As an Asheville Elopement Photographer I get asked a lot of questions about The Biltmore.
Can we elope there?
Can we just take photos there in our wedding attire?
Can we just drink wine all day on the lawn?
Just kidding on that last one, that’s actually just me asking myself.
Here’s what you need to know about taking wedding photos at America’s largest home:
You cannot take wedding photos at the Biltmore Estate unless you’ve booked a venue. This means you can’t simply purchase admission tickets, show up in your wedding attire, and have an elopement photo session on the grounds.
However, the Biltmore does offer stunning wedding venues for couples who want to get married there. They accommodate everything from intimate 20-person micro-weddings to grand 600-guest celebrations. You can explore their official venue options and packages on the Biltmore’s wedding website.
The good news: you absolutely can take non-wedding photos at the Biltmore Estate! You may know that I’m more than just an elopement photographer in Asheville, and many of my clients book portrait sessions there (just not in bridal attire). It’s a gorgeous location for engagement photos, anniversary sessions, or couples portraits.
What to Expect During a Biltmore Photo Session
If you’re considering the Biltmore for any type of photo session, here are some important things to keep in mind:
Crowds are inevitable. The Biltmore Estate is one of Asheville’s top tourist attractions, drawing visitors year-round. Unless you’re willing to pay the premium fee to rent the entire estate privately (which is extremely expensive), you’ll be sharing the space with tourists. As your photographer, I’ll carefully edit out other people from your images, but this does mean Biltmore sessions require more editing time.
Not everywhere is crowded. While the main house and popular gardens see heavy foot traffic, the estate is massive. After capturing those iconic shots at the château, I’ll guide you to quieter, more secluded spots on the property. Trust me, there isn’t an ugly corner anywhere on the 8,000-acre estate.
Multiple weddings happen simultaneously. The Biltmore hosts several weddings at once, sometimes three or more on busy weekends. During this recent session, I navigated around ceremonies happening in the gardens, at the Diana statue, and on the main lawn all at the same time. We’ll work around these events respectfully and ensure they don’t interfere with your photos and we don’t interfere with their events.
Asheville Elopement Alternatives to the Biltmore
If you’re dreaming of a private, intimate elopement in the Asheville area without the crowds or venue booking requirements, I’d love to share some incredible alternative locations. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer countless stunning spots for North Carolina mountain elopements, from waterfall ceremonies to panoramic overlook vows.
Ready to plan your Asheville elopement? I would love to be your Asheville elopement photographer, tour guide and planner. Let’s chat about the perfect location for your intimate wedding day.
