Pretty Place Wedding at Symmes Chapel: Complete Guide
Pretty Place (a.k.a. Symmes Chapel) is a beautiful chapel located in the mountains of South Carolina. The chapel was gifted by Fred W. Symmes to YMCA Camp Greenville, and sits atop the spot known as Pretty Place with beautiful 180 deg views of the mountains towards the east. IMPORTANT NOTE: Pretty Place was damaged by Hurricane Helene and while they had to close for a few months they have reopened for 2025!
A Unique Mountain Venue
The chapel is a one of a kind place, different from a typical mountain overlook one might find across the southeast mountains. It offers a beautiful mountain view with a touch of practicality! If you love the idea of eloping or having a small wedding at an overlook but would like the convenience of a covered space, seating, ample parking, and restrooms; a Pretty Place Wedding at Symmes Chapel might be a great match for you!
Choosing a Pretty Place wedding at Symmes Chapel comes down to many different decisions, and we’re here to help. Planning a wedding at Pretty Place is quite different than at a traditional wedding venue, which is why we’ve written this guide for you.
Planning Your Ceremony
Can you get married at Pretty Place South Carolina? Yes! While it is private property, the great people at YMCA Greenville do allow weddings at Symmes Chapel. Recognizing that this is a meaningful and spiritual location for many people, we are grateful that they allow for ceremonies.
Best Fit for Small Weddings and Elopements
In our opinion, a Pretty Place Wedding is a best fit for a “just us” elopement or an intimate wedding with a few guests. When your group size is small, you have a variety of options nearby for lodging and a reception. Once your group is above about 15 in total, then logistics come into play that may or may not be agreeable to your guests.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Mountains of South Carolina (YMCA Camp Greenville) |
| View | 180 degree views towards the east |
| Capacity | Best for small groups (around 15 guests) |
| Amenities | Covered space, seating, ample parking, and restrooms |
| Travel Time | Approx. 1 hour from Greenville, SC |
Logistics and Travel
The closest city with the most options for larger groups is Greenville, SC. It’s not that far away, but just over an hour of driving with 30 minutes of twists and turns up the mountain to reach Pretty Place. That means 2 hours of driving for you and your guests to/from Pretty Place if you’re staying in Greenville.
For group sizes around 15, we love recommending to our couples large rental homes nearby and/or restaurants in and around Brevard, Hendersonville, and Greenville, SC!
Expert Support for Your Big Day
With over 100+ elopements planned and captured, we specialize in crafting personalized, stress-free celebrations that honor your love story. Our elopement packages include:
- Your Custom Designed Experience
- Personalized Planning Support
- Expert Day-of Coordination
- Authentic Photography that Feels Like You
We help you with details you might not have thought about yet, such as the best times of day to have your wedding ceremony and where people will stay nearby.
Example Small Wedding Timeline
- Getting ready at a cozy Airbnb cabin near Cedar Mountain, Pisgah Forest, or Brevard
- First look at the cabin
- Arrive at Pretty Place; Bride and Groom hidden away separately while guests are seated
- Ceremony at Symmes Chapel
- Guests leave for reception location; Bride and Groom stay for more photos together
- On the way to the reception, more photos together at a waterfall or other mountain view spots
- Reception at a larger Airbnb or local venue