Hawkesdene Reviews
Reviews
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![Julia]()
Julia Sent on 12/30/2025Wonderful place to make life long memories!
My (now) wife and I got married at Hawkesdene in September and could not have had a better experience. When we started envisioning our wedding, we pictured a wilderness retreat where we could spend quality time with our friends and family, and as a same-sex couple, we were especially keen on finding a venue where we felt valued and supported. Hawkesdene ended up being exactly what we were looking for.
From start to finish, the team at Hawkesdene was incredibly helpful and accommodating. We started with a tour of the property, which was very well-manicured and included cute spots to sit and relax, a bonfire with ample seating, and a creek to dip your toes into. Spread throughout the grounds were a dozen or so cabins, each well-equipped and varied in size, making it easy to accommodate different groupings of guests. After we chose the venue, we went and stayed a night on the estate and had a planning session with Jami and Ashley. They were both incredibly knowledgeable and both accommodated our requests and advised us when we had any hesitations. Throughout the planning process, Jami and Ashley were very responsive to any questions we had about the property, our invitations, other vendors, etc., which was immensely helpful.
On the weekend of our wedding, which ran from Thursday through Sunday, we had an amazing time with our loved ones! Our guests ranged from less than a year old to over 90 and everyone was well-accommodated and had an amazing time. The food was excellent, everything ran smoothly, and we got to spend a ton of time with everyone! On the day of our wedding, Ashley took care of all the décor for us and executed on our vision perfectly. We also had rain on our wedding day, and Jami and Ashley kept a close eye on the forecast and walked us through contingency plans in case we needed to change ceremony locations. We really valued being able to show up on Thursday, tell Jami and Ashley what we envisioned, and not have to worry about anything the whole weekend.
We feel very fortunate to have had our wedding at Hawkesdene and highly recommend it for anyone searching for an outdoor retreat with your loved ones. -
![Antonio]()
Antonio Sent on 04/21/2026The Best Venue Ever!
Hawkesdene is such a special venue. You can see it from just looking at the pictures of the
beautiful grounds and the backdrop of the western Carolina mountains. But what makes it so
wonderful is truly the people and the experience.
Our experience venue shopping was unlike any other with Hawkesdene. From the beginning
everything was transparent and perfectly laid out. We browsed the website and found all the
information about the venue, pricing, and many other details. Rob provided us with a
personalized quote within 24 hours of reaching out. From then there was an open line of
communication. There were no surprise add on costs and everything was included to create a
seamless experience. The guest payment process was also very smooth.
We made the trip from Florida to do a site visit and were sure the moment we arrived that we
found our venue. During our tour, Rob explained the entire process from booking to what the
weekend would look like. Then we had the opportunity to tour every single cottage and Jaylen
took us up to see Hawk’s Nest. It was all breathtaking.
From there we were introduced to Jami, superwoman, who walked us through the entire
planning process from napkin colors to guest accommodations and timelines. We were able to
do our planning session on site and go over every single detail at length.
The actual weekend was nothing short of magical. Multiple guests came up to us and said that it
felt like a movie. The staff were so kind and attentive and treated our guests with so much care.
We arrived on Thursday and left on Sunday. While there we did the Hawk’s Nest group hike, a
field day with different lawn activities for the kiddos and adults, bonfires, Karaoke, and
nightvision manhunt for the daring. The food was delicious and the logistics of it all seamless.
We had the Mexican in the Mountains and Smoky Mountain Barbecue menus and a la carte for
wedding day. Breakfast and lunch were delicious. Many of our guests loved the potatoes,
croissants, and raved about the barbecue. Our wedding day was wonderful. Hawkesdene
beyond exceeded our vision!
I would be remiss if I also didn’t mention how incredibly talented and attentive Ashley is. She
was an absolute wizard with florals and decor details. Many of our guests experienced flight
delays and cancellations and she communicated with us to ensure that they would have dinner
once they arrived. We had a positive experience with every single member of the staff we
encountered.
Wedding planning is such an involved process and it is such a breath of fresh air to encounter
businesses that are transparent and honest. There is much more we could say about
Hawkesdene. It perfectly fit our vision of a weekend away with our loved ones to connect and
reset. Thank you to all of the wonderful people at Hawkesdene for making this a weekend we
will never forget! -
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![Ashley]()
Ashley Sent on 12/27/2025Wonderful venue, and a team that gave us an incredible wedding weekend!
We had a wonderful time at Hawkesdene for our wedding (December of 2025). We had 50 guests, and all were able to stay onsite with us for a Thursday through a Sunday. The staff (especially Jami and Ashley) were so wonderful to work with and were always ready to answer questions that came up as we were planning our visit. The food was delicious, the cottages and main house were lovely, and the staff did an amazing job executing our vision! It was so nice to be able to hand off our decor and our plans for the weekend and then be able to relax and enjoy our stay knowing that they had everything handled. Ashley also did a great job helping us with our ceremony rehearsal, making sure to note some of the common moments that trip people up and make sure we practiced and were prepared for them. Our decor was set up exactly how we envisioned, and everything was packed back up for us afterwards so loading up our cars on checkout day was easy! We had a very unfortunate turn of events on our wedding day (we had to put our dog down via video call right after our ceremony), but the staff handled the situation with such grace. Because of the unexpected nature of the situation, we made some very last-minute adjustments to our timeline for the day, and they handled those smoothly. The bartender Megan even created a special cocktail in honor of our boy which was so above and beyond! To keep this review as honest as possible, there is only one thing I'd note for both Hawkesdene staff to be aware of and for future guests to take into consideration. We had a few allergies with our guests (some peanut/tree nut allergies and some shellfish allergies). While the staff did a great job noting what things were at meals so no one accidentally ate something they shouldn't have, we did have a few items show up at mealtimes that we had expressly asked to either substitute and/or not have available. Peanut butter was included at breakfast service near the toast station although we had requested that no peanuts be used all weekend, and on the wedding brunch day we had requested to substitute out the Shrimp and Cheddar Grits they usually serve with just Cheddar Grits (as we had also noted we didn't want shellfish all weekend either due to allergies) but what was served was the version containing shrimp. Again, they did note specifically what items were, so as long as guests are aware it shouldn't be a big issue, but something to be aware of on both sides for the future as it would have been a simple thing for my youngest sister (8) to get some peanut butter without realizing it and have a reaction. Thankfully her allergies are not too intense and haven't required an EpiPen to be used yet (although she has one), but I know some people have much more severe allergies that can act up even just in the vicinity of nuts so if it had been that type of allergy the situation could have been bad. We would absolutely recommend Hawkesdene to anyone looking for a great mountain location to get married though, it was an amazing time, and we have heard nothing but compliments from our guests on the venue, the staff, and the great time they had! If we have another occasion to try to get together with another large group, we will definitely be reaching back out! Thank you Hawkesdene for a wonderful wedding weekend! :) -
![Karen]()
Karen Sent on 10/30/2025Best Wedding Ever!!!
My daughter was Married at Hawkesdene September 13. 2025. What a glorious weekend it was. Our guests checked in on Thursday and checked out on Sunday. I did not hear one complaint the entire time we were there. Jami, Ashley and all the staff had everything under control from beginning to end. My daughter said it was the wedding of her dreams. The food was AMAZING. Every meal was different and delicious!!! The venue and all the cottages are beautiful, warm and welcoming. As most/all Mother of the Brides worry whether everything will be taken care, it certainly was. I did not have to micro manage anything because Hawkesdene did everything for us while we were there. I still cannot believe how wonderful it all was. Everyone was so nice and helpful as well. Jami, Ashley and the all the Staff Rocked It Out!!! Thank You from the bottom of my heart - Hawkesdene made my daughters the best wedding we have ever been to. Our guests have also told us this numerous times. You cannot go wrong with this venue. Thank You, Karen W
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![Miranda]()
Miranda Sent on 09/13/2025Better than imagined!
Hawkesdene is fantastic. The grounds, event venues, service, staff, and FOOD made it the best wedding experience we could've asked for and more. While other places would charge extra for every little request, Hawkesdene offers those requests as part of the wedding weekend experience (bonfire, smores, lawn games, wedding day brunch, etc.). Many of our guests said it was the best wedding they've ever attended, and I can't help but agree because of the experience that Hawkesdene provides. The grounds have endless places to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the NC Mountains, and the views from Hawks Nest are beyond amazing. I can't write this review without giving a special shoutout to Ashley the wedding coordinator for not only making the experience seamless and for risking the outside ceremony with us despite the weather forecast, but for her going above and beyond for one of our guests that had an emergency, driving them from and back to the venue in the middle of the night. I am so SO glad we chose Hawkesdene as our venue, and I can only hope we get to come back as guests someday! Tip: add an extra night after the wedding day if you can to enjoy time relaxing around the property and exploring the area! -
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![Reagan]()
Reagan Sent on 08/09/2025Hawkesdene Wedding Venue
The service, attention to detail, and professionalism were top-notch. The food was exceptional at every meal. Our family and friends could not stop telling us how delicious the food was. They have so many items available for use, which saved us tons of money on decor. Ashley and Jami, took care of everything from the minute we arrived on site. We are so grateful to have had a beautiful, relaxing, family reunion style wedding in the mountains at Hawkesdene! -
![Madison]()
Madison Sent on 12/06/2024Made our dream wedding a reality
I cannot say enough good things about Hawkesdene and their staff. From the time we reached the venue until the moment we left we were met with wonderful and friendly staff, AMAZING meals, clean and comfortable rooms and beautiful scenery.
When touring venues, my now husband and I knew we wanted to be in the mountains but wanted to find a venue that combined elegance with the rustic and authentic feel of Western NC. Hawkesdene was the perfect combination and our vision truly came to life through our planning with Jami and Ashley.
We were so spoiled by all the meals we had - I cannot say enough good things about their chef on site. Every meal we had was 10/10 and exceeded all our expectations. (Which were already high after reading such great reviews!!)
Another thing that impressed me was how well all the staff work together - from the team driving us on UTV’s to the bartenders to the housekeeping team and everyone behind the scenes, Hawkesdene is such a well oiled machine where as a guest you relax and things fall into place around you. We were so impressed by how quickly they turned things around and were able to answer our questions and assist us with our requests.
We truly cannot say enough good things about this venue and would recommend it to anyone. We had guests say they want to bring their companies there for corporate retreats and some say that they want to have their weddings there too (and I sure hope so, so i can go back!😊) -
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![Amanda]()
Amanda Sent on 12/04/2024Dreams Turned to Reality
My husband and I could not have wished for a better wedding weekend. We weren't really sure about... anything when it came to planning. We had so many ideas but no cohesive plan. Jami and Ashley were absolute saviors. I was able to dump all of our ideas on them and they turned it into our dream. The scenery is breathtaking and so well cared for. The cabins meet every standard and then some. The staff at Hawkesdene was incredibly accommodating of ALL food related needs from strange allergies to vegan food that wasn't boring or typical. There is not a single thing I wish was different except spending more time there. We loved it so much our families are already discussing events we can do there in the future. -
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![Alvin]()
Alvin Sent on 11/17/2024The Perfect October Wedding
I cannot begin to express how happy my wife and I were to have our wedding here at Hawkesdene! Every detail was perfect and all of our guests raved about how much they enjoyed their time here. The housing was clean and comfortable. The food was utterly fantastic. Every meal seemed to have the love and care of a homemade meal.
