The Space
The main building at SKYLARANNA started as a private estate built in 1956 on 64 acres along the French Broad River, and for years afterward it operated as Talisman Academy, a boarding school for teenagers with non-verbal learning disorders, before Kevin and Anna High bought the property and reopened it as a resort. The resort is named after the Highs’ daughter, and it opened to guests in the summer of 2020.
Lodging is split between 11 hotel rooms and 17 cabins, together sleeping up to 115 overnight guests, and the entire property went through a comprehensive renovation in July 2022, so a couple looking at the buildings today is seeing recently updated finishes layered over the original 1956 structure and its later additions rather than an untouched 1950s building.
Capacity & Layout
The venue seats up to 200 for a reception, which is a manageable number against the scale of 64 acres and the buildings on it, meaning the grounds will not feel crowded even at a full guest count on a property this size. With up to 115 guests able to stay overnight across the 11 hotel rooms and 17 cabins, a couple can plan this as a full weekend event rather than a single-day wedding, with rehearsal dinner and brunch built into the same stay.
The property spreads the day across several distinct areas: an indoor and outdoor restaurant at Elevations Chophouse, a rooftop terrace, a poolside bar, and an outdoor amphitheater, so a couple has real choices for where the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception each happen rather than one room doing double duty for all three.
Amenities
Elevations Chophouse serves American and seafood cuisine on site, and a full-service spa offers massages, facials, and wellness treatments, both useful for a wedding weekend where the wedding party is staying over and wants something to do the day before or the morning after. The outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam room extend that same idea to a more casual afternoon.
A firepit, a disc golf course, and hiking trails along Mud Creek and the French Broad River give overnight guests options beyond the pool and spa, and free high-speed WiFi across the property, rated over 500 Mbps, means the wedding party is not out of touch for vendor calls during setup. Pet-friendly rooms are also available for a couple traveling with a dog for the weekend.
Location & Getting There
SKYLARANNA sits on the French Broad River outside Hendersonville, with river and mountain views across the 64-acre property, and Asheville Regional Airport is about five miles away, which keeps travel simple for out-of-town guests flying in for a destination wedding weekend. Free on-site parking is available, and the property is wheelchair accessible with an ADA-compliant main entrance.
For a DJ, the outdoor amphitheater and rooftop terrace are open-air spaces where sound needs to project across the river and mountain views without the help of enclosing walls, while an indoor reception at Elevations Chophouse behaves more like a standard restaurant room, with hard and soft surfaces mixed enough to keep music controlled rather than washing out.
Why Couples Book Dow Oak Here
You only get one reception at this venue, so it should be run by a team that already knows how to make a room like it work:
- We have actually performed at this venue, so we plan for its sound, layout, and flow instead of guessing on your night
- One team for your DJ and MC, photo booth, and custom lighting, on a single plan and one contract
- Backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team
- An online planning portal plus a planning call before the day
- More than 3,000 five-star reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and just $400 reserves your date
Wedding DJ FAQ
Have you performed at this venue before?
Yes. Every venue in our directory is one we have actually worked, so we already know how to set up, light, and run the room for a wedding, from ceremony sound to the last dance.
How much is a wedding DJ?
Your price depends on your date, your area, and add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound. Pick your date on our pricing page and you will see your exact price, and just $400 reserves your date.
Do you provide lighting and a photo booth too?
Yes. One team handles your DJ and MC, color-matched uplighting, and a modern photo booth on a single plan.
What happens if our DJ has an emergency?
We always have trained backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team, so someone can step in seamlessly.
How do we book you?
Check your date using the form on this page. We confirm availability, send your pricing, and a $400 retainer reserves your date.
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- Backup DJs & photo booths on call 24/7
- Just $400 reserves your date
- Free setup and teardown, every time
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