Love is in the air at the Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, NC
This romantic European-style resort is a favorite for mountain-inspired weddings
Located along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Highlands, North Carolina, the Old Edwards Inn is a sought-after destination for weddings or romantic celebrations.
“We host weddings in some form or other almost every weekend of the year. Sometimes we even host mid-week weddings at a much-reduced cost,” says Melissa Delany, the inn’s director of sales.
The inn’s location offers something few resorts can, Delany says.
“Our superpower is that we are a walking town - with one main street and only three stop lights - so it's easy to get to quickly on foot. This is an amazing way to give wedding guests so many opportunities to enjoy nature — hike, chase waterfalls, find stunning views — and dine in one of the six Wine Spectator Award-Winning restaurants located in Highlands.”
Big Day Venue Options
With rustic settings, elegant outdoor spaces and other stylish venues for rehearsal dinners and brunches, Old Edwards offers 16 event sites to fit a wide range of visions and budgets. And because of the natural beauty of its location, you'll find breathtaking views in every direction.
“Most of the event sites sit on their own space away from the resort, yet several are within walking distance of Main Street and the inn,” Delany says.
Which one to pick? It depends on the group size, day of the week, and budget, Delany says, “But we have something that fits like a glove for most.”
The Farm at Old Edwards is a top venue choice for the majority of brides, Delany says. Situated on 40 acres with landscaped garden areas, a fountain and a trout pond, this $50 million facility includes venue options for both ceremony and reception.
“Both are designed with all the bells and whistles — lighting, gardens, a farmhouse with a hair and make-up salon built right in, a million-dollar kitchen, a green room right on the property, an orchard, a picture-perfect pond with a fountain and gorgeous bridge for taking pictures,” says Delany. “The natural light in the buildings is stunning. There are 12-foot windows that fold back to make the spaces ‘open air’ 360 degrees, as well as grand stone fireplaces and so much more.”
She calls it one of the best wedding venues in the region.
On the Menu
The inn is part of the Relais and Châteaux association of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants, and every wedding is enhanced by an unforgettable culinary experience. Menus feature farm-to-table cuisine that highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
“The menus are always a conversation, and we delight in doing both traditional recipes for the event and thinking outside the box on serving something that adds a pop and brings a smile to our guests’ faces,” Delany says.
Luxury Amenities
The inn features a renowned spa and private golf at the Old Edwards Club. Guestrooms, suites, and cottages are outfitted with luxury furnishings and antiques, and many rooms have fireplaces and balconies.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Love is in the air at the Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, NC
