Asheville, North Carolina. She offers Bride to be privates, Wedding day yoga class, Pre-Wedding day yoga classes, Bachelorette/Bridal shower yoga class. More information and about her bridal yoga classes can be found here www.mackenzieguerin.com/weddings.html

Spring Sample Sale at Wedding Inspirations

WNCBride — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:44:20 +0000

WEDDING INSPIRATIONS: bridal boutique & event planning

SPRING SAMPLE SALE

30% to 50% OFF!

Over 50 amazing BRIDAL styles from…

MAGGIE SOTTERO – ESSENSE of AUSTRALIA ELLA BRIDALS – PRONOVIAS – CASABLANCA

To make an appointment please contact us

tel: 828.253.3012

email: wedding-inspirations@usa.net

Setting up an appointment will ensure that you receive the proper & individual attention you deserve to make this a fabulous & fun experience.

We invite you to come, be inspired…

Wedding Inspirations
171 Charlotte Street
Asheville NC 28801
tel: 828.253.3012
e-mail: wedding-inspirations@usa.net

REVIEW the VENUE: {hidden river events}

WNCBride — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:10:57 +0000

This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit Hidden River Events in Swananoa, NC and was pleasantly surprised by all this venue has to offer. Situated in a small valley of Swannanoa (which was the backdrop for the pre-civil war film, Tap Roots, back in the 1948), Hidden River supplies the southern bride with several outdoor ceremony settings immersed in nature and a beautiful permanent white tent for wedding receptions. From the ceremony site situated along the Swannanoa River, to another site in the field beneath the mountain vista, to yet another site on a pond, this venue provides a plethora of choices for an outdoor ceremony. In addition to all these choices, Hidden River includes on-site lodging in several homes along the perimeter of the property, totaling space for 50 overnight guests (a number which will increase once a recently acquired home is renovated). With all inclusive wedding packages as well as a site rental option for weddings all the way up to approximately 200 guests, Hidden River Events gives brides as much or as little assistance in the entire wedding planning process.

A big thank you to Dr. Jeanne Sommer and Kelly Giles for being such welcoming hosts.

Check out Hidden Rivers Website Here

Questions to Ask the Venue: Hidden River's Answers

Do you have a facility director? If so, will she/he be there on my wedding day? All of our couples work with our event manager throughout the planning process. She is also there on the day of the wedding.
At what time will my guests have to leave the facility?The latest receptions can end is 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10pm on Sundays. If you are utilizing the on-site housing we can bring any remaining beer and wine to the Field House after the reception is over.
Is there a service charge on top of the bill? If so, how much? No
Must I use vendors of my choosing or must we use an exclusive set of yours? We have preferred vendors that we suggest but we do not require that you use them.
Do you allow alcohol and open flames? Yes to both
Who is responsible for setting up and tearing down the decor, and when will it be completed? We take care of the basic set up (tables, chairs, linens, etc.). That will be done by noon on the day of your wedding, so that you can do any additional decorating. we clean up/ tear down everything we provide. You are only responsible for taking down the things that you brought in. That should be done an hour after the reception end time. If there isn’t a wedding the next day it’s okay to leave some things until the next morning.
Is there ample parking? Do guests have to pay to park? Ample parking. No parking fee.
What’s the backup plan (rain & other circumstances)? Generally we just wait a few minutes, dry everything off, and continue with the outdoor plan (if you want to wait it out for even longer we can open the bar and serve apps while your guests wait). When there is no way to have the ceremony outside we have it in the tent. that’s happened 7 times in over 200 weddings.
What’s the corkage fee if I bring my own wine? No fee
Is there a cake cutting fee? If I choose cupcakes, does this apply? No fee
How early can I get into the site to set up? Noon
Are there any additional costs-cleaning fees, insurance-fee waivers, etc.? No, clients are required to have a limited liability insurance policy if they serve beer and wine. That total is included in our packages, and the total is decreased when they submit proof of pmt for the policy, up to $175.
How many weddings will be booked on my day? Most likely just yours. Possibly a small elopement in the morning (with 20 people or less).
How many guests will the venue hold, both for the ceremony and the reception? 200 without renting an additional tent.
Will the entire facility be free for use throughout the day or are there restrictions? You have access to the whole facility if you are using the on-site housing. If you are not staying on-site you would have access to everything but the houses.
Are there accommodations available at the venue or nearby for guests? If the venue has accommodations, are there any discounts available? On-site housing (for up to 50 guests) is included for a saturday wedding for thurs, fri, and sat night. Sunday weddings can add the housing for 2 nights (Sun/Mon) for $800. We have an additional house that overlooks the property that sleeps 12 that is available for $500 for 2 nights or $600 for 3 night. We can block rooms at several nearby hotels for a discounted rate.
What’s the site fee? And what does that include? You can do just the site rental or a complete package. Pricing can be found on the Hidden River website.
Does anything we’ve seen today cost extra? White linens are included, any overlays or runners would be an extra rental that you can do through us. Mason jars are included for drinking, including small jars for wine. Additional barware, if desired, would need to be rented at $0.35 each glass.
Is there a space for me to get ready? Yes, we have a spacious bridal studio with bathroom/shower, refrigerator, steamer, iron, 2 pull out couches, coffee table and dining table.
Will we need to bring in sound equipment? Are the facility and bathrooms handicapped accessible? A dj is included in all pricing and he brings in his own equipment. We have an additional sound system that can be used for music at the ceremony. The bathrooms and facility (not the houses) are wheelchair accessible.

