If you are planning a Raleigh wedding and looking for the best Raleigh wedding venues (that are not barns) you’ve come to the right place!
Hi there! My name is Mollie and I am an editorial wedding based in Pinehurst North Carolina. Did you know that there are more than 100 wedding venues in Raleigh alone?!?
That can make choosing the right wedding venue for your wedding seem a little daunting. I have photographed hundreds of weddings in seven states over the course of my career and I know that the wedding venue you choose goes a long way towards establishing the style and feel of your wedding. Your wedding venue is one of the first things that you will book for your wedding (after you book your wedding planner) and for some high-demand venues you may need to book 1-2 years in advance – especially if you are planning your wedding during high demand times like May or September here in North Carolina.
I have been photographing weddings in Raleigh and Pinehurst since 2009 (!) so I thought it might be helpful for me to share some of my favorite wedding venues in Raleigh for brides who want a clean, elegant, modern wedding but might be overwhelmed by where to look!
Keep reading to find 12+ of the best Raleigh wedding venues that are clean, modern, absolutely MADE for great photos and within an hour of Raleigh.
Golf vibes more your speed? Check out the best wedding venues in Pinehurst.
***all images in this post are courtesy of the venue’s websites and not my own work unless explicitly stated***
Greenhouse at Arrow Farms
Website: https://www.thegreenhouseatarrowsfarm.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thegreenhouse_atarrowsfarm/
Area: Broadway, NC (45 minutes South of Raleigh between Sanford and Southern Pines)
Aesthetic: romantic glass greenhouse on a horse farm in the woods
I am such a sucker for a wedding venue with a glass greenhouse and I also love the iron scrollwork on the gates and doors at this venue! Plus, the pavers..I feel like there should be a name for this style of paver with grass in between??? Anyway, I love it.
The Skyroom
Website: https://theskyroomnc.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theskyroomnc/
Area: Pittsboro, NC (40 minutes west of Raleigh, South of Chapel Hill)
Aesthetic: Mid-century modern with lots of glass and steel set on 10 acres
*This venue is brand new and still under construction but is slated to open Summer 2025*
Donovan Manor
Website: https://www.donovanmanor.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/donovanmanor/
Area: Fuquay-Varina
Aesthetic: Traditional elegance in a full service Manor House Raleigh wedding venue with ample natural light
Donovan Manor is very similar to the next Raleigh wedding venue, Highgrove Estate so both would be worth looking into if you like this vibe. They are both full-service wedding venues and photograph beautifully.
Highgrove Estate
*photos by Mollie Tobias Photography*
Website: https://highgrove-nc.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/highgrovenc/
Area: Fuquay-Varina
Aesthetic: Full service modern elegance that feels like you’re in the mountains without the travel
REAL WEDDING – Emily + Austin’s Highgrove Estate Wedding
The Bradford
*three left photos by Mollie Tobias Photography*
Website: https://thebradfordnc.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebradfordnc/
Area: New Hill, NC (South between Raleigh and Sanford)
Aesthetic: An upscale European Manor in the country with modern flair
The Bradford is one of the best Raleigh wedding venues, IMO, because it has a gorgeous clean aesthetic and has a lot of very photogenic locations on a compact site.
REAL WEDDING – Quint and Rebekah’s Wedding at The Bradford
The Hartwood
Website: https://thehartwoodevents.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFDgTQ7uKdi/
Area: Johnston County (40 minutes SE of Raleigh)
Aesthetic: Rustic elegance, think modern cowgirl
Technically kinda a barn, BUT the bright white wedding venue keeps things light and airy with a modern open air chapel that gives rustic elegance
The Birdie Ballroom
Website: https://birdieballroom.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/birdieballroom/
Area: Clayton (30 minutes SE of Raleigh)
Aesthetic: Charming ballroom Raleigh wedding venue in a suburban setting
If you liked Donovan Manor and Highgrove Estate this is another strong option for you.
Merrimon-Wynne
Website: https://www.merrimonwynne.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/merrimonwynne/
Area: Raleigh – Downtown / Oakwood
Aesthetic: Southern luxury in a gingerbread Victorian full traditional elegance
This wedding venue in downtown Raleigh has become synonymous with luxury Southern weddings in the city of Oaks. Expect to book early!
Walnut Hill
*photos by Mollie Tobias Photography*
Website: https://walnuthillnc.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/walnuthillnc/
Area: East Raleigh
Aesthetic: Elegant Farmhouse with a modern geometric open-air chapel
This charming wedding venue has several buildings on site for use as well as a pond and is tucked away in a cozy farm setting but still close to Raleigh.
Heights House
Website: https://www.heightshousenc.com/weddings
IG: https://www.instagram.com/heightshousenc/
Area: Raleigh – Boylan Heights
Aesthetic: Intimate Art Neoveau inspired boutique hotel that makes for a very unique Raleigh wedding venue
The Maxwell
Website: https://themaxwellraleigh.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themaxwellraleigh/
Area: South Raleigh – Renaissance Park
Aesthetic: clean and modern with texture and warmth from brick and wood accents
The Distillery
Website: https://thedistillerync.chadbiggs.com/welcome
IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_distillery_nc/
Area: Garner / SE Raleigh
Aesthetic: Industrial but modern and luxurious
If you want understated modern glam for your Raleigh wedding look no further!
The Meadows at Firefly Farm
Website: https://www.themeadowsraleigh.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/themeadowsraleigh/
Area: SW Raleigh – Yates Mill
Aesthetic: A mix of classic Southern charm and Industrial elegance
I hope that this round-up of more than a dozen of the best Raleigh wedding venues is helpful when planning your Raleigh wedding!
Still have questions about how to choose your wedding venue?
I wrote another post detailing all my best tips for choosing the perfect wedding venue for your Raleigh wedding here.
If you’d like to chat about your wedding photography, you can read all about what to expect from your wedding photographer or you can email me at hello@mollietobiasphotography.com
