Planning a Wedding in Charlotte, NC?
Weddings in Charlotte, NC can be simple or spectacular, the choice is yours! Before you decide on a wedding venue or any vendors be sure to research all that Charlotte, NC has to offer for weddings. I am a wedding photographer based in Fort Mill, SC and I put this site together to give my clients (and potential clients) a great resource for planning their Charlotte Wedding!
Charlotte Wedding Venues
There are plenty of amazing venues in Charlotte for your wedding or reception. To make your wedding uniquely yours, consider venue options that aren’t typical wedding locations. Think about wedding locations in Charlotte that are special to you and your fiancé, or places in town that you can’t find anywhere else. Consider all options – from your back yard to a full-service location. Here are some of the most popular venues:
The Fillmore is an AMAZING location for your wedding reception, especially if you plan to have a live band. Tables are placed on the raised levels throughout the building so even if your guests are sitting they have a great view of the entertainment. The dance floor is large and encourages an awesome party. Click here to see some photos from a reception I shot at the Fillmore.
The US National Whitewater Center is one of my all-time favorite spots in Charlotte for weekend fun. They have plenty of outdoor space for weddings, events and live entertainment.
Daniel Stowe is beautiful all year, but definitley most popular for spring or early summer weddings in Charlotte. Technically it's located in Belmont, NC, but it's just a short drive outside of town for your Charlotte guests.
This is a fairly new facility for events in Charlotte, (it's where the Mint Museum was Uptown). Wide open areas for entertainment and eating, and great views of the Charlotte skyline that are accessible from several huge patios. Probably an ideal location if you're having 150 or fewer guests.
Rustic, old-world charm. Great location and filled with character.
The Peninsula Yacht Club offers stunning sunset views of Lake Norman and amazing indoor and outdoor facilities. The wrap-around porch is perfect for an evening reception. Click here to see photos from an event at the Peninsula Yacht Club.
The thing I love most about The Point is the open space and HUGE windows. They have fantastic facilities for both indoor and outdoor use but the best part is when you combine them and open all of the huge glass doors to really show off the space.
I think the Mint on Randoph is the most popular Mint location for weddings, but just imagine the possibilites for the Mint Uptown! Very elegant location for the modern bride.
The Big Chill has a very jazzy vibe. If you're looking for a Frank Sinatra-style wedding this is your place. The house band does a fabulous job setting the mood.
Large enough to accomodate a big wedding, Founders Hall is a great location with plenty of room for your guests to mingle. The indoor trees and water features really add a relaxing touch for any event.
Roof With a View has just that, an amazing view! The cool part about this location is that you can select any caterer and really decorate the place to suit your needs. Check out photos from a wedding reception I shot at Roof With a View.
Beautiful, Classic, Elegant. Amazing indoor and outdoor locations on this property, and the building gives the feeling of hosting your wedding at a huge antebellum mansion in the Old South.
I love the large lawn space at Duke Mansion - another great option for a true southern-style wedding.
Providence Country Club has plenty of indoor and outdoor space. It can be a little bit of a drive to the Lake Norman area if most of your guests are from Charlotte, but it will certainly be a night to remember.
Firethorne offers outdoor space for ceremonies and then a great indoor location for your reception. The thing I love most about Frirethorne is the large open windows with views of the golf course, but the food is equally awesome.
Byron's is a great location if you're looking for a rustic place you can really put your touch on. Exposed brick and old-mill charm really add a nice touch to this facility.
Budgeting your Charlotte Wedding
Before you settle on a venue, finalize your budget! For example, if your budget is $20,000 don’t even go look at venues that wouldn’t fit into your plan because you’ll be tempted to overspend and then have to cut back on some other portion of your wedding. A good rule of thumb is that your reception (including food, beverages, rentals and the site) should be between 40 – 50 percent of your total budget. Most of the other items should end up being around 10 percent each (flowers, wedding photography, dress and tux rentals, music, planner, etc).
Finding great Wedding Vendors in Charlotte
Referrals are the best way to find great locations and wedding vendors you’ll love. Check with your friends and family to see if anyone recommends specific venues, wedding planners, florists or entertainment. Charlotte has a lot to offer and getting recommendations will help you narrow the field quickly. You can find my personal wedding vendor recommendations by clicking here, and of course, I would love the opportunity to be your wedding photographer!
