Blue Ridge Parkway Wedding Locations for 2025: Intimate Spots Post-Hurricane Helene
The Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t just a 469-mile scenic highway. It’s a gorgeous drive that’s famous for breathtaking mountain views, hiking trails, plants, wildlife, and waterfalls. It’s a must-see and many people make sure to stop along it for hiking, biking, picnics, and pictures. Since there’s plenty of worthy picturesque sites along the highway, to no surprise, it’s been a popular spot to tie the knot.
You and your significant other can get married at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Special Permits are very limited at the moment due to Hurricane Helene. According to NPS.gov, the following locations are available for Special Use Permits for weddings but have limited capacity:
MP 74.7 – Thunder Ridge Overlook – Limited to 15 total participants
MP 85.9 – Sharp Top Pinnacle – Limited to 15 total participants
MP 320.8 – Chestoa View Overlook – Limited to 12 total participants
Thunder Ridge Overlook in Virginia offers panoramic mountain views. It’s right off the parkway and will be a short walk for guests.
Sharp Top Pinnacle is steep compared to Thunder Ridge but also has rolling mountains for gorgeous wedding photography.
Chestoa View Overlook is a mix of cliffside mountain views and forested scenery and is a short walk as well. Definitely a must for green foliage in the summer!
Popular areas where weddings have been hosted in the past are not available as of February 2025. Follow along with NPS to stay updated on Special Use Permits locations opening. Park officials want to make sure visitors are safe from tree debris and landslides in the meantime.
If you’re interested in getting married at the opened locations, you’ll need to apply and pay a fee. There’s a non-refundable fee of $150.00 due at the time of application. No cash or checks, electronic payment only! The $150 fee will cover the application and administrative fee.
Before submitting an application, be sure to consider the permit rules. Wedding permits are typically limited to 25 people including the officiant and photographer, due to the limited locations, you will need to have no more than 15 guests. If you have a large guest list, this may not be the best fit, however, this is perfect for couples who are looking to have a short, intimate wedding in the beautiful North Carolina or Virginia outdoors.
Legality of a BRP Wedding
Blue Ridge Parkway won’t be coordinating your officiant. So, it’s up to you to coordinate with an officiant, prepare state license/paperwork, wedding photographer, and transportation. The permit allows for a 2-hour authorization for a wedding or elopement ceremony. No reception activity is allowed, so be sure to look into throwing a reception in a large event room in a brewery or hotel near the ceremony. There will be plenty of unique and attractive options in North Carolina and Virginia.
Popular Photography Spots
While you may not be able to get married at some of your favorite places, there's a chance you’ll be able to take photographs there soon.
Craggy Gardens is a popular spot for pink and purple flowers (rhododendron) through spring and summertime. You’ll be greeted by gorgeous views and picnic tables. Enjoy this time to snap pictures and enjoy your loved ones in the vibrant gardens.
Another popular overlook is Thunder Hill Overlook. Many people love stopping here for a sunrise and also after sunset. It's been said that amateur astronomers love it here since there isn’t light pollution.
For waterfalls, we recommend Crabtree Falls. It’s located at Milepost 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and is accessed by a hiking trail. They aren’t exactly light hikes, so be prepared. Romantic Asheville says the trail from the parking area by the “T” intersection is shorter and easier. They are beautiful hikes, especially during late spring and early summer. The 70-foot waterfall is breathtaking so the hikes will be worth it.
We hope to see many spots reopening for BRP weddings near Asheville in the future! Stay tuned, in the meantime, I’ll keep this post updated with the BRP opening date.