The staff went above and beyond to ensure our weekend went out without a hitch. Jami and Ashley took no shortcuts in making sure everything matched our vision. The ceremony was perfect, the reception was amazing, and they worked with us to ensure every detail came through successfully. I cannot express my full gratitude for what they did for us to make the weekend so amazing.
Any photos you see of the place, of weddings at the place, and especially of their overlook, do not do justice to the true beauty that is Hawkesdene. I would recommend this venue to anyone and hope you take the chance to work with their amazing team.Hawkesdene's reply:
Alvin, thank you so much for your wonderful words. We'e so glad that the Hawkesdene team made your wedding day so special!
We were so glad to be there when a wedding group was arriving and starting their celebration (a first for us!) We wish you and Tori a lifetime of happiness!
Heather & Rick
(The Asheville couple who were escaping "pioneer living" the weekend you were married) ;) -
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![Susan]()
Susan Sent on 10/05/20245* for Hawkesdene Even in a Hurricane!
Hawkesdene is a beautiful mountain venue, and the food is delicious. However, the true test of a wedding venue and planning team is how they deal with adverse circumstances. Last weekend was the test of the century and the Hawkesdene staff excelled with flying colors! There are no words to truly express our appreciation for Jami, Ashley, and the entire team. Our daughter was married in the middle of the most devastating hurricane to pass through western North Carolina in over a century. Although the venue survived unscathed, almost all outdoor activities were cancelled, guests were stranded, vendors and deliveries never made it, and the list goes on and on... We had to continuously pivot and creatively develop alternative plans throughout the 3-day event, as the weather worsened. Jami & team remained calm and in control and worked round the clock to make our event as wonderful as it could possibly be, given the circumstances. Thankfully, the food and alcohol had been delivered before the storm hit, the venue never lost power, and the buffet spreads were magnificent. We have no hesitation at all recommending Hawkesdene for a wedding, retreat, or other event. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Jami, Ashley and the entire Hawkesdene team!! -
![Annie]()
Annie Sent on 09/04/2024More incredible than you can imagine
My husband and I went to visit this venue in December of 2022 and immediately fell in love with it. We booked it right after we got engaged and looked forward to the wedding for over a year. Jami and Shannon and their teams were incredible. They helped us through every meal plan, answered every question, and helped with every detail from start to finish. They set the tables beautifully, and when we asked them to make card tables and a painting table for us, they set up the tables more beautifully than we even envisioned.
Throughout the whole weekend, staff was constantly keeping the property clean. We had roughly 120 guests on the property throughout the day, and had people sleeping on every sleeper sofa. Despite filling the property, every single person said they were so comfortable and had so much fun.
We played volleyball, kickball, cornhole, and hiked on the property. When I wanted to do yoga, Jami even pulled out spare yoga mats the venue had!
When it was going to rain through the ceremony, Jami had the radar open and quickly presented me and my husband options. She was so quick to help us make a new plan and also rally everyone when we had to make another change quick and get married before any storm started. Luckily, the storm missed us, the rain cooled us down, and everyone celebrated into the night.
My husband and I love spending time with our family and friends and this was everything we wanted and more. We found that even with 4 days on the property, we didn’t spend enough time with each and every guest, and we couldn’t imagine having a shorter wedding or having a different venue.
The night of the wedding, after everyone went to sleep, my fiance and I walked the driveway where we got married and took in the tree canopy and the stars. It is incredible that Rob and his partner dreamt this place up and brought it to the world to share with all of us.
This was a little scatter-brained, but the long story short is that this place is beautiful and dreamy, that Rob, Jami, Shannon and the staff thought of every detail and were incredible, and that I couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else after this perfect weekend. -
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Amie Sent on 09/04/2024
Truly magical, from beginning to end
The beautiful grounds and amazing team at Hawkesdene were the driving force that made our wedding weekend something special.
I couldn’t imagine a more perfect backdrop for our wedding than Hawkesdene, a large private estate in Andrews, NC, less than 2 hours west of Asheville. My partner and I have often said that we’re people who would roam through the mountains all day, and then get dressed up for a fancy dinner and an evening at the theatre. Between its hiking trails and its art collection, Hawkesdene gave us an opportunity to get married in an environment that was just as eclectic as we are. And it was just as big of a factor that Hawkesdene had space aplenty so that we could host most of our friends and family all together, maximizing the opportunities for people to connect and minimizing time (and risk) moving people from place to place.
Not only was Hawkesdene perfect from a location perspective, but the staff were above-and-beyond. Working with Rob (owner) or Jami (manager) in the months leading up to the wedding ensured that we always had all the information we needed to make informed decisions (so…many…decisions) and that we felt prepared when the weekend finally came. Then, when it did, the entire team was an absolute pleasure to connect with. Jami and Ashley seemed to stay three steps ahead of anything that may have even created the potential for an issue, answering questions we didn’t know to ask and taking what sometimes was a nascent picture even to us and making it reality. Special thanks also to Jaylan, who not only was always ready with a smile and a kind word, but also operated as cart pilot for any guest who wanted to join our group at the Hawk’s Nest lookout but was unable to make the hike on their own.
No review of Hawkesdene could be remotely complete without comment on the food. From the first vendor we connected with, it was clear Hawkesdene had a reputation for amazing food, and they did not disappoint. Every meal we had was spectacular, and from mouth-watering appetizers through particularly decadent desserts, nothing was left to be desired. Even the special meals for those with allergies or restrictions were top-notch, and I was particularly grateful for the venue’s willingness to alter their general menus to accommodate for my own restrictions. Finally, the kitchen’s willingness to engage on our cocktail and mocktail preferences was a special bonus, even making fresh cucumber juice and strawberry syrup to have on hand.
From beginning to end, we truly couldn’t have asked for a better wedding venue than we got with Hawkesdene and we both recommend it without any reservation. -
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![Amy]()
Amy O. Sent on 06/25/2024June 2024 wedding
I could write a novel on how wonderful this venue is! I planned a wedding from across the country (Los Angeles) and they made it easy. The food and selection is incredible. Every detail is thought out. They are extremely flexible with last minute changes, for example creating a small kids table and menu after the first day per some of my guests request. The venue is stunning, and offers numerous picturesque areas. The staff is all friendly, and very good at what they do. They take care of lighting the fires at night, and even providing s’mores supplies. I had numerous guests tell me it was the most beautiful wedding they had ever attended.Hawkesdene's reply:
Hi Amy!
We would love to check out photos from your wedding, but we can't seem to find Preston Rose Photography anywhere online. Did we have the incorrect information? That was the info that I had from Jami. Let me know if you have a free moment.
Thank you!
Heather, ( heather@threecatscreative.com ) -
![Nick]()
Nick Sent on 06/03/2024Perfect wedding weekend
My wife and I got married at Hawkesdene last March and could not have asked for a better experience. The entire team was absolutely incredible and they made sure that we had everything we needed from opening night to the moment we left. A special thank you to Jami, Elizabeth, and Rob for helping with all the planning and organizing and making sure we had every detail covered, and to Chloe as well. Once Chloe found out one of my groomsmen was stranded an hour away she completely took over the situation and had a shuttle headed his way in under 20 minutes. Everyone made sure that we had nothing to stress about the whole weekend. On top of the incredible staff, the food was absolutely phenomenal and the entire estate is gorgeous. We truly could not have had a better wedding weekend and are already planning on going back with friends and family for our 5 year anniversary. -
![Melanie]()
Melanie Sent on 03/12/2024An absolute dream!
Hawkesdene is INCREDIBLE to say the least. Their staff is organized, accommodating, kind, and flexible. Jami, Rob, and the rest of their wonderful team truly could not have made our wedding weekend more perfect. Their attention to the small details is definitely evident and so appreciated.
The food!! We had countless guests tell us it was the best wedding food they have ever had, and the wedding day brunch was the cherry on top. You don't get to try the food beforehand, but you don't need to! It will exceed your expectations.
Lastly, the grounds and cottages. Hawkesdene is stunning during all seasons, including winter. You and your guests will have so many things to do to relax and explore during the weekend including hiking, lounging in the hammocks, walking the grounds, playing corn hole, visiting the alpacas, and sipping coffee on one of the adorable porches attached to the cottages. The cottages are beautiful, clean, and thoughtfully designed.
I cannot recommend Hawkesdene enough. Book them today for the wedding weekend of your dreams! -
![Ashlea]()
Ashlea Sent on 02/21/2024absolute perfection.
When beginning the planning process the only thing we knew was we wanted to get married in North Carolina. We're from Central Florida and we wanted to have a weekend experience with our closest friends and family that felt like a vacation. During the planning, I worked with Jami and Rob primarily but upon arrival, everyone felt like family. It was the perfect experience. Our guests could not believe we found this location. I know they will be talking about it for years to come. Especially, because the food was the BESTTTTT. Everything was fresh and the croissants, just chef's kiss. One of my favorite parts of this property was the stream behind the house, it travels through the property and just offers a peaceful atmosphere. Hawkesdene has a special spot in my heart and I can't thank them enough for all they did to make our day perfect. -
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![Kaitlyn]()
Kaitlyn Sent on 11/15/2023Above and Beyond! Nothing short of magical!
Our wedding experience at the Hawkesdene estate was nothing short of magical and a perfect 3-day stay. There is genuine heart in this place and the team there goes above and beyond to make your experience wonderful. We felt tremendously supported throughout the entire process. Jami and Elizabeth, the venue coordinators, are experts at what they do. From the beginning, all communication was prompt, thoughtful, clear, and made you feel important. As we got closer to the wedding, we were speaking to Jami on an immediate text basis, which was such a luxury before we arrived. Once we arrived, we were treated and taken care of like guests, not having to lift a finger and truly able to sit back and relax. Their team was proactive and never looked to us to act, which alleviated all stress and when everything came together like we envisioned, it was magical. The staff took care setting up all décor, including things we brought ourselves. The estate constantly felt clean because staff promptly grabbed dirty plates, cups, and trash without inhibiting the guest experience. The staff works together like a well-oiled machine and it is clear that they are happy to be there and therefore are authentically friendly to you and your guests. Some examples were when the kitchen staff made special plates for some who missed lunch, the housekeeping staff scheduled turn-down service around newborn naps, and a member of the staff made a special trip on the Kubota for one of our parents. It felt like they genuinely cared about making our wedding special. These strong relationships within the team also reflect their strong relationships with local vendors, which meant arranging florals, a photographer, wedding cake, and entertainment so seamless. I highly recommend using their preferred vendors, especially their pastry chef, Deborah, who made a stunning wedding cake for us on-site. There is a reason why this place is booked out a year and a half in advance and has such an excellent reputation. For instance, we didn’t get to try any of the food before we booked and we have very high standards, but they assured us to just read their reviews…well…they were right. THE FOOD! Guests were constantly coming up to us saying “this is the best (insert any food) I’ve had in my life”. We had their Southern Comfort and Barbeque themed dinners and it was some of the best comfort food (they know cheese and potatoes) and smoked meats we have had. Beyond that, breakfasts and lunches were excellent and felt fresh, thoughtful, and everything was from scratch. The food was catered to our guests including all dietary restrictions and preferences and it never felt like they were the exception, but rather that the menu was thoughtfully curated to include them. Even simple things like explicit labels detailing the dietary considerations (GF, Vegan, Lactose-free), made it clear for our guests what they could eat and that they were being taken care of. We had a friend’s birthday while we were there and the chef even prepared their favorite dessert for them! None of this is to overstate the natural beauty that exists within and around the Hawkesdene estate. There was plenty of space and the pavilion, wedding site, and main house all served as wonderful places where our guests could cultivate genuine connections. Hawkesdene was decked out with beautiful landscaping, even late into the fall season, making the grounds lovely to walk around. The overlook on the property is well worth the hike and the views are stunning. Cottages were well appointed and EVERYONE talked about how comfortable the beds were. Guests told us that our wedding felt like a vacation. Even though we chose them for all their amenities of available décor, accommodations, and staff, they offered so much more to us than we initially anticipated. Not for a price, but out of the genuine care and love of what they do. A month out from our special day, and we are still finding ourselves reliving the wonderful experience in our heads.Hawkesdene's reply:
Hi Kaitlyn!
