22 unique wedding venues to say ‘I do’ within an hour of Charlotte

This piece was first published in 2015, and updated April 18, 2018.

Heading to the altar?

Once “Yes” is spoken, wedding planning begins immediately. Bridal magazines are purchased, secret Pinterest boards are made public and a tentative date is set.

The location of the wedding and reception sets the tone for everything – menu, music, flowers and whether you invite crazy Uncle Lloyd. Charlotte and the surrounding areas offer a variety of unique places to celebrate with family and friends.

Pricing is subject to change and varies based on day of event, catering needs, size of party and other variables. All-inclusive packages include venue rental and catering. Venue rental may include amenities such as tables and chairs, linens, wedding coordinator and decorations. Contact the venue directly for specific details.

Look to these wedding venues within a one-hour drive of Charlotte for your special day:

(1) Alexander Homestead

4717 Shamrock Drive

This elegant and beautifully restored Queen Anne Victorian styled 1903 estate has indoor space as well as outdoor gardens.

Prices: $13,000-$20,000, all-inclusive

(2) The 1932 Barn

3900 Rocky River Road

This beautifully restored historic barn includes amazing amenities for ceremony and reception decorations and a wedding coordinator.

Prices: $7,250 – $8,100, venue rental

(3) Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

420 S. Tryon St.

An inspired and inspiring space, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art was designed by internationally acclaimed Swiss architect Mario Botta.

Prices: $2,000-$3,500, venue rental

(4) The Big Chill

911 E. Morehead St., Suite 100

The charming aesthetic and romantic atmosphere make Big Chill the perfect venue for a ceremony, reception or rehearsal dinner.

Prices: All-inclusive packages start at $8,500

(5) The Duke Mansion

400 Hermitage Road

The lush grounds and magnificent rooms of The Duke Mansion create an enchanting setting for a wedding ceremony and reception filled with all the grace and beauty you’d expect in such a historic location. It was built in 1915 and owned by powerful locals like James Buchanan Duke.

Prices: $30,000 and up

(6) 1812 Hitching Post

2463 Turnersburg Hwy., Harmony

From elopements to all-inclusive weddings, 1812 Hitching Post offers an intimate setting for a stylish and romantic wedding. The 1812 Hitching Post was created so brides of today could still have the elegance and comfort of a wedding in a homey setting from the past.

Prices: $495 for an elopement to $10,000, all-inclusive

(7) The Laboratory Mill

848 Southfork Road, Lincolnton

The Laboratory Mill’s unique history as the Lincolnton Cotton Factory in 1818 and then home to Confederacy troops serves as the background to an elegant and historical venue.

Prices: $4,200-$6,900, venue rental

(8) Levine Museum of the New South

200 E. 7th St.

Couples are encouraged to “start a new chapter in history” at Levine Museum, an affordable, Uptown wedding venue. The museum seeks to educate Charlotte about the diverse history of the South since the Civil War.

Prices: $2,200-$3,200, venue rental

(9) The McGill Rose Garden

940 N. Davidson St.

The McGill Rose Garden is a hidden gem, nestled just outside of Uptown en route to NoDa and is a beautiful “secret” garden with heirloom roses, herbs and perennials.Prices: $900-$1,650, ceremony only; $5,250, venue rental for ceremony and reception

(10) Mecklenburg County Parks

The parks offer several wedding locations including Historic St. Mary’s Chapel, Lynn Ellen Odden Memorial Garden at Colonel Francis Beatty Park, Jetton Park Wedding Gazebo, newly renovated Jetton Park Waterfront Hall, Independence Park Rose Garden, Davie Wedding Arch at W.R. Davie Park, Midtown Park and Romare Bearden Park.Pricing: $52-$510, venue rental. More details here.

(11) Mint Museum Uptown

500 S. Tryon St.

Featuring Craft + Design, American Art, Modern + Contemporary and special exhibitions throughout the year, the wedding couple may use the art as a backdrop for their photos.

Prices: $2,800-$4,200, venue rental

(12) Mint Museum Randolph

2730 Randolph Road

Mint Museum Randolph offers a park setting in the middle of Charlotte’s Eastover neighborhood to create a gorgeous location for a wedding. Originally, it was the United States Mint and re-opened in 1936 as the state’s first art museum.

Prices: $1,000-$3,400, venue rental

(13) 220 North Tryon at Foundation For The Carolinas

220 N. Tryon St.

Here, a vertical garden terrace and solarium on the rooftop with a view of Tryon Street add elegance. Foundation For The Carolinas offers art-filled spaces as well, and serves as a backbone for philanthropy in Charlotte.

Prices: $5,000-$9,500, venue rental

(14) The Oaks Events

628 Hwy. 24/27 W., Midland

The Oaks Events create an ideal spot for a wedding with overnight accommodations for ten and a man cave with bar, foosball and pool table.

Prices: $4,500-$10,950, venue rental

(15) The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

4150 Yancey Road

A wedding at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery blends European-inspired décor with local, signature brews and food.

Pricing: $5,000-$10,000, all-inclusive.

(16) The Palmer Building

2601 E. 7th St.

The Palmer Building, renovated for special events, was once a training facility for The Charlotte Fire Department from 1939 until the mid-1970s.

Prices: $2,000-$3,500, venue only

(17) The Quarry at Carrigan Farms

1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville

This venue has blue water, grey granite cliffs, lush green grass and a white sandy beach. What could be better for photos?

Pricing: $2500-$6500, venue rental; catering options available

(18) Sugar Creek Brewing Company

215 Southside Drive

Sugar Creek Brewing Company will brew a beer for the couple’s special day based on their taste preferences.

Prices: $225- $450 per hour, venue rental

(19) Queens University of Charlotte, Belk Chapel

1900 Selwyn Ave.

Here you get an historical campus backdrop with classically southern space for ceremony, reception or rehearsal dinners

Prices: $1,000-$2,500, venue rental; catering options available

(20) Separk Mansion

209 W. 2nd Ave., Gastonia

This mansion is an elegant, timeless and romantic wedding venue that provides outdoor and indoor ceremony and reception locations, along with all-inclusive packages to help bring your wedding dreams to life.

Prices: All-inclusive packages start at $12,000

(21) Tuscan Ridge Wedding and Event Center

21480 E. 8th Street, Oakboro

This brand-new venue is an elegant upscale wedding venue in Oakboro NC. It’s described as having a natural setting with Tuscan-style landscaping.

Prices: $3,500-$5,000, venue rental

(22) Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

551 S. Tryon St.

The Gantt Center is a multi-level event space that includes a rooftop terrace for a modern venue with an award‐winning architectural design.

Prices: $1,950-$3,550, venue rental

Photos: Francesca Mazza, 189 Market Blog, Sugar Creek Brewing, Beautiful Mess Photography, Charlotte Harold, Gandee Photography, Carolina Portrait Designs, Samantha Laffoon, Taylor Cline Photography, Michael A. Anderson Photography, John Huneycutt Photography, Old South Studios, Eliza Morrill Photography, Paper Heart Photography, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Rob + Kristen Photography, Jim Trice Photography

This story was originally published April 19, 2018 at 12:00 AM.