Evan and Kendyl's wedding gave me a full day to explore every corner of this stunning property. Here's everything I wish someone had told me before I arrived.
The Venue
One of the most genuinely beautiful places I've photographed
Laurel Falls sits about 20 minutes outside Asheville, tucked into 18 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain forest. It's the kind of place that earns genuine reactions — guests walk in and immediately start looking around, which is exactly what you want on a wedding day. The views are sweeping, the property feels private and secluded, and the natural landscape does a lot of the decorating for you.
What makes Laurel Falls special is how much it offers in one place: a waterfall, panoramic mountain views, a 1920s-era lodge, rustic barn, and multiple ceremony and reception spaces — all on the same property. Couples can stay on-site Thursday through Sunday with up to 20 overnight guests across four restored historic cabins, which means the whole wedding weekend has a retreat-like feel to it rather than a frantic series of drives between venues.
The staff was excellent. Every person I encountered was organized, warm, and on top of things without being in the way.
The Ceremony
A view that sells itself
The ceremony site at Laurel Falls is built around a large natural rock formation with a pavilion and a sweeping view of the mountains behind it. It's dramatic in the best possible way — the kind of backdrop that means your officiant, your couple, and your guests are all framed by something extraordinary without any additional effort.
One thing worth noting for couples doing logistics planning: the property is built into a steep mountain hillside, and getting between locations takes a bit of effort simply because of the grade. Evan and Kendyl solved this beautifully — they had two golf carts available for the wedding party, which made moving between the ceremony site, the lodge, the waterfall, and the barn totally manageable. I'd strongly recommend looking into that if you're planning your day here. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's something to plan for rather than discover mid-day.
Photo locations
There's a lot to work with — in the best way
Laurel Falls gives a photographer a lot to work with, and the variety keeps the gallery feeling diverse without ever leaving the property. Here are the spots I'd highlight:
The waterfall
This is a genuine feature. The falls are tucked into the forested part of the property and make for moody, lush portraits with great natural texture. It's also an ideal spot for a first look — the sound of the water masks footsteps and voices, the light in the tree canopy is soft and diffused, and the intimacy of the space works perfectly for that moment before the ceremony. If you're on the fence about doing a first look, this location will probably tip you toward it.
The gazebo
Clean lines, framed canopy, works especially well for formal portraits and wedding party shots. It gives couples who want something a little more structured a great option that still feels natural to the setting.
The giant boulder
Directly underneath the ceremony space, there's a massive natural granite boulder that's one of the most distinctive photographic features on the property. It reads as bold and editorial — great for a slightly more dramatic portrait moment and a nice contrast to the softness of the waterfall shots.
The main lodge
The interior of the lodge is excellent for detail shots, getting ready coverage, and any formal portraits where you want a warm, architectural feel. Good natural light, historic charm, and the kind of character that doesn't need much propping.
For brides
A note on where to get ready
This one is worth knowing before you finalize your plans. There are two main options for getting ready on the property — the lodge and a house near the falls. For photography, the lodge is the better choice by a meaningful margin. The light is significantly better, and getting ready images are almost entirely dependent on natural light. The house near the falls is charming, but if your priority is beautiful getting ready images, the lodge gives your photographer what they need to deliver them.
The bottom line
Worth every bit of the hype
Evan and Kendyl's wedding at Laurel Falls was one of those days where the venue genuinely carries a lot of the weight in the best possible way. The property is stunning, the staff runs a tight ship, and there are enough distinct photo locations to keep a gallery feeling rich and varied from start to finish.
If you're planning a wedding here and want to talk through what the day might look like from a photography standpoint, I'd love to connect.
And if you're already booked — trust the golf carts, get ready in the lodge, and do the first look at the waterfall. You'll thank me later.
