Not at all. The weekend is designed so guests can participate as much or as little as they’d like. Our hope is that guests will join us for as much of the weekend as possible so we can spend meaningful time together, but we understand that some guests may choose to explore the area or enjoy other activities during the day. When you RSVP, you’ll be able to indicate which meals and events you plan to attend.
While travel schedules vary, the wedding weekend officially begins Thursday evening with the Welcome Cocktail Hour and Dinner. We would love for guests to join us starting then, if possible, as it will be a relaxed opportunity to gather, reconnect, and kick off the weekend together. All invited guests are warmly invited to attend any of the hosted meals, activities, and celebrations throughout the weekend.
All invited guests are welcome to join us for the meals, drinks, and celebrations hosted at Hawkesdene throughout the weekend.
The estate prepares meals based on confirmed attendance, so when you RSVP you’ll be able to indicate which meals you plan to attend. This helps us ensure accurate planning for the weekend. When you RSVP, you’ll be able to share dietary restrictions or allergies so the estate can plan accordingly.
Yes, the main house will also have light snacks and beverages available for guests between scheduled meals. For guests staying on-site, many cottages and houses include kitchens and refrigerators, so you can bring personal snacks or drinks during your stay.
Many guests will choose to drive to Hawkesdene Estate. For those flying, several regional airports are within driving distance. Guests may choose whichever airport best fits their travel plans. Additional travel details and driving directions can be found on the Travel page of our website.
Yes. Hawkesdene is located in the mountains, and ride-share services are limited. Most guests will want a car to travel to and from the estate or explore the surrounding area. If you plan to stay on-site for the entire weekend, you may arrange shuttle services from nearby airports through Harrah’s Cherokee Casino.
Some guests will be staying on-site at Hawkesdene Estate. All other guests are welcome to stay at nearby hotels or vacation rentals in Andrews, North Carolina. We’ve included recommended accommodations on the Lodging page of our website.
Guests staying on-site will be accommodated in one of Hawkesdene’s guest houses, cottages, or cabins located throughout the estate. Because the estate includes several different houses and cottages, rooms vary in size, layout, and bathroom arrangements. We’ve thoughtfully arranged rooms with this in mind and will share your specific accommodation details closer to the wedding weekend
Possibly. Many of the estate’s cottages and houses include multiple guest rooms and shared living spaces. Staying on-site often feels a bit like a relaxed weekend house party, where friends and family gather in living rooms, porches, and common areas between events.
Absolutely. We rented the entire Hawkesdene Estate for the weekend, and all invited guests are welcome to enjoy the property throughout the celebration — whether staying on-site or nearby. Beyond hosted meals and events, the estate has hiking trails, porches, lawn games, horseshoes, game rooms, alpacas, and plenty of space to relax and spend time together. Guests staying off-site are encouraged to come up for the day and stay as long as they’d like, unless they’d prefer to explore the surrounding area. Meals, drinks, and scheduled activities included in the wedding weekend are provided for all guests who RSVP.
The wedding weekend begins Thursday evening with the Welcome Cocktail Hour at 6:00 PM, followed by Dinner at 7:00 PM. Guests are welcome to arrive any time after 4:00 PM to settle in before the evening gathering; this is also the earliest the on-site guest rooms will be available.
There is ample parking available on the estate. Guests staying on-site will find parking near their cottages or houses. For guests arriving each day from nearby hotels, a large guest parking area is available on the property. Prior to hosted events and the ceremony, Hawkesdene staff will be available to help direct parking. The estate is easily walkable for most guests, but staff are also happy to provide golf cart rides between cottages and event spaces by calling the main house.
Hawkesdene Estate offers hiking trails, a waterfall, lawn games, gathering spaces, a game room, a llama and alpaca petting station, a fire pit, and beautiful spots to relax or gather indoors and outdoors. Nearby options include Nantahala Lake, Nantahala National Forest, horseback riding, rafting, and charming mountain towns to explore. A list of recommended local activities and rentals is available in our "Things to Do" tab on the website.
Attire throughout the weekend is relaxed and comfortable, with the wedding ceremony and reception Saturday evening being the most formal event. Thursday & Friday evenings Think summer dinner attire—casual summer dresses, button-down shirts, or polos with chinos or nice shorts. Friday daytime & Saturday morning Casual or activewear is perfect for exploring the property, hiking, or relaxing around the estate. Saturday ceremony & reception Semi-formal garden party attire is encouraged for the wedding celebration—think dresses, suits, sport coats, or dressy separates. The ceremony and reception will take place across the outdoor areas of the estate, so comfortable shoes for grass and stone paths are recommended.
Hawkesdene is a beautiful mountain property with grassy areas and natural gravel paths. Comfortable shoes are recommended during the day, and sneakers or hiking shoes are a good idea if you plan to explore the trails. For evening events, dressier shoes are appropriate, but we recommend options that work well outdoors — block heels, wedges, dressy flats, or sturdy dress shoes are all great choices.
Late June in the mountains is typically warm during the day (around the low 80s) and cooler in the evenings (mid-50s to low-60s). We recommend bringing a light layer for nighttime events.
If your plans change, please let us know as soon as possible so we can update the estate's meal counts.
Due to the size and nature of the venue, invitations are limited to the guests listed on each invitation
Farewell brunch will be served Sunday morning, with departures following afterward. Most guests plan to travel home later that morning or early afternoon.