The Best Wedding Venues In Raleigh/Durham North Carolina
Congratulations you're engaged! Now what...?
Looking for a wedding venue does not have to be hard. I understand for engaged couples looking for venues, you want a place that perfectly fits your aesthetic and matches your personality. Thankfully, the Raleigh/Durham area has some venues to accomplish both. Beautiful and elegant, yet a place to throw a nice and wild reception after the ceremony. Here's my list:
THE COOKERY | DURHAM, NC
The Cookery which is located on 1101 W Chapel Hill St, is a beautiful 12,000 square foot event space that is home to many weddings every year. A large space that accommodates up to 400 guests, it is a place where you do not have to worry all too much about space and limiting your guest list. The Cookery is a versatile venue with the option to have an outdoor or indoor ceremony depending on what you want. Which means no matter what time of year, if this venue sticks out to you, you will be safe to book without having to worry about the elements. There are 5 hotels located less than a mile away from this venue so out of town guests wont have to worry about long drives going to the venue. Honestly, less than a mile to me is walking distance and might be to your guests too! Available to you is a full bar with all the best taps in NC on your wedding day.
JUNCTION WEST | RALEIGH, NC
Junction West which is located at 310 S West St is a wonderfully lit, 5500 square foot event space that is perfect for the more intimate weddings, but still decent size. Junction West is capable of hosting up to 250 guests. This venue has been around since 1930, undergoing restoration process in 2018 perfect for your wedding day. Another one that sports its versatility, you have the choice between an outdoor or indoor ceremony which makes the elements irrelevant for your wedding day. If you decide you want to go with this venue, keep in mind you have to use a caterer from their preferred vendor list, but the options they give you to rent for your day are hands down some of the best. Rectangular and circle tables, mobile wooden bar, day of venue manager and event staff etc. The tall open windows makes for a nice natural light space indoors which really brings it all together. Rental rates depends on day and what all you need whether it be a full buyout and partial buyout.
LESLIE-ALFORD MIMS HOUSE | HOLLY SPRINGS, NC
The Mims House, although located a little outside of Raleigh in Holly Springs, is a absolutely beautiful venue to have your wedding. Just about 25 minutes outside of Raleigh, The Mims House is a historic venue which dates back to 1840. If you are in search of a venue that gives you old school, vintage vibes, stop scrolling because this is the venue for you. This is definitely a more personable venue, hosting only about 100 guests, but that is of course not a downside as those 100 guests are probably your closest of close family and friends. This venue will be very popular in the spring and summer months as there is only one way to have your ceremony, outdoors. If you want the best pictures to boast about to your kids, and your kids kids, Mims House has everything necessary to achieve that for you. I have had the opportunity to participate in a styled shoot here and they were some of the favorite pictures I have ever taken (so you could book me and I would know my way around, just saying :).) Walking up to the Mims house it would be very hard to not gasp and say "WOW" at its beauty.
THE BRADFORD | RALEIGH, NC
Talk about a beautiful venue. The Bradford which is technically located in New Hill, NC at 523 Pea Ridge Rd is an exceptional venue for you to tie the knot. This venue gives you full access to all its 12 acres of land which is more than enough room to host you and a big guest list. While the number of guests that can attend is not listed, you can expect to comfortably invite 150-200 guests to watch you on your special day. Because this is such a popular venue, if you are looking to get married in 2024 or 2025, you may be out of luck as most of the dates have been taken. However, if you see this blog post and you are a 2026 wedded couple to be then you are in luck as they are currently booking 2026.
THE PAVILION AT THE ANGUS BARN | RALEIGH, NC
This pavilion is magical. In Raleigh, NC located at 9401 Glenwood Ave, you may know the Angus Barn for its high quality cuts of steak. They also know how to put together a wedding venue. This would be a great option if you are a couple looking to have an outside ceremony with an inside reception but of course, this can easily be an all year venue because of the space to accommodate a ceremony indoors. If you are looking to have a bigger wedding, this is a place you definitely want to check out. With the ability to accommodate up to 400 guests, there is a lot of space for people, decor, vendors, etc. With the rustic look of the barn you can be sure the vibes will be IMMACULATE. One of the great things about this venue is that all inclusive wedding options from ceremony to reception with dining choices includes station, plated, cocktail style service and a full range on in-house amenities with tables & decor, chairs, linen, china, hi-fi audio visual equipment, staging and service. This is basically the one stop shop wedding venue. After your wedding if you are looking to carry the party on a little longer, you would just be a short 20 minute drive from downtown Raleigh with all the night life you could imagine. If you are looking for a photographer who has experience shooting at this venue, then you are on the right website!
Thank you for reading and I hope this led you on the right track of which wedding venue suits you best. This blog post will be updated as time goes on and I get more information on different wedding venues in the Raleigh/Durham area. Of course, if you are looking for a photographer to capture your day, you are on the right website to do so. Leave a comment below and click below to inquire!