A Special Place for Special Weddings

Written By: Shayna Bigazzi | Issue: 2020/08 – August

“Do you think there are fairies in these woods?” 

It’s a question that might usually cause you to cock your head to the side and audibly “hmm” when asked. 

 But when you’re standing beside the thick rhododendron forested trails that surround the Hutchinson House it seems all too logical a query.  

I gazed down as the bright eyed seven-year-old flower girl beamed back at me and waited with apt curiosity at what I might reply.  The only logical answer, of course was “ Yes, I definitely think there are fairies in these forests!”  

Of the many storied wedding venues to dot the Plateau, the Hutchinson House fills a special and unique spot in the hearts of many.  Just one block from Main Street in downtown Highlands, this historic home has welcomed smaller, intimate weddings since 2012, when it was purchased by Old Edwards Hospitality Group.  

Construction on the Hutchinson House began in 1878 by Arthur Hutchinson, co-founder of Highlands, and was completed in 1880 by Dr. Charles Frost, Highlands’ first long-term resident physician.  

The foundation of Hutchinson’s home, built from giant oak trees split lengthwise and dropped into the 8-foot, rock lined trenches, was intended to “last till doomsday” according to Dr. Frost.    

“Even in the strongest winds, it never trembled.” he said.  Ultimately, it was sold to Charlestonian Tudor T. Hall in 1890, but for most of the 20th century, it was owned by the Patrick T. Farnsworth family.

This solid Victorian home features a multi-gabled roof and wrap-around porch constructed with massive hand-squared white pine logs placed upright like a stockade and clap-boarded on the outside.  Its walls were also weather-boarded inside to avoid a rough appearance.  Beautiful and delicate but strong and everlasting, the home has been loved and doted on by each of its stewards and Old Edwards did not have to do much to bring it up to their award-winning standards.   

Luckily, my favorite hidden feature remains – floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room that disappear up into the walls to create two perfect doorways to the outdoor covered porch with its unexpected view of Satulah Mountain.  One might argue, they were the original NanaWalls.

The home is truly beautiful, but the surrounding grounds is where the magic happens.  The smaller front gazebo can be set for a cozy wedding ceremony with its stone fireplace backdrop or it may simply act as a sitting area for guests to enjoy.  Old Edwards will even come and light the fire for you, lest you break your utter relaxation with any semblance of work!

Tucked away in the back of the property is the larger pavilion where wedding receptions are typically held.  

For the hosting family, it’s akin to holding your wedding in your backyard, one that happens to be in an ancient temperate rainforest that may or may not also have mystical powers.   

Fairies or not, smaller weddings are becoming a fact of life for many and, let’s be honest, we could all use a little magic right now!