Heart of NC Weddings’ Favorite Warehouse Wedding Venues in Raleigh-Durham NC and Chapel Hill NC
Weddings today are all about customization. The uber-popular warehouse wedding venue serves as a perfect blank canvas on which couples can reflect their own love story and aesthetic preferences. These industrial venues abound in the Raleigh-Durham NC area. This is due to the revitalization of our downtown areas over the past decade and more. Many historic buildings and factories have been repurposed and turned into stunning wedding and reception venues that offer charming features. If you’re a fan of brick walls, wood floors, giant windows or exposed beams, these warehouse wedding venues are for you! For the perfect mix of modern elegance, check out our list of urban chic warehouse wedding venues across North Carolina.
The Cotton Room
Located in the historic Golden Belt District of downtown Durham NC, The Cotton Room is an elegant, unique and all-inclusive warehouse wedding and event venue. The Cotton Room is a part of a historic cotton factory. The original factory produced the drawstring bags for tobacco being processed a few minutes down the road at the American Tobacco District. Today, The Cotton Room is a beautiful refurbished warehouse space. It features gorgeous, exposed brick, floor-to-ceiling windows, timeless architecture and all-inclusive services. The Cotton Room was the original warehouse wedding venue in Durham NC, and it’s easy to see why it’s still one of the best venues North Carolina has to offer! Be sure to check out their adjacent sister venue, Belt Line Station. Once an old train depot, today Belt Line Station is a beautiful indoor-outdoor event space with unique character and soul. The Cotton Room and Belt Line Station also share a spacious getting-ready suite that’s located right in the same building as The Cotton Room inside Golden Belt’s campus.
Market Hall – Historic Warehouse in Downtown Raleigh NC
Market Hall is a multi-use space located in the center of City Market in downtown Raleigh, NC. This historic venue is one of the oldest in Raleigh. The unique and beautiful brick building has undergone several renovations and reinventions over the past 100 years, and celebrated its centennial in October 2014. Say your wedding vows or take photos on the cobblestone streets, or transform the warehouse venue into a romantic ceremony site with draping and lights. The white walls inside Market Hall‘s large, open space lend themselves to any wedding aesthetic.
The Cookery
First conceived as a membership kitchen for food entrepreneurs in the historic Durham Food Co-Op building, The Cookery is now one of the most sought-after warehouse wedding venues in Durham. Beautiful exposed brick walls are complemented by its signature metalwork. These pieces were salvaged from Durham landmarks (you’ll notice similar looks at Dashi and Ponysaurus Brewing Co., other projects completed by Cookery owners Nick Hawthorne-Johnson and Rochelle Johnson, which also make for cool out-of-the-box Durham NC event venues). A large mezzanine offers guests a bird’s eye view, and an outdoor patio can be tented for extra seating, cocktail hour or a ceremony. This has been one of our favorite warehouse wedding venues for a long time.
The Stockroom at 230
Smack dab in the middle of downtown Raleigh, NC, on Fayetteville Street, The Stockroom at 230 is an expansive space that manages to feel romantic and cozy at the same time. Its exposed brick walls are complimented by hardwood floors and high lattice ceilings. This creates an open, relaxed vibe. An elevated platform at the front of this warehouse wedding venue is the perfect place for cocktail hour, cake cutting or even your band or DJ. Another fun feature is its chalk wall! (And don’t forget to ask about The Stockroom’s private getting-ready suite, called The Glass Box, that’s located upstairs from the main space). The Stockroom is under the Empire Events umbrella which operates several favorite Raleigh restaurants like The Pit, Sitti and Gravy, as well as other Raleigh NC event venues including All Saints Chapel. Couples who book The Stockroom can book Empire Catering at a special rate, or bring in their caterer of choice.
Cross + Main
Formerly The Boondocks, Cross + Main is the most charming venue located in the heart of downtown Youngsville, NC. This warehouse building has worn many different hats over all the years! From functioning as the home to horse-drawn carriages to serving as a fire station and an auction house, this warehouse space has so much character. Now its stunning structural beauty and historical charm is restored to a perfect urban and charming wedding venue and event space!
Jiddi Space & Courtyard
You’ve probably eaten at Sitti and Gravy in downtown Raleigh – but did you know that they have an amazing industrial-meets-warehouse style venue with a large open-air courtyard nestled behind them? Jiddi Space & Courtyard might just be Raleigh’s best kept wedding venue secret. Equal parts modern industrial and peaceful urban oasis, the Jiddi Space & Courtyard is truly a hidden gem in downtown Raleigh. Tucked behind our Sitti and Gravy restaurants, this secluded indoor and outdoor venue is perfect for events of all varieties, including wedding ceremonies and receptions, rehearsal dinners, holiday parties and corporate events.
The Powerhouse at Rocky Mount Mills
Rocky Mount Mills is the most exciting thing that’s happening in Rocky Mount, NC! This campus was developed by Capitol Broadcasting Company – the same organization behind Durham’s American Tobacco Campus. Capitol Broadcasting has beautifully renovated a historic cotton mill into a complex that’s home to business offices, homes, an entertainment center, and amazing wedding spaces. The centerpiece event facility is The Power House at Rocky Mount Mills – a gorgeous warehouse wedding venue. Explore this amazing new development to find industrial class situated along the Tar River. With 4,000 square feet, this Rocky Mount venue can accommodate weddings for up to 200 people.
Whitaker & Atlantic
If you are an Oak City dweller you are probably aware of Hummingbird Raleigh, the hip restaurant known for all day eats and cocktails. Its industrial vibe is carried through to an incredible adjoining warehouse event space. Whitaker & Atlantic is one of the best warehouse wedding venues in Raleigh NC. This modern event space features a grand room with high ceilings, textured concrete floors and gold accented fixtures. A spacious three-season porch runs the length of the ground floor. A beautiful handcrafted wooden bar is tucked beneath a staircase that leads to an elegant bridal suite with a private bathroom. This Raleigh venue includes natural wood and steel, soft grays, and blush and ivory hues. While Whitaker & Atlantic is certainly handsome, it is also perfectly feminine for the modern bride. It’s easy to see why this is one of our favorite warehouse wedding venues.
The Rickhouse
Located in the Central Park District, the Rickhouse in Durham NC is located just a few blocks from the center of downtown. Exposed ceilings with wooden beams and copper metal accents give you a beautiful slate to which you can add your wedding decor. Its large balcony overlooks the famed Historic Durham Athletic Park, the original home of the Durham Bulls! (And yes, also the backdrop of the classic film “Bull Durham”!) If you’re a Durham NC native who grew up with the Durham Bulls as your childhood team, this is the venue for you.
In addition, The Rickhouse’s indoor space comfortably seats 400. The venue also has a fun chalk wall and an accent tin wall with eclectic stars embedded into the metalwork. Best of all, one wall of the venue is entirely covered with glass windows that look into a distillery, filled to the brim with gorgeous copper equipment. You’ll enjoy these metal accents as the backdrop to your wedding ceremony or cocktail hour. Overall, this downtown Durham warehouse venue offers ambience that’s unmatched!
The Distillery
Get excited because soon there will be a new NC warehouse wedding venue! The Distillery is located just 15 minutes away from the heart of Raleigh NC. The space offers an 8,300-square-foot event hall and, in total, three luxury gathering spaces that can be used for your ceremony and reception. The private Modern Cottage is ideal for starting the day, the White Room can accommodate 300 guests and the outdoor patio is perfect for cocktail hour or smaller ceremonies. Its urban garden is also a beautiful setting for bridal or engagement photos.
The contemporary elegance of this venue is something you won’t be able to pass up. Each room is adorned with gorgeous details like gold metal accents, polished concrete floors and urban light fixtures. When you rent this venue, you will be able to use the beautifully landscaped grounds for 12 hours. Your rental also includes catering, a food prep kitchen, tables and chairs and two custom mobile bars. Anyone who books their upcoming wedding or event at The Distillery will have their every want, need and expectation met by the experienced in-house planning team.
Belt Line Station
Once a historic train depot in Durham, now a beautiful indoor-outdoor wedding venue! There are three distinct spaces at this warehouse venue. First, the train station that features exposed brick walls, plenty of antique charm and even a retractable wall that allows for celebrating in all seasons. Second, a new patio area that lends itself to cocktail hours where you can take advantage of Belt Line Station‘s stocked bar and fantastic serving staff. Finally, Belt Line Station’s indoor area is available as a stand-alone rental. This space includes room for a small ceremony, a dance floor and a stationary bar.
The Pit Durham Event Venue
An offshoot of its sister restaurant in Raleigh, this Durham NC warehouse venue is located within a short drive of I-85, Research Triangle Park, Duke University, NCCU and RDU airport. The Pit Durham Event Venue was built in 1939 and later established as an authentic barbecue restaurant in 2013. The three-story building now operates as a full-time event and wedding venue. Individual rooms can fit 120 people at a time, and multiple rooms can fit up to 350 guests total. The cherry on top of this Durham warehouse wedding venue is the rooftop. This expansive roof offers amazing views of the DIY district of downtown Durham. It’s perfect for a ceremony or cocktail hour!
The Grove at City Market
The Market Hall team opened The Grove at City Market in 2022. This warehouse venue is one of the most exciting new Raleigh wedding venues that have opened recently. The Grove is designed with more intimate events in mind. The Grove has three primary event spaces. There’s The Willow, a ceremony space and cocktail lounge, The Grove, a lush and versatile space – featuring a grove of trees, market lights, a fire pit and lounge – and The Oak Room, a modern-industrial reception area with vintage lighting and a speakeasy feel. The Grove is located in what was once the heart of downtown Raleigh, only a short walk from City Market.
Trophy Brewing & Taproom
Trophy Brewing Co.‘s original location at West Morgan Street in downtown Raleigh was founded in 2013. This brewing co has a mission to produce new and exciting beers. Trophy was a private club with only 14 seats back then, and has since expanded to two locations and two sister concepts – Young Hearts Distilling and State of Beer. The company’s latest venue, Maywood Hall and Garden, is perfect for hosting intimate indoor and outdoor events.
Maywood Hall & Garden
Maywood Hall & Garden sits at the edge of downtown Raleigh NC on Maywood Avenue. Of course, when you book this venue, you’ll enjoy Trophy beer and Young Hearts spirits bar packages that are customizable for your event. The 3,000-square-foot private garden is lined with stone pathways. This green space can hold a tent up to 50×70 in size, ideal for a larger event. A convenient catering space allows enough room for event staff and catering teams to work smoothly and efficiently. This hybrid indoor-outdoor venue can accommodate anywhere from 50 to 200 people for the duration of the event.
Young Hearts Distilling
Downtown Raleigh’s Young Hearts Distilling boasts a rich history dating back to the 1800s, a large main indoor event space and an open patio overlooking the city. It is dedicated to its mission of sourcing ethically and locally produced products to make spirits and cuisine. This venue is ideal for intimate rehearsal dinners ranging from 20 to 50 people. However, the patio and main event space can both accommodate up to 150 in total – and this venue is conveniently located near hotels your guests may be staying at in the downtown Raleigh NC area.
This post was originally posted in 2017 and updated in March 2023.
