Top 12 Wedding Venues in Raleigh, NC

Black Wedding Photographers near me, serving Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte. Photo taken at Optikool illusions studios.
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Wedding Photographers based in Greensboro, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Atlanta, GA. Optikool illusions Photography and Media, LLC was founded in 2017 in the state of North Carolina.

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Top 12 Wedding Venues in Raleigh, NC

Raleigh in North Carolina, is one of the most beautiful places to get married. It boasts gorgeous scenery, picturesque locations, and most importantly, a variety of wedding venues. Choosing the best place that essentially takes care of all the aspects of the day is one of the important decisions that you need to make before choosing the vendors. The right venue will not just allow you to enjoy the wedding of your dreams but will also ensure that it goes off seamlessly. Raleigh wedding venues are among the best in the state!

With many options to choose from, we have compiled a list of top Raleigh wedding venues. All of the venues below are all-in-one, allowing for much fun, less stress, and simpler logistic planning.

Nestled across 12 acres in the quaint town of New Hill, Bradford is designed to embrace the countryside of Europe and its beautiful architecture. Situated near Jordan Lake, this elegant wedding venue features multiple indoor and outdoor options, a luxurious reception space, and an outdoor courtyard. The Bradford can easily accommodate up to 250 guests. Couples can exchange their wedding vows in the beautiful garden of towering trees. In addition, the venue offers several spaces to choose from – the front garden, side garden, terrace, or backfield.

While you and your partner take memorable portraits, your guests can enjoy cocktails on the outdoor patio. You can enjoy the dinner and dance the night away in their bedrooms – Cora and Daughtery hall. The venue also offers two onsite getting-ready suites for you and the wedding party. It also provides an exclusive list of caterers and wedding planners. The estate features nicely designed wood floors, modern amenities, and abundant natural light.

We’ve compiled some more information and previous weddings that have happened at this venue, visit our The Bradford page.

When it comes to Raleigh wedding venues, The Maxwell is a true highlight with its luxurious settings and opulence radiating through every corner of the space. The venue takes pride in offering minimalist and versatile settings for couples seeking sophistication. It features beautiful copper glass lanterns, oak wood-finished walls, a 15-foot fireplace, giant chandeliers, and huge windows allowing ample light to flow into the spaces.

The serene, open-air spaces offer private and picturesque settings for the day. A lawn and patio space for ceremonies and cocktail hours is also available, with outdoor string lights giving the space a charming glow. The Maxwell venue, with its opulent spaces, creates the perfect setting for your newlywed portraits. It values inclusivity and diversity and welcomes couples to celebrate their love stories in style. Its old-world charm and modern settings create an inviting atmosphere for special occasions.

To view real weddings and learn more about this exceptional venue, head to our The Maxwell page.

If you are looking for wedding venues near Raleigh, North Carolina, then look no further than Market hall. With two large ballrooms under one roof, Market Hall is one of Raleigh’s most sought-after wedding venues. As a historic estate, it is a gorgeous and perfect place to host a special moment of your life. The atmosphere and aesthetic are complimented with customized floor plans and setup, providing access to two-party lounges. 

The Market View Room can accommodate up to 250 guests. This stylish event space blends modern elegance with chic elements such as metal beams, wood, and exposed brick. The high ceiling, brick walls, and ample natural light make it a great option for daytime and nighttime events. Its Park View room can host up to 150 guests and comes with a dance floor. It has an upstairs loft with a black iron staircase that is the centerpiece of the room. It can be used for the wedding ceremony or as a cocktail lounge. Each space has its bridal suite and comes with lounge furniture and cocktail tables. One benefit of choosing this venue is that you have easy access to portraits on the cobblestone streets just outside. And best of all – the venue offers everything you need to bring your dream wedding to life.

Get some more information and see real weddings we’ve captured on our Market Hall page!

