Choosing a wedding venue is one of the first (if not the VERY first) decisions that couples have to make when it comes to planning their wedding day – and it’s also one of the hardest decisions! But as a wedding photographer, I’ve got the inside scoop to help you get started.

look- I have nothing against all the rustic barn venues in Charlotte and around North Carolina – but there are SO. MANY. of them. Amongst the non-barn wedding venues in North Carolina, you can find everything from modern industrialism to classic elegance. If you’re looking for something a little different for your wedding, start here with my list of some of my favorite NC wedding venues that you wouldn’t dream of calling rustic!

Ritchie Hill

This classic southern estate in Concord’s Historic Distance is a gorgeous wedding venue that features a large house designed for events and painted a brilliant white for a timeless wedding experience. Richie Hill has both indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions, and can hold up to 175 guests. Inside, there are four formal rooms that guests can utilize, and a spacious bridal suite and groom’s lounge, both of which serve as a relaxing place to get ready. For outdoor ceremonies, there are multiple landscaped areas and gardens, along with a grand porch that typically hosts receptions. 

Uptown Indigo

A unique venue with chic, industrial design, Uptown Indigo features an elegant ballroom, a rooftop deck, and classic brick walls. It’s located in the historic town of Uptown Shelby, so the venue is surrounded by historic buildings and unique architecture. The two floors of Uptown Indigo can be rented together or individually for your wedding. The lower floor features the elegant, spacious ballroom, while the top floor includes the rooftop terrace with incredible mountain views, as well as a piano and pool table! I definitely recommend renting both, so you can use the upper level as a perfect getting ready space.

C3 Alchemy Lab

This urban, industrial space offers a blank canvas for any wedding – you can really customize the space with decorations and make it your own! Alchemy features a full bar, catering, and a 3,000 square foot event space that can accommodate up to 200 wedding guests. it’s an incredible space, and perfectly situated in the heart of downtown Charlotte.

The Andrews Farm

The Andrews Farm is a North Carolina wedding venue that’s family owned, and has been since the 1970s! The land was originally used to farm wheat, soybeans, corn, and cotton, but has now evolved into a beautiful event space perfect for a wedding. There is a bridal suite inside the large farmhouse, set up with lots of windows and natural lighting to create the perfect getting ready space. The groomsmen have their own lounge area, complete with a TV and chairs, as well as natural lighting perfect for photos. You can also rent a cabin that’s just 5 minutes from the property, for any couple that doesn’t want to travel too far after the festivities! Ceremonies and receptions take place outside, amongst the flowers and carefully curated greenery.

Collector’s Room

The Collector’s Room is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s a luxurious, remodeled warehouse that can accommodate up to 300 guests. The minimalist, white design is the perfect canvas for your wedding, and the greenery and minimalist decorations give the venue the perfect air of boho chic!

The Grand Bohemian

The Grand Bohemian is a hotel located in Asheville, two hours west of Charlotte. The Tudor-inspired hotel offers three different options for weddings, which means it can accommodate anything from a small, intimate gathering to a large party! You can rent out the Kessler Ballroom, decorated with crystal chandeliers and 14-karat gold leaf paintings. This elegant space that can seat up to 130 guests, and can be converted from a ceremony space into a reception hall.

For smaller weddings, the Bosendorfer Salon can seat up to 72 people. It features a one of a kind piano created from a Rosewood tree, as well as elegant chandeliers and gold accents, while the Tyrolean Terrace is decorated with greenery and chandeliers, creating an elegant but warm space that can seat up to 130 guests, both indoors and outside.

Duke Mansion

This gorgeous white building sits on 4 and a half acres of gardens, and combines southern charm with modern luxury. Weddings can be held outdoors with up to 150 guests, and there are 20 guest rooms available in the mansion for those who don’t want to travel too far after the party’s over. Duke Mansion prides itself on a long history of southern hospitality, so not only will you get a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding, but you’ll also have a team of chefs preparing dinner for your guests, and even breakfast the day after.

Separk Mansion

Just 20 minutes from Uptown Charlotte, Separk Mansion is one of the most romantic North Carolina wedding venues. They offer all inclusive packages for those who don’t want to handle all the logistics, as well as a la carte options for couples who want to make their own decisions when it comes to vendors and wedding planning. Separk Mansion can accommodate up to 250 guests, and you have the option of an indoor or an outdoor wedding – which means weather is never a concern! Ceremonies and receptions can be held in the chandelier-lit, elegant ballroom that features vintage flooring and large fluted columns, or outside in the garden amongst the cherry laurels, boxwood hedges, and white azaleas. The mansion also features two suites for getting ready, both of which have windows and lots of natural light for the best photos.

Mint Museum

The Mint Museum is an art museum located in Charlotte that doubles as a popular North Carolina wedding venue. There is a wide variety of rooms, terraces, and gardens available, which means you’ll be able to choose the perfect spot for your wedding, and you’ll always have backup options indoors if the weather forecast isn’t ideal! You can choose the atrium, which features a glass wall with a view of the street below, a shaded terrace with open-air views of the Charlotte, or the industrial Expansion Space.  

The Ruth

Beau Monde has once again created an incredible modern venue area with Charlotte’s newest wedding venue. The Ruth is a warm, opulent, and inviting space with both an outside garden area and huge indoor space. The finished space is going to be absolutely incredible, and I definitely recommend booking now before everyone catches on to how amazing this venue is!

Choosing Your North Carolina Wedding Venue

Your wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make throughout the planning process, and you’ll have to consider your budget, the number of guests, and the style you’re going for. It can be a little overwhelming (since you probably don’t have too much experience venue-shopping), but everything else will seem like a piece of (wedding) cake in comparison!

I’m here to be your personal hype girl through it all, so if you’re ready to chat about your wedding with someone who’s helped lots of couples figure this stuff out, contact me! I’m ready when you are.