My name is Heather Davis and my company does marketing and social media for Hawkesdene. I want to take a moment to thank you for such a wonderful and thoughtful review of your wedding stay in October. It really warms our hearts when we receive such a glowing review from couples. We passed it along to our team who will definitely appreciate your kind words. We also would love to receive your photo gallery to share your wedding experience with our followers. If you happen to have a link already, and wouldn't mind sharing it, you can send it along to: heather@threecatscreative.com
Congratulations on your marriage!
Heather -
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Tara Sent on 11/13/2023
Exceeded expectations
Cannot recommend Hawkesdene enough!!! The staff, the service, the planning, the guidance, the privacy, the cottage setup, all 10/10. Our entire wedding weekend was seamless and no detail was missed by the staff. I was beyond impressed when I walked into each of the events that we had planned and my expectations were exceeded every time. I felt like a guest at my own wedding. Would 1000% do another family event here -
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Ann Sent on 10/09/2023
This place is MAGICAL
It's been a week since we were at Hawkesdene for our daughter's wedding and I am STILL getting texts daily from wedding guests telling me it's the best wedding they have ever been to, and that no other weddings will ever be able to live up to this one. I have to agree with them!
Hawkesdene Estate is simply magical - the entire estate, from the beautiful entrance, to the meticulously manicured grounds, to the incredible interiors of the cottages, to the cozy and inviting main house - when you arrive you are immediately immersed in what feels like your own little world. Then you add in the incredible staff! Jami was so kind and patient with our daughter as they planned for her big day and made her feel so confident that things would be exactly as she had hoped, then Elizabeth was wonderful throughout the weekend making sure everything was ready and going exactly how we needed it to! She checked in with our daughter often and was such a ray of sunshine. And the chef - holy moly - people started talking about the food immediately at the welcome dinner on day 1. The food was absolutely incredible the ENTIRE weekend! There is literally nothing about this weekend that wasn't done to perfection.
I can't say enough good things about our experience at Hawkesdene ~ when looking for venues many many many reviews were read, and they were all so positive it almost seemed too good to be true. But now I understand it completely! We were blown away by the location, the staff, the food, the accommodations - EVERYTHING!
If you are looking for the perfect way to celebrate one of the most important days of your life, this is the place! -
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![Adam]()
Adam Sent on 06/29/2023A perfect wedding weekend getaway
We had an unforgettable wedding weekend at Hawkesdene in June 2023 and the prior year planning and leading up to the event.
The planning and coordination provided by Jami and Elizabeth was top-notch. Not a single detail was forgotten, and they raised many ideas throughout the planning process to make our wedding special and enjoyable. Just a couple examples: we had a unity ceremony where we poured glass beads during the wedding, and they neatly packaged it up with the USPS address and everything; they re-boxed all our extra alcohol and left it by a car pickup for our Sunday departure; and, they accommodated a slightly different chair for our mothers at the ceremony (just because our moms wanted them :)). Moreover, if you're looking to plan a wedding where you don't have 1,000 complicated decisions to coordinate and become the logistical master of, Hawkesdene is set up to accommodate a nice balance of choosing vendors but letting the venue planners execute.
The venue itself was gorgeous, with well-maintained grounds, inviting cottages and a clean environment across every space. We did get lucky with beautiful weather, as well.
The food was just as others have noted: extraordinary. Importantly, it was always right on schedule, leaving guests to want for nothing. They allowed us to customize each meal and prepared it exactly correctly. Yum, we are salivating just writing this. Also, having available snacks (m&ms, fruit, bars) 24/7 in the main house was a great lift for guests who brought little ones.
We were able to bring 8 dogs across our guests, and the large outdoor spaces allowed that to happen with no issues! Having our own pup there for the wedding took stress away from the weekend planning.
Throughout the weekend, many of our 65 guests came up to us and shared that the combination of the venue, the environment, and the planning led this to being the best wedding they've ever attended. Of course, many folks talked of either having their wedding or reunion at Hawkesdene in the future, and if that opportunity arises I'm sure we'll be blocking out their schedule in the future! -
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![Amanda]()
Amanda Sent on 05/21/2023So beyond my expectations
I chose Hawkesdene for my wedding the last weekend of this passed April. We had a total of 76 guests, all coming from different parts of the country, so I was very nervous about the logistics. Jami and Rob did ALL the thinking for me. My husband and I both run companies and we needed a venue that was as all inclusive as a resort, where everyone could be free to enjoy the property but be organized enough where we spent quality time together. Hawkesdene hit it home in every single way possible AND more! I come from a family of cooks and I was so nervous about my grandma, aunts, and mom criticizing the food. I am so happy to say that all of them were non stop complimenting the delicious made from scratch meals, the cleanliness of every single area on the 54 acre property, and the 5 start level of attention to the guests by the staff. I was 13 weeks pregnant on top of all of this and I surprised everyone Friday night. The staff made it so easy to have all of our equipment set up all weekend to do the games and speeches, they were always updating me on the schedule, asking if everyone was fine, I just can’t begin to express my gratitude. I want to specifically thank Elizabeth, who was so caring and thoughtful, always asking if I needed anything else at the moment. We had so much fun every single day and I can not forget how Friday night everyone kept saying they can’t believe the wedding hadn’t even happened yet haha. It was the best 4 day, 3 night weekend I could have ever dreamed of. Please do yourself a favor and have the ultimate mountain wedding of your dreams here. -
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Casey Sent on 04/24/2023
Incredible
I cannot sum up in words how wonderful Hawkesdene and their staff are. They truly made our wedding a weekend one we will never forget. Our family and friends cannot stop talking about how incredible the weekend was from the food, which is delicious, to the staff, who are the sweetest. You will not regret having your wedding here. This place is one of a kind and cannot recommend this enough. -
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![Jolene]()
Jolene Sent on 04/04/2023Destination: Happiness!
We had a March Wedding at Hawkesdene and it was everything we hoped for and more! The venue exceeded our expectations…literally everywhere you look there’s a beautiful backdrop for photos or relaxation! The website doesn’t do it justice. The Main House is laid out in such a comfortable design, everyone commented on how comfortable and convenient their room/cabin was! Jami and her team were so easy going about everything, I never felt an ounce of stress! We had everyone dress up in Western Wear and hired a local line dance instructor on the night we had the Smokey Mountain BBQ - so much fun for all ages! Everyone says the wedding day flies by but having a few nights at Hawkesdene with everyone before the wedding day truly allowed us to enjoy the wedding and take everything in. Highly recommend hiring a band - The Retreat via Sam Hill Entertainment, our reception seriously felt like a concert! 5 stars isn’t enough for Hawkesdene - give them 10! -
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![Christine]()
Christine Sent on 03/26/2023Thinking about a December wedding in the mountains? You have found your venue!
On Dec 17, 2022, our daughter had the wedding of her dreams at the Hawkesdene Estate in North Carolina. Although it has been 3 months since that beautiful day, the memories are still vivid, and we are so eternally grateful for the venue, staff and vendors that made it all possible. Let me start off by saying the Hawkesdene reviews are all true!! In fact, they can’t do this amazing estate justice, as their wedding weekend was incredible, and we still get emotional when thinking about it and reliving all the memorable moments.
Anna & Jason live in North Carolina but planned to have their wedding back home in Indiana. After touring many local venues, nothing was meeting their expectations. So thankfully, on their way home for Christmas in 2020, they decided to stop in Andrews and tour Hawkesdene. They immediately called us after their visit and said, “we found our venue”! They were excited about the prospect of having a wedding weekend rather than a wedding day, and it could not have worked out more perfectly.
Yes we were a bit nervous about hosting a winter wedding, but due to schedules, this is the time of year that worked out best for Anna & Jason. And even in winter, the estate is simply beautiful. The Christmas decorations in the main house and on the grounds are understated, yet lovely. They added that touch of holiday cheer and warmth to an already welcoming home away from home. And the outdoor fireplace in the pavilion is a mainstay! We had it burning every day, all day and evening, and it was a wonderful gathering place for our friends and family, even into the wee hours of the night. You truly feel like the entire estate is your home where you can come and go as you please, and simply enjoy the lodging, food, and all the amenities they have to offer. For 3 days it was so nice to take a break from the busyness of the holiday season and enjoy the company of close friends and family, while staying in cozy cabins and eating amazing food. We were all spoiled, and no one wanted to leave!
Jami is a Godsend! She answered all emails promptly and was always willing to have phone conversations to review our plans, offer suggestions and calm our anxieties. She was an invaluable asset throughout the entire planning process and was on-site the entire wedding weekend. Along with her assistant Elizabeth (who was equally as awesome), they made sure everything ran smoothly and all our needs (and the guests) were attended to. When you have your early afternoon check-in with Jami, she reviews EVERYTHING for the entire weekend – schedule, décor, vendors, food, ceremony, etc. – and she and the staff execute to perfection. The table set-ups and additional decor Anna wanted, from the welcome dinner to the wedding reception, were even better than she had envisioned, thanks to their experience and expertise. Their goal is to make sure the bride has a stress-free weekend that she can just enjoy with the guests, and believe me, they deliver on that promise!
God blessed us with sunny days. Even though the temperature was mid-40’s and the air was crisp, it was completely comfortable being outside and we were able to do everything we intended. Basketball was played, llamas were fed, waterfalls were found, and most importantly new friendships were formed. Also, the hot beverage hike to Hawkes Nest is a must. They served hot chocolate and hot apple cider at the top of the mountain, and the group photo-up can’t be missed.
Hawkesdene knows food! Every meal was delicious, and I don’t think you can go wrong with whatever menu you choose. The Smokey Mountain Barbeque was a fan favorite and the charcutier board at the wedding reception is still being talked about by the guests. There was always PLENTY of food for everyone to enjoy and they catered to all the guests dietary restrictions. Jami was especially accommodating to my 91-year-old father and had special meals prepared for him on both Thursday and Friday evenings. Now that is service!!
