Heart of NC Weddings Picks: The Best Farm and Barn Wedding Venues in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Western NC
North Carolina is a true destination for any couple who envisions a Southern or rustic wedding. The Triangle area of NC – Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill – might be turning into a major metropolis, but we still have some of the best farm and barn wedding venues in NC. There are several wedding venues situated on pretty animal and flower farms with pastures and lakes both inside city limits in the Triangle, as well as a short driving distance outside of Raleigh and Durham. You can host a rustic Raleigh wedding while also allowing your guests to enjoy the amenities of the Triangle area such as great places to stay and eat.
Each of these Heart of NC Weddings picks for the best farm and barn wedding venues in the Raleigh area are unique in their own right but still hold the same rustic charm you’d expect from this type of property. Read on to learn more about the variety of rustic Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill wedding venues. Of course, there’s plenty of barn and farm wedding venues elsewhere across the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains and even in Eastern NC.
Are you seeking to get married in another part of NC? We’ve also included some of the best barn and farm wedding venues outside of the Triangle Area. This includes a barn venue near Fayetteville, NC, a modern farmhouse venue near Charlotte, in Lexington, NC, and a mountain destination venue near Boone, NC.
Best Barn and Farm Venues Near Raleigh
We’ll start by sharing Heart of NC Weddings picks for the Raleigh area. Although the City of Oaks is bustling, you can still find rustic and elegant barn venues nearby that have a secluded feel and spacious setting.
Walnut Hill: Family-Owned Barn Wedding Venue in Raleigh with a Historic Farmhouse
One of our favorite barn wedding venues in Raleigh is Walnut Hill. Owner Amanda Peoples has created an incredible NC destination on her family property. The centerpiece of the property is the recently constructed white barn. This space was created to host weddings and private events for up to 200 guests. The beautiful, open space is mutually elegant and rustic. Large windows along the entire back wall showcase lovely views of a pond among pastureland.
The historic farmhouse has become a little haven for your wedding party to use at their leisure while preparing for the ceremony. They have multiple getting ready suites, as well as plenty of space for lounging and relaxing. This includes a classic Southern wrap-around porch, complete with rocking chairs. The front entrance leads to a beautifully manicured lawn with a giant ancient oak tree, which is a very romantic wedding ceremony site. Walnut Hill’s newest addition is a gorgeous open-air chapel. We featured Amanda and her husband Scott Peoples own vow renewal at the new chapel in our 2023 magazine!
Also check out this incredible Walnut Hill wedding of a UNC Charlotte shooting survivor that was featured recently on our blog. Amanda, along with many other NC wedding vendors, generously donated their time and services to the couple.
The Meadows at Firefly Preserve – Hundred-Acre Farm Wedding Venue in Raleigh
The Meadows happens to be one of our favorite farm venues in Raleigh, NC. We fell in love with this sprawling nature preserve when we hosted our 2023 fashion editorial photo shoot there! There are several spaces on this 115-acre property perfect for an outdoor wedding ceremony or tented reception. No matter which spot you pick, you’ll have a beautiful backdrop of rolling fields. Yet, the comfort of modern amenities is just a few steps away from any of these outdoor sites. Heron Hall is a modern event space that blends elements of vintage and modern. While floor-to-ceiling windows and white walls are a perfect backdrop for your wedding portraits, a stained-glass chapel window inside the Hall is equally as beautiful. There’s also a unique pergola and patio space, plus a full built-in bar. Right next to Heron Hall is a spacious cabin for wedding parties to relax and get ready in, plus Aerie House, a two-story home with multiple rooms for hair and makeup teams to work their magic.
Best Farm and Barn Wedding Venues in Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill is known for its farm wedding venues! Whether you’re looking for a flower farm, a rustic lodge or a modern white barn, there is something for your perfect Southern wedding.
Lavender Oaks Farm – Barn Wedding Venue in Chapel Hill
If Instagram has anything to say about the photo-ops that come along with lavender fields, it should not surprise you that a local family decided we needed one here in NC. Thus began Lavender Oaks Farm, a true destination wedding venue in Chapel Hill, NC.
