When it comes to selecting a place to spend your very first moments as a married couple, it is difficult to top Jackson County, North Carolina. The mountains provide breathtaking scenes and authentic experiences sure to bring joyful memories for years to come.   

In addition to the gorgeous vistas, you’ll find small-town charm, sincere hospitality, and plenty of options for delicious food, relaxing accommodations, and unforgettable adventures.  

Whether you’re seeking a beautiful backdrop for your destination wedding or wish to honor a connection to the Appalachian Mountains, Jackson County, NC has the perfect venue. Every site is ready to make your planning simple, either by providing turnkey service or connections to everything you’ll need, from florists to caterers to photographers to event planners and more! 

With so many ways to answer “I Do” in Jackson County, NC, the real question is: What’s your wedding style?  

Mountain Magic  

While every Jackson County, NC wedding locale is in the mountains, several take full advantage of the setting, offering outdoor spaces with expansive and majestic views.  

Chimney Pond Farm offers rustic elegance and rolling hills with a view of pristine Lake Glenville, the highest lake east of the Mississippi River.  A true farm, its 80 acres of Frasier Fir Christmas trees, blueberry bushes, and several alpacas (the gentle, friendly relative of the llama) add to its charm. Select among two indoor halls and an outdoor space to exchange vows. Onsite accommodations are available in three separate houses. Chimney Pond Farm is conveniently located about three hours from Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chattanooga and about seven miles from the desirable resort village of Cashiers. 

Rugged mountain wilderness combines with sophistication at the Vineyards at Betty’s Creek. A recent recipient of multiple Couples’ Choice awards from WeddingWire, the Sylva venue features on-site accommodations within its photogenic lodge and a honeymoon cottage built over a 1900s wine cellar. Couples have their choice of several potential ceremony sites, with an open-air event pavilion for the reception, all nestled among the site’s gardens, orchards, and – of course – wine vineyards.  

Another WeddingWire Couples’ Choice award winner, Vintage Barn Events sits on a 22-acre surrounded by forest, rolling meadows, and natural creeks. A two-story, restored rustic barn with lounges and a loft for a band or DJ stands ready to host your ceremony and/or reception. Located in Whittier, Vintage Barn Events is convenient to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee.  

Luxury Locales 

If your wedding dreams include feeling like royalty, why not select an upscale storybook setting?   

Castle Ladyhawke at Bear Lake Reserve is just what you think – a castle – resting on 62 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by Scottish Border Castles, this distinct venue located between Sylva and Cashiers offers three stories of stone walls, well-appointed suites, a spiral staircase, and even a tower. Exchange vows on the lawn, then enjoy music, dancing, and dining in its Great Hall. With an accomplished team of professionals at the ready, and accommodations waiting at the prestigious Bear Lake Reserve, your special day will be effortless and regal. 

One can hardly speak of Cashiers without mentioning High Hampton; the histories are intertwined. The resort dates to 1922, and today its 1,400 acres feature its iconic, renovated inn, a lake, a golf course, and luxurious amenities – all surrounded by the same revered mountaintops. This is the height of traditional Cashiers. Your wedding will be managed by the High Hampton Events Team as you select from a menu of packages and options.  

With its manicured lawn leading to the majestic granite faces of Cow Rock and Laurel Knob, Lonesome Valley is a venue like no other. Discovered and developed more than a century ago by the renowned Jennings Family, the Cashiers property is now home to a private community, a world-class spa, and Canyon Kitchen, which draws those seeking a unique and sensory culinary experience. Couples seeking a luxury wedding venue can exchange vows against the backdrop of the tallest granite dome east of the Mississippi, then celebrate with friends and family in the elegantly rustic Canyon Kitchen.  

Simple Elegance 

For couples who want to keep things simple or work within a budget, smaller venues that don’t sacrifice beauty or elegance are also an option in Jackson County, NC.  

New to the mix of wedding locations is Running Cedar Springs. If privacy, intimacy, and relaxation are at the top of your wish list, this venue is for you. With 60 acres of mountain forest adjacent to Bear Lake in Tuckasegee, Running Cedar Springs offers a pavilion with a stone fireplace suitable for up to 50 guests, comfortable and well-appointed cabins, a bridge-covered stream, and mountain views.  

The Applegate is tucked away in Dillsboro, adjacent to Scott Creek with easy access to the charming mountain village. Its relaxed and inviting vibe is ideal for the couple who desire to make its spaces their own. The Applegate can accommodate more than 130 guests on its Creekside Lawn, up to 50 for indoor dining, and a maximum of 80 on its wraparound, covered front porch. It also offers three luxury suites.   

If you’re looking for casual elegance in a quintessential Cashiers location, consider The Orchard restaurant. Adjacent to its apple orchard and 100-year-old farmhouse-turned-restaurant, its Events Barn is ideal for a wedding reception, able to host up to 80 guests. Bonus: Located on Hwy. 107 South, The Orchard is convenient to the bustling Cashiers Crossroads and easy for guests to find. And did we mention the guest cottage?  

An Iconic “I Do”  

As you prepare to write the next chapter in your family’s history, consider a venue with its own story to tell.  

The most photographed building in North Carolina, Jackson County Public Library/Historic Courthouse towers over Sylva’s Main Street. Mountain vistas surround the stately, columned building, which was converted and renovated about 12 years ago.  

The Village Green is known as “the heart of Cashiers,” with good reason. Not only is it located at its famous crossroads, but it also brings together the community for events throughout the year. With timber-frame cathedral ceilings, its Lewis Hall is the epitome of mountain elegance. On the practical side, the venue offers private dressing/meeting rooms, a full catering kitchen, a central fireplace, covered walkways, and flat surface parking, making things easy for guests and the wedding party alike. Just outside its doors is the manicured green, surrounded by natural gardens.    

Are you a history buff? Then the Zachary-Tolbert House in Cashiers may be for you. This beloved, 150-year-old preserved home is surrounded by five acres of gardens, trails, and other structures. But make no mistake: the main house’s Greek Revivalist Architecture is the star here, offering unforgettable photo opportunities for your perfect day. Private events are housed in the property’s Dowden Pavilion, which includes a modern catering kitchen and a spacious, open breezeway.  

Time to Plan!  

In addition to the venues we’ve highlighted here, private communities and clubs in our area may accommodate special events for non-members and non-property owners. For more information, please contact them directly.  

No matter where your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, or reception takes place in Jackson County, NC, be sure to take advantage of all that it offers to you and your guests. From easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park to amazing restaurants, waterfalls, historic sites, spas, and more, your guests will surely be entertained. Create an adventure!  

Our complete Jackson County, NC Wedding Guide makes planning easy. We even have maps and brochures to help you and your guests explore our area. So, start planning your dream mountain wedding today!  

(Header image courtesy of @jeremyrussell.photo/@lonesomevalleyweddings)