Documenting weddings in North Carolina captures a mix of southern charm with modern touches and in certain spots, a hint of European flair (see below!). I’m originally from Greensboro, but I’ve called Raleigh my home for almost 10 years. This time has made me a local who enjoys traveling just enough that I start to miss my hometown. Raleigh North Carolina wedding venues and the surrounding area offers a balance of indoor and outdoor spaces suited for every season. These are some of my favorites! 

Raleigh North Carolina Wedding Venues

The Merrimon-Wynne House

The Merrimon-Wynne House is a gorgeous historic mansion positioned in the center of downtown Raleigh. I love Merrimon-Wynne for the charm and character of the house itself that makes it feel like your home for the wedding weekend. When hosting a styled shoot here for a large group of photographers, we had so much space to explore with four separate sessions happening at the same time! I’m always looking for a reason to return and shoot another wedding there!

Venue Details

• Up to 250 guests for indoor and outdoor celebrations.
• Outdoor ceremony on lawn, cocktail hour in Main House, reception in Carriage House.
• Exclusive use of the entire house and grounds on the wedding day.

The Heights House

A new arrival out of these Raleigh North Carolina wedding venues is Heights House. Described as “a historic landmark resurrected,” Heights House is an Italian-inspired boutique hotel in downtown Raleigh originally built in 1860. 

Venue Details

• Up to 149 guests, but ideally for 50-80 guests. 
• Indoor and outdoor spaces for all seasons.
• Requires booking all nine rooms for two nights for private use of the entire house and property.
• Custom packages to fit your wedding style.

The Bradford

Located in New Hill, The Bradford is a North Carolina wedding venue just outside of Raleigh. The Bradford is a European influenced wedding venue best described as effortless elegance meets approachable luxury. If you’re planning a North Carolina wedding with European charm then The Bradford is an amazing fit. I worked for a wedding planner before becoming a North Carolina wedding photographer and I had the opportunity to plan at this venue constantly. They have an amazing team and will be sure to take good care of you!

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 250 guests.
• All-inclusive wedding venue includes access to the entire downstairs of the main house, private getting-ready suites, two ballrooms, a terrace, and gardens. 
• Option for a full-service wedding weekend experience including lodging.

Carolina Grove

Summarized as “a modern + airy venue elevated with luxurious amenities and surrounded by sixty-five acres of natural beauty;” that’s Carolina Grove. This venue is all about open spaces from the tall ceilings of the White Barn and the covered Veranda to the acres of woodland.

I’ve done a wedding and a styled shoot at Carolina Grove and I love the openness of their spaces! Nestled in the woods, this venue is a stunner in spring and fall with the blooms and changing leaves.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 250 guests.
• Exclusive venue access for 11 hours. Includes use of tables, chairs, lounge furniture, cocktail tables, and portable bars. 
• Options for catering, wedding planning, and rehearsal dinners. 
• Choices between the White Barn, wooded backdrop ceremonies, the covered Veranda, string-lit grove, and getting-ready suites.

The Sutherland

The Sutherland is an 18th century estate in Wake Forest but still in the area to include in the list of Raleigh North Carolina wedding venues. The venue sits on six acres with beautiful gardens and groves full of oaks and magnolias.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 400 guests.
• Indoor and outdoor options with the estate, the library, getting-ready suites, dining room, Settler’s House, and the Pavilion. Ceremony can be held indoors, or outdoors under the historic oaks or in the walled garden. 
• Wedding planning and coordination included in the package.

The Orpheum at Oxford

The Orpheum at Oxford is a movie theater originally built in 1912 that maintains its 1941 era remodel light fixtures, art, and architecture. It is located just an hour outside of Raleigh and is the only venue to be found in the heart of downtown historic Oxford. This quaint and unique theater makes for one of the best North Carolina wedding venues!

Venue Details

• Option for ceremony, reception, or both. 
• Package includes 15 hours of exclusive access, getting-ready rooms, tables and chairs for 100 guests (more available for rent), and one bartender (options for a 2nd).

The Historic Wakefield Barn

Built in 1934, this peaceful historic white-barn venue located just outside of downtown Raleigh boasts 14 acres of land. Wakefield Barn includes indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces including a cocktail hour on the bottom floor of the barn, a paved patio with a fireplace, and a grass lawn.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 250 seated guests and 325 standing guests. 
• Includes wedding party getting-ready suites in separate Bridal House and in the Main Barn, covered parking, exclusive 12-hour access to the entire grounds, engagement session (or bridal session) and a one-hour rehearsal. 
• Rentals included: tables, cocktail tables, outdoor and indoor chairs.
• Options for full-service bar.

