“Our Reunion-Style Wedding at Hawkesdene
I’ve struggled to put this experience into words because so much can’t be fully captured. My husband and I feel incredibly grateful to have celebrated with family and friends at this stunning estate and charming town—truly the most fun experience!
Reunion-Style Wedding for 100 Guests
(No wedding package, no weekend venue rental, and we were legally married beforehand to enjoy the day stress-free.)
Weekday Wedding: Sunday–Tuesday (Monday was a holiday).
Full Estate Rental: We covered the entire property, including optional cabins, but skipped the wedding package so we could fully host guests.
DIY Ceremony: No designated aisle or seating (just a few chairs for family). It turned out beautifully!
No Decor Needed: The venue is breathtaking, so we skipped decorations.
Floral Rentals: Used Something Borrowed Blooms—absolutely perfect.
Incredible Food: Every meal was amazing (menu below).
Cost: Clearly listed on their website—no hidden fees.
Tip: Get event insurance when hosting at an estate. Unexpected things can happen, and it’s peace of mind for you and the next couple.
We always envisioned a wedding weekend instead of a single day. Since we live far from family, we wanted quality time together. After extensive research (and almost giving up), we found Hawkesdene on VRBO while considering an elopement in the Georgia mountains. It was the only venue that allowed us to host guests while staying within budget.
Itinerary
Sunday
Whitewater Rafting (10 AM): Nantahala with Carolina Outfitters (highly recommend!)
Breweries (1:30–3:30 PM): Hoppy Trout (great private room) & Snowbird Mountains Brewery (provided kegs).
Check-in (4 PM)
Dinner (7 PM)
Champagne Toast at the Peak (7:45 PM): ½-mile hike—steep but worth it!
S’mores & Activities (9 PM)
Monday
Breakfast (8:30–10 AM)
Waterfall Hike (10:30–11:30 AM): 1-mile in, 1 out—rain made it tricky but worth it!
Lunch (12:30–2 PM)
Lawn Games (1:30–3 PM)
Ceremony (5:15 PM, DIY setup)
Cocktail Hour (5:30 PM)
Reception & Dinner (6:45 PM)
Evening Activities (8:30 PM)
Tuesday
Breakfast (8:30 AM)
Check-out (by 11 AM)
The Food
The food was phenomenal—to flawlessly cook this much fish deserves an award. We skipped a cake and were thrilled with the chef’s dessert selections.
Menu:
Salads: Greek & Balsamic
Entrees: Salmon (Night 1), Honey-Balsamic Chicken (Night 1), Trout (Night 2), Steak (Night 2)
Sides: Squash, Green Beans, Sweet Potato, Mac & Cheese, Asparagus, Broccolini
Logistics & Final Thoughts
Jami & Rob were fantastic. If you choose Reunion Style (no wedding package), be prepared to handle logistics yourself. It worked perfectly for us but isn’t for everyone. Their website outlines everything—read it carefully!
Alcohol: We used Appalachian Beverage in Ellijay (they have everything). We provided a small amount of liquor, but most guests got their own—so refer back to my event insurance note!
Soak it all in. This place is truly magical—like the Disney of wedding venues. We wouldn’t change a thing, and our guests still rave about it. Highly recommend for a unique and unforgettable wedding weekend!”