REVIEW the VENUE: {sleepy hollow inn & event center}

WNCBride — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:41:48 +0000

We are starting our new blog series of Venue Reviews called “Review the Venue”. First up is Sleepy Hollow Inn & Event Center, located conveniently off I-40 a few minutes outside of Asheville in Swannanoa, NC. This 1800′s home has been lovingly restored to include modern amenities, plenty of lodging for overnight guests, and the addition of an enclosed pavilion (which is heated and air conditioned) offers a great ceremony or reception area.

As I pulled onto the grounds, I was welcomed by a white fenced lined drive and I could catch a glimpse of a gazebo to my left where outdoor weddings are held. The gazebo sat nicely in front of the natural pond that was brought to life with a running fountain. There are two main buildings on the grounds; the main house and a pavilion. The main house has enough lodging for 24 guests and add to that the Carriage House, a total of 28 people can stay on the grounds. This is a great option for weddings with a lot of out-of-town guests. The pavilion, which sits next to the main house is a great open space with a capacity of up to 140. The great fireplace is a nice touch as well as the rustic inspired bar area. What’s great about Sleepy Hollow is many of their packages include the tables and chairs (as well as set up) so you don’t have those additional costs to worry about. There’s also convenient bathrooms for your guests next to the wooden entry doors of the pavilion.

For the outdoor weddings, white chairs are placed along a paved walkway to the entrance of the gazebo. Indoor weddings can be in the pavilion or main house (if smaller) so you definitely have a back up plan in the event of rain. The overall feel of Sleepy Hollow is very warm and inviting. It’s great to have the lodging onsite and several locations to tie the knot.

Thanks to Danielle & Danrae for a great tour!

Check out Sleepy Hollow’s Website Here

Questions for the Venue: Sleepy Hollow's Answers

Do you have a facility director? If so, will she/he be there on my wedding day? Yes we have a full time director that helps you through the planning stages of your event up to the day of coordination.
At what time will my guests have to leave the facility? Expected departure time for guests not staying at the Inn will be within 30 minutes after the contracted rental time.
Is there a service charge on top of the bill? If so, how much? We do charge a 2.5% gratuity based on your total bill for the housekeeping and setup/cleanup staff.
Must I use vendors of my choosing or must we use an exclusive set of yours? We highly recommend that you refrain from using outside vendors. We have a list of highly qualified and professional vendors for every area of your wedding. However, we are somewhat flexible on some of the vendor options based on the package chosen.
Do you allow alcohol and open flames? Yes to both with restrictions. Please contact a Sleepy Hollow representative for more information.
Who is responsible for setting up and tearing down the decor, and when will it be completed? Our staff will set up all tables, chairs and linens prior to your arrival (typically the day before/depending on other scheduled events). We will also handle all aspects of tearing down the tables, etc and removing the trash. You will only be responsible for any additional decorations that you wish to bring in/ take home. Staff will be onsite to assist you with some of your items as well.
Is there ample parking? Do guests have to pay to park? Free parking onsite. Most packages also include a parking attendant to make best use of the space available. We can accommodate a large number of vehicles, however we always recommend car-pooling when possible in order to eliminate unnecessary vehicles in the lot.
What’s the backup plan (rain & other circumstances)? In the event of inclement weather, we do have the ability to relocate the wedding to an indoor facility. Depending on the number of guests, we can hold the ceremony either inside the Dining Room of the main inn (Up to 45 people) or inside the Event Center (Where most receptions take place). We do also have the ability to add a tent rental (with at least a 4 day notice) in order to move forward with plans for an outside wedding even with weather that is not 100% cooperating.
What’s the corkage fee if I bring my own wine? No corkage fees are charged at our facility.
Is there a cake cutting fee? If I choose cupcakes, does this apply? No cake cutting fees are charged at our facility.
How early can I get into the site to set up? This will depend on the package chosen. For the weekend events, you will have access upon arrival for checkin the day before the wedding at 3pm. For all others, guaranteed access 2 hours prior to event. However, if no event is booked for the proceeding day, earlier access may be granted. Are there restrictions for the photographer? We highly recommend you use one of our Preferred Photographers. There are no restrictions for our professionals. For outside photographer restrictions, please contact your Sleepy Hollow Representative.
Are there any additional costs-cleaning fees, insurance-fee waivers, etc.? Only a Damage Deposit which is clearly outlined for all contracts and 100% refundable as long as all terms are met.
How many weddings will be booked on my day? You are the only wedding that takes place on your day.
How many guests will the venue hold, both for the ceremony and the reception? We recommend no more than 140. However, we can accommodate more with a tent rental.
Will the entire facility be free for use throughout the day or are there restrictions? This will depend on the package chosen.
Are there accommodations available at the venue or nearby for guests? If the venue has accommodations, are there any discounts available? We can sleep up to a maximum of 28 persons onsite in our Inn and Carriage House. There are also 3 hotels located within a mile of our facility for the overflow of out-of-town guests needing accommodations.
What’s the site fee? And what does that include? At Sleepy Hollow we base everything on packages. however, we do offer a Basic Event Rental Only Option which begins at $2495 for Mid-week events. Please contact our representatives for more details.
Is there a space for me to get ready? Yes. All packages include a Bridal Suite for Dressing.
Will we need to bring in sound equipment? No. Sleepy Hollow has a Fender Sound System for the Music. You (Or the musician chosen) will only need to provide equipment if you would like to bring in Live music.
Are the facility and bathrooms handicapped accessible? Yes.

