“We got married at Stony Woods Estate during the weekend of Hurricane Helene. This storm devastated WNC in ways that are hard to put into words. Entire roadways, bridges, and towns were washed away, leaving communities isolated and in crisis. We chose Stony Woods because our families and friends were going to be traveling from out of state. Stony Woods offered the perfect setup. In addition to the main villa, the property has several beautiful/modern cabins within walking distance. As the storm wreaked havoc on the surrounding areas, 24 of us, including young children and elderly relatives—hunkered down at SW for 3.5 days, waiting for a safe route out. Despite the devastation around us, we were incredibly fortunate. Stony Woods sits high enough up the mountain that the venue remained mostly untouched, aside from a few downed trees and the loss of power/running water. The property became a sanctuary offering stunning mountain views once the storm passed. These moments of natural beauty provided comfort and healing as we navigated the chaos. When the situation turned dire, Kim and Steve stepped up in ways we never expected. They brought us vital supplies—diapers, baby wipes, food, water, and more. Their kindness and support were a lifeline while there. We had planned for a wedding with 75 guests, complete with vendors but of course, none of that happened. We didn’t have our full wedding party. Even our officiant, had no way of reaching us/vice versa. We didn’t know if she was safe, let alone if she’d be able to officiate our ceremony. Amid the uncertainty, Kim asked if we still wanted to get married and if there was anything she could do to help. With everything going on, the thought of still having our wedding seemed almost impossible. I replied, “We don’t even have an officiant.” To my surprise, Kim told me that Steve is ordained. She reassured me that if we wanted to move forward with the ceremony, Steve would happily step in. The morning of our wedding, everyone on the property—including Kim and Steve —came together to make it happen. My stepmother did the decor so we had them with us, My SIL did my hair in an RV outlet, and my MOH did my makeup with whatever we had. We used a BT speaker to play whatever songs we already downloaded on our phones. I don’t even remember what song played as I walked down the aisle, but it was perfect. For our reception meal Kim and Steve made a giant batch of spaghetti over their fire pit since we still had no power/were running low on food. Somehow, they also managed to bake a wedding cake—SO THOUGHTFUL. Despite the lack of vendors, guests, and traditional wedding elements, our people came together to create such a special day – a true testament to the power of community and love. The cherry on top? Our photographer, Ashley Sieg, miraculously made it to us with no cell service and no idea if we were still having a wedding. She captured stunning photos that we will cherish forever. Kim and Steve were more than just venue hosts; they were our lifeline during a harrowing weekend. Their generosity, resourcefulness, and genuine care made all the difference. From bringing supplies to officiating our ceremony, we couldn’t have done it without them. Stony Woods Estate is a breathtaking property. But beyond its beauty, this place holds a special magic. If you’re on the fence about booking your wedding here, do it. You won’t regret it! Don’t be surprised if Kim and Steve become a lasting part of your story.”

“While Emerald Ridge is an extraordinary venue, it wasn’t the venue that won us over. The owners, Janice & Paul, were the reason we decided we wanted to have our wedding there. Janice was our first point of contact and couldn’t have been more communicative, authentic, personable, and accommodating. They allowed us to take our engagement photos there after touring the property. Paul drove us around on his golf cart and happily answered all of our questions and put us at ease. We hired Malorie as our “month of” wedding coordinator and we’re extremely pleased that we did! She’s clearly an expert when it comes to the property and the wedding planning/execution process. On the day of our wedding she went above and beyond to make us feel as special and comfortable as possible! Mason and Taylor were also extremely accommodating and hard working. The entire staff was incredibly genuine and kind to us and our guests. We highly recommend booking the “No Stress Wedding Weekend” package and adding Thursday night to get the full experience of feeling right at home. Emerald Ridge has a vast inventory of decorations which allowed us to travel lightly from out of town. Emerald Ridge has a focus on keeping their property naturally beautiful and respecting the environment, which we very much appreciated. We truly could not have asked for a better wedding experience! We are grateful from the bottom of our hearts.”