Can you tell how impressed we are with this wedding venue? Anna smiled the entire weekend, and it brought us such joy to see her so incredibly relaxed and happy. The true testament was when our guests were leaving, they were thanking US for inviting them! My husband & I drove home to Indiana the Sunday after the wedding in tears, reminiscing over every moment of the weekend, and so very thankful that Anna & Jason chose Hawkesdene to host their Marriage in the Mountains. Many thanks to Jami, Elizabeth, Rob, and the entire Hawkesdene staff for a helping us create a magical wedding weekend for our daughter and one that we will never forget! -
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![Nicole]()
Nicole Sent on 03/12/2023Truly magical
This destination venue was found by chance. But it was the only place we looked at for our magical and special weekend. Jami, Rob, and Elizabeth all made my dreams come true as a bride.
Our friends still talk about it as the best wedding they’ve ever been to. We will be back for a reunion!! -
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![Molly]()
Molly Sent on 12/21/2022Look no further! Hawkesdene is a DREAM venue!
When we first found Hawkesdene online, they seemed too good to be true - but from our first tour all the way through our wedding weekend, they absolutely lived up to the hype! The grounds, cottages and main house are all so meticulously cared for. They truly have thought of every little detail you could possibly need for a gorgeous wedding and a top-notch guest stay. The staff was incredible and the food was to die for. Seriously, we had so many compliments from all of our guests about every facet of our stay at Hawkesdene. Our wedding weekend was 100% perfect and from the moment we arrived, the staff made sure that all we had to do was sit back, relax, and enjoy our time together with family and friends. Stop searching. You've found your dream venue! -
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![Carissa]()
Carissa Sent on 10/30/2022Spectacular!
Hawkesdene is an absolutely perfect venue! We recently had our wedding there, and everything about our wedding weekend was absolutely amazing! The entire estate is beautiful with so many options for where to have the ceremony and to take photos. All the cottages were very clean and well maintained. All of our friends have told us how much they enjoyed staying at Hawkesdene, and the food is delicious! Rob, Jami, and all the staff at Hawkesdene went above and beyond to help create an amazing weekend for us and our guests! Jami quickly answered all of our questions during the planning process, and she and her team handled all of the details on our wedding day! We had an amazing and stress-free wedding weekend because of them!
We highly recommend Hawkesdene and are so happy with our decision to have our wedding there! -
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![Lauren]()
Lauren Sent on 10/04/2022Five Stars Across the Board
If you want your guests to have a wedding they will remember forever, this is the place. If you want to have the ability to spend quality time and enjoy an entire weekend on an absolutely beautiful estate, this is the place. Hawkesdene venue knocked it out of the park in every way possible. The scenery, the cabins, the FOOD, decor, etc... everything was just perfect, ... Magical, really. And of course, there's Jami. Jami and her team make the place & the experience just phenomenal. So many of our guests have already asked to have a reunion sometime. "Best wedding ever".... was the feedback we received from family and friends. We truly had an amazing time from the we arrived, through the morning we left. We thank you Hawkesdene!! -
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Victoria Sent on 09/23/2022
Perfect Destination Wedding
Jami and the team at Hawkesdene were incredible. My wife and I love the outdoors and we love playing yard games. This venue gave our friends and family a huge playground for all kinds of activities. We hiked, played volleyball and every yard game imaginable, and at night we had s'mores at a campfire by the creek. There's no curfew, so your wedding guests will enjoy staying up late and really getting to know each other.
This venue kept our friends and family well fed throughout their stay. The food here is INCREDIBLE. People are still talking about how good the food was at our wedding.
Jami and the owners of Hakesdene were extremely responsive to our emails (and there were a lot). Jami played a big part in helping us plan the wedding of our dreams and we can't thank her enough for all of her thoughtful input and taking the time to listen to our ideas.
We had the best night of our lives and we know the photos will be incredible. Highly recommend this venue for your wedding. -
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![Emmalie]()
Emmalie Sent on 08/17/2022Dream Wedding Weekend
Hawkesdene was the first wedding venue I ever saved (ok, even before we were engaged - I saw it on instagram and pinned it for the future). When the time finally came to pick a wedding venue, I knew deep down my heart was set on Hawkesdene - it just felt so right. And I'm so glad I stuck with my gut because we had the most magical, beautiful, dreamy and fun wedding weekend - it was beyond anything we could have ever imagined. 80 of our closest friends and family spent the weekend celebration with us starting with cocktail hour, dinner, s'mores & music by the fire on Friday. Guests enjoyed the property on Saturday (one of my favorite parts of getting ready was opening the doors to the bridal suite to say hi to my guests ALL DAY as they walked by). Our wedding ceremony and reception were absolutely perfect - everything was seamless and exactly as we imagined it. We absolutely could not have done it without the help of Jami and her team. They all went above and beyond to create the weekend of our dreams. The ONLY downside is that the weekend went by so fast. I wish we could have stayed for a week! Once you settle in, you'll never want to leave!
From a recent bride dealing with the stress of planning a wedding & the big finances that come with it - Hawkesdene is all inclusive with food (you can also order the cake & desserts directly through them as well) (also, the culinary team was so sweet and amazing), is BYOB (a huge cost savings), has a huge decor closet (don't be afraid to ask - there is a ton of stuff to use in there!), has an amazing staff to help with all needs while on-site, and has unlimited snacks and mixers available for guests all weekend. Booking Hawkesdene allowed us to have our dream wedding within our budget. 10/10!!! -
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![Kelley]()
Kelley Sent on 08/07/2022Estate Style Wedding at its BEST
If you are looking for a wedding venue that is like a mini vacation in the mountains for all your guests, then look no further! All of our guests raved about how much they loved the entire experience of having our wedding at Hawkesdene. They found it so relaxing, fun and beautiful. The food was outstanding and everything went so smoothly. They really know how to make your entire stay so special. We had a small intimate wedding, but this property can do it all whether you want something easy and casual to over the top. Jami and Rob and their entire team can make it happen. They have the experience to handle anything. The property is also fantastic for photos. We really appreciated the ability to bring our own alcohol so that we could have exactly the types of drinks we wanted and could account for how much our group would drink. They provide you with a list of recommended vendors which is a huge help when planning your wedding. Jami is a phone call away when you have any questions. They will help you through the process and how it will work at their property, but you will need to do all your own planning unless you hire an additional wedding planner. All of my family are already talking about a future family reunion at Hawkesdene and I can't wait to go back and enjoy the property fully since I won't have the stress of being the bride next time! -
Abby Sent on 07/11/2022
Beautiful, summer-camp style wedding
We had an absolutely beautiful experience at Hawkesdene. All weekend our guests kept coming up and telling us how beautiful the venue was and asking how we found such an amazing place. Jami, Rob, and the entire team went above and beyond all weekend to make sure everything ran smoothly. Once we arrived, we didn't have to worry about anything other than enjoying the beautiful property and having fun. The food was delicious and our vegan and vegetarian guests were so impressed with their alternative meals. The kitchen even made me an extra breakfast the morning after our wedding because I was too busy talking to guests as they were heading out to eat before they put the food up.
My husband and I really wanted a laid-back, summer camp wedding where we could spend time with our friends and family from all over the country. The hikes, bonfire, and lawn games that Hawkesdene set up really captured that feeling. The "cabins" are beautiful, not at all like summer camp and our guests all commented how comfortable they were and enjoyed spending time with each other in their cabins.
We had REALLY high expectations and Hawkesdene blew them all out of the water. -
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![Paige]()
Paige Sent on 06/12/2022The BEST destination style all-inclusive venue!
Hawkesdene is the hidden gem of Western North Carolina! We were inspired to do a destination-style wedding to bring our closest family and friends together, so we spent 4 nights at Hawkesdene with 80 folks on the property. We can easily say it was the most perfect, care-free mountain weekend we could have imagined. To start, I can't tell you how many guests complemented the venue. The property is a private oasis surrounded by stunning trees, beautiful landscaping, creeks, and hiking trails. It's designed impeccably to bring people together and to enjoy the surroundings. We did everything from yard games, to s'mores, to board games, to hiking, to llama feeding, to rehearsal dinner trivia. The staff of 14 are extremely down-to-earth and pull off every event, dinner, and cleanup like it's nothing. We could not believe how efficient and friendly they were the entire weekend. I was initially skeptical about the quality of the food, given it's an all-inclusive venue and we didn't get to sample it beforehand (it's just too much work on their lean staff), but let me tell you, every single meal was DELICIOUS. We got tons of complements on the food and there are lots of options to choose for each menu. As for drinks, it's BYOB, which saved a ton of money, and Hawkesdene puts the drinks out nightly at a self-service bar station. It was totally care-free for us and for our guests, which was really important to us. One of the biggest perks of all is that Hawkesdene comes with a coordinator, Jami. Jami was an absolute joy (and God-send) to work with. She is so friendly, hard-working, and trustworthy and went well out of her way to ensure our weekend was fabulous. She really is incredible at pulling everything together. Hawkesdene also has an array of decorations and lots of basic items like chargers, linens, napkins, etc. to use. This helped save costs on rehearsal dinner and wedding/reception decor. I could go on and on about how perfect it was, but you should experience it for yourself. We're already considering a reunion there in the next 5 years!! -
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![Anna]()
Anna Sent on 06/03/2022Dream Wedding Venue
My husband and I got married at Hawkesdene on Saturday April 30, 2022. We arrived on site the Thursday prior and from the moment we arrived, we knew we had chosen the best place for our wedding. We picked Hawkesdene because we really wanted an intimate venue that allowed us to spend more time with our friends and family instead of rushing around from location to location throughout our wedding weekend. Hawkesdene was just that.
Check in on Thursday was a breeze. We unloaded our trailer and did our final meeting with Jami. She went over all of our checklist, down to specific décor selections and table layout designs. We hired a day of coordinator for Saturday but trust us, you do not need that! Jami is absolutely amazing and so great to work with. She will make sure everything is perfect. She was even able to locate a local babysitter for our flower girl and a dog sitter for us so we could make sure our dog, Macy, did not accidentally get let out of our cabin on any night. Thursday and Friday night we had not planned much of a décor and table layout and just told Jami to arrange things as she sees best. When we walked over for dinner on Thursday and Friday, the tables were beautifully set and decorated, along with high top linen covered tables outside the pavilion next to the corn hole boards that our guests just loved. For Saturday's reception dinner, we asked that the tables be simply decorated with floating candles and greenery and they were exactly that and looked more beautiful than we could have imagined. In addition to the dinner tables, Jami and her team decorated the driveway for our ceremony and they did such a beautiful job that both of our moms (and maybe us too) teared up when they saw it.
Now the Food. Every single piece of food that Hawkesdene prepared for our wedding weekend was absolutely delicious. We were slightly hesitant during the planning stages since we weren't able to taste the food prior but after reading numerous reviews, we felt much more at ease and trust us, you will not be disappointed. We chose the Mexican in the Mountains for Thursday's welcome dinner. The queso and guacamole on the appetizer bar was unbelievable! Hawkesdene also worked with us to upgrade the ground beef to sliced flank steak for the dinner portion of the meal and it was cooked perfectly. Friday we chose the BBQ menu and that was a huge hit. We were so busy running around on Friday talking to guests that we didn't get to eat as much of the BBQ as we had hoped, but Jami prepared 2 to-go plates and put them in the fridge in our cabin for us to enjoy later that evening. Saturday we chose three proteins (grilled chicken, beef tenderloin and the Carolina mountain trout) and after tasting all three, we could not decide on a favorite because all three of them were equally delicious. In addition to the dinners, Hawkesdene prepared breakfast and lunch on Friday and an incredible brunch on Saturday that did not disappoint in the slightest bit. They were also so accommodating and worked with us to adjust menus or add in additional items that we wanted including cooking additional pork on Friday so we could have a BBQ slider bar for our late night menu on Saturday. Hawkesdene's pastry chef baked us the most beautiful red velvet wedding cake that was absolutely delicious and incredible (Our flower girl probably had about three pieces!). Trust us when we say, the food at Hawkesdene is absolutely incredible and you will not be disappointed!
