Intimate Wedding at Douglas Ellington House Venue

 
 
 

Douglas Ellington House

Douglas Ellington House wedding venue is a historic stone cottage, just 5 minutes outside of downtown Asheville. The ivy covered walls and trickling creek whisper a quiet romance the second you arrive even though you're conveniently minutes from town. The house was literally built by hand out of local materials and is studiously cared for. Thus it is only available for smaller weddings and receptions to respect the home and the property’s capacity. Douglas Ellington House is the perfect venue for an intimate wedding in Asheville for those seeking an enchanting setting for their celebration. As a local Asheville wedding photographer I can attest to this being one of the most unique and romantic wedding venues in Asheville.

This wedding styled shoot at Douglas Ellington House venue shows you what is possible for your intimate wedding day. Gone are the days of siloing weddings into two categories, a huge traditional wedding or quickly eloping alone. With the shift in the wedding industry and the mentality when it comes to wedding planning, there is much more flexibility and creativity when it comes to what your day can look and feel like. This styled shoot shows you what’s possible for an intimate wedding in Asheville, North Carolina complete with mountain vistas and the most romantic wedding venue.

Getting Ready at Zelda Dearest Hotel

This wedding day starts  with getting ready at the boutique hotel, Zelda Dearest in downtown Asheville, a hotel with personality and inspiring design in every room. Because your choice in your getting ready space should be just as intentional as all your other wedding day decisions. It is after all where your story begins. (And as a wedding photographer, it does greatly impact your photos!) Zelda Dearest is one of my favorite hotels in Asheville for getting ready and they also host weddings and receptions on site as well. Instead of getting ready separately and spending the morning apart, Lacey and Dan got ready together in the quiet morning as they sipped their coffees.

Epic Portraits in the Blue Ridge Mountains 

Once dressed and caffeinated, Lacey and Dan began their day slowly with intentional time together spent in the mountains. After a serene drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with hands held over the console, they arrived at the trailhead. A short hike later, they were rewarded with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains where they could soak in the fact of what this day held for them. The very start of their marriage. 

For most of my couples it is important to them to spend time outdoors in the mountains for their day and I love getting to help them plan this part. As a local wedding photographer in the Blue Ridge Mountains for the past 8 years I have a comprehensive list of my favorite places with details from hiking length, difficulty level, type of scenery, permit requirements and more to help you choose the perfect spot.

As we made our way back to the car just in time, fat rain drops began to fall. The weather in the mountains is ever changing but typically it doesn't last for long and while it rained the whole drive to their venue once we arrived at Douglas Ellington House it stopped and the sun came out. 

Best Time to Plan a Spring Wedding in Asheville

The ceremony was held on the lawn under a grove of trees. The aisle was dotted with flowers and the altar was created with pedestals of incredible floral arrangements by Petal and Fern that seamlessly complemented the surroundings. Spring time is lush in Asheville as winter ends, rain comes and leaves start to pop. If you’re planning a spring wedding in Asheville, May is the best month to get married. You can be confident the mountains will no longer be brown and crunchy and the weather will (most likely) be pleasant. 

Unique Asheville Wedding Vendors

Soft music from the harp filled the air and signaled our transition into reception. The rest of the day was celebrated with intentional details and nods to Italy. From espresso martinis to an al fresco dinner. The essence of which was captured by their live painter, Ruthie Kellar. Which not only resulted in a special wedding keepsake from the day but was also a lovely form of entertainment for guests to watch it come to life. Becoming a very popular wedding trend, for those who appreciate fine art, I highly recommend having a live painter at your wedding day.


This styled shoot was created by myself and Chynna of Knight Co Events, with a group of expert Asheville vendors to show you all that is possible when planning an intimate wedding in Asheville, North Carolina. You can have epic mountain portraits, an intentional ceremony free of any traditions that don’t resonate with you, fun personal drinks, a delicious dinner in nature, thoughtful place settings, time with your closest friends and family, a relaxed timeline and details that scream YOU throughout. I partnered with Chynna because she knows how to execute just that and is a total pro in the industry. If you’re looking for a bespoke wedding planner local to Asheville, you want Knight Co Events a part of your vendor team.

 
 

Asheville Wedding Vendors:

Hey I’m Erika, I specialize in intimate weddings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Whether you’re calling it an elopement, micro wedding, wedding weekend, or something in between, I’m less about guest count and more about intention. I serve couples who want the outdoors to play a role in their day and appreciate beautiful details that showcase their personalities! Sound like we’d be a good fit?

Weddings & ElopementsErika PackettComment