Two historic barns from up north are receiving new life with Chapel Hill weddings. The Lavender Oaks Farm reception barn has been fully modernized to maximize comfort for an inside wedding celebration. The Pavillion Barn is a charmingly rustic, open-air barn with modern features such as chandeliers to add character to the historic structure.
You might want to consider going local with your wedding favors from the on-site Chapel Hill lavender gift shop! The property also has on-site cottage guest houses, which are perfect accommodations for the wedding party or close family. All of these features make Lavender Oaks Farm one of the best barn venues in Chapel Hill! And the owners have even more plans for festivals, a hops farm and more!
Did you know that Lavender Oaks Farm was also featured an editorial photo shoot in our 2022 magazine? Click here to see the enchanting lavender farm photo shoot!
Sunnyside at Baldwin Farms in Hillsborough NC
This venue is set on a 70-acre farm just outside the quaint downtown center of Hillsborough, NC. If you’re looking for the peace and serenity that a farm wedding venue offers, look no further than Sunnyside at Baldwin Farms. The rolling pastures and wooded area surrounding this newly refurbished event space provides the perfect calm setting for your wedding day. The 2,6000-square-foot reception hall is adjacent to a catering prep kitchen for easy setup, and the space can comfortably seat 170.
Oxford Oaks – Farm Wedding Venue near Durham NC
Formerly known as Morgan Farms, this countryside estate is one of our favorite new NC barn and farm wedding venues. Upon visiting Oxford Oaks, you’ll instantly fall in love with this venue’s free spirit and multiple flower gardens. This haven is located near old Oxford, NC. A sweeter-than-sweet-tea small town with beautiful countryside.
Less than an hour’s drive outside of Raleigh, Oxford Oaks wedding venue boasts 14 acres of serene natural beauty. Originally a 600-acre tobacco farm, The family farm showcases all of the original buildings built in the 1800s. While still keeping their original rustic charm, the buildings have been updated with modern conveniences for a more enjoyable wedding day experience. Plan your wedding ceremony beneath one of their hundred-year-old oak trees.
The Carolina Barn – NC Wedding Venue near Pinehurst and Fayetteville, with Rustic Elegance and Southern Charm
When you visit and tour The Carolina Barn, you may never want to leave. This barn and farm wedding venue has the rustic elegance of a country queen’s castle. Located on McCormick Farms in Spring Lake, NC, this barn venue is just a hop, skip and a jump outside of Fayetteville NC. McCormick Farms has been an operating farm for more than 220 years. Alex Hammill had a vision for her family farm. Now, The Carolina Barn is a true NC wedding destination. This barn is both rustic and elegant, with indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Step inside the Grand Pine Room at The Carolina Barn. This breathtaking indoor event space boasts 38ft high pine ceilings and dazzling crystal chandeliers. This rustic ball room makes for a beautiful cocktail hour, ceremony, and reception space for up to approximately 350 guests. In addition to stunning ceremony and reception event spaces, The Carolina Barn is home to luxurious suites where you can get ready in Southern style. Get ready to make unforgettable memories with your loved ones at this NC wedding venue.
Union Grove Farm, Chapel Hill’s Barn Wedding Venue Located on a Vineyard
Union Grove Farm has the feeling of intimacy that all couples want for their wedding. Located in the stunning Chapel Hill countryside, the Farm hosts the ideal location of privacy, while also being easily accessible to I-40 and only six miles away from downtown.
With more than 500 acres in total, Union Grove Farm boasts more than 10 acres of vineyards, gardens and orchards and a stunning 4,000-square-foot post and beam barn, which can host over 200 guests. The high ceilings and beautiful chandeliers inside the Barn provide the perfect mix of rustic and elegant that is all the rage in weddings these days. The Barn has both indoor and outdoor accommodations with a modern farmhouse feel, which makes it the perfect venue that can adapt to your event given any circumstance.
