Planning Your Biltmore Proposal | 5 Tips to Help Plan Your Proposal at Biltmore Estate in Asheville

April 12, 2023 • 1 Comment

Planning your Biltmore proposal | 5 Tips to Help Plan Your Proposal at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC

While planning your romantic trip to Asheville, NC, you may find yourself wondering, “Can I propose at Biltmore in Asheville?” or “Can I take engagement photos at Biltmore in Asheville?” The answer to both is, Yes! Absolutely! Biltmore Estate is very welcoming to guests who would like to have an engagement photo shoot or proposal photo shoot on their property. You simply have to abide by the open hours and know enough about the estate to figure out the logistics. Wait, what if you haven’t been before and don’t know much about the estate? Don’t worry! That’s where I come in to help!

Proposing at Biltmore in Asheville can feel overwhelming with figuring out where to park in the many parking lots, where to propose on the 8,000 acre estate, when to propose to have a more private moment, how long it will take to tour the house, how close your chosen proposal spot is to the house, how to get your partner to your chosen spots on time, etc. I assure you though, with my help, it’ll be easy breezy!

Here are my top 5 tips to help you plan your proposal at Biltmore in Asheville:

1. Best places to propose at Biltmore Estate in Asheville

Deciding where to propose at Biltmore Estate in itself can feel overwhelming. With over 8,000 acres to choose from, there are a lot of options. Here’s where I come in. I know dozens of beautiful spots on the property of Biltmore Estate to propose to your partner and make it so very special. Some of those spots were compiled in my blog post, Biltmore Proposal Photographer | Where to Propose at Biltmore Estate, and some more options are below. Know that these two short lists are not the only options. There are dozens more!

- Esplanade Balcony
This is a beautiful spot that sits just above the front lawn, where the Biltmore house will be in the background of your photos. It’s truly gorgeous! It’s also easy to find and easy to walk to. The one challenge, is that there are typically other people here as well. The flow of guests can be heavy or light, depending on the exact moment, so if you love this spot, my recommendation is to hang out for a few minutes, and when the crowd subsides a bit, pop your question then!

- Italian Garden
This fairly quiet garden that boasts stone statues and coy ponds sits right next to the front lawn and south terrace, yet not nearly as many people walk through it. This means that at the far end of the Italian Garden, you could propose with very few people nearby, AND get some of the house and mountains in the background of your photos!

- Tennis Lawn
Though many guests walk on the paths around the perimeter of the tennis lawn, not many people walk on it. It’s one of my favorite places near Biltmore’s house and gardens, because it’s gives you a unique view of the house, as well as purple wisteria vines during certain parts of the year. Also, since not many people walk on the lawn, you’re likely to have this flat lawn to yourself when you propose to your partner.

- Lagoon
The area near the lagoon is one of Biltmore’s best kept secrets. Sure, there are guests who drive around the lagoon and check out the view, but very few people stop and hang out. This means that in this quiet area of the estate that is away from the house and gardens, you’re likely to have a private proposal in one of the most photogenic spots on the property!

- Inside the house
I don’t typically recommend proposing inside the Biltmore house since it’s very busy and professional photography is not permitted. However, one very unique idea is to book a private tour and propose on top of the Biltmore house! I personally have taken the rooftop tour, and it’s an experience you won’t forget! Just remember, when you book the private tour, be sure to let guest services know that there will be three people in total, as you’ll want me there to photograph your utterly magical proposal! To book this VIP experience, contact Biltmore guest services at 1-800-411-3812.

- More proposal location ideas like the upper esplanade near the Diana statue, South Terrace, and Spring Garden Tunnel can be found at Biltmore Proposal Photographer | Where to Propose at Biltmore Estate

2. Best time to propose at Biltmore Estate

Since Asheville sits in the mountains at 2,200 feet of elevation, we get to experience all four seasons. It’s truly beautiful in this area all times of the year, so if you’re ready to propose to your partner, I say just plan it for when it works for you! My real recommendation comes from the time of day to propose. In my experience, the quietest time of the day to propose at Biltmore Estate is right after the main gate opens. This is when the fewest people are on the estate, and it makes for a more private proposal. Another bonus, is that there will likely be fewer people in the background of your photos.
As a second option, I recommend the end of the day, just after the main gate closes. Many guests have completed their tours for the day and have left. Plus, at certain times of year, this means you can also catch the sunset over the mountains in your photos at Biltmore Estate!

3. How to propose at Biltmore Estate in Asheville

There are a lot of things to consider when wondering, “How do you propose at Biltmore?” Planning your Biltmore proposal doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Having a local like me who can help with the logistics of how to navigate Biltmore Estate, where to park at Biltmore Estate, how to best get to your proposal spot at Biltmore Estate, and how to get your partner to agree to walking to that proposal spot, makes the process seamless! Click over to Asheville Engagement Proposal Photographer | How to Propose at Biltmore Estate for more tips!

4. Hire a photographer!

I’ll help you plan your proposal! Not only does your partner want photos of the biggest moment of their life so far, so that you can share them as a couple with your family and friends, I am here to help you make this process seamless! My knowledge will help take the worry away from you, so that you can concentrate on the sweet words you plan to say to your partner, and be sure that you open the ring box right side up!
I have been photographing at Biltmore Estate for over 10 years, and as of the published date of this article, I have photographed over 200 photography sessions there. This means I know the real ins and outs of the estate, I know the beautiful little nooks and crannies that many locals don’t know exist, and I know the best spots to propose. Plus, I have my own pass to enter, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of an extra ticket!

5. Let your Biltmore Estate proposal launch your romantic weekend

When you think about your romantic Asheville weekend in the mountains, I imagine that you envision you and your partner celebrating your engagement the entire time! If this is the case, I recommend proposing as early in your trip as possible! A pro note: Depending on the time of year, I have heard that sometimes Biltmore offers an option for guests to enter the grounds late in the afternoon on the day before their ticket reservation, as well as the full day of their ticket reservation. This means that you may be able to propose the evening that you arrive in Asheville, instead of waiting until the next morning!

Did you know that there is a local planning service in Asheville that will create a personalized itinerary for your romantic weekend? It’s called Juniper, and it is extremely affordable! Contact Summer at www.craftedbyjuniper.com to chat with her about what you two love to do, and she will create a customized itinerary for you that includes things to do, where to eat, and more, along with reservations, if you wish! Summer is a native of the area and knows ALL the spots, both popular and off the beaten path.