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Castle of Joy
4.6 ★★★★★ 45 Google reviews · Castle wedding venue in Murphy, North Carolina
Plan your visit
- Lodging stay overnight on-site — couples and the castle's own info mention accommodations; ask how many rooms and whether the wedding-night suite is included
- Phone +1 828-594-8000
- Website thehighlandkeep.com — most castles book tours right on their site
The setting
“We cook together, and enjoy the patio, hot tub, pool table, feeding the fish in the heart-shaped pond and always do a photo shoot outside in front of the castle moat.”
“We cook together, and enjoy the patio, hot tub, pool table, feeding the fish in the heart-shaped pond and always do a photo shoot outside in front of the castle moat.”
Inside the castle
“We cook together, and enjoy the patio, hot tub, pool table, feeding the fish in the heart-shaped pond and always do a photo shoot outside in front of the castle moat.”
“Lodging available on site and very near the Nantahala Gorge.”
What couples say again and again
“Beautiful location, setting, and house/Castle!”
From the reviews
It would be impossible to tell you how much Elegance is included in your stay! The castle is the epitome of luxury and artistry. Whether you are a couple or a family, there is something for everyone to enjoy and to see each and every day! Absolutely spectacular!
Charming venue in a beautiful location. Lodging available on site and very near the Nantahala Gorge. Perfect setting for a wedding. My harp and I were very happy there.
Magical. Mystical. Beautiful. Peaceful and tranquil. This place was amazing. Our family went for a weekend trip but it's the most perfect spot for a wedding. No words can do it justice. Just go there and feel and see for yourself.
Finally got all the kids up to the mountains for the Griswald Family Christmas. We stayed at the Castle of Joy for the weekend. Kids, especially grandkids were absolutely amazed. The looks on their faces when they walked in were priceless.
Getting married at Castle of Joy
A castle wedding is the once-in-a-lifetime, storybook kind — the grand staircase, the ballroom, the gardens and turrets your photos will live on forever. Castle weddings commonly run $10,000–$40,000+ depending on the date, guest count, and how much is included, so ask for a written quote for your season — Castle of Joy doesn’t publish a set price, and tiers move fast. Two things make the tour worth the drive. First, see it at the time of day you’d actually get married — a ballroom that glows at golden hour can feel very different at noon, and you’ll want to walk the path your guests take from the gates to the ceremony to the reception. Second, bring your real questions: what’s included with the venue fee (tables, chairs, setup, teardown), the catering and bar policy, whether you can stay overnight on-site, the rain plan for a garden ceremony, and the music curfew. Fairytale dates at castle venues book 12–18 months out, so if the tour feels right, ask what’s open in your season before you leave.
Galas & corporate events at Castle of Joy
Reviews and the castle's own info mention galas, corporate events, or private parties at Castle of Joy — castle venues often have real weekday availability since weddings claim the weekends. A quick call answers the three things that matter: weekday and off-season rates, whether the space works for your headcount and A/V needs, and what catering is allowed. If your event lands on a Friday or Saturday in wedding season, ask early.
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4.8 ★★★★★ 93 reviews
Wedding venue (and planner) for ceremonies and receptions at a gazebo and inside a castle, with friendly staff.