Pretty Place - a South Carolina destination wedding location with pristine Blue Ridge Mountain views.
Pretty Place is aptly named. It’s stunning in pictures and even more magical in person.
Pretty Place Chapel (formally, Fred W. Symmes Chapel) is one of the most beautiful places to get married, located in the Blue Ridge mountains that border North and South Carolina. Not only is it a popular local venue, folks travel from across the country to tie the knot here - it’s that special! It’s perfect for an elopement, intimate or micro-wedding, or even a more traditional wedding ceremony under the right circumstances.
Now, I LOVE Pretty Place and think it’s the perfect venue for some folks, but there are a few things you need to know before you select it as your wedding venue. Here are my tips and tricks from a Greenville, SC wedding photographer who’s seen quite a few weddings here.
FAQ
Do we need to book the chapel for an elopement, or can we just show up?
You definitely need to BOOK THE CHAPEL! Not only is it the rule, but Pretty Place is frequently booked for weddings or closed for camper access only.
When it isn't, it is PACKED with people and it wouldn't be the beautiful, intimate moment you're imagining. I promise!
Do we need to decorate?
I personally think you don't need much decor, if at all! The cross is included, but many couples choose to add a drape or some flowers to it for a personal touch. If you use any aisle markers or flowers, I recommend keeping it simple as setup and breakdown has to happen during your time slot.
How many hours should we book at Pretty Place?
My recommendation is at least two hours, always. Elopements and tiny weddings can get away with two, but there isn't usually much time left for portraits at the end. I recommend three hours if you want to do an extended portrait session at the chapel. Traveling to another nearby location for more couples' portraits is a great option as well.
What time slot should we book?
Sunrise is the real showstopper here, but it's beautiful any time!
The morning hours in the fall and winter have a big fog risk, however. This is beautiful in its own way but you won't see those mountains fading into the distance in the same way. Spring and summer mornings tend to be clearer!
Tips & tricks you MUST know for your Pretty Place Chapel Wedding
My first and most important tip: Choose a photographer with Pretty Place experience.
No, I’m not just trying to sell you on hiring me specifically (though I love photographing Pretty Place weddings!) — I truly want you to have photos you’ll love forever from your wedding day.
Pretty Place is notoriously difficult to photograph if you don’t know what you’re doing. This is not a place to skimp and hire a newbie charging less, unless you don’t mind the possibility of having no usable photos from your wedding.
Why is it so difficult to photograph weddings here?
There is a dramatic exposure difference between all those beautiful mountains in the background and the dark overhang of the chapel, especially on a bright, sunny day. It’s difficult to expose your photo correctly so that you can see the beauty of the nature in the background while still getting detail in the couple / wedding party. Your photographer needs to be skilled at riding that delicate line of exposure so that your photos show off the scenery and the expressions in your faces as you say your vows.
Someone with experience and plenty of photo knowledge can handle it, but they need to have a lot of practice using manual settings under quickly changing light conditions — and pressure.
Please, please, please ask to see a sample gallery from Pretty Place SPECIFICALLY when hiring your photographer.
Typically, I don’t think it’s necessary to see a gallery from an exact wedding venue, but this is not an ordinary venue. This is the most technically challenging venue in the Upstate. (But, one of the most rewarding as well!)
Microweddings at Pretty Place are my favorite - this was a photo of every guest at this sweet couple’s wedding!
About the Chapel
Pretty Place (“Fred W. Symmes Chapel”, technically) is part of YMCA Camp Greenville. While you’ll skirt the border of North and South Carolina on the drive up, you’ll need a South Carolina wedding license to get married here as it is officially on SC ground.
Pretty Place is an covered, open-air mountain chapel. This provides shelter from rain and direct sun, but in hotter or colder months, you will feel the weather as there is no climate control. It is generally 5-10 degrees cooler on top of the mountain than down in the foothills, offering a little relief during the popular summer wedding months.
The rental includes pretty much just the space - no frills or extras (though you don’t need much to make the space beautiful.) The cross is included in the space, but can be moved on request. The space does have an adequate sound system that can be included for an additional fee.
Restrooms: There are restrooms on site.
Accessibility: The center aisle includes steps. There is a ramp from the parking lot to the back of the chapel, and as of 2025, a new accessible entrance to the front from the right side of the chapel.
Capacity: The chapel can accommodate many guests - but the biggest limiting factor is the parking lot, which the venue estimates can fit about 100 vehicles. For larger weddings, carpooling where possible can help.
Pets, smoking, and alcohol are all prohibited.
How booking works
Pretty Place books out in two hour slots. You can add more time on for an additional fee, if those hours are still available on your date.
Two hours is typically enough for a quick getting ready, a short ceremony, family photos, and a few couples’ photos, but you may run into a time crunch if you’re spending a lot of time on any one of those things. It’s important to have your game plan down and streamline as much as possible. (Your wedding planner/coordinator and photographer will be crucially important in this!)
