Not every couple dreams of a big wedding.
Some would rather skip the long guest list, the months of planning, and all the decisions that seem to come with getting married. You just want to be together, say your vows, and enjoy a beautiful day.
But that doesn’t mean you have to give up the wedding you’ve pictured.
Maybe you’ve always imagined wearing a wedding dress. Maybe you’d love to walk down an aisle with someone waiting for you at the other end, and take photographs you’ll treasure for years. You might even want to cut a cake and raise a glass to your new life together.
You can have all of that without planning a big wedding. That’s where an all-inclusive elopement at the 1812 Hitching Post, just outside Statesville, can be such a wonderful fit.
A Small Wedding Can Still Feel Like a Wedding
When I think about a wonderful wedding day, I don’t think it’s about how many guests are there. It’s about the little moments you’ll remember: the walk down the aisle, the look on your sweetheart’s face, a few happy tears, and that first kiss as a married couple. And maybe a little cake and champagne afterward!
One of my favorite things about our all-inclusive elopement package is that you get to choose where on our 26-acre property you’d like to be married. You might be drawn to the lake, with the water and trees as your backdrop. Or you might prefer to tuck in among the trees in the woods, stand out in an open field, or say your vows surrounded by the gardens.
Each spot has its own personality, and that’s part of the fun. Your wedding doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Choose the place that speaks to you and make it yours.
Your elopement can be just the two of you, or you can invite up to 20 guests: your parents, your children, your siblings, or a handful of your favorite people. Even with a small guest list, you can still have the ceremony, the photographs, and the celebration you’ve been dreaming about.
Why All-Inclusive Makes an Elopement Easier
Over the years, I’ve seen that even a small wedding can come with a surprisingly long to-do list.
First you find a venue. Then you start looking for a photographer, an officiant, decorations, music, a cake, and all the other little details. Before long, your simple wedding has turned into quite a project.
That’s where all-inclusive makes such a difference. Our elopement package brings those pieces together. It includes private use of the venue and grounds, getting-ready spaces, ceremony options, decorations, an officiant, two hours of professional photography, music, cake, drinks, a champagne toast, charcuterie, and a wedding coordinator.
You don’t have to spend weeks tracking everything down and making it all fit together. You get to enjoy being engaged, look forward to your wedding day, and let us help with the details. And if you have a few special touches of your own in mind, we’re happy to talk about those, too.
For package details and current pricing, visit our Elopements Up to 20 Guests guide.
Your Venue Should Fit You
A blog from Cornerstone Ranch Event Center put it in a way I love:
“A venue should fit your wedding, not the other way around.”
That’s especially true for a smaller wedding or an elopement. At the 1812 Hitching Post, our dressing rooms are cozy and intimate. Your ceremony can be tucked away in a quiet, snug spot or set out in a wide open field. The estate also has rooms big enough for large family gatherings, so you won’t feel lost in the space, and there’s still plenty of room for a gown with a big skirt!
Whether it’s just the two of you or you’re sharing the day with up to 20 guests, your ceremony can feel like your wedding.
An Affordable Elopement Near Charlotte, With Room to Breathe
The 1812 Hitching Post is in Harmony, NC, just north of Statesville and about an hour from Charlotte. It’s an easy getaway from the city, and you don’t have to travel halfway across the state to find a beautiful place to get married.
Here you’ll find historic surroundings, big old trees, open lawns, trails, and a rustic lake, with lovely places to say your vows and plenty of scenery for photographs. There’s something special about stepping away from the everyday rush for a little while. Even if you’ve only driven an hour, it can feel like you’ve gone somewhere entirely different.
For couples looking for an affordable Charlotte-area elopement, that mix of a beautiful setting and a simpler wedding day can be just right. You get to spend less time on logistics and more time enjoying the reason you’re getting married in the first place.
Turn Your Elopement Into a Honeymoon
Why stop at the wedding? One of the nicest perks of marrying here is how close we are to some of North Carolina’s best honeymoon spots.
Blowing Rock for mountain views, charming shops, and a romantic Blue Ridge getaway
Boone and the High Country for hiking, scenic drives, and a little adventure
Lake Lure if you want water and mountains together
The Yadkin Valley wine region if you’d rather stay close to home, with vineyards, tastings, and beautiful countrysideYour wedding can be the first stop on your honeymoon—not the end of your celebration.
1812 Hitching Post offers discounted hotel reservations anywhere through our partnership with hotelplanners.com
Your Wedding Day Should Feel Like You
Maybe it’s just the two of you standing together at the arbor. Maybe your children are there, or your parents are sitting in the front row, or you’ve invited 10 or 15 people who have been part of your story.
There’s no one right way to get married. After 24 years of wedding-venue experience, I know that every couple has their own idea of what makes a wedding special, and that’s exactly how it should be.
A smaller wedding doesn’t mean settling for less romance, less meaning, or less celebration. You can still have the dress, the aisle, the photographs, the cake, and the moments you’ll talk about for years, without taking on the work of planning a large celebration.
A small wedding doesn’t have to feel small. It just needs to feel like you.
If you’re dreaming of an affordable, all-inclusive elopement near Charlotte, NC, we’d love for you to come see the 1812 Hitching Post and help you get started on your next chapter.
Explore Elopements for Up to 20 Guests
We’d love to help you get started on your next chapter.
Elopement FAQ
How many guests can I bring?
Your wedding can be just the two of you or you can bring up to 20 additional people. If you’d like a larger celebration, we have MicroWedding options.
What is the difference between the Traditional Elopement and the All-Inclusive Elopement?
Both elopements include a decorated ceremony and minister as well as music for your ceremony and the venue with dressing areas before the ceremony. The Traditional elopement includes two hours at the venue. The All-inclusive elopement includes three hours at the venue, an hour and 1/2 of photography, and a “mini reception” with wedding cake, fruit, cheese, and crackers, and beverages for you and your guests. You can bring wine or champagne!
What dates are available for Elopements?
Elopements can be held on Sundays in-season. Weekday evenings are sometimes available. Saturdays are available off season (December, January, and February).
Do we have to use your minister?
No, you are welcome to bring your own minister or officiate.
What do we need to bring that is NOT included?
You’ll want to bring the clothing you want to wear, your wedding rings, your personal flowers (bouquet/boutonierre), and your marriage license. Some couples also bring wedding favors for their guests, wine, and personal touches such as signs, cake toppers, and other decorations that might have meaning.
Can I choose where I get married on the property?
Yes! You can choose from spots across our 26 acres, including the lakeside, the woods, an open field, the gardens, and the side lawn. I can send you a video of locations if you’re not able to visit before your wedding. We can talk about your vision and I can send ideas.
What if it rains?
Depending upon the number of guests and the season, we have several rain options. One of the vintage rooms in the house easily holds 20 people and the Wisteria room holds up to 40. We’ve got you covered! If you have a small number of guests, you can still be married outside on a porch. It can be very cozy and romantic to have pouring rain coming down when you’re getting married.
Can we add our own special touches?
Absolutely. If you have something special in mind, just let us know and we’ll talk it over.
