Evening Receptions That Glow Beneath Brass String Lights and Velvet Lanterns in Asheville
There's something about the way light shifts in the mountains as the sun dips low. One moment, the Blue Ridge peaks are sharp against the sky. Next, everything softens into amber and rose. We've watched hundreds of couples step into that golden hour here at House Boheme, and we've learned that the transition from ceremony to reception is when the real magic starts to happen.
When you host your evening reception at our artist-designed estate in Rutherfordton, you're not just booking a space. You're stepping into 22 acres where every detail has been chosen to make twilight feel like its own kind of ceremony.
How Lighting Transforms Your Mountain Reception
The way we light House Boheme after dark isn't an afterthought. It's architecture in itself. Every strand, every lantern, every warm glow has been positioned to work with the mountains, the gardens, and the flow of your evening. Here's how the layers come together to create an atmosphere you can feel as much as see.
Brass String Lights That Frame the Night Sky
Our commercial grade brass string lighting stretches across the covered Mountain View Patio, creating a canopy of warm light that complements rather than competes with the stars. Unlike standard event lighting, brass catches and reflects the natural glow differently. It feels intentional, layered, alive.
The strings run overhead while you and your guests move from cocktails to dinner, casting soft pools of light on the poplar wood farmhouse tables below. We've positioned them to work with the mountain view, not block it. You can still see the ridgeline. You can still watch the last light fade from purple to indigo while you're raising a toast.
Vintage Velvet Lanterns for Intimate Corners
We bring out the vintage lanterns as the evening deepens. These aren't replicas. They're collected pieces with real patina, the kind you'd find in a Moroccan souk or a Spanish courtyard. We place them on tables, tuck them into the gardens, and line the pathway from the Peninsula Garden back to the main house.
The velvet softens the glow even further, creating pockets of warmth that invite conversation. Guests naturally gather near them. We've seen it happen every time, people drawn to light the way they're drawn to fire.
How We Layer Light Across 22 Acres
You'll move through different zones during your reception, and the lighting shifts with you. The covered patio stays bright enough for dinner service with our brass strings overhead. The speakeasy bar in the lower level has its own moody ambiance, perfect for late night dancing. The gardens catch solar ground lighting that guides guests between spaces without overwhelming the natural darkness.
We also have the wood stove hearth on the covered patio. When the temperature drops, we light it. The firelight adds another layer, something primal and centering that no manufactured lighting can replicate.
Spaces That Come Alive After Dark
The Peninsula Garden is where many couples choose to hold their ceremony during golden hour, then transition to the Mountain View Patio for dinner. That 12,000 square foot grass area surrounded by fruit trees takes on a completely different character once the lanterns are lit and the string lights activate overhead.
Our handmade willow furniture and teak loungers create lounge areas where guests can step away from the main action. We drape the market umbrellas with additional lighting, turning them into glowing sculptures in the landscape. The effect is layered and intimate, even when you're hosting 150 guests.
What's Included With Your Evening Reception
When you book House Boheme for your reception, the lighting comes with the space. The brass string lights, the vintage lanterns, the solar ground lighting, all of it is part of your rental. We also provide ten 4x8 foot poplar wood farmhouse tables that seat 8 to 12 each, matching benches, and all the dinnerware you'll need.
That means artists made ceramic dishware from Pineapple Studios, hand blown Moroccan glassware, complete barware, linen napkins and tablecloths. We want you to focus on your guests, not on tracking down rentals. You'll have access to two on site vendor liaisons who know exactly how to work with our lighting setup. They understand the timing, where shadows fall, when to bring out the lanterns, how to adjust for weather. This kind of site specific knowledge makes everything run smoother.
How Guests Experience the Evening Flow
Most couples start with cocktails on the covered patio as the sun sets. Guests can wander through the gardens, explore the trails down to the babbling brook, take photos near the private waterfall while there's still natural light.
As twilight deepens, everyone gathers for dinner. The brass string lights create a ceiling of warmth overhead while the mountain view stretches out beyond. We've designed the space so you're protected from weather under the covered patio, but you still feel immersed in the landscape.
Later, groups migrate down to the speakeasy bar in the lower level for dancing, or they spread out across the lounge areas we've created with the willow furniture and Moroccan rugs. The 60 year old vintage rugs in particular become conversation pieces once guests notice them. Each one has traveled here from somewhere else, just like your guests have.
Planning Your Evening Timeline
We open guest access to the bridal suite and honeymoon suite at 10 a.m. on your wedding day. That gives you plenty of time to prepare in natural light before the evening reception begins. The bridal suite has a walk out balcony overlooking the venue and vista, perfect for watching the day transition into your celebration.
Rehearsals and private photo sessions are available on site. Many couples use the late afternoon to capture images around the property, then the evening for the reception itself. The lighting changes constantly, so you'll have varied backdrops even within a few hours.
We're located at 872 Freemantown Rd in Rutherfordton, about 30 minutes from Asheville. Guests can park on our 2 acres of on site parking, then move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the evening.
Why Evening Receptions Feel Different Here
There's something about being surrounded by mountains as darkness falls. The world contracts. What matters becomes very clear, very quickly. Your people, your partner, the food and music and light around you. We built House Boheme to honor that feeling. The brass and velvet lighting is part of it, but so is the reclaimed tiger wood speakeasy bar, the Italian wrought iron glass doors, the hand blown glassware that catches the light differently than machine made pieces.
We're a team of artists, a jewelry designer and a photographer, who wanted to create a space where beauty compounds. Where the lighting enhances the architecture, which enhances the landscape, which enhances the experience of being fully present with the people you love. You can host over 150 guests here, or you can keep it intimate. Either way, the evening will glow. That's not a metaphor. That's brass and velvet and careful planning, combined with mountain air and the kind of twilight you only get at this elevation.
If you want to see how our lighting transforms the space after dark, reach out to us. We can walk you through the property, show you where the lanterns sit, explain how the brass strings interact with the natural landscape. Call us at 804-314-2812 or fill out the inquiry form at houseboheme.com to access our pricing guide and start planning your evening reception.
FAQS
When should we schedule our reception to make the most of the evening lighting?
Plan for ceremony around golden hour, typically 6 to 7 p.m. depending on season, then transition to reception as twilight sets in. Our brass string lights and vintage lanterns activate beautifully during that shift from natural to artificial light. We'll work with you and your photographer to time everything so you capture both the sunset and the glow of our evening setup.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate for an evening outdoor reception?
Our covered Mountain View Patio protects you from rain while keeping you immersed in the mountain setting. The brass string lights and wood stove hearth create a cozy atmosphere regardless of temperature. We also have indoor spaces including the main level living and dining areas plus the lower level speakeasy bar that work beautifully for evening celebrations. Our two on site vendor liaisons help adjust the plan as needed.
Can we customize the lighting setup or add our own elements?
The brass string lighting and vintage velvet lanterns are permanent fixtures positioned to work with our architecture and landscape. You're welcome to add elements like candles on the poplar farmhouse tables or additional florals that complement our existing setup. Our vendor liaisons can coordinate with your planner to integrate your vision while maintaining the cohesive evening ambiance we've designed.
How late can our reception go?
Contact us to discuss your specific timeline needs. We want to ensure your evening unfolds naturally without feeling rushed, while also respecting our mountain community. When you fill out the inquiry form at houseboheme.com or call 804-314-2812, we can talk through your vision and find the right structure for your celebration.