Our Favorite Warehouse Wedding Venues in Raleigh-Durham, NC and Chapel Hill, NC
We at Heart of NC Weddings understand that events 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!
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 century, and celebrated its centennial in October 2014. Say your wedding vows or take photos on the cobblestone streets, or transform this warehouse venue into a romantic ceremony site with draping and string lights. The white walls inside Market Hall’s large, open space lend themselves to any wedding aesthetic. If you’re seeking the character of a space that’s more than 100 years old paired with the convenience of a downtown city location, Market Hall is your match!
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., restaurant projects completed by Cookery owners Nick Hawthorne-Johnson and Rochelle Johnson, which also make for cool out-of-the-box Durham 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 a Heart of NC Weddings warehouse wedding venue favorite for a long time.
The Stockroom at 230
Smack dab in the middle of downtown Raleigh 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 unique lattice details. 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 large 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. This means that you’re in very experienced, good hands when you book this warehouse venue. In addition, couples who book The Stockroom can enjoy Empire Catering at a special rate, or bring in their caterer of choice.
Cross + Main
Formerly called 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 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. This secluded indoor-outdoor venue is perfect for events of all varieties, including wedding ceremonies and receptions, rehearsal dinners, holiday parties and corporate events. There’s really no other venue like it in the area!
The Power House 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. This is a gorgeous warehouse wedding venue with tons of natural light. The Power House offers customizable space across several levels in the main warehouse, with a special event space in an adjacent building overlooking the Tar River. The Rocky Mount venue totals 4,000 square feet and can accommodate weddings for up to 200 people. But wait, there’s more! If you’re seeking an outdoor ceremony space to combine with a warehouse venue reception, Rocky Mount Mills offers a lawn situated at the steps of a historic building on the campus just steps away from The Power House.
Whitaker & Atlantic
If you are an Oak City dweller you are probably aware of Hummingbird Raleigh, the hip restaurant known for elevated 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 stylish, modern event space features a grand room with high ceilings, textured concrete floors and gold accents. 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 modern warehouse wedding venues.
The Rickhouse
Located in the Central Park District, the Rickhouse in Durham, NC 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 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 this elegant venue has brought a fresh option for warehouse weddings! 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 unique in the realm of refurbished warehouse venues. Each room is adorned with gorgeous details like gold metal accents, polished concrete floors and urban light fixtures. Overall this gives the space a polished yet industrial feel. Best of all, The Distillery is operated by an experienced wedding planner, Chad Biggs. Chad and his team know exactly how to put together stunning events, and 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.
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.
Forest Hall at Chatham Mills
This hidden gem is located just a hop, skip and a jump from Chapel Hill in the town of Pittsboro, North Carolina. Raw beams and floor to ceiling windows give this repurposed warehouse wedding venue an industrial feel that’s brightened by strands of market lights. Not only can Forest Hall accommodate 150 guests inside, but the venue also has access to a picturesque wooded grove and plenty of room for an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour. Located just next door is The Sycamore, a fine dining restaurant that will happily provide catering for your event.
This post was originally posted in 2017 and updated in March 2023.
