Just bring your love—we’ll handle the rest!
The 1812 Hitching Post is KNOWN as a fabulous place to have an elopement in central North Carolina. We’re located between Winston-Salem and Hickory and about an hour north of Charlotte, NC.
Where else can you get a minister, music, decorations plus professional photography if you’d like it in a gorgeous historic setting all put together for you?
An elopement can have all the feeling of a larger wedding but with fewer people and less stress.
It might be just the two of you. You might want to include your children or a few special friends. Whatever your plan, we can help.
Check out the photos and story of one couple’s amazing elopement wedding day
Option # 1 The Traditional Elopement
For couples seeking a simple yet meaningful celebration. Designed for those who have a photographer friend or who might want to add on our photography but not food or dancing.
- 2 Hours of Exclusive Venue Use – Get ready, say “I do,” and capture stunning memories
- Private Dressing Areas – Separate spaces for the couple to prepare before the ceremony
- Side lawn ceremony arbor decorated with silk flowers in your wedding colors or triangle arbor anywhere on the property
- Seating for your guests
- Interdenominational minister and witnesses if you do not have them.
- Your choice of music for your ceremony
- Venue coordination and set-up
What is not included? Your personal bouquet (we do have several to borrow), your marriage license, your photography/videography (available for purchase separately), reception, food, alcohol
$1,200 for the couple
Add guests for $25 per person (maximum of 20).
Option # 2 The All-inclusive Elopement
If you’ve envisioned a private celebration at a beautiful wedding venue, look no further than the 1812 Hitching Post. You can have a gorgeous outdoor (or indoor) wedding with up to 20 of your favorite people celebrating in style and a mini reception with cake and beverages. Your first dance and other special moments can be incorporated. Let us know what you envision!
- Enjoy 3 Hours of private access to the venue and beautiful grounds
- Separate dressing areas for each of the couple/wedding party
- Decorated arbor outside or Indoor ceremony options in case of inclement weather
- Interdenominational minister and witnesses if you do not have them.
- Beautiful arbor decorations, customized just for you
- An hour and a half of gorgeous professional photography to cover getting ready, ceremony, group photos and photos of the two of you
- The perfect music for your “I do” moment and your mini reception afterward
- A sweet wedding cake, designed just for you
- Non-alcoholic drinks (tea, water, coffee)
All you have to do is show up and get married! Sound like your wedding? Let’s make it happen!
What is not included? Your personal bouquet, your clothes, food, alcohol, rings and marriage license. We include silk flowers to decorate your arbor with coordinated flowers to decorate your cake.
$1,800 for the couple
Add guests for $25 per person (maximum of 20).
Desiring a bigger celebration? Our Simply Sweet Wedding Package is perfect for a small to medium wedding with a reception area included or choose our Classic Wedding with catering included!
Check out the photos and story of one couple’s amazing elopement wedding day:
Crystal and Chris
Photos are beautiful — but seeing this space in person is unforgettable.
Contact us for a tour!
My wife and I were pretty lost on all the things that go into a wedding but once we toured this place and met Wendy we knew it was the one. And we were 100% right! Everything went absolutely perfect! From guests, to the ceremony, the reception, and the photography was OUT OF THIS WORLD. Also Wendy was very understanding and helpful when my wife and I wanted to change a couple details one or two weeks before the wedding. If you are needing a venue, GO TOUR HERE and I bet you’ll book it. – Hayden
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 with reception area included, we have our Simply Sweet Wedding Package.
What is the difference between the Traditional Elopement and the All-Inclusive Elopement?
Both elopements include a beautifully decorated ceremony location, an Interdenominational minister and witnesses if you do not have them, music for your ceremony, and private dressing areas where you can get ready beforehand. The Traditional elopement includes two hours at the venue. The All-Inclusive elopement includes three hours at the venue, an hour and a half of photography, and a “mini reception” with music for your first dance, wedding cake, and beverages for you and your guests.
What dates are available for Elopements?
Elopements can be held on any Sunday or weekday year round. Saturdays are available off season (December, January, and February).
Can I have my wedding in the evening or on a Sunday?
Yes! Choose the perfect time for you. We can help you pick the “golden hour” for your date.
Do we have to use your minister?