The timeline is fairly strict, so prepare to wait outside the gate until the minute your slot starts when a chapel official will let you in. If there is a booked slot after you, you'll need to be completely cleared out by the time your slot ends.
When is the best time slot to book the chapel?
This is definitely a matter of personal preference! As far as time goes, you'll want to check sunrise/sunset timing for your desired time of year if that is something that appeals to you.
The chapel faces eastward, so if you want sunlight to stream directly in for the most drama, you’ll want the earliest slot for the sunrise. HOWEVER, this time slot also comes with the most chance of fog and clouds obscuring your views, especially in the cooler months. I’ve been in the chapel on a day where you could not see past the first drop off because of fog!! This can be a magical vibe too, but just know it’s a possibility if you’re set on those vistas.
Also remember that if you're booking a 6am sunrise slot, you and your wedding party may be waking up hours in advance for hair and makeup, etc, and finding vendors who can work with that time slot can sometimes be tricky.
What season is prettiest at Pretty Place?
My vote is for fall (mid to late October, for those amazing autumn colors!), or spring (blooms and greenery.) Summer is beautiful as well, and the higher elevation can offer a little relief from the heat of the day - but do keep in mind that the chapel is not air conditioned.
Getting ready
There is one “getting ready room” / bridal suite. There is a second, smaller "groom's room", but it is significantly smaller than the bridal suite.
Even the bridal suite is cute but small, so if you have a large wedding party, I recommend having them arrive already dressed. If you plan to get into your wedding clothes at the Chapel, it’s best to be as prepared as possible before arriving and maybe just slip into your dress, etc., to keep things simple and quick.
Make sure everyone knows the game plan BEFORE heading up the mountain, as cell reception can be hit or miss!
The road is quite curvy and winding too, so be prepared if that is a problem for you. Bring some Dramamine, just in case.
Ceremony
Time to say your vows with those gorgeous Blue Ridge views behind you! Most couples have their ceremony begin 30-40 minutes after their time slot begins, to allow guests to finish arriving and wedding party to finish any preparations that need to be done.
Be prepared to navigate down stairs during your processional! Practicing in your wedding attire is a good idea.
After your ceremony concludes, I recommend having your officiant / pastor direct all guests (other than whoever will be in your family photos) to head on out of the chapel efficiently so that family photos can begin -- time is of the essence.
Portrait location ideas
You may want family portraits done with the beautiful mountain backdrop at the altar (this is a beautiful option!) Your photographer will almost definitely need external lighting / flash to capture this well.
As always, I recommend having a specific list of the groupings you want to save time and make this portion of the day go more efficiently -- give this to your photographer beforehand.
This is a popular photo spot just in front / to the right of the chapel. There is a steep drop off on the other side, so please step carefully!
After family photos and wedding party photos are taken care of, it’s couples’ portrait time! There are some sweet spots just outside the chapel to take photos with the views, but if time is running short, another great option is to continue photo time by driving a little way down the mountain to Caesar’s Head, Bald Rock, or another nearby photo spot. You can get the same mountain views with a little more space and time to create some gorgeous photos.
(PS - I have a Pretty Place elopement photography package starting at $1975!)
That includes the two hour time slot at Pretty Place, and a complimentary extra hour at a second nearby location! If that sounds good to you, hop on over to my contact page and say hey!)
Reception / accommodations options
Pretty Place is a ceremony only venue, so if you’re planning on having a traditional reception, there will be a bit of a drive for your guests (30-45 minutes minimum).
Brevard, NC, is the closest town at about 30 minutes away. Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC are both about an hours’ drive from the chapel, with Travelers’ Rest / Pumpkintown / Pickens as some smaller South Carolina towns located a bit closer.
Here are some popular options within an hour’s drive of Pretty Place:
Hotel Domestique (Travelers' Rest, SC - 45 min)
Gaines Lodge at Table Rock (Cleveland, SC - 40 min)
Baxter Farms (Pickens, SC - 35 minutes)
Historic Hampton House 1908 (Pickens, SC - 50 minutes)
The Venue at Ballenger Bridge (Landrum, SC - 50 minutes)
The Barn in Penrose (Penrose, NC - 30 min)
Forever Home Farm (Brevard, NC - 30 min)
Highland Lake Inn and Resort (Flat Rock, NC - 40 min)
Here's a Video example of what a Pretty Place wedding ceremony can look like (with reception at Highland Lake Inn):
I hope this has been a helpful resource for you as you consider planning your wedding at Pretty Place!
If you need a photographer, I would love to discuss my Pretty Place Photography Package with you!
Please feel free to drop me a line via my contact form below.
I can let you know if I’m available for your date (hooray!) or point you in the direction of other photographers who I know and trust will do an amazing job with this gorgeous venue. Cheers! -Hannah
See more photos from a Pretty Place wedding
Abby and Tyler's Wedding at Pretty Place
I'd love to photograph your wedding! Please reach out for more information below. Cheers!
