Hello from 35,000 feet! Much like after our Mediterranean honeymoon in 2017, Tyler and I now find ourselves heading home from a trip to an imminent hurricane. We are fortunate to not be in an evacuation zone, and we have time once we get back to stock up on everything we need. Until we land, I’m able to focus instead on what a lovely weekend we had in Greenville, celebrating our friends’ wedding. These are the highlights:
I hadn’t stayed in a Drury Inn & Suites before, but Chelsea, the bride, highly recommended it. I was very impressed with the hotel for the price (~$122 per night). Not only did it include a hearty breakfast (always a bonus), but they also offered a “5:30 Kickback” every evening, which entitled us each to three free drinks, as well as hot food, between 5:30 and 7pm. On Sunday evening, I even made my dinner out of it! We also had no issues with them accommodating a late checkout this morning, and all the staff were super friendly. I would absolutely stay here again.
Ink N Ivy was where the rehearsal dinner was held, and as a bridesmaid, I had the privilege of joining in. They have a lot of cool murals throughout the building, but the third-floor space was perfect for our group of ~30. The bartenders were very attentive, ensuring my glass was full throughout the night, and the food was great. If you get anything, 100% order their roasted brussels sprouts. This is right in the heart of downtown Greenville too, so it puts you in a prime location to scope out the rest of the area.
The wedding was held at the Windy Hill Wedding & Event Barn, which you can find a little bit outside Greenville (located in nearby Simpsonville) but is worth the trip. While the event space itself is gorgeous, it was the sunset over the hill that really sold it for me. We can’t get views like that at home in Florida – um hello, trees with leaves changing color! – so Tyler and I were soaking in every minute of it. For a party of about ~120 people, it had enough space for us to spread out and chat, as well as get together on the dancefloor.
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza + Craft Beer isn’t actually somewhere I ate, but while I was busy with bridesmaid preparations, Tyler snuck over there for lunch. His Bronx Bomber, with Italian sausage and prosciutto, was apparently so good, we made a second trip over there late on Sunday (after my hotel dinner), so he could pick up another one. I think it helps that it was within easy walking distance of the hotel, but considering he got this dish twice in a 3-day trip, you can consider it coming with his stamp of approval.
In the middle of downtown Greenville, you’ll find Falls Park on the Reedy. Across the street from a Starbucks and other restaurants, it’s a huge greenspace. While it may involve taking stairs, it’s 100% accessible for someone who didn’t intend to stumble upon such a natural wonder while out and about. The waterfalls are the biggest selling feature (and they’re gorgeous), but we really appreciated how the park connects to the Swamp Rabbit Trail. We hopped on this greenway to walk around the city.
Biscuit Head is one of my most-recommended Asheville, NC restaurants, and we hit it up every time we visit. Most recently, this was for our babymoon road trip in late 2020. As I was poking around the map to figure out our Sunday plans, I was thrilled to find that Greenville is also home to a Biscuit Head. We waited in a line that went out the door, but it moved quickly (don’t be surprised by a line if you go). Soon enough, we were enjoying our biscuit brunch while sampling several of the jam bar’s selections. Definitely worth a stop!
Wedding-related events have also brought me to Austin, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; and Ocean Grove, New Jersey, this year, but Greenville was just about the loveliest place to celebrate love. I can’t wait to go back!
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