Board & Batten – NC Wedding Venue with a Modern Farmhouse Style
Elegant venue, Board & Batten is the idyllic setting for any event because it was precisely designed with your special day in mind. While the venue is not a barn, its farmhouse style matches the barn-vibe you may be seeking. Board & Batten is nestled on 60 acres near High Rock Lake in Lexington, NC. The all-inclusive event space blends rustic charm with modern-day sophistication. The Board & Batten team offers every amenity you could imagine for your wedding celebration. In addition, the expertly designed event space radiates warmth and elegance.
From the moment you book an event at Board & Batten, the team will treat you like family. Hospitality is at the heart of the company. Only one event happens a day at the venue so that the team can focus solely on you. The team takes care of every detail in order for you to enjoy an enchanting evening. You and up to 250 guests will remember it for years to come. Plus, you can enjoy the space year-round as the venue is fully equipped with heating and air conditioning.
Oakland Farm – NC Wedding Venue with Barn, Pavilion and Farmhouse
With rolling hills and picturesque scenery, Oakland Farm creates a beautiful backdrop for your celebration. Since welcoming their first guests in 2015, Oakland Farm has been excited about bringing your vision to life for your big day. The farm is located on 18 acres of forest in Bear Creek, North Carolina. Therefore, it is easily accessible from Raleigh/Durham, Greensboro and Fayetteville. The farm can accommodate up to 350 guests. Gather your loved ones at one of the farm’s two patios for cocktail hour before sharing your vows. Then, say “I do” at either the grand outdoor Pavilion or inside the heated and air-conditioned Barn. The Barn features exposed wood, a gorgeous antler chandelier and a stone fireplace.
The Barn of Chapel Hill – Historic Barn on a Full-Service Flower Farm
On 22 acres of family owned land in Orange County, The Barn of Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm is a gorgeous wedding venue and floral design studio. The barn’s french doors, lofty ceilings and chic white exterior make a beautiful backdrop for receptions and ceremonies. And, the open floor plan means you can invite up to 250 guests for a cocktail-style event, or 200 seated.
The farm’s fields of blooming flowers make for stunning wedding photos. Plus, the in-house design team will handle all the florals for your event – from flowy garden bouquets to elaborate installations to stunning ceremony backdrops, the options are limitless.
Amazing Graze Barn – Family Owned Farm in Louisburg, NC
Amazing Graze Barn is owned by the Brown family and the first celebration that took place at the venue was their own 10-year vow renewal. This beautifully restored dairy barn hosts all kind of events, from wedding receptions, ceremonies and rehearsal dinners to celebrations. The roomy barn can host up to 200 guests and you can take your pick of outdoor areas like pond-side meadows and farm fields. A covered outdoor patio provides a sheltered space for cocktail hour or dancing, or a plan B in case of inclement weather. Nestled among rolling hills and pastures, Amazing Graze Barn offers a unique look among NC farm wedding venues.
Best Barn Venues in the NC Mountains
If you’re searching for barn and farm wedding venues in NC, it’s a no-brainer to look westward toward the NC mountains. Not only is this area incredibly scenic, but there’s plenty of rustic barns and sprawling farms in the region.
The Mill at Rock Creek
This barn wedding venue in Western NC is located just a few minutes from downtown Boone. The Mill at Rock Creek offers a rustic feel inside it’s barn that’s climate-controlled for comfort year-round, plus beautiful outdoor event space. This barn isn’t just rustic in it’s look – the beams of the structure are nearly a century old. This venue is named for the actual mill that’s fed by a bubbling creek winding around the property. Unlike some mountain wedding venues, The Mill has a large capacity and can host as many as 280 for an outdoor event, or 250 indoors. We highly recommend that you take a tour of this Boone barn venue.
The Barn on New River – Family-owned Riverfront Barn Venue
Trust us when we tell you that The Barn on New River is one of the most picturesque and unexpected hidden gems of the NC mountains. It’s hard to capture the true beauty of this 100-acre property in a picture, but you’ll find that the barn and grounds provide many gorgeous photo-ops on your big day. The property borders the South Fork of the New River, with mountain views and plenty of room to gather guests around a fire pit, on outdoor patio and fountain. There’s even a high pasture that owner Paula and her husband keep mowed in order to capture stunning sunset shots of newlyweds surrounded by mountain scenery. The barn itself is a post-and-beam style with soaring ceilings and Swarovski chandeliers for a touch of glamour. Our best tip? The Barn on New River’s dahlia garden is a gorgeous outdoor ceremony location for summer or early fall events. Once you see this spot in person, we’re sure you’ll agree!
Overlook Barn in Banner Elk, NC
Yes, even in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains, you can host your dream barn wedding. And we have a favorite spot that we’re excited to introduce to you! The Overlook Barn is one of the best NC mountain wedding venues. If you’re seeking a rustic barn wedding but also loves the idea of sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop to your ceremony, this venue will be your dream come true.
The star attraction on the property is a renovated historic barn that is perched atop Beech Mountain, NC. It is a white barn which gives it an elegant air, even as it is rustic. When you walk in, you first are awestruck by the 30-foot arched ceilings with original exposed wood beams.
The Overlook Barn was fully renovated in 2015 with brides and grooms in mind. It is the epitome of upscale rustic elegance. Renovations included installing high-end acid-stained concrete floors, opening stalls for additional event space, renovating four bathrooms, and building two upscale suites for brides and grooms to get ready in: The Styling Suite and Polishing Room. Additionally, the Overlook Barn has pre-installed string lighting and electric outlets generously dispersed throughout the property to allow flexibility for all events. The Overlook Barn can accommodate 250 guests for a seated dinner.
Summerfield Farms – Countryside Farm and Barn Venue near Greensboro
Discover Summerfield Farms event venue and working farm. Only 20 minutes from Greensboro NC, you’ll feel transported to a peaceful oasis amid rolling hills and grazing cows. The farm raises 100% grass-fed beef and organic produce. Imagine, celebrating your wedding anniversary by enjoying a steak from beef that was raised at your venue!
Two barns offer options for event spaces. The Barn can host 300 guests while the open-air Pole Barn can accommodate 175. Better yet, there are plenty of places to pick from for an outdoor ceremony. Choose from a serene meadow, under live oak trees, a rustic stage or a shaded grove of trees. Summerfield Farms also has a dedicated events team to aid each couple for a stress-free experience. And, several event packages cater to all types of events, from a microwedding to a full weekend.
WinMock at Kinderton – Winston Salem’s Historic and Unique Wedding Venue Barn
We love this unique barn venue nestled in the Triad of North Carolina because it doesn’t look like any other. What once was a dairy farm has been beautifully restored. The sloping red and white barn evokes Gothic architecture. The wrought iron chandeliers and original wood beams are stunning. Bistro lights twinkle under the barn’s vaulted ceiling.
The barn at WinMock at Kinderton contains several spaces for getting ready, intimate or expansive ceremonies, and receptions. The Davie and Forsyth rooms host ceremonies and open to outdoor patios for cocktail hours. And there’s more! The Granary, where animal feed was once stored, offers another spot for ceremonies. And, the WinMock’s experienced staff will help you choose the right wedding package.
The Cornealius Properties – A 90 Acre, Rustic-Chic Farm Venue in Goldsboro
This family owned wedding venue in Eastern North Carolina has it all. From the 3,000-square-foot Carriage Hall that opens to an expansive patio, to the open-air Birdsong Chapel, possibilities abound. Decorative lighting across the trees and trails gives the grounds a glow. And, The Cornealius Properties has spaces for your and your wedding party to prepare on the big day. The Honeymoon House is full of mirrors and antiques, and also has space for overnight guests. The Camp Cabin is a hunting-style cabin with an outdoor fireplace and porches that make for great photo backdrops. But wait! There’s more. The four-bedroom Family House provides even more space for your overnight guests to stay.
We hope you found a few venue options to suit your needs in this farm and barn wedding venues list. To search more NC venues, discover our newly updated Venue Directory.
This post was originally published in 2017 and updated on January 20, 2023.