The Maxwell

The Maxwell offers gorgeous spaces with a lawn for the ceremony, an open-air patio for cocktail hour, a wonderful bridal suite and great parking for guests. It’s a new upscale, elegant and contemporary addition to Raleigh North Carolina wedding venues.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 400 guests.
• 13 hours of exclusive access with onsite parking, outdoor string lights, chairs, tables, wooden bars and a getting-ready suite. 
• Outdoor spaces include the Patio & Lawn for ceremonies and cocktail hour, while indoor spots include the Great Room for ceremonies or receptions (with a 15’ gas fireplace), the Lounge for cocktail hour and receptions, as well as a getting-ready suite.

Chapel Hill North Carolina Wedding Venue: Carolina Inn

I have experienced everything at The Carolina Inn from both working with a wedding planner to photographing weddings there. Full of southern charm, the elegant estate can accommodate small to large weddings with indoor and outdoor spaces. Bonuses include the look of the iconic black-and-white checkered ballroom floor, and the fact that the wedding party and guests can stay on the property itself.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 450 guests in the largest ballroom. 
• Also works for rehearsal dinners and bridal luncheons.

Charlotte North Carolina Wedding Venues: The Providence Cotton Mill

I was able to enjoy the charming open-air mill with arched windows and surrounding green fields as a wedding guest at The Providence Cotton Mill. The 10,000 sq. ft. main hall space can be used in many ways including splitting it in half for the ceremony and reception. Outside of the historic mill there is an enchanting greenery-covered wall beside a patio with string lights that’s perfect for cocktail hour.

 Venue Details

• Hosts over 700 seated guests inside.
• Outdoor: green grassy lawn. Indoor: open-air pavilion.

Greensboro North Carolina Wedding Venues

Cadillac Service Garage

The downtown Greensboro Cadillac Service Garage was renovated and turned into a wedding venue in 2013 while keeping its original exposed brick walls, 1921 black-and-white marble showroom floor, and 30’ loft ceilings with skylights. Spaces include a walled granite patio, garden, getting-ready suites, two built-in bars, a stage, and on-site parking.

Venue Details

• Exclusive access to the entire venue with indoor and outdoor ceremony options: Terrace Courtyard, Spacious Garage, and Classic Showroom. 
• Full service venue rental and planning option or can be used solely as a reception or rehearsal dinner rental space.

The Historic Finch House

The Finch House is located in Thomasville, within 30 minutes of downtown Greensboro.

This 7,000 sq. ft. mansion marked by historic character rests on 1.5 acres and includes outdoor and indoor ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner options. These spaces include a library for receptions and a lawn space for ceremonies.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 100 guests (minimum of 10 guests required for booking).
• Wedding packages include getting-ready suites, tables, chairs, and linens. 
• Options for all-inclusive wedding packages starting with 20 guests.

Summerfield Farms

Summerfield Farms is located in Summerfield, right outside of downtown Greensboro. I’ve had the privilege of both attending and working weddings at this venue. It is a working farm that also serves as a wedding venue with amazing options for ceremonies and receptions surrounded by oak trees and rolling hills. They also have cottages and cabins on the property for the wedding party or family to stay before and after the wedding. I’ve stayed in them myself and they are lovely!

Venue Details

• Pole Barn with a rooftop terrace that has panoramic views of the entire property can host up to 300 guests. When combined with a reception tent, it can host up to 1,500 guests. 
• Provides tables, chairs, onsite parking, and all setup and teardown.
• Packages can include: overnight stays for wedding party and guests, decor, and wedding planning.

Graylyn Estate

The Graylyn Estate is a 55-acre 15th-century historic manor with breathtaking gardens, lush lawns, oak trees, and the overall feeling of a castle. The boutique hotel gives off a romantic and elegant feeling with ceremony and reception locations such as an English rose garden, stone gazebo, and the Manor House itself.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 150 guests.
• Packages include: exclusive access to the grounds, getting-ready suites, on-site parking, ceremony & reception chairs, tables for guest book and gifts, reception tables, linens, china, silverware, glassware, and a dedicated coordinator. 
• Options for in-house catering and overnight accommodations. Ability to book engagement and bridal photography on the property.

Whitsett North Carolina Wedding Venue: Timberlake Earth Sanctuary

The Timberlake Earth Sanctuary feels like a homegrown wedding venue. It is completely outdoors, serene, and great for nature lovers. It boasts 165 acres of pine and hardwood forests encircled by Lake Mackintosh with three different ceremony sites.