All in all, Hawkesdene created our dream wedding. The venue was more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. The food was more delicious than we ever would have thought and the Hawkesdene team was so kind and such a joy to work with. Between afternoon hikes, lounging by the creek and then ultimately, our wedding day, there was not a single moment that we would have changed. If you are planning a wedding weekend and looking for the perfect location, you have found it with Hawkesdene (Just invite us because we really really want to go back!) -
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![Abigail]()
Abigail Sent on 05/22/2022Dream [down to earth] Destination Wedding
I found Hawkesdene googling 'destination weddings in the US' and reserved it without even touring. Showed up the day before my wedding and was absolutely floored with how amazing the venue was. From the accommodations, to the groundskeeping, to how sweet and welcoming the staff was- it's all SO amazing. Seriously, this place does not disappoint. We unfortunately had tons of rain on our wedding day (and a tornado warning + high winds) but the staff handled it amazingly well- the day was still perfect. The rain even added a little special something to our AM yoga with Rose. -
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![Sarah]()
Sarah Sent on 05/05/2022Magical Wedding Location
Hawkesdene was incredible to say the least. Once we visited, we immediately knew this was the perfect location for our multiple day wedding. Spending time with loved ones was so important but also a beautiful location, exceptional service and food and affordable yet lovely accommodations. Hawkesdene fit the bill to a T. All our guests LOVED their time and said it was the most memorable wedding they had been to. Only downside, it flew by too quickly. We are hoping our friends and family will host other events and weddings here so we can come back. I wish we had been able to have the whole space for a week at least! It's just incredible and will be an incredible memory for years to come. -
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Kathryn Sent on 03/27/2022
Thankful to have found Hawkesdene
“What a memorable wedding” and “WOW, your wedding was incredible” is what our guests continue to say!
As an Ohio resident, my Mom and I traveled to NC to tour several venues. After meeting with Rob, our search was over and deposit check paid. Other appointments were cancelled.
Hawkesdene truly is like nothing else out there. They set themselves apart by providing a unique Estate Rental; a place where you can have all your friends and family gather, celebrate, catch up and relax. It’s essentially an elongated celebration spread over multiple days.
If you are looking for a unique venue, for a team that goes ABOVE AND BEYOND as well is the most flexible, look no further! I am so thankful I trusted my instincts and selected Hawkesdene. For example, I remember Rob saying “if you wake up on your wedding day and change your mind and want to get married by the Pavilion instead of the Driveway, no problem, we will make it happen” to Jami’s team bustling my dress, this team sets themselves apart from the competition.
While there are many lovely venues out there, once you experience Hawkesdene you will realize how very special of a place it is and how much they sincerely care about you and your day.
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![Kasey]()
Kasey Sent on 03/19/2022Exactly what we wanted
After seeing other friends get married and them spending half their reception walking around and talking to people, the night ending and then everyone leaving the next morning, I knew I wanted something different. My husband and I toured with two of our friends and the site was just amazing. It has everything we could have wanted and things we hadn’t even thought about. Being able to staying onsite, having food and desserts there, decor options and their vendor list made planning everything so easy. I was even able to ship a couple of things to the site so I didn’t have to lug those with us for our 5.5 hour drive from Raleigh. We took a risk marrying in early March but had the most amazing sunny 70 degree weather weekend anyone could have hoped for. Jami and Rob both answered all our questions, helped with planning and coordinating. We got to enjoy our day knowing everything was already taken care of for us. The food was absolutely amazing and the staff are all so helpful and friendly. The grounds are stunning. Our sunset photos are some of my favorite overlooking the valley with the mountains behind. The creek running through the property makes for really peaceful background noise. The day after our wedding we had a free day. My husband and I spent most of our day snuggled up near a fire where we listened to the creek and spent time with friends who came through. Prior to dinner staff pulled our the corn hole boards. The bonfires each night were a perfect way to end the evenings surrounded by friends and family. Then it was just a short walk to your “cabin” which really is more like a luxury hotel room. I brought hair and makeup in onsite where there is an entire salon for getting ready. There’s also llamas and alpacas onsite too. One of our favorite unplanned moments were the local dogs that would randomly come visit - we throughly enjoyed Chances dad coming to pick him up. My only complaint is that I wish it had lasted longer. As we were leaving and packing up, there had already been some talk about a reunion or vacation or anniversary party sometime in the years ahead. -
![Corinna]()
Corinna Sent on 01/13/2022Absolutely Breathtaking - worth every penny!
Choosing Hawkesdene was the absolute best choice we could have ever made when planning our wedding. We strongly believe that it was fate that we came across photos of Hawkesdene while looking for venues in the NC mountains. The more we learned, we knew this was our place. We were so confident, that we put down our deposit and signed our contract without even seeing the place in person. From start to finish, Rob and Jami made the process effortless. Jami was always available for questions and offered plenty of options regarding decorations or ways to include special touches throughout the weekend. As someone who is very “hands on”, I had a hard time trusting that my vision would be carried out without some effort on my part.
From the moment we stepped on site for the weekend, the staff were quick to offer their assistance and Jami swept me away for a final walk-through meeting. After handing off the decorations that we had brought, we did not have to lift a finger or think about anything other than enjoying our weekend. Every. Single. Moment. Was. Perfect. I say this as someone who always worries about the “what if’s”. I kept waiting for something to not go according to plan and that never happened! Everything was everything that we could have dreamed of and more. Every meal was delicious, every event was perfectly decorated with a mix of our decorations and those in the barn, and every moment we kept looking forward to what would be next.
Obviously asking people to travel to stay somewhere on-site for a weekend seems like an out of the box idea. We had not seen a lot of our guests in a long time due to COVID and this was the perfect setting to reconnect. Once they arrived, they knew exactly why this place was so special to us and didn’t ever want to leave. There were so many different activities that appealed to all ages and so many cool spaces to discover. Our friends and family came for a wedding but ended up creating fun memories and making new friends for life. This alone, we are thankful for beyond measure. They are already asking when they can go back.
The food is absolutely to die for. The first night we chose “Southern Comfort” and the buffalo chicken dip was an absolute hit. The pimento cheese mac and cheese was hard to not go back for seconds and thirds. The second night we had “Mountain BBQ”, which smelled wonderful smoking all day long. What guests are still talking about is the blackberry cobbler with fresh lemon whipped cream. OMG it was so good. For the reception, we had guests tell us that the food was the best that they had EVER had and was so impressed. Every breakfast and lunch was wonderful. Our guests complimented how delicious it was, but also versatile for those who had certain preferences (ie. Vegetarian, nut free, etc). We said multiple times that the food could not have been more perfect based on our favorites. We did opt for a Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar on the morning of our wedding, which our guests thought was such a fun addition to the already delicious brunch (the grits were amazing).
We cannot thank the staff enough for all the hard work that went into the weekend. Each person that works at Hawkesdene is a true blessing and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Jaylen was super helpful with taking us up for our hike to the Hawkes Nest, Kay kept the drinks flowing, and the kitchen staff always helped accommodate every need. Rob and Jami – you are such special people and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this very special moment in our lives a once in a lifetime experience. -
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![Kelly]()
Kelly Sent on 01/01/2022Hawkesdene - Dream Destination Wedding
Our wedding was a dream come true thanks to Hawkesdene. With both our families residing in different states, we knew a family reunion style wedding was what we wanted to do as none of our family had ever met before. Hawkesdene was one of the first venues that made it on my list, and once we visited, we knew we had to have it here.
Rob and Jami and all of the staff curated the wedding weekend of our dreams. They both were extremely responsive throughout the whole process and made planning a breeze. We used recommended vendors from lists they provided and could not have been happier with the whole result. Jami was great at keeping everything low stress and even was able to incorporate some last minute changes with ease. I relied heavily on her expertise as wedding planning/decoration is not my forte.
The actual wedding itself went better than we could have imagined. The weather was perfect for our mid November weekend, and the grounds were absolutely breathtaking. I would highly recommend having everyone take the hike up to Hawkes Nest for the most breathtaking views. We got quite a few Christmas cards from family and friends who took their pictures on site. The food was also another amazing aspect. I can't say enough about every dish that was served. They clearly take pride in what they do, and it shows 100%.
Hawkesdene provided a unique environment for everyone to mingle and meet over good drinks and good food. We even have friends and family members on either side planning to visit one another and staying in touch. I really can't thank everyone at Hawkesdene enough for what they were able to do for us. This was a weekend my husband and I will never forget and we have continuously said just how worth every penny we spent was for the long lasting memories we will have. -
![Claire]()
Claire Sent on 11/27/2021Best wedding ever!
It’s hard to put into words how amazing of a wedding venue Hawkesdene is. Jami, Rob, Phil and the rest of the team are absolutely amazing and go above and beyond for each couple. Jami knew I so badly wanted our ceremony to be outside under the tree-lined driveway, but it rained all day of our wedding day. An hour before the ceremony, Jami calmly explained to me that she thought we needed to move to the rain plan B, and then her team jumped into action, moving chairs and draping the pavilion. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and nothing about our wedding weekend was dampened by the rain - that’s how magical Hawkesdene is. We hiked and even played capture the flag in the rain! The food is also the best wedding food I’ve ever had. We went with the low country boil for our welcome supper, barbecue for the rehearsal dinner, and salmon and steak for the wedding reception. Everything was spectacular, including the breakfasts and lunches. Our guests all had an amazing time (many “best wedding ever” comments), and we only wish we could be invited to someone else’s wedding at Hawkesdene. We decided it was more important to us to have fewer guests at our wedding so we could spend time with everyone all weekend long and are so glad we did. Hawkesdene is a truly special place. Don’t hesitate to book your wedding (if you can get a weekend)! -
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![Kristen]()
Kristen Sent on 11/23/2021Everything was Perfection!
If you are even remotely on the fence about booking, Hawkesdene, this is your sign, it will be gorgeous. We had our wedding there on October 9, 2021, and everything magic: the staff, the venue, the food, I could go on and on about all of it. We loved it so much, every guest at our wedding has asked how we can either have friend or family reunion there so they can go back. It truly was a magical day that we will never forget! Thank you Hawkesdene!! -
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![Lexi]()
Lexi Sent on 11/01/2021Our Dream Wedding!!
