- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
Mr. Lion and I really wanted to go to the Alps for our honeymoon, but it just wasn’t in the cards this year. After graduating from grad school and law school, starting our first grown-up jobs, and paying for most of our wedding, there was no way we could afford the trip, or the time off for such a long trip. We decided to put it off, but for how long? Going to Europe during the summer can be really expensive because it’s tourist season. Munich during the fall would be really crowded due to Oktoberfest, and there was no way Mr. Lion was going anywhere colder than Atlanta during the winter. So, we decided to go next spring, for our one year anniversary.
We solved that problem, but we still didn’t have a clue as to what we were doing for our honeymoon. Then it hit us: why don’t we just do a second, smaller trip? Lots of Bees have blogged about the concept of a Minimoon, and we decided to jump on that bandwagon.
We wanted to go somewhere within driving distance, so we narrowed it down to Savannah, Charleston, and Asheville. Savannah and Charleston, though both awesome destinations, are beach towns. Mr. Lion and I are both Floridians, so we wanted to try to avoid sea level and try something a little different. Thus, we decided on Asheville.
We started shopping around for bed and breakfast inns. You’d think we’d prioritize logical things like location and price, but no. We looked at two factors: food, and whether or not it was pet-friendly. What! How cute would it be to bring Lion Corgi hiking with us?
Granted, those are probably the Rockies and that is not our dog; but I imagine it would look something like that.
We decided on the Black Walnut Inn. The menu looked delicious, and they had pet-friendly cottages. Look how pretty!
We’re spending our wedding night here in Atlanta, then we’re going to drive to North Carolina and spend two more nights at the B&B before returning to work. I’m glad we get to take a small vacation, but it doesn’t leave a lot of time to explore! We found a great food tour and a brewery tour that sounded like fun, but neither are offered on the days we plan to be there. We could always do Biltmore…
…but we’ll probably just spend our short vacation enjoying the Blue Ridge mountains during beautiful springtime!
Do any of you have any fabulous Asheville recommendations for us?
Asheville is so pretty. Great choice. As for things to do, I have no idea. I always visit family when there, so I’ve seen nothing, not even the Biltmore.
Biltmore for the winery and beautiful gardens in the spring. Downtown Asheville has some fabulous restaurants and some good chocolate lounges if you like chocolate. There is so much to do there and its so pretty…you will have an amazing relaxing time
Ah! This is perfect timing! My FI and I are getting married in April and are thinking about a minimoon to Asheville as well! It seems like such a fun, quirky, quaint, vibrant little town surrounded such beautiful mountains…I can’t wait to explore, but think I will want to stay for another week or so!
Get a day pass to the Grove Park Inn Spa (they’re cheaper if you do it on a weekday) and just go relax in their pools all day. You don’t even need to get a real treatment (although their mani/pedis are fantastic and that will grant you access to the other spa facilities for the day) and it is soooo relaxing. Perfect for all that pre-wedding stress.
Yes! Eat at the restaurant Bouchon. Yummy french restaurant with delicious steak and fries and WINE. And I also went to these great private outdoor hot tubs filled with water from Hot Springs…we got a couple’s massage there too. I will try to google the site for you! I LOVE Asheville. So many yummy restaurants!!!
I think this is where we went! http://www.nchotsprings.com/nc-hot-springs-spa-services.html
Asheville is beautiful! My BM, me and our moms went there for a get away weekend.
You will love the Alps! Went there on my honeymoon last July. Oh and I HIGHLY recommend paragliding and I’m not what you call the “extreme” type. Best activity we did on the whole trip (besides drinking the awesome beer) 
A blogger that I read just moved to Asheville and is doing lots of posts about the city. Maybe that will help you!
food at the Tupelo Honey Cafe is absolutely delicious! and just wandering around the downtown is more than fun enough for me - bring a camera, there are a lot of neat views since the town is so hill-y
Tupelo Cafe for breakfast or lunch is one of my favorites in downtown ashville!
CORGI!! Seriously, Lioness, Your Corgi & My Corgi would be besties. LOVE!
Asheville is awesome! You will love it. The downtown area is always fun…my favorite eatery of all times, and a place we always make time for while we are in tow is called the Early Girl Eatery. It’s got great local food.
Wow! We’re going to Asheville as part of our honeymoon, too, for a lot of the same reasons as you! I did a lot of restaurant related research and plan on booking us for a food tour, but other than that, we’re planning on some hiking and not much else. We’re staying at the Crooked Oak Mountain Inn, but I think Black Walnut was one we looked at and it looks lovely!
I love Asheville! My sister-in-law and her family live near there. I loved visiting the Biltmore, and I second (third?) the Tupelo Honey Cafe where I may have had the sweet potato pancakes for lunch….they have some great shops downtown and a fantastic bookstore. And just hiking around in the woods and visiting the falls is fabulous. Great idea for a minimoon 
I love Asheville! If you get a chance, Bent Creek Lodge is a really adorable B&B and restaurant that serves amazing food!
For Valentine’s Day I surprised my SO with tickets for a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Asheville with R.o. Franks Aviation, so we will be taking a long weekend there soon too!
I LOVEEE Asheville! We always stay at the Grove Park Inn when we go there. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! oh… PLEASE visit the Biltmore and have lunch at their winery. It would be such a beautiful day walking around that fabulous landscape!
Yes, I loved the winery at Biltmore and they have very pretty gardens. We ate at a place called Table in the downtown area and took a cab so a bottle of wine wasn’t an issue after the winery. The cab was very reasonable and well worth it!
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Lioness, Atlanta Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney Engagement Date: August 29, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2011 Venue: Anthony’s Fine Dining About Me: I’m a Southern girl with New England roots. I say "wicked" and "y’all" in the same sentence and I like to drink sweet tea with my lobster. Mr. Lion and I are both former Floridians now living in Atlanta, which fortunately is still SEC country...Go Gators! We both love baseball, coffee, traveling, cooking, and playing Words with Friends with each other on our iPhones all day long. I’m very passionate about the things and the people I love, and I tend to plan things with all of my heart...our wedding, of course, is no different! Oh, and also Mr. Lion is a first generation American of Cuban descent. I may look more like Lucy than Ricky, but I’m doing my best to incorporate some Latin elements into our vintage-garden-Southern wedding!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics