Places to Get Married in NC That You Haven’t Considered
Struggling to find a Raleigh wedding venue or event space in the mountains that still has an available Saturday date in 2023 or 2024? You’re not alone. Thousands of weddings were rescheduled due to the pandemic, and 2023 couples will still feel the effects of that. Check out these new local venues, which might have availability – even for prime spring and fall dates! We’ve vetted each of the following places to get married in NC, some from groundbreaking all the way to completion. Each of these new venues is sure to become a mainstay. Plus, read on for news from some of our favorite NC wedding venues.
Venues book quickly, so they should be considered early in the planning process. The location sets the stage for your overall wedding theme. Heart of NC Weddings is proud to share one of the most comprehensive resource guides of the best wedding venues in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and Apex, as well as some special venues on the coast and in the mountains. Overwhelmed by the options? Click here for our online venue guide, which will help you sort venues by seating capacity, region and more.
Places to Get Married in NC
The Grove at City Market
Raleigh’s Market Hall opened a sister venue called The Grove at City Market in fall 2022. This intimate speak-easy-inspired space has a 3,400-square-foot private patio that can accommodate up to 150 people. Plus, indoor spaces including The Oak Room, a modern-industrial reception area, and The Willow Room, are ideal for cocktail hour. The venue offers in-house catering and bar service from executive chef Chris Hill.
Maywood Hall & Garden
Trophy Brewing Co.’s Maywood Hall & Garden opened in October 2022. Resting on the edge of downtown Raleigh, just a few doors down from the brewery’s production facility and taproom, the venue offers a bright and open indoor and outdoor space. Maywood Hall has the versatility to accommodate 50-200 people. Among its notable features are a 3,000-square-foot private landscaped garden. There’s also a private suite and bathrooms for wedding parties, and sufficient space for both catering teams and event staff to maneuver in. Maywood, naturally, also offers specialty beverage packages featuring Trophy’s lineup of brews.
Hill House Durham
Hill House Durham officially began booking weddings in fall 2022 after a soft launch the previous year. The 1911 Spanish Colonial Revival mansion features original hardwood floors and millwork, detailed fireplaces and a sweeping main staircase. The interior is perfect for intimate gatherings of up to 56. Ample outdoor spaces and a covered porch, pergola and lush grounds host larger events of up to 150. Hill House underwent extensive restoration projects recently. This includes a refresh of the catering kitchens, a multi-stall restroom for guests and several second-floor bedrooms that now serve as getting-ready spaces.
Donovan Manor
Set on 15 lush acres in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, Donovan Manor is slated to open for events in 2024. The handsome Manor House is classic yet contemporary and seats up to 250 guests. The full-service venue will offer in-house catering from award- winning caterer Donovan’s Dish, a company that’s served local couples since 2011. The venue will include picturesque outdoor spaces including a stone terrace, towering oaks and a bubbling creek. Other amenities offered are a parking area, two getting- ready suites inside the Manor House, tables and chairs for 200, and full-day access to the property.
The Cannon Room
A few more of our favorite venues have also gotten new on-site catering and event management teams. Rocky Top Catering, a Raleigh-based catering team with a reputation for exquisite cuisine, is now the exclusive catering company for The Cannon Room, Rose Hill Estate and The Power House at Rocky Mount Mills.
The Upstairs at Jiddi Space & Courtyard
Discover The Upstairs at Jiddi Space & Courtyard, a hidden gem of a venue in the heart of downtown Raleigh. This space was recently elevated with new decor and signage. Tucked behind restaurants Sitti and Gravy, Jiddi is a warehouse-style venue with a large open-air courtyard and a secluded indoor event space. Jiddi Space can seat up to 140 guests. Its sister venue, The Glass Box at The Stockroom at 230, also received fresh look and the addition of a coffee bar.
Modern Vibes – Places to Get Married in NC
The Willard Rooftop Lounge at AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown
If you’re looking for a venue with unbeatable views of Raleigh’s skyline, put The Willard Rooftop Lounge at the top of your list. The Willard offers multiple modern indoor and outdoor event spaces. This venue is located on the seventh floor of the brand-new AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown. Say “I do” next to a double-sided fireplace on the terrace or raise a glass to new beginnings in the Horizon Ballroom. The ballroom is a contemporary room with floor-to-ceiling windows and the city backdrop of your dreams.
The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport
The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport is slated to open in early 2023 in Brier Creek. The hotel is adjacent to the shopping, dining and unique attractions of Brier Creek Commons. The Westin features an “indoor-outdoor” rooftop concept with an expansive view of the area and a relaxing saltwater pool. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is 3 miles away – a comfortable distance for guests who are arriving or departing. A total of 14,000 square feet of dynamic event space is available for rehearsal dinners, welcome receptions and brunches. The 6,461-square-foot Grand Ballroom has a maximum capacity of 320. An outdoor terrace on the third floor is an intimate spot for ceremonies or for guests to mingle during cocktail hour.
The Pit Durham Event Venue
Raleigh-based restaurant and catering company Empire Eats announced in May 2022 that its Durham barbecue restaurant, The Pit Authentic BBQ, would transition from serving diners to operating as a full-time venue for private events and catering. The Pit Durham Event Venue offers several spaces across two floors of a renovated 1939 soda bottling warehouse. A rooftop with expansive views of the DIY District in downtown Durham hosts gatherings of up to 120 guests. When you book this venue, you can take advantage of The Pit’s exceptional catering menus that your guests are sure to love!
Historic and Refreshed – The Upchurch in Apex, NC
The Upchurch
The Upchurch hosted a grand opening in June 2022. Cara Powell owns the 7-acre property in Apex. Cara began her wedding photography business, f8 Photo Studios, in 2004. Extensive renovations were made to the 118-yearold house – which was transported from its original location to its new home on the same road. This includes the addition of a tiered patio that extends behind the building. A parking lot and 2,000-square-foot, circular Magnolia Lawn was constructed next to The Conservatory, a new 4,200-square-foot modern event space. The Conservatory features high ceilings, concrete floors and timber trusses. There’s also a covered patio and attached prep kitchen that overlooks a pond. Find more about The Upchurch and view a styled shoot that took place there in our new 2023 issue!
Updates and News from North Carolina Wedding Venues
The Bradford
The Bradford, a European-inspired manor tucked in the woods of New Hill, North Carolina, added a wood-burning white brick fireplace, artificial turf and additional landscaping to its side garden. This outdoor space lends itself to alfresco cocktail hours, lawn games, lounge seating and ceremonies. The updated garden space was completed in February 2022.
Walnut Hill
Walnut Hill’s new open-air chapel was completed in March 2022. The space can hold up to 200 guests. Decorative arched windows and views of the venue’s pond make for a unique outdoor ceremony site. The interior of Walnut Hill’s 5,000-square-foot barn also received a fresh coat of white paint. This gives the space a more modern vibe. An existing structure on the property was converted into a second getting-ready space, called Hill House, for use in 2023.
Overlook Barn
Overlook Barn in Banner Elk, North Carolina, added a 1,200-square-foot pavilion in 2020. In summer 2022, Overlook completed the addition of permanent glass windows that enclose the space. These can be fully or partially opened or closed to adapt swiftly and easily to any weather conditions. The windows allow natural light to flood the space. The addition of market lights and an elegant gas fireplace creates a welcoming atmosphere for cocktail hours, dance parties and additional dining space. This space is now a great backup for ceremonies in case of inclement weather, too.
Oxford Oaks
Oxford Oaks Farms’ 14 acres were once home to a working farm in the early 1800s. Former oncologist Jill Duffy purchased the property in 2021 and, after subsequent renovations, reopened for events in January 2022. The venue sits on rural fields outside of Oxford, North Carolina. Oxford Oaks features three distinct gardens and a cozy fire pit. The 3,600-square-foot, four-bedroom farmhouse was built in 1800. In the past year, the house has undergone partial renovations. Main-floor bedroom spaces got a facelift in order to host overnight stays and wedding parties while they get ready. Two buildings adjacent to the farm house were also converted for event use. Jill also loves to offer couples custom and a la carte in-house floral design utilizing organic flowers grown in the one of the three gardens. A new pavilion is slated for completion by late February 2023. The new 60-by-68-foot covered pavilion will provide hosts with a space to celebrate cocktail hours and hold receptions without having to procure a tent.
Chandelier Wedding & Event Venue
Cary’s Chandelier Wedding & Event Venue completed significant updates throughout the course of 2022. In January, owners Natasha Ford and John Ford added graceful white draping to the more than 10,000-square-foot space. In March, they painted the bar white. Later in the year, Natasha and John polished up the venue’s outdoor courtyard area by completing a fence and adding pergolas. A bathroom was added to one of the two dressing suites in July. And in November, they upgraded the seating that’s included in Chandelier’s all-inclusive rental package to white Chiavari chairs.
Classic Venues – Places to Get Married in NC
The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary began renovations to its spa and pool in August and October 2022, respectively. The spa’s relaxation spaces, wet therapy areas, treatment rooms and nail salon, led by interior design firm ForrestPerkins, underwent full updates. The pool area will be enhanced with additional features and, as of press time, both are expected to reopen in early 2023.
The Matthews House
The Matthews House in downtown Cary partnered with Southern Harvest Hospitality Group to open a bar and restaurant inside the Chatham Street wedding venue. Prohibitive opened in September and offers small, shareable plates and craft cocktails. The concept is inspired by owner Sarah Chung’s favorite way to unwind on the porch of the 1905 estate. The bar is during the evenings on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Grand Ballroom, grounds and house will continue to host private events and weddings throughout the year.
We hope that you find a venue that aligns with your style and needs within this list of places to get married in NC. If you do see a venue that might suit your event, be sure to browse our calendar of upcoming wedding shows and events to find and attend an open house.
