Packing and Arrival

When does check-in begin?

Check-in starts at 4 p.m. Thursday, February 29.

Where do we go for check-in?

When you arrive go to the main house—the large building with the turnabout. Feel free to park out front for check-in.

Once inside staff will give you room or cottage assignments, key codes, a map and directions.

What’s the dress code for the weekend?

Please wear cocktail attire for the wedding and reception. And casual attire for the other dinners.

Other than that feel free to wear what’s comfortable to breakfast and lunch.

Once inside tell the staff who you are and they will direct you to your room or cottage.

Should we bring our own alcohol?

Alcohol will be available during meals, at the cocktail hour and the reception. You may want to bring a few of your own beverages for daytime and late night activities though.

If you need to make a grocery run, Ingles and Walgreens are 10 minutes away. The closest liquor store is a 5 minute drive. Also, each cottage is equipped with it’s own refrigerator.

What will the weather be like?

Weather from previous years have been in the 40s at night and in the 60s and 70s during the day.

In general spring mountain weather is difficult to predict. We’re hoping for clear skies and warmer temperatures. All wedding festivities will take place outside. So please be prepared for possible showers and cool evenings.

What should we pack?

• Alcohol (if desired)
• Flashlights—it gets very dark on the property at night
• Light jacket as nights and mornings will be cool
• Blanket or beach towel for afternoon lounging or stargazing at night
• Comfortable shoes for hiking
• Lawn chairs
• Lounge clothes to sit by the fire
• Rain jacket

During Your Stay

Where do we go for meals?

Breakfast and lunch will be served buffet-style in the main house. It is available in the room next to the main entrance. Drinks and snacks are available in the same room when meals are not being served.

Dinners will be served in the pavilion adjacent to the main house each night. There will be a cocktail hour every evening before dinner.

For information about specific meals, see our menus.

What will be in our rooms and cottages?

Cottages have fully-equipped kitchens, including large and small appliances, cookware and cooking utensils, dishes, and flatware. They are stocked with coffee, cream, and sugar, bottled water, etc.

Rooms in the main house as well as cottages will have access to a refrigerator.

I hear there are llamas?

That’s right! Hawkesdene has alpaca and llama stables. Feel free visit the them any time you like. They are curious and friendly animals. You’re welcome to help feed them.

Are there hikes?

If weather permits, Friday morning we’re planning a cold beverage hike up to Hawkes Nest. It’s a short, but steep hike—1/2 miles to the top with a 280ft elevation gain. We’ll have beers and other beverages available at the top.

Other than that, there are gardens, streams and woodlands to explore. Trailheads for Colvard Creek and Hidden Falls start in Hawkesdene and head into Nantahala National Forest.

Is there a bar?

A self-service bar will be available during meals, cocktail hour and most of the weekend. We will have a mimosa and bloody mary bar for our Saturday Wedding Brunch.

Bartenders will be serving for the wedding reception and cocktail party.

As far as options—we will have a couple red and white wines along with vodka, bourbon, tequila and gin. If you like beer we have a local brewer making a custom hazy IPA, and light blonde ale for us.

What about leisure?

There are plenty of opportunities for lounging. Most of the cottages have decks or porches with rocking chairs. The main house has a large covered porch that overlooks Phillips Creek.

If it is too cool for the outdoors, the great room in the main house features a large fireplace, and lots of comfortable seating. Throughout the main house you’ll find small libraries of books. There is also a large game room on the ground level.

You’ll also find various hammocks, benches, arbor swings and fire pits scattered across the property.

Odds and Ends

When is check-out?

Check-out is at 11 a.m. on Sunday March 3.

You will need to be packed up and moved out of your rooms and cottages by this time, so that housekeeping can begin.

Do they have WiFi? Will I have cell service?

WiFi is available throughout the property. Also, neither of us had service issues with our cell phones—Verizon and AT&T.

Are kids invited?

Of course! We’d love for your whole family to join us. Please indicate if you plan to bring them when answering the RSVP.

Is this a destination wedding?

This is a fully inclusive destination weekend. With a 70-acre property and many activities available including trails, lounge furniture, wood-burning fire pits, lawn games, a llama and alpaca stable and more. Treat this as a relaxing mini-vacation with family and friends!

What’s included in our weekend reservation?

Your wedding reservation includes luxury accommodations for three nights, meals beginning the evening you arrive through the morning you leave and unlimited drinks and snacks.

Do you have a registry?

We know that this is an expensive trip. Your presence is enough for us and we don’t expect gifts. But if you insist, we do have a honeymoon fund↗︎.

Please do not bring gifts with you. We won’t have a way to bring them home.

Do we have to stay 3 nights?

You do not! Please indicate in your RSVP when you plan to arrive so we can plan meals accordingly. Unfortunately, we’re unable to discount the rates for those staying less than 3 nights.

Something we didn’t think of?

Feel free to contact us with questions!