A Mountain Hideaway That Inspires Wonder For All
Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Gboro
Service area
Holds ceremonies and receptions
Deals
Custom discountPermanent
Locals Discount!
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Looking for complete privacy, surrounded by nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where you can relax and connect with your friends and family on your magical wedding weekend? A place of beauty and solitude in the Appalachians, where you have no stress because you have Fri-Sun to prepare/ set up/ have your event/ and have time to hang out afterwards? Not interested in being churned out as another number for a big business venue where multiple weddings are being crammed into a weekend, and you only get a quick timeslot for a rehearsal? Wonderlust Acres was built completely from the ground up, with this idea of community and relaxation in mind for those who choose us. Our 11 acre oasis includes lodging (on-site and nearby, along with the owners remodeled motor lodge, diner, and general store only 2 miles away!), camping, glamping, a pro level 10 basket disc golf course, plenty of yard games, multiple pavilions for smaller gatherings or bands/ DJs to set up, mutiple fishing ponds, a huge trout stream as the center of focus, easy access and parking for 200, and a huge timber-frame barn complete with oversized glass garage and slider doors, outdoor patio, tables and chairs for 150, ADA compliant bathrooms, catering kitchen, changing rooms, and even an additional barn for your bar and lounge and billards room with additional outdoor seating for 84!
Facilities and Capacity
Wonderlust Acres offers a secluded, immersive wedding experience in the NC mountains. Surrounded by nature, prepare in our comfortable rooms. Enjoy a cocktail reception on the Wonderbarn patio, great for photos. For the reception, enter the impressive Wonderbarn. Garage doors allow seamless indoor/outdoor transitions and natural light. Ornate chandeliers create romance. The Wonderbarn accommodates 200 guests, with space for dancing. An outfitted kitchen is available, along with well-appointed changing rooms. Exchange vows with a smaller guest list (and on a smaller budget) at the Lakeside Pavilion with water views; 50 guests on the lawn.
This inclusive location offers services to simplify your wedding day. We provide at no extra cost: chairs, tables, movable bar/ drink & ice bin, and an arbor. You can bring in your preferred vendors. Fire pits, easy parking, and wheelchair access are available. Depending on the package, you can access the entire site for a weekend glamping experience. Our estate is ready to help you create a memorable celebration.
Owner's Vision
The owner's main source of income is through his real estate practice and investments, making the event space a passion project first rather than just a business. His goal is to provide a beautiful place that celebrates the outdoors, where guests can unwind and relax, and connect with each other, so the venue specializes in stress-free full weekend weddings at reasonable prices.
Take a 360° Virtual Tour and enjoy an exclusive sneak peek today!
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Barn
Farm & Ranch
Beach
Waterfront
Mountain
Park
Trees
Venue Service Offerings
Destination Weddings
Destination Wedding Packages
Rentals & Equipment
Any questions?
Meet the team
Showing slide number 1 out of 2
- Wanda CoxBooking CoordinatorWanda is the Mother-in-Law of the owner, Benjamin Ray. She has a long history in customer service, management, and hospitality, and instantly connects with brides. She is a phenomenal communicator, and loves helping make the BIG DAY go really smooth, and is a great resource to brides all along the way from booking a tour to the event day.
- Benjamin RayOwnerThrough a spiritual journey, Benjamin came to the High Country 17 years ago, lived in the farmhouse on site for 6 yrs as his 1st house. Over time he acquired the neighboring land, and he begin creating the paradise now seen as Wonderlust Acres, so that others could enjoy the property as he has for so many years. The owner's main source of income is through his real estate practice and investments, making the event space a passion project first rather than a business. His goal is to provide a place where guests can unwind and relax, and connect with each other, so the venue specializes in full weekend weddings at reasonable prices.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.05 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
Ryan M
5.0
12/07/2025
Wonderlust Acres in Purlear, NC is truly a breathtaking mountain/nature wedding venue. Our wedding day felt like a dream come true, and the beautiful scenery made it even more magi...
cal.
The entire process was smooth from start to finish. Benjamin (the owner) and Wanda were incredibly kind, helpful, and professional—such wonderful people to work with.
Our guests also loved the onsite Airbnbs and motel. The accommodations were comfortable, beautiful, and family-friendly, giving everyone a relaxing stay.
We absolutely loved our wedding day, and Wonderlust Acres played a huge part in making it unforgettable. We are forever grateful for the experience. Highly recommend this amazing venue!
Response from Wonderlust Acres on 12/07/2025
Ryan thank you so much for the kind words about Wonderlust Acres. You and Gem were truly ...
a pleasure to work with. So glad your day was everything you both dreamed it would be. All of us at Wonderlust Acres wish you the very best.
Whitney S
5.0
10/30/2023
Everything was wonderful: the price, the venue, and the people (Benjamin, Sommer, and Wanda)!!! They were willing to help and work with us any way they could along the way. I can’t...
recommend enough!
Response from Wonderlust Acres on 10/30/2023
Thank you so much Whitney, it was such a pleasure working with you as well.
We wish you an...
d Philip the very best.
Any questions?
Kaylee D
5.0
9/10/2022
This is an absolutely beautiful wedding venue! The owners were easy to contact and very flexible. I’m so glad my husband and I chose this venue to have our wedding at. The property...
is away from normal hustle and bustle of life and out in the wilderness. It is very serene and peaceful. I loved the woodsy feel of it. Definitely recommend!
Alyssa W
5.0
12/30/2021
My husband and I had a wonderful experience with this venue! The owner of the property and the booking coordinator we’re wonderful and extremely helpful throughout the time of and...
before the wedding. I highly recommend this property for any event you may have planned as it is even more gorgeous in person!
Taylor B
5.0
7/20/2020
This incredible venue is perfect for any event. My husband and I hosted a post-elopement party here and it provided the ideal setting for our guests to feel comfortable and at ease...
in a beautiful environment. Benjamin and Sommer are wonderful hosts and stewards of the property. They took great care of us!
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