Venue Details

• Full access to the sanctuary for up to 48 hours to enjoy the walking trails, scenic overlooks and ponds. 
• Ceremony Site Options: Woodlands, The Orchard, Gaia’s Garden. Reception tent has a concrete floor with string lights and a fire pit, and can host up to 150 guests. Nearby restrooms are also available. 
• Packages include two nights in the three-story Treehouse that can also be used as getting-ready spaces and for a rehearsal dinner.
• Other options: elopement with up to 18 guests for up to 10 hours, intimate wedding for one full day with up to 35 guests. There’s also a Friday-Sunday wedding weekend stay for up to 25 guests.

North Carolina Coastal Wedding Venues

Merrell Estate & Gardens

Merrell Estate & Gardens is a venue on the coast of North Carolina near Indian beach with a stunning view of the water. The property has palm trees, string-lights patio, elegant ballroom with lofty ceilings, covered outdoor portico, lawn with native and tropical flora and two acres of gardens.

 Venue Details

• Hosts up to 300 guests depending on your selected space.
• Luxury bridal suite includes dry and steam saunas and an on-site Salon & Spa (what a bonus!). Groom’s suite also has dry and steam saunas, and an air-hockey table. There’s also a Billiards Lounge for the entire wedding party to relax together.
• Indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception options: The Grand Foyer, The Merrell Ballroom & Bar, The Portico, The Lawn, The Aisle of Palms.
• Packages include: exclusive 12-hour access to property, ceremony and reception chairs, tables, tablecloths, decorative arbor for ceremony, and more!
• Options for in-house catering and bar packages.

Sanderling Resort

Located in the Outer Banks, the Sanderling Resort can house both the wedding party and guests. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound, the resort has a variety of venues for the ceremony and reception. The resort also offers a pool, onsite dining, and provides the overall feeling of a destination wedding.

Venue Details

• Larger weddings: Event House & Deck (indoor/outdoor, 100 guests), Pavilion (indoor, 180 guests).
• Intimate weddings: Keeper’s Loft (indoor, 50 guests), Kimballs’ Kitchen (indoor, 60 guests).
• Outdoor ceremonies: Beach (private beach access), Event Lawn & Deck (180 guests)
• Options for elopements with less than 30 guests.

River Forest Manor & Marina

The River Forest Manor & Marina is a waterfront historic mansion along the Pamlico Sound, Pantego Creek, and Pungo River in Belhaven. The property has lodging options for up to 30 people in 13 rooms offered by the Manor House, Bungalow House, and Marina House. Planning a wedding at this venue includes great flexibility as they work with many different vendor options. The site includes a dock, which allows for a boat getaway at the end of the night or a horse and carriage for a stunning exit!

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 80 guests indoors (includes tables and chairs) or a tented waterfront lawn space for up to 1,000.
• Exclusive four-hour use of the grounds for wedding and reception, includes getting-ready rooms.
• Options for wedding day or wedding weekends that include accommodations.

Wrightsville Manor & Gardens

Wrightsville Manor & Gardens is an elegant North Carolina beach wedding venue in Wilmington located right along the gateway to Wrightsville Beach. It has a stunning bridal suite, garden lawn for the ceremony and cocktail hour, and an outdoor patio veranda. The 3,000 sq. ft. main indoor space is perfect for the reception and/or ceremony with a built-in bar and exposed brick and stone fireplace.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 150 guests.
• Package includes: exclusive access to the property from 10:00 am until midnight, on-site parking, and bridal suite.
• Rentals include: indoor reception/ceremony chairs, reception tables, and cocktail tables.

Neuse Breeze

Neuse Breeze is a 3.5 acre private waterfront venue in Havelock on the Neuse River between New Bern and Morehead City with a view of the Pamlico Sound. The venue holds an elegant, timeless style that creates peaceful, serene, and relaxed feelings for a wedding experience. Outdoor options include a waterfront fire pit while indoor options feature a 2,400 sq. ft. pavilion with an outdoor fireplace and dance floor. There’s also an indoor banquet room for smaller weddings or rehearsal dinners.

Venue Details

• Hosts up to 150 guests, includes all setup and teardown.
• The venue includes a bridal suite for getting ready and as an overnight stay option for the couple. 
• Options for an all-inclusive wedding weekend package.

Beaufort Hotel

The Beaufort Hotel is a waterfront location along Taylor’s Creek where guests and the wedding party can stay on the property. It is a relaxed resort-style wedding venue near Atlantic Beach, that is great for an entire wedding weekend. It’s also close to Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Shackleford Banks, and many other great options for activities!

Venue Details

• Hosts 50-500 guests in this 10,000 sq. ft. location.
• Options for decor and full-service catering and bar.

If any of these Raleigh North Carolina wedding venues stood out to you then I would love to start dreaming up your day there!