6 of the Most Romantic Lake Lure Wedding Venues

Plan a romantic Lake Lure wedding.Are you recently engaged? Lake Lure in North Carolina is one of the most beautiful places on Earth to say “I do.” From the moment you lay eyes on the sparkling blue water and foggy mountain peaks, you will fall in love. The gorgeous landscape is like something out of a fairytale. Before you can walk down the aisle, you’ll need to find your perfect Lake Lure wedding venue! We’ve put together a list of our favorites to get you started.

After your ceremony, we invite you to join us for an unforgettable reception dinner at The Esmeralda. Our historic inn is located on some of the prettiest grounds in Hickory Nut Gorge. We would love to host your Lake Lure wedding reception or rehearsal dinner!

The Best Ceremony Sites for Your Lake Lure Wedding

There are so many beautiful wedding venues near Asheville, it’s hard to choose just one. Imagine saying your vows on top of a mountain, at the base of a misting waterfall, or in a serene valley enclosed by soaring cliffs. When you plan a Lake Lure wedding, you’ll find all of that and more. Here are a few of our top picks:

1. Chimney Rock:

Chimney Rock is one of the most incredible Lake Lure wedding venues. To get to the top of the Chimney, you’ll take a 26-story elevator ride inside the mountain. However, nothing will prepare you for the 75-mile views of Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge! When you choose Chimney Rock as your venue, you can expect an unforgettable experience and million dollar views.

2. Lake Lure Lookout:

If you prefer a more intimate setting, the lookout in Chimney Rock State Park is a great choice. Marry the love of your life overlooking the crystal clear water of Lake Lure. You can see spectacular views of the lake, and the venue is easier to access than Chimney Rock. It’s the perfect choice for smaller group sizes.

3. Hickory Nut Falls:

Is there anything more romantic than saying your vows in front of a cascading waterfall? Hickory Nut Falls will take your breath away! You’ll need to take a 1.5-mile round-trip hike to reach it, but this beautiful 404-foot waterfall is completely worth it. When you get there, you’ll see why this is one of our favorite locations. You will have plenty of gorgeous photo opportunities with Hickory Nut Falls as your backdrop. 

4. Basilica of Saint Lawrence:

Nestled on a serene mountainside, the historic Basilica of Saint Lawrence is a great option for a Catholic wedding near Lake Lure. The church was constructed by Rafael Guastavino, the same architect who worked on the Biltmore House. Check out their website for more details.

5. The Outdoor Classroom

This hidden alcove in Chimney Rock State Park offers a private setting and is ideal for larger groups. Although it can seat up to 70 guests, The Outdoor Classroom is completely enclosed by a lush, green forest. You can make your grand entrance surrounded by friends, family, and serene forest views.

6. Lake Lure Pavilion Wedding

The Gazebo in Morse Park is another one of our favorites. It has a large surrounding meadow that’s great for groups of all sizes. Walk down the aisle underneath the beautiful arches, then say “I do” in front of a bubbling water fountain on the lake.

Host Your Reception Dinner at The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant

After you’ve made it official, we invite you to come celebrate with us! The Esmeralda Inn & Restaurant would love to host your Lake Lure wedding reception or rehearsal dinner. Our property boasts two large dining areas, a lounge, and an on-site restaurant, and our talented restaurant staff can prepare everything from a casual pig roast to an elegant nine-course dinner. Groups sizes between 20 and 80 are just right for your special evening.

After your Lake Lure Wedding, stay in our romantic honeymoon cottage.At The Esmeralda, we want your wedding weekend to be as perfect as you imagine it could be. Check out our luxurious accommodations and Honeymoon Cottage, then contact us to learn more. We can’t wait to help you tie the knot!