The beautiful Merrimon-Wynne House was built in 1876 and is located in the heart of historic downtown Raleigh. It’s a picturesque building with beautifully maintained grounds and expansive spaces. You and your guests would be enamored by the mansion’s rich history, architectural elements, and grand beauty!

It can conveniently accommodate up to 250 guests for indoor and outdoor celebrations. You can utilize a spacious lawn for the outdoor ceremony, and the main house provides the perfect space for the guest to mingle and enjoy the cocktail hour. In the carriage house, crystal chandeliers beautifully light up your reception space in the middle of exposed white beams and rolling glass doors. The lawn allows couples and guests to enjoy the beautiful North Carolina weather under a canopy of century-old trees. The outdoor settings also form a perfect ceremony backdrop, making it all the more memorable. With its luxurious architectural elements, Merrimon-Wynne is the perfect place to say ‘I do’s’.

To discover weddings we’ve shot here, and learn more about the amenities, packages, and more; check out our Merrimon-Wynne House page.

A sophisticated wedding venue in North Carolina, The Umstead Hotel and Spa is a perfect place to enjoy an intimate gathering and extravagant affair. The wooded grounds, lakeside terrace, and elegant lawn offer the exquisite backdrop for the day. Privately curated fine art suites punctuate the interiors and spacious rooms for you and your guests to enjoy in luxury settings with world-class curtains and more.

There are eight event spaces to choose from. Its ballroom is a spacious 4000-square-foot venue with intricate customized carpeting and breathtaking lighting and accommodates up to 200 guests. The wedding lawn is 6000 square feet and provides a natural backdrop, including a three-acre lake for organizing ceremonies and receptions. The Salon is another 1600 square-foot room that accommodates up to 72 guests and is a room full of natural light with brocade-lined walls, a modern Italian chandelier, and a fixture with a muted palette to suit any wedding theme.

Also, this gorgeous estate provides a team of professionals to work with you to bring all your wedding visions to life. You will constantly be surrounded by a warm and relaxing atmosphere with individual attention from the moment you arrive for the occasion.

Check out our The Umstead Hotel and Spa page here to see what more this venue has to offer.

The Oaks at Salem has everything you are looking for in a memorable event! This elegant Apex, North Carolina venue provides numerous options for hosting indoor and outdoor celebrations. It combines centuries-old charm with modern conveniences. 

The venue is situated over 11 pastoral acres with mature hardwoods and lush green landscaping. It provides a plethora of photographic opportunities. The main level of the venue offers a cozy fireplace, over 1000 square feet of veranda overlooking the ceremony wall, and a newly acquired rustic barn. Whether you are looking for an intimate celebration or a grand affair, the venue will be able to fit your needs. Plus, couples also get their respective suites that have enough space to accommodate their wedding parties. The Oaks at Salem is awesome if you wish to cherish your memories of the day for a lifetime!

Acquire some more info on this venue by checking out our Oaks at Salem page.

If you are looking for ‘wedding venues near me’ located in Raleigh, North Carolina; Laurel Brook is a perfect venue for you to explore their creative side. As an urban greenhouse, it bathes the guests with its natural light that streams through walls made of poly-carbonate windows. The venue at its heart is eclectic but can be customized per the couple’s requirements. The urban setting gives a modern and industrial setting, but the light-covered patio adds a touch of fairytale romance. It’s a truly versatile venue for creative couples due to the simplicity of the greenhouse that lends itself completely to creativity.

The space can conveniently host up to 120 guests, and couples have the choice of tenting in the outdoor area too. In essence, you can also consult the venue for the preferred list of vendors. It aims to offer you a one-stop shop for your day so you can focus on what really matters.

You can view real weddings in action and find some more details about the venue on the Laurel Brook page.

The Grand Marquise Ballroom is a vintage-styled wedding venue in Garner, North Carolina. It offers multiple packages to choose from to ensure your vision comes to life. The spacious ballroom boasts a grand marble entry that is sure to impress you and your guests. The impressive space features ornate trim, a coffered ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and marble columns. You can enjoy cocktails in the grand entry parlor and then dance the night away in the Grand Marquise Ballroom. The iron staircase is perfect for a dramatic entrance and backdrop for memorable photos. It provides get-ready suites for the bride and groom located on the gorgeous mezzanine balcony.

