A PLACE UNLIKE ANY OTHER
The Japanese Garden
An enchanted sanctuary for your most intimate day
Intimate Weddings · Up to 50 Guests · Pure Magic
✿ ✿
Nestled within the grounds of The Maple Grove at Smith Mill Creek, our Japanese Garden is a world apart — a living canvas of moss-draped stone, whispering trees, and still water that reflects the sky. Designed for weddings of up to 50 guests, this enchanted garden rewards those who choose intimacy over spectacle.
✿ ✿ ✿
Here, vows are exchanged beneath a canopy of nature, accompanied by birdsong and the soft rustle of leaves. No grand ballroom can offer what the Japanese Garden gives freely: the feeling that the world has paused, just for you.
The Japanese Garden in morning light.
This image is for inspirational purposes only.
Seasonal Splendor
A Tranquil Paradise
Spring unveils a tapestry of blossoms, creating a vibrant and romantic atmosphere. Summer’s lush greenery provides a serene backdrop for your vows. Autumn’s fiery hues of amber and crimson transform the garden into a breathtaking canvas. Winter’s frosty elegance, with bare branches and candlelight, offers a poetic and ethereal setting.
WHY COUPLES CHOOSE THE GARDEN
It’s Everything You’ve Dreamed Of
LIVING BACKDROP
Lush greenery, Japanese maples, and manicured stone pathways create a backdrop that no florist could replicate — nature itself is your décor.
LANTERN-LIT EVENINGS
As dusk falls, paper and stone lanterns cast a warm amber glow across the garden, transforming the space into something from a dream.
FULL FLORAL FREEDOM
Work with our preferred florists to drape archways in peonies, hang wisteria from pergolas, or scatter cherry blossoms along the aisle.
MORNING TO MOONLIGHT
Whether you envision a sun-drenched morning ceremony or a twilight celebration under the stars, the garden adapts to every vision and every hour.
INTIMATE SCALE
With a 50-guest maximum, every seat is front row. Your closest family and friends will feel the ceremony deeply — not from a distant table.
This image is for inspirational purposes only.
STYLING POSSIBILITIES
Decorate Your
Enchanted Garden
From minimalist elegance to lush maximalism, the Japanese Garden welcomes every aesthetic.
Here are just a few ways couples can make this space their own.
Hanging Floral Installations
Commission cascading arrangements of white orchids, blush roses, or wildflowers suspended from the garden’s trees, creating a living ceiling that takes your guests’ breath away.
Lantern Canopies
Strings of paper lanterns in warm ivory or soft coral can be woven across the ceremony space, glowing like fireflies as evening arrives and dancing gently in the breeze.
Petal-Strewn Aisles
A carpet of rose petals, cherry blossom confetti, or pressed lavender along the crushed stone pathway creates a deeply romantic approach to your ceremony arch.
Candlelit Stone Pathways
Line the garden’s crushed stone walkways with votives, hurricane lanterns, or pillar candles to guide guests through the space with a warm, intimate glow at every step.
Floral Arch or Moon Gate
A vine wrapped moon gate wrapped in lush greenery and florals makes an iconic ceremony backdrop — timeless, photogenic, and perfectly at home in this setting.
Silk Ribbons & Fabric Draping
Soft silk or linen ribbons in sage, ivory, or blush can be tied to the moon gate, draped across the water feature, or woven into floral arrangements for a delicate, layered look.
The Promise of Intimacy
Some weddings are events. Yours will be a moment. The Japanese Garden is designed for couples who value presence over pageantry — who want their guests to lean in, not look around. With a maximum of 50 guests, every person in that garden has been chosen with intention. Every laugh will reach you. Every tear will be seen. This is the wedding you will remember not just in photographs, but in your body — the exact feeling of standing in that garden, surrounded by the people you love most.
This image is for inspirational purposes only.
Our Story and Mission
Maple Grove Venue is dedicated to hosting intimate garden weddings and elopements, offering a unique outdoor setting just two miles from Downtown Asheville. Our mission is to create unforgettable experiences for couples seeking a serene and picturesque location for their special day. With a focus on personalized service and attention to detail, we provide a variety of beautiful sites for ceremonies, ensuring each event is as unique as the love it celebrates.