Frequently Asked Questions

The 1812 Hitching Post is located in Harmony, North Carolina, which is in north Iredell County. We are 8 miles from Statesville, NC. We are 30 miles from Winston-Salem and Hickory, NC. It takes about 45 minutes from Charlotte, NC.

The 1812 Hitching Post is a historic wedding venue specializing in all-inclusive outdoor weddings.

The 1812 Hitching Post is designed for weddings for 2 to 200 guests. Most of our weddings have 40 – 120 people.

Yes, we do host parties and gatherings.

Click here to Visit the Hitching Post

If a particular date is important to you, book your venue as soon as you are sure of the date. Couples with larger weddings tend to book 12 to 18 months in advance. Elopements are microweddings often book just a few months before the event. The most popular months for weddings at the 1812 Hitching Post are April, May, October, and November.

We have 26 acres including manicured lawns, fields, a lake, and a woodland area. The main house, with it’s dressing rooms, living rooms, restrooms, and charm is open for all throughout the event. We encourage people to wander, explore, and enjoy. View the property

Elopements and Classic Weddings may be held anywhere on the property. The remote music set-up and golf cart transportation are included at no extra charge.

Yes. We can provide an officiant, or you’re welcome to bring your own minister or officiant. Ceremonies can be fully customized — from non-religious services to faith-based ceremonies, including your own personalized vows — so your ceremony reflects you as a couple.

Absolutely. We proudly welcome and celebrate couples of all orientations and identities. Our venue is a place where every couple can feel comfortable, respected, and fully supported in creating a wedding that reflects their love and story.

Yes! We want everyone to be safe.

We have four unique bathrooms that guests can use, highlighting the home’s vintage style.

Yes. We encourage you to gather items neatly. Guests enjoy viewing the rooms. They may wish to see these areas. If you don’t want friends or family to access the suites; please let us know.

We recommend having a rehearsal before your wedding. It would typically be on the Friday evening before the wedding. Plan your rehearsal for the same time as your ceremony — it helps everyone remember where to be, when to be there, and lets you see the lighting exactly how it will look when you say “I do.” Less confusion, more confidence!.

• American Marriage Ministries (AMM) — A non-denominational church offering free online ordination specifically designed for wedding officiants, including downloadable credentials.
• Open Ministry — Provides free online ordination with simple credential access.
• National Association of Christian Ministers — Provides free ordination with optional credential packages available.

In North Carolina, your officiant must be a legally ordained minister or authorized religious official, or a magistrate. If you have a concern about whether your wedding will be legal, please contact your county register of deeds.

Getting ordained for a wedding is 100% free through several major online organizations. The process typically takes less than a minute and grants you the legal authority to perform marriage ceremonies in most states

Venue tips: Always have your officiant confirm they are comfortable performing weddings in North Carolina and signing the license correctly to avoid delays. Do NOT choose ULC (Universal Life Church) as they have a court precedent that denied a marriage.

Here is a typical timeline for a a 5 p.m. ceremony (choose any time for your ceremony):
Friday – rehearsal at time you reserve. Bring your alcohol and anything else you want us to set up for you the night before
Saturday – arrive at 1 p.m. or afterward to get ready and have pre-wedding photos
5 p.m. Ceremony
5:20 Ceremony ends – group photo afterward
guests go to cocktail hour; couple and family/wedding party have photos
6:30 announce to reception and have formal dances (first dance, father/daughter, mother/son)
prayer or couple announcement if desired
6:45 dinner buffet
7:45 cut cake if you have one and do toasts if you have them
8 Party dancing and any other special moments
9:30 Last call
9:45 begin send-off or last dance
10 pm. music and event ends

You choose the time of your ceremony. Most couples choose to have their ceremony about an hour and 1/2 before sunset. This allows full light for your photographer for the ceremony and allows for the couple’s photos during the golden hour.