The award-winning venue offers a list of preferred vendors to choose from and professional staff to cater to your needs.

For even more details, head down to our Grand Marquise Ballroom page to get all the info you need.

The Cloth Mill is a unique, urban wedding venue space located in the historic Eno River Mill in North Carolina. With its original wood beams and columns, vintage brick walls, high ceilings, massive windows, and a massive courtyard, it is the perfect location for your special day. It brings a fantastic blend of historic charm and chic industrial style and can easily accommodate up to 250 guests. Outside you will find lush green spaces and a courtyard lit by string and bistro lights.

With its generous rental package, you can use the facilities for 10 hours, including two well-designated dressing suites. With a great location right at the heart of Hillsborough town and a top-notch planning team to help you, this venue is surely a place to look forward to.

To learn more about capacity, packages, and services, check out our The Cloth Mill page.

The Cotton Room is a chic and unique wedding venue with beautiful and modern hardwood floors, elegant glass windows, time architecture, and rustic exposed bricks. An all-inclusive wedding venue, it is part of the historic cotton factory. It’s the perfect space to host your ceremonies, cocktail hour, and reception.

It treats you with fully stocked wedding suites, customized cocktails with an extensive list of wines & beer, delicious food cooked onsite, and much more. It’s a clean palette waiting to come alive per your vision and dreams for the big day.

Discover more about the venue and real weddings we’ve shot on our The Cotton Room page!

If you are looking for ‘urban wedding venues near me’, this amazing place will immediately pop up! Nestled on the second flood or century-old Classic Revival Building in Downtown Raleigh, it is a haven for chic couples. The Stockroom at 230 architecture is characterized by warm hardwood floors and lofty lattice ceilings to highlight your unique style. This chic urban venue blends modernity with century-old charm. Spacious and flexible, this gorgeous venue can comfortably accommodate up to 175 guests for a ceremony and seated reception. It features two private getting-ready suites, including the penthouse suite – The glass box. The penthouse provides one of the two lovely spaces for wedding party celebrations. The inviting suite overlooks the city and features a private outdoor balcony. 

Whether you choose an intimate dinner or cocktail-styled socializing, the venue caters to all. The natural glow that illuminates the rooms draws rich tones from its gorgeous design evoking awe in all who experience it.

To view real weddings and learn more about this iconic venue, head to our The Stockroom at 230 page.

Originally built in 1903, Melrose Knitting Mall is a chic, urban wedding venue located in North Carolina. It hosts events on the third floor, while the first and second floor is reserved for bar and office spaces. Melrose Knitting Mill welcomes you to host several occasions, including ceremonies, receptions, wedding showers, rehearsal dinners, and even elopements. The venue has 24 large, arched windows that allow for natural light throughout the day. The rough-cut beams and glossy hardwood floors add to the rustic ambiance. The hall is illuminated nicely by chandeliers for a dash of classic romance.

The mill can comfortably accommodate 180 guests. Couples can also choose to get married in a ballroom that is enchanted by chic aesthetics and stunning features. The venue offers a range of catering menus and personalized cocktails that can feature your names and other fun-related information. This venue allows couples to choose from various packages to suit their unique needs. The entire event space at the venue is a blank canvas for you to transform and realize your nuptial dreams!

Wish to discover more about this venue and real weddings shot here? Visit our Melrose Knitting Mall page.

We hope that you feel ecstatic about your upcoming event with our selection of amazing spots to tie the knot! We have photographed at several Raleigh wedding venues, and these are some of our favorite places. Here you can do everything, from getting ready for the day to dancing the night away! Make sure to check our work in the portfolio tab and see the experiences among these Raleigh wedding venues for yourself.

Helpful Resources for Planning Your Wedding

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