Wedding Photography Trend: The Photo Booth

WNCBride — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:55:25 +0000

Are you looking for a new way to “Wow” your guests? How about setting up a photobooth at your wedding reception? This idea is becoming more and more popular at weddings and offers guests something fun to do. The photo booth pics can be used to fill up your guest book and even provide a great “favor” for guests to take home and remember your big day. Often times, companies who rent photo booths will include hilarious props for guests to dress up or even mini chalk boards or dry erase boards so guests can write messages before their pic is snapped. This trend is gaining in popularity all over the country and is a creative way to preserve memories of your guests!

*Image from WNC Photo Booth Rentals

WNC Bride Now on Pinterest!

WNCBride — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:05:47 +0000

We are happy to announce we are now on Pinterest! Check out all of our boards full of great ideas for brides-to-be!

WNCBride on Pinterest

Asheville Wedding Locations Added Often

WNCBride — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:58:11 +0000

We work hard to keep you updated on Asheville Wedding locations. From your southern barn weddings to extravagant downtown weddings, we want to cover all the bases when it comes to Asheville Ceremony & Reception Locations. If you know of any location we have failed to list, please Contact Us today!

Click Here for our Wedding Ceremony and Reception Locations

Asheville Wedding Festival on Saturday

WNCBride — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:06:39 +0000

For all you brides-to-be that are planning their Asheville or WNC area wedding, be sure to meet the local vendors face-to-face this Saturday at the Asheville Wedding Festival.

Here are the details:

Asheville Wedding Festival: Winter 2012
Asheville Civic Center
Saturday, January 14th
10am-3pm
Asheville Wedding Festivals Website
*Please note, we are not affiliated with Asheville Wedding Festivals.

Sleepy Hollow Inn & Event Center

WNCBride — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:54:32 +0000

Sleepy Hollow is your “one stop shop” when it comes to Weddings. We offer all-inclusive packages with everything from your ceremony & reception venue to the cake & flowers, photography & videography, catering, and even lodging! With a dedicated on-site Coordinator to assist you with the details, planning your special day couldn’t be any more stress-free.

Envision yourself walking down the brick pathway to the ceremony site by the gazebo and pond, accompanying your guests for an unforgettable reception inside our new Event Center, then topping of the entire weekend event with onsite rooms in our beautiful Bed & Breakfast. Our 6-acre property is conveniently located just 7 miles from the Biltmore Estate and 10 minutes from Downtown Asheville. Call us today to set up an appointment and get started with planning your special day today!

*No Hidden Charges! We are upfront with all fees.

Bridge Kiss

Bride & Groom

Lake

Contact: Danrae Babbit
Phone: 828-298-1115 or Toll Free 866-708-1115, Email
Address: Swannanoa, NC
Links: Sleepy Hollow Weddings, Sleepy Hollow Video

Ceremony & Reception Location: Bearwallow Mountain

WNCBride — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:31:00 +0000

For Asheville area brides, or those brides wanting to escape to WNC for a destination wedding, we’ve come across beautiful Bearwallow mountain. Bearwallow Mountain is convenient to Asheville, Hendersonville and Lake Lure.

Here’s some information directly from their website:

The facilities are capable of hosting large or small functions.

The Lodge in Grand Highlands at Bearwallow Mountain is a nearly 12,000 square foot facility with all the splendor one could imagine. It is complete with large dinning hall, large gathering hall, bar and catering kitchen. The building is very versatile to make the experience unique to your event.

The Grand Highlands lodge can comfortably seat 120 people in the dinning hall with the ability to handle well over 200 when using the expansive deck and remainder of the lodge.

Check out the facilities on their website at: www.BearwallowEvents.com