Best Places to Propose - The Biltmore Estate - Asheville, NC
The Biltmore Estate. Need we say more? “America’s Largest Home” is their claim to fame, but really we think it should be “The Best Place to Propose to Your Partner.” If you’re searching for the best Biltmore Proposal Spots, you’ve come to the right place!
This place is a literal playground for surprise proposal photographers, with no bad angles (seriously, try and find a bad angle, I’ll wait), lots of different scenery, indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, mountain views, a giant Christmas tree, and a whole lot more.
For the past few years, we’ve frequented Biltmore almost weekly to plan and photograph marriage proposals. As Asheville’s #1 proposal location, we made it our mission to become Biltmore experts. So the goal of this blog is to give you all the information you need in one spot.
We’ve broken things into two parts, the first for all the general Biltmore information we provide our clients, and the second for all the different spots on the property you can choose to have your proposal at. Note that your proposal spot is just one of many that you’ll visit and take photos at, so don’t see this as a limiting factor, but instead as just one decision to help with the proposal planning process.
How Do I Plan A Biltmore Proposal?
To make things as easy as possible, check out this link on planning your Biltmore Proposal, written by our founder, Nick Levine Photography. If you’re just starting to ask yourself “Can you propose at the Biltmore?” the answer is Yes! The above blog is full of everything from parking directions, to hours of operation, to where to purchase tickets, and so much more. This should be your first stop, and really one-stop-shop, for planning your Biltmore Surprise Proposal.
Where Can I Propose At The Biltmore?
And now for the good stuff. Here are the top spots we recommend for your Biltmore Proposal with some pros and cons and example photos.
The High Lawn / Diana
The High Lawn, or Diana (they’re pretty interchangeable) is the number one spot people choose to have their marriage proposal done at. The picture above speaks for itself: it’s stunning, it’s a classic iconic view of the estate, it has really nice symmetry, and it’s easy to locate. But on the flip side, it’s an extremely popular location for everyone, not just proposals. Usually one of the first (and last) stops for anyone visiting the Biltmore Estate is on the brick overlook, so there can be a crowd of folks not far from your proposal spot, which can make it a little less intimate. The key to avoiding this is ascending the high lawn, as high as you can go, without getting sweaty and out of breath. The High Lawn is approximately a football field long, so anywhere around the middle is far enough from other people, and can even provide a little glimpse of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.
Pros: Iconic, easy to find, timeless.
Cons: Popular, less private.
The Side Lawn
The Side Lawn, or Tennis Lawn, is another great spot. This flat patch of beautifully manicured grass is directly to the left of the Biltmore Estate, and right next to the walking path under the Shady Pergola (a great spot for photos in the morning or evening). It’s an alternative angle with the Biltmore House still in the background, and it’s much flatter and less popular overall for tourists to be walking on. This could possibly prove an issue if it seems like a not frequented spot and you’re trying to convince your partner to walk on it with you. Additionally, there are sometimes Tennis Lawn Weddings happening in this space, so it should be avoided as an option on the weekend. And lastly, we think every time we’ve shot at this spot people have applauded afterward, so it’s certainly not 100% private.
Pros: Great views, empty (except for possible weddings), unique
Cons: Off the beaten path, not private
Biltmore Gardens
The Gardens at the Biltmore Estate are the most spectacular in all of Asheville. We always joke that most of the budget at the Biltmore must go to landscaping. This area is perfect for flower lovers, and those who don’t necessarily want the actual Biltmore Estate in the background of their photo. It’s in bloom usually from late March until November, so that means avoid it in winter as a place to propose. It also is quite public, and has many pathways. With our couples who choose to propose here, we use a “follow behind” method to help choose the perfect location.
Pros: Nature focused, colorful, unique
Cons: Public, not a winter option
The Conservatory
The Conservatory at the Biltmore Estate is probably one of our favorite spots on property and it works great for proposals too. It looks stunning all year round, so it’s a great option in winter. It’s temperature-controlled and in winter, which is a huge bonus, and indoors, so it’s our go-to rain backup plan. The temperature does cause some issues though - it can be high humidity which affects our camera gear and your hair. It also is public and frequented, even though it might not seem like it in pictures. There are many different rooms, but we have our favorite spot that allows guests to still enjoy the foliage while you propose. So needless to say, it’s not very private.
Biggest thing to keep in mind is when the Conservatory is actually open. Keep this handy, but from April 1st to October 31st, the hours are 9 am to 6 pm, and from November 1st to March 31st, the hours are 9 am to 5 pm. Compare this to the hours you can access the Biltmore and sometimes you can get on property at 7 pm in the summer, but the Conservatory will already have been closed for the day. So plan accordingly!
Pros: Unique, temp-controlled, rainproof
Cons: Humid, public, closes early sometimes.
The Lagoon
The Lagoon at the Biltmore is a bit off the beaten path, but oh so worth it. This is more secluded area, with mostly people walking on the hiking trails or setting up a picnic near here. It’s still a view of the Bitmore Estate (albeit, the back) from a unique angle with nature to accent the beauty of the view. The biggest downside is it’s a car drive away from the Estate, not a walk. The nature focus can also make you feel like you paid for Biltmore tickets and didn’t even get photos that represented the estate, but more the surrounding nature (to each their own, we love both). Sessions we’ve done here have been combinations of The Lagoon and the Biltmore House or Antler Hill but that involves some session time devoted to travel.
Pros: Unique, secluded, nature-focused
Cons: Travel time/distance
Other Spots
Christmas Tree
Christmas at Biltmore is a big deal. From the beginning of November (yea, we start early here too…) up until the beginning of January, there’s a wonderfully tall and lit up Christmas tree in the middle of main lawn outside the Estate. It’s the perfect spot for Christmas lovers, or those who just like the twinkly-light look. Photos turn out best closer to sunset, but generally not the best 30-minutes after sunset (around 5:30 pm during the winter, so try to avoid 6 pm onwards).
Antler Hill Village and Winery
This area, though not walkable from the Estate, is a great addition to any visit to The Biltmore, and is a nice place to relax, drink wine, or visit a number of restaurants. In winter, similar to the addition of the Christmas Tree, Antler Hill Village and Winery has a wonderful display of holiday lights. It’s not as popular for proposals, but people still love walking through the string lights, so be sure to plan ahead and avoid crowds.
South Terrace
The South Terrace provides some pretty impressive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains behind your surprise proposal. Sunset happens in the direction of the terrace, so it’s great for an evening proposal. It’s a wide enough space to have lots of privacy, but just be conscious of others around you. This is another spot where weddings happen, so generally avoid it on weekends.
Sunflower Fields at Antler Hill Village
If you love sunflowers, this spot at The Biltmore is kind of a big deal. Late July and Early September are when the two waves of sunflowers bloom (you can thank the Biltmore’s landscaping staff for this one) and it’s super common to see folks taking photos with them. Keep in mind this is a little off the beaten path from the Estate, but can be paired with some winery photos or a longer session length.
The Bass Pond
The Bass Pond at the Biltmore is near The Lagoon, but has a nice bridge, gazebo, and lots of foliage. It’s a bit secluded, and nature focused, so there isn’t much that says “These photos were taken at The Biltmore.” An alternative to this spot would be the bridge at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, which is another awesome proposal spot.
There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to the best places to propose at the Biltmore House. But as always, we’re here to help make your life easier with our expertise and best suggestions. When you’re ready, let’s chat.