We traveled from Minnesota to get married at Hawkesdene at the end of July and it was everything we wanted and more! From the second we arrived to when we left on Sunday, Jami and everyone at Hawkesdene was there to make sure our weekend was perfect. Everyone at Hawkesdene went with the flow and would do anything we asked (and more)! Our guests had the absolute best time and still haven't stopped talking about it. On top of the most beautiful venue and over the top staff the food is AMAZING and you will be dreaming about it months after (seriously please mail us spinach and artichoke dip!) Hawkesdene seriously made our wedding dreams come true! -
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![Jacqueline]()
Jacqueline Sent on 10/18/2021The Perfect Weekend
I have been reading reviews from other couples about this place since my husband and I booked this venue in May 2020 for our October 2021 wedding and even those reviews didn’t do Hawkesdene justice. When I say, that it exceeded expectations, I mean that Rob, Jami, and her team (Cheyenne, Kay, Jaylin, and so many others) made our vision come true! First, Rob, the owner, was very accessible to answer our questions, my parents’ questions, and even guest questions. Next, Jami, the wedding planner/coordinator/everything was extremely patient and thorough as we planned our event from Virginia. She always had time for us, had tons of valuable advice for our weekend, and absolutely killed it when we arrived. She’s a true professional and is very flexible. She and her team took care of absolutely anything we needed. For example, we failed to realize that the children at our Low Country Boil dinner didn’t eat seafood and her and the chefs quickly provided sandwiches for them on the spot. Which brings me to the food—the food was incredible! We selected the low country boil and the barbecue dinners for our first night there and our rehearsal dinner and they were amazing! The breakfast, lunches, and desserts didn’t disappoint either. Our wedding night dinner was amazing as well, the cake and desserts were to die for, and the late night chicken fingers and fries hit the spot!
Although, I didn’t have a chance to speak with all of the staff, they were always on top of things and very friendly and pleasant. Cheyenne kept my guests safe for our sparkler exit and kept us informed of important details during our big day. Kay was a fantastic bartender, super friendly, and is an awesome addition to the team. Jaylin drove us up the mountain to the Hawkesnest overlook and kept us safe during our journey.
I really could talk about our magical weekend forever, so I’ll just end with something our Best Man said—“I’m going to get married just so I can go back to Hawkesdene.”Hawkesdene's reply:
Hi Jacquleline,
We appreciate you taking the time to write such a wonderful review about your wedding experience at Hawkesdene! We never received contact info for your photographer so we were never able to share any of your images on social media and their website. If you would be interested, could you send me a link to your gallery? My name is Heather Davis and my email is heather@threecatscreative.com (we handle marketing and social media for Hawkesdene). If you are not interested in sharing your images, we completely understand - we just wanted to reach out and give you the opportunity.
Heather -
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Richard Sent on 08/22/2021
The perfect destination wedding venue
Where do we begin? We had our wedding weekend here this weekend and I can’t say enough great things about this place. The venue, accommodations, property, staff, and FOOD, were all amazing. And I don’t even think amazing describes my feelings adequately enough. Every single one of our guests were in awe of their rooms/cottages and the entire landscape at Hawkesdene. There are so many great nooks and crannies with thoughtfully placed seating, lounging, and camp fires everywhere. The pavilion is the perfect place for partying with your own tunes, a band or a dj (we did all three). The main house was able to easily accommodate breakfast, brunch, lunch, all with mimosa and Bloody Mary bar with enough seating to comfortably seat everyone as they eat. The hikes on the property were the perfect excursion to work of some of the calories you will inevitably consume while enjoying the copious amounts of delicious food (seriously, the food is amazing, every guest raved about it and I had multiple servings of every meal), but they are a little challenging, so the yard games hawkesdene has available (plus some we brought) were entertaining the guests that couldn’t make it to the falls or the hawkesnest.
Thank you Rob, Jami, and all of the staff for making our wedding weekend truly unforgettable, not only for ourselves but for all of our guests. We cannot tell you how many compliments we got about all facets of their experiences that weekend. We heard from pretty much every guest “where did you find this place?” “This place is amazing!” “This is seriously the best wedding EVER!” “Erin/Ricky you guys did this wedding right, this is top notch.” … but the only thing we did was pick the perfect venue, you two made all of it happen FLAWLESSLY! For that, we are forever grateful and can’t thank you enough. ❤️❤️
Sincerely,
Ricky & Erin Mayor -
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Annelise Sent on 08/08/2021Dream Venue surrounded by love
Hawkesdene perfectly fit our vision for being with all the people we love most for a whole weekend of togetherness and fun to celebrate our wedding. After our first visit - and going in each of the cottages - we knew that Hawkesdene was the best place for our destination wedding. Rob (the owner) and Jami (the coordinator) were always pleasant to work with, even during the pandemic madness. The fact that you rent the entire venue (and that most guests stay on-site) allowed for my mother and I to truly make my dream of a garden wedding weekend possible. We were able to create three different experiences décor wise for the welcome dinner, rehearsal dinner, and the wedding itself. We had ~100 guests for our wedding weeding and the amount of activities and things to do at Hawkesdene kept them busy and excited for all three days. We set up a group hike, scavenger hunt, yard games, and tea ceremony for them to enjoy. There are also many spots to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The food for the weekend was delicious. We were however, a little anxious having not had a tasting. But the ability to talk through our visions for the dinner menus was nice and was indeed a success - we have nothing but wonderful things to say about all meals, breakfast and lunch included.
Financially, Hawkedene is a wonderful choice if you have a decent sized budget and are looking to have a wedding experience rather than just a one night affair. It was truly wonderful to have all the people we love most spend three whole days together with us in the mountains. Hawkesdene made our wedding dreams come true!
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Krista Sent on 08/06/2021Best Weekend Ever.
I can not speak highly enough for Hawkesdene!! We did not initially think we wanted to have a destination-style wedding, but after we toured Hawkesdene, we were sold. The grounds and cabins are absolutely beautiful, and it is a perfect way to get cozy, quality time with family and friends throughout the whole weekend. From the get-go, Jami and Rob provided us with lots of recommendations and support, and they were so kind, flexible, helpful, and responsive throughout the whole process. They truly made the planning process so easy, and every detail was thought through, communicated, and coordinated seemingly effortlessly. My husband and I are still raving about how wonderful the whole weekend was - the wedding itself was like the icing on the cake! Our guests all traveled far to get to Hawkesdene, but all of them kept saying how wonderful and relaxing the whole weekend was. It is worth the travel time, and it is worth doing it for a long weekend! It was seriously our dream wedding, and we could not have been happier. -
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Angela Sent on 10/27/2020
The best weekend of my life
I’m not even sure there are words to describe how incredible my wedding weekend at Hawkesdene was. My husband (!!) and I got to spend Thursday-Sunday with our closest friends and family on a gorgeous 54 acre estate with awesome onsite accommodations for everyone, beautiful mountain scenery, perfectly manicured grounds, hiking trails, fire pits, games, alpacas and the food... omg it is amazing and never ending. Rob and Jami were so easy to communicate with throughout the entire process, which for me was over a year and a half from booking to wedding day. Jami and every single staff member ensured that every meal and every event went off without a hitch. I’m pretty sure at some point during the weekend every single one of our guests told us how awesome Hawkesdene I was and how great of a time they were having. Honestly, if it was possible to do it all again next year I’d be there with bells on!! Hawkesdene and staff has my heart forever ❤️❤️❤️ -
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Lindsay Sent on 09/11/2020Excellent!
We weren’t able to have our wedding here, but upon visiting, it was the best place ever! They were very accommodating, and super helpful! Hopefully we will one day be able to have our perfect wedding at this venue! -
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Ashley Sent on 09/02/2020Perfect setting for your perfect day!
If you are even debating booking your wedding at Hawkesdene, DO IT! We booked Hawkesdene almost two years ago for June 2020. Of course, COVID-19 came along and we ended up postponing until August. Rob (the owner) and Jami (the coordinator) were always pleasant to work with, even during the pandemic madness. They had extremely fair postponing policies and truly did everything they could to ensure we still had our special weekend. Every site visit we did (3 before the actual weekend), they had food waiting for us on arrival and were so friendly. The actual venue is beautiful and can fit a myriad of 'themes,' like ours which was a garden wedding. They have a beautiful overlook of the mountains as well that is simply breathtaking. Every guest cannot stop telling us how much fun their weekend was, and also - THE FOOD. Phil (the chef) is an actual magician, I have no idea what he does but every single thing was delicious. They source a lot of their food locally so I think that helps, but seriously - I'm still dreaming about the blackberry cobbler and the garlic herb butter with artisan bread. A lot of our family members were a bit tepid about the concept of a wedding weekend and the location, but all doubts flew out the window as soon as they came onto the property. Seriously - I don't regret booking Hawkesdene for a single second, and honestly, I hope one of my friends chooses to get married there so we can go back!! 11/10!! -
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Katlynn Sent on 08/20/202010/10 guests said "best wedding ever"
Hawkesdene is by far the best wedding venue out there!!!
I think the best way to see the true side of a person or in this case a venue, is how they respond during difficult times. August 2018 my fiancé and I toured Hawkesdene. We were completely taken aback by the absolutely beautiful grounds, the meticulous landscaping, and the warm staff. We book our wedding for April 2020, yes a year and a half out! We wanted time to plan and save. We knew we wanted this to be an unforgettable wedding weekend with our closest family and friends, but we could have never imagined it would be so much more than that! March 2020 the entire US begins to shut down due to COVID19. A lot of my family, friends and myself are on the front-line in the hospital setting. So as I’m working endless hours in the ER I am in constant communication with Hawkesdene as our wedding is only 15 days away. Hawkesdene gave us till the absolute last hour to pull the plug. Since we were one of the first large groups affected by people traveling from all over, we knew we had to move the wedding. They allowed us to move to an open date in August 2020, which is peak season rate, at no extra charge.
So while many of our close friends getting married had to cancel and lose everything they paid because their venues were standing firm against rescheduling, Hawkedene bent over backward to make our day possible. The cabins and venue set empty for the next few months but it didn’t break their spirits. When we arrived the Wednesday before our wedding the staff were as happy as ever to see us. Note we were the third wedding back after COVID but definitely the largest group. I would compare it to coming home after a long day to a golden retriever haha, it was the best feeling ever for a nervous couple about to get married.
If you haven’t met Jami yet, you soon will! She is the planner, coordinator, manager, and magician that comes with Hawkesdene. To us, the fact that it was all included was super appealing, before we met her. After you meet her you will soon realize you get a friend, confidant, and so much more, all included in the Hawkesdene wedding rate. You seriously do not need an additional planner unless you just don’t feel like doing much work/planning yourself. If you give Jami your ideas, she will bring them to life. We dropped off all of our DIY décors into the décor room on arrival, barely went through it with Jami, and yet somehow every detail we discussed was laid out each night just how I wanted. She seriously didn’t miss a beat. I can’t explain this enough, this will be the easiest experience from start to finish. The fact that the venue includes a lot of décor options, set up each night, and break down makes it the most enjoyable experience a bride could ever have!
The entire weekend from start to finish was perfect! We highly recommend the low country boil. My guests can’t stop talking about the hush puppies. The seafood and salad were to die for as well, and my family is from South Florida so we know seafood! The second night was the modern BBQ, it smoked all day for the guests to smell. That is another must-have meal, the brisket was cooked to perfection, the sweet cornbread melted in your mouth, and the blackberry cobbler was devoured by all. Seriously the food is on point at Hawkesdene. Our wedding night we served the flank steak and mountain trout. My now-husband isn’t a big fish person, he ate the entire trout filet. When I tell you the smashed potatoes were the best I’ve ever had I am not lying, and mashed potatoes are my favorite food group! If my dress wasn’t tight and a mermaid shape I would have eaten an entire loaf of the homemade bread. I seriously can’t tell you enough how good the food was the entire weekend. For my bridal party, breakfast and lunch were served in the garden cottage on the wedding day, which was a nice relaxing experience. As we all got our hair and makeup done in the beautiful attached salon we sipped away on coffee and mimosas and enjoyed delicious food.
