Hawkesdene

ing 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.

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!😊)

ami 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.

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 them 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 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. 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.