No, you are welcome to bring your own minister or officiant. An interdenominational minister is included in both packages. We can remove those services if you don’t need them ($100 credit).
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/boutonniere), and your marriage license. Some couples also bring wedding favors for their guests 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. We have two large inside rooms that you can choose from to hold your ceremony inside or it can be outside on a porch or under the tent. We’ve got you covered!
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.
How much does an elopement cost?
Our Traditional elopement is $1,200 for you two; the all-inclusive elopement is $1,800 for you two. Guests can be added to either package for $25 per person (maximum of 20).
How do I book and how far ahead should I book?
You can book an elopement up to a year before your event date. Most couples book with much less notice. The first payment is just $500. We divide the payments equally between the date that you book with us and the date you have your wedding with us.
Do I need to visit in person to book my wedding?
No. Couples often plan from a distance for an elopement. Part of the excitement can be how new to both of you that the venue is when you arrive. We can do everything through email if you’re unable to visit.
How do we book and what are the payments?
Once you choose a date, let us know which option you’d like, thetime you’d like to walk down the aisle, and any extras you’d like to include. You can add guests to the package maximum up to a month before your wedding. Other extras can typically be added up to 60 days before the event.
Your first payment of $500 reserves your date. You can either pay in full at the time of booking or make monthly payments between the time you book and the time of your wedding. Your contract will list the payment amounts so you have full information prior to making your first payment.
How do you accept payments?
We can take payments through check (Zelle), CashApp, Venmo, credit card or cash. All payments can be made online, if desired.
What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
All monies paid toward guaranteeing your wedding date and services at the 1812 Hitching Post are non-refundable. In the event your wedding is unable to be held as scheduled due to military deployment or severe weather, you may qualify for one of our postponements.
If you feel you may have an instance where your wedding may need to be postponed for circumstances other than military deployment or severe weather, you may want to purchase wedding insurance from an outside vendor such as “WedSafe.”
Do we need a marriage license and how do we get one?
You do need a valid NC marriage license. You can get one in any NC county up to 60 days prior to your wedding. You do not have to be a North Carolina resident to get married in North Carolina. We have information about getting a license in Iredell County here. You can register online and go in and sign and pick it up. It’s easy – you just need a weekday together when you can go to a register of deeds.
Can I bring my own photographer?
Yes! You can bring your own photographer with the Traditional package. With the all-inclusive package, we can remove our photography services ($450 credit) if you wish to bring your own photographer, instead.
Can I add extras?
Yes! You can add on more time, photography, and appetizers or desserts to your elopement celebration. If you’d like a meal or table service, please start with our Simply Sweet Wedding Package.
Can we bring champagne or alcohol?
You can bring wine or champagne for a toast. If you’d like to offer your guests alcohol in addition to a toast, we can provide that with our add-on bartender service ($150 per reception hour).
What if it’s just the two of us?
We can provide witnesses for your ceremony. Your vows can be especially intimate when you’re sharing them with just each other. There are so many opportunities for special moments; this is truly about the two of you. With the All-Inclusive elopement, your photo session will be unhurried and romantic. You will LOVE your wedding!
Can children attend?
Yes! Couples who elope may have children and/or grandchildren. Including children in the celebration can help it to be especially meaningful.
Do we count children in the total guest count?
Yes, unless they are under 3.
Can my dog be the ring bearer?
We do have a dog policy that allows you to bring your dog to the wedding ceremony. Please ask us to send you a release if you’d like to bring a pet.
I have a horse. Can I come down the aisle riding a horse?
Sure! We love horses. We’re called the Hitching Post because it was a horse farm.
What does the wedding day look like?
You arrive at the venue either together or separately. One of you typically goes upstairs to the dressing rooms there while their partner dresses downstairs. If you have a wedding party or family who need to also change, they can also use the changing rooms. We start your ceremony music and direct you down the aisle. We will have pre-planned your vows, the music, and how you want things to look.
With the All-inclusive elopement, the ceremony is followed by photos taken around the property and/or with friends and family. You’ll then come inside and have a cake cutting and maybe toasts. Guests will have beverages and cake while you’re taking photos. If you’d like a first dance, we can also plan for that. A few more photos and then you may or may not change before you leave.