For couples that have already booked Hawkesdene, here are some tips I found helpful in the planning process. Your guests may seem hesitant about this destination wedding and weekend concept. They may be confused that they are invited to the rehearsal and all other activities. I recommend creating a good wedding website with clear instructions. When placing your guests in cabins on the placement sheet it’s important you don’t make any promises until the RSVPs are final. You will find certain guests need certain accommodations so it’s easier for all involved if they find out their sleeping arrangements on arrival. If you need extra accommodations I highly recommend Fernwood cottage and Collett Creek Cabins they were immaculate and great owners to work with.
I recommend giving the guests a nice welcome bag upon arrival, the favors at the wedding usually go unnoticed. However, snacks and mementos to take home were favored by all of our guests. Included in the welcome bag was an itinerary with the weekend events, meal times, and a reference contact for any questions.
You should have a one-page reference sheet for all of your vendors involved in the weekend, a contact number for them, and specific responsibilities/days/times they will be on the property. That way Hawkesdene can help manage them while you are enjoying your guests.
I highly recommend doing karaoke with Lori Pluger, our guests were singing all night and they seriously can’t stop talking about the various performances.
I understand during crazy times like these you may be very nervous to book a wedding venue, but I can say with 100% confidence it will all work out. Even though it wasn’t the exact picture I had in my mind since we lost some guests due to COVID, It was beyond the best wedding I could have ever imagined and I wouldn’t change anything for the world. You can truly trust Rob and Jami with this special day and know that they will sacrifice a lot to make it happen regardless of the situation it puts them in. If you’re on the fence, get off, book them, and move on with the small details because everything else is done.
We couldn’t be happier with all of our vendors so I have listed them below in case you’re still looking. Every single one of them moved with us from our original date, they were the most gracious, kind, and understanding people I have ever met.
Photography: Macy O’Connell 404-502-7724
Videography: Little Eye Film Co. Cassie Hiatt 858-692-7083 (video on Instagram)
Hair: Taylor Howard: Instagram (teaseitupwithtay) fifth&mae salon
Makeup: Rachel Harris Artistry https://www.facebook.com/RachelHarrisArtistry
Florist: Springvine Design Asheville, Whitney Randall 843-998-4131
DJ: Island Sound (St Simmons Island) DJ Dave Patush
Karaoke: Lori Pluger 828-557-7650
Photo Booth: Christy Ensley with Smoky Mountain Selfies 865-235-7030
Kegs: Whites Exon, Andrews (828) 321-4873
Nathan Silverman Taxi Driver (offsite guests): 828-557-5605
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Paige Sent on 08/15/2020Best time ever!
I booked my venue at Hawkesdene without even visiting in person because of how amazing it looked online. A few months later, I went in person and it exceeded my expectations. My husband and I got married there on July 22nd and it was the best few days of our lives! The staff at Hawkesdene was incredible. They always returned my calls within a few hours and was extremely helpful throughout the planning process. I did not have a wedding planner so the coordinator on site, Jami was my go to person while planning this wedding!
Our wedding was in the middle of the week and we had about 50 guests. My husband and I got to spend quality time with every guest that attended. On Monday we had the welcome party, Tuesday we went white water rafting (which was so so fun!), and Wednesday we had the wedding with Thursday was the farewell breakfast. Weeks later I have guests still texting me about how amazing everything was and wanting to go back! Also, The food was AMAZING. Literally everything we were given to eat was so so good.
I cannot recommend Hawkesdene enough if you want to have an intimate wedding and want to make the best memories with your family and friends. My family is already wanting to plan a family reunion to be held there in a few years. Honestly, DO NOT HESITATE if you are thinking about making Hawkesdene your venue. It books very fast! Over all, 1000/10 recommend. Thank you Hawkesdene for the most magical, dream wedding! -
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Adrienne Sent on 03/07/2020PERFECT! completely flawless start to finish.
Everything was perfect. Better than I could even think up! Jamie is an - she helped with outside vendors and set everything up for me. She took alllllllll of what stress I could've had and made it go away. Also their food is AMAZING. We had a wedding weekend from Thursday through Sunday with the ceremony on Saturday. I don't know how to explain it other than flawless.
Friends and family will be talking about our wedding for years to come. -
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Bailey Sent on 02/28/2020
Amazing Location and Team
Hawkesdene, I mean WOW.. What a wedding venue!! The team, the venue, the greenery, the cabins, and all of the family/friends time this venue creates.. It is an unforgettable experience.
I thought our guests were just being positive and polite every time they mentioned how great of a venue it was.. but looking back and still talking about it.. This place creates a space to spend time with everyone but allows everyone to have their own space to retreat to.. So much common space, no bars for people to take off too, no cabs needed, everyone is forced to kind of go back in time, put your phones down, talk, enjoy some wine, watch the flower bloom and fire burn!!
The Hawkesdene team, they put soo much effort into making every single wedding an unforgettable moment. I don't know how they do it and reset their brains for the next weekend, but they do. Jamie is a God sent Christmas Elf that makes sure everything goes off without any issues. She made sure I ate every night, kept my champagne full(most important), and kept everything on time! We ordered flowers for every night, and man did she make some incredible arrangements. With her by your side, you truly can take on the world! Use her, ask her questions, pick her brain.
Our guests went on hikes to the magical waterfalls, played basketball, field games, and late games of lama stay(shh can't tell you what it is, sorry Rob).. the boys bobbed for beer late at night, hurled kegs, large games of manhunt, weird games of "never have I ever" around the big fireplace, danced all night long, and never left a smile behind.. The number of ceremony locations and all of their incredible food options! Amazing!
I would suggest hiring a bartended every night. I do suggest bringing your own bloody mary bar details and vodka. Also, hiring local talent to play acoustic sets every night is a great touch! Get the tent just to make sure you have a backup option! Don't put the elderly at any cabin far away. Get there a few days early to settle in and calm down! Bring games to set up for people to play! Bring cabin snacks for yourself and welcome bags with snacks and water in them! Make friends with the local brewery keg delivery guys, you'll husband will thank you!
If you're considering making the drive up there, asking guests to spend the money, and putting your eggs in their basket... I strongly encourage you to do it! You won't forget it, you won't look back wondering "what if", you WILL look back at an incredible weekend spent celebrating your lifelong union! -
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Chelsea Sent on 01/22/2020
October Wedding of our Dreams
We planned our wedding at Hawkesdene and initially picked it because the idea of the place is have all of your family + friends (or at least most) stay on-site within walking distance of the events in the mountains with all of their food and drink taken care of...which sounded so carefree and relaxing for not just us but EVERYONE!! it was everything and more than we could have ever imagined! It was like wedding camp but with an upscale feel! the food was the best food i've ever had in my entire life. People wouldn't stop raving about i! The property is also gorgeous. You are surrounded by the mountains (there is a small hike you can take and get to the very top for pics..they will drive you up on your wedding day! and there are llamas too! We had so much fun picking out spots on the property to take our pics. AND Don't get me started on Jami and how responsive she is throughout the entire process. We spent almost a year talking to her and she was always one email or call away from helping me decide the tedious things like what color this and how big that. I felt bad at times because i don't know how she handles it all..but she somehow does. Since October, Zach and I have heard over and over how my wedding was like a wedding festival and it was the best they'd ever gone to. I am so beyond happy we made the decision to go with Hawkesdene! -
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Kimberly Sent on 12/02/2019
Perfect Weekend Wedding
We could not have picked a better location for our November wedding. Not only is this location perfect, but the staff is spectacular. Jami was the perfect wedding coordinator, and made everything easy for us. She gave us good advice, answered every email/call we needed and communicated so well with our other vendors. I want to say a special thank you to the Hawkesdene chef as well, who made sure that my guests with allergies always received the allergy-free version of what we were eating, no matter what. She was perfect, sweet, and always reached out to make sure everyone was covered - not to mention, her food was AMAZING. Everyone is still talking about all the meals a week later :) If you want a venue that has everything and truly caters to what you want for your special day or weekend, book your wedding with Hawkesdene, you won't regret it. We're already looking to come back here again for a family reunion! -
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Arisa Sent on 10/31/2019
Oh Hawkesdene ❤️
Hawkesdene is a magical place! The estate itself was absolutely beautiful and each cabin was easily found. If you enjoy hiking like we do they have some great hikes you can do! What we were really blown away by was the hospitality and kindness of the staff, they took any stress we had away! The day of the wedding it rained and it was not in the spot we all had practiced but it really did not matter. It was better than what was planned! The wedding was cozy and intimate. The food everyday was spectacular! Never a bad meal. We happened upon this place by accident and were extremely lucky. Even from a distance Jami was always very prompt with my questions. If you are looking for a beautiful venue look no further. -
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Katie Sent on 10/23/2019Best Weekend of My Life!
My husband and I were married on 7.27.19 and simply cannot say enough good things about Hawkesdene!
We took a trip to visit a year out from our wedding and immediately were in awe of the Estate. It has a unique laid back, yet eloquent atmosphere with grounds that are beautifully kept, amazing views, and awesome cabins!
From the minute we met with Jami and Rob we were sold! Their laid back professionalism was exactly what we needed, and put me at ease during the planning process. With a billion questions and yet another visit, they were always welcoming, responsive and very helpful. They know what they are doing, but have a way of getting things done without overwhelming you!
When we arrived for our wedding weekend everything had a casual flow to it, just as were were wanting with our friends and family who could not stop raving about the awesome venue, amazing food, and the incredible staff that were there for every need.
This place has a unique way of bringing all of your guests together to make your wedding weekend an unforgettable one! Oh, and dog friendly too ; ) -
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Elizabeth Sent on 08/17/2019My Dream Wedding
We had our wedding at the Hawkesdene Estate on 8/3/19 and it was even better than I imagined it could be!
We visited about a year and a half before our wedding date and fell in love with it immediately. It was even more beautiful in person than what the internet showed us!
We planned the wedding all the way from Michigan, which meant many emails back and fourth, mostly from me, asking Jami (the wedding coordinator) and Rob (the owner) a zillion questions. All questions were answered promptly and with great detail to ease any anxiety I had. They ALWAYS had an answer for me, and on a few occasions called me to explain things because it was just easier over the phone.
Jami is simply amazing to work with. When we arrived to the estate for our wedding weekend, she went over all details with us before our guests arrived and then encouraged us to settle in ourselves before it got busy.
As soon as our guests did arrive, they were blown away. One guest described it as casual elegance, which was perfect. They take care of the grounds and houses, but in a way that is relaxed and somewhat casual feeling. Not stark and rigid.
The food was beyond amazing. Being a food reviewer, it was something that was super important to me at our wedding, and Chef Caroline did not disappoint. Breakfast and lunch was a amazing and they had tons of options for all of our guests. It was 5 star restaurant quality! A lot of our guests ate the meals, then took plates back to their cottage to snack on later :)
The dinners we chose were fabulous! Every single one of my guests loved it all and made sure to tell us numerous times how great it was. We all joked, after returning home that it was a hard transition home because we didn't have breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared for us each day anymore.
Our actual wedding day was great!! The Bridal salon was perfect for all of us gals to get ready. With our cottage right across from it, it was super easy to go back and fourth and use both spaces as we got ready. It was also great to have a overlook of the reception area. I was able to watch the Hakwesdene staff set up the tables, which was done exactly to my specifications! They didn't even have to bug me to ask anything because we had covered it all in both emails and in our final walk through meeting.
Just before the ceremony, there was a threat of rain, so Jami pulled me aside to ask what I wanted to do. We ultimately decided to risk it and I'm glad that we did because it held off!
Once we got to the pavilion for cocktail hour, the rain did start, so the staff acted quickly and moved all the tables inside under the pavilion. They were AMAZING! It happened so quickly that it was not disturbing to our guests.
The rest of the night went off without a hitch!
What I loved most (after the beauty of the entire estate) was that the staff made us feel like the property was OURS for the weekend. They stayed out of the way, but were accessible if needed. We were all truly able to relax. We didn't have many requests during our stay, but the ones we had were responded with quickness and kindness.
It was terribly hard to leave that Sunday. I felt sad that I wouldn't be bugging Jami or Rob with my random questions. My only complaint is that I wish we could go back!
I would recommend to anyonoe to have a whole wedding weekend rather than just the one day. We were able to mingle and socialize with all of our guests for two days before the wedding day. In doing this, we felt relaxed on the Big Day. We didn't feel pressure to move from table to table, making sure to talk to each guest. We were able to have fun with them because we had gotten that out of the way the days prior. Although the day did go fast, we felt as though we could actually be a part of it and enjoy it!
If you are on the fence about Hakwesdene, BOOK IT! It's worth every dime. With how beautiful the setting is, we were able to do minimal decor and extras and it was still more beautiful than I ever imagined it could be!
I could go on and on about it all. I encourage you to go and check it out for yourself! You'll love it! -
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Jasmine Sent on 08/13/2019Venue of your dreams
My fiance and I wanted a small intimate wedding in the mountains, and we got that and more. The time and efforts of the team was more than we could have ever expected. And the grounds are something that you dream about. I could not recommend this venue enough. The staff make the process easy especially if you are planning from out of state. Best decision we have ever made! -
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Katie Sent on 08/07/2019Hawkesdene is heaven on earth
We got married at a Hawkesdene on 5.26.19. The weekend we spent on the Estate was nothing short of perfection. From the first day we visited the property to even after we had left our wedding, the staff was responsive, helpful, attentive, and kind. Jami made sure the entire weekend was flawless. All of our guests commented on how incredible the food was, how clean the cabins were, and how no other wedding they attended would ever compete with our wedding weekend. I want to relive it over and over again. THANK YOU HAWKESDENE!! If anyone needs extra guests at their Hawkesdene wedding, my husband and I will be happy to crash. -
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Lauren Sent on 07/02/2019The best kept secret in wedding venues
We are still on a high from our wedding weekend at Hawkesdene. Our friends and family arrived Thursday and stayed till Sunday for our wedding weekend, and none of us wanted to leave on Sunday. Jami was incredible throughout the planning and had everything absolutely handled before I could even consider it. the food was incredible, the cake was the best I've ever tasted, the grounds were impeccable. It gave our guests plenty of space to roam but intimate enough to bring friends and family together in a way they're raving about days later. I saw guests have a better time than I've ever seen them have. The staff had everything done before I could even think of it, giving me a completely stress free bridal experience. It was perfect, and if I could give them 100 stars I would. It's worth it, pull the trigger on Hawkesdene. -
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Marc Sent on 06/18/2019Fairytale Wedding At Hawkesdene Estate in North Carolina
We could write a book about the amazing experience we had making our son and his fiancé’s wedding at the Hawkesdene Estate in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. When we were searching for the perfect place for a destination wedding, we kept coming across excellent reviews on Hawkesdene. We contacted them and we were invited by one of the owners, Rob, to come stay overnight for a full tour of the property. Jami, the manager, planner, host and simply the “everything”, spent a full day with us giving us a grand tour. It was like a vacation in and of itself. We were SOLD. But the decision belonged to our son and his fiancé. They went for their own visit and that sealed the deal. This was the beginning of a yearlong experience that resulted in the most beautiful wedding we could have ever imagined.
Jami worked tirelessly with us to make sure we gave our kids the fairytale wedding they dreamed of. She was such an absolute pleasure and was like part of our family by the time our adventure was over. The entire staff of Hawkesdene was off the charts. The food was out of this world. The rooms and the property were kept in such immaculate condition. All of our requests were met with a Yes, Yes, Yes!!! No was simply not part of the vocabulary at Hawkesdene.
The culmination of this amazing service came on the day of the wedding, well actually minutes before the wedding. It had been raining all day and we were forced to set up for the ceremony under the pavilion. Even though everything looked beautiful, we really wanted the ceremony outside under the beautiful canopy of trees. The ceremony was set for 5:30 and the weather started clearing at 4:30. Rob and Jami knew how bad we wanted the wedding outside, and at 5:00 they decided to make the change. It was amazing. They jumped into action and literally reset the entire ceremony location out under the trees in about 20 minutes. It was incredible to watch Jami and her staff in action! Suffice it to say, the ceremony was beautiful, the party a huge success, and our son, and now daughter-in-law, had the fantasy wedding they dreamed of for so long.
Needless to say, if you are looking for the wedding of a lifetime, Hawkesdene is your place!!!
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Caitlin Sent on 06/13/2019Heavenly Wedding Weekend
Everything about Hawkesdene was perfect. My husband and I have family all over the country so it was important to us that we could spend as much time as possible with out guests. All of our guests were able to stay on the property which made for a magical weekend. I was working on planning my wedding from Seattle and Jami was amazing. When we were in town, she sat down with us to understand our vision. When our weekend came, everything went perfectly. They had plans in place in case the rain effected our wedding site. She coordinated everything seamlessly. The food was out of this world. All of our guests said that it was the not just the best wedding food they'd had, but some of the best food even. The whole staff was so kind and accommodating. Rob and Phil have an amazing location. I could not have imagined our wedding being anywhere else! Thank you for your part in our special day! -
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Juliana Sent on 09/09/2018My husband and I had our wedding here at Hawkesdene. My sister actually also had her wedding here the Fall before mine! We absolutely adore this venue and the staff. If you are planning a wedding and are looking for a romantic, beautiful, mountain weekend venue-- stop your search and choose Hawkesdene! The venue is beautiful in itself with several options for wedding weekend events rain or shine. Not only is it gorgeous, but everything you could possible think of, every little detail, has already been thought of and taken care of by the Hawkesdene staff. Our wedding day was not stressful at all, as Jami and her team made sure everything was taken care of. Our wedding guests also loved the venue because they got to not only enjoy the wedding, but stay in the mountains and have a wonderful mountain weekend away. Stop your search-- pick this venue! You will not be disappointed!! Here is a video from our wedding weekend:
https://vimeo.com/whitewashfilms/robbieandjuliana -
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Heather Sent on 08/19/2018From the moment we stepped foot on the property we knew Hawkesdene was our wedding venue. The views and accommodations weren’t the only reason we chose Hawkesdene though! Jamie & the rest of the staff were AMAZING to work with from the very beginning. Anything we needed the Hawkesdene team was there. One of the owners Rob was always responsive and made sure we had everything we needed or wanted.
By the time wedding weekend rolled around I knew we had nothing to worry about. Jamie and her team had it covered. They are the pros and def. listen to any and all suggestions she has.
Our guests traveled from all over the US and loved every minute of being at Hawkesdene. From all of the accommodations to the food, no one had a single complaint. We were able to have the wedding of our dreams because of this beautiful mountain estate in the smokies!
We look forward to hopefully being able to visit again soon! -
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Sara Sent on 04/26/2018We were just married at Hawkesdene this past weekend and it was an absolute dream. The whole long weekend from start to finish was flawless and stress free. Jami is amazing and her and the rest of the staff are somehow able to anticipate your needs before you do. Every meal was so delicious and well thought out. Hawkesdene is a magical place and we heard from so many of our guests that this was the best wedding they had ever been to and how much they loved everything about the property, the food, and the wonderful people that run it. If you are considering Hawkesdene for your wedding, do not hesitate. It was hands down the best decision we made for our wedding and they gave us the best weekend of our lives.
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Audrey Sent on 03/20/2018This place is amazing! It's located in a beautiful setting and provides space to bring family and guests together in one place. Hawkesdene also includes table settings and some decor pieces depending on what you're looking for. We found this very helpful. The meals were perfect- we had several special needs and they worked with us not problem! Our guests still talk about our wedding and Hawkesdene to this day. Everyone wants to go back!
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User3375416 Sent on 01/04/2018Jami and Rob were exceptionally accommodating from the moment we expressed interest in Hawkesdene. They worked with our busy schedules to get us in to see the property, to taste their exceptional food, and from the moment we decided their venue was our perfect spot, they tirelessly worked with us to make our time at Hawkesdene the most worry-free and wonderful experience. They are very organized and it is evident they take pride in their work. Their website is VERY organized, their chef is creative and makes really delicious food, and their staff shares their vision 100%. Perfect place.
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Lindsey Sent on 11/13/2017What can we say about Hawkesdene except perfect, perfect, perfect! Jami, Rob, and the rest of the Hawkesdene team did everything in their power to make our wedding weekend an absolutely perfect dream.
From the minute we stepped foot on the Hawkesdene property, we knew it was the only place we could imagine having our wedding. The estate is absolutely GORGEOUS - even when we visited in the dead of winter, we were still enthralled with the beautiful scenery, the incredible trees and foliage, the stunning cottages and beautiful main house. The estate was even more beautiful when we returned additional times to visit during the summer and fall.
While preparing for our wedding, Jami and Rob were incredibly communicative and available regarding all of the details leading up to our wedding. It was clear from the very beginning that the priority for the Hawkesdene team was not to nickle and dime us but to ensure that we had the most wonderful wedding possible. Jami was quick to offer us ideas on how to cut costs and save money while still retaining our vision.
During our wedding weekend in October, the entire Hawkesdene team was available every minute of the day to make sure everything flowed absolutely smoothly and perfectly. I had a sore throat on the day of the wedding and requested tea just before the ceremony - within five minutes, not only did I receive tea, but a beautiful tray of tea, honey, and crackers delivered by the chef herself. It was this attention to detail and personalization that marked our entire wedding weekend. We didn't have to worry about anything other than having a wonderful time.
I cannot rave enough about Jami, Rob, and the rest of the Hawkesdene team. My family loved Hawkesdene so much that my little sister is going to get married there in May 2018! We cannot WAIT to return to this magical place. I would rate Hawkesdene 100 stars if I could!! -
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Kanani Sent on 10/07/2017LOVED EVERY MINUTE WE WERE THERE. Jami is amazing. We are thinking of going back for our 5 year anniversary. Everything was great from the food to the people that helped the whole weekend long. The staff is the best. I can not say enough good things about Hawesdene. We loved them and will go back.
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