There’s still a lot to get done for the wedding. Our current task on this scroll of to-dos is to find the place where the whole thing is going down. Jen and I have met and been together only in Raleigh so naturally it feels right for the wedding to be here.
Downtown Raleigh is where we spend most of our time and really enjoy being so having our ceremony and reception here also makes sense for us. There are quite a variety of places to choose from outside from the traditional churches. While some were clear losers, we still had fun seeing new places and planning this upcoming event.
On to the list of venues for the 2012 party of the year:
Sky High Views
Clarion Hotel
320 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 832-0501
The Clarion Hotel is a roomy, 20-story hotel in downtown Raleigh. The building brings out the architecture critic in you; you either love or hate the cylinder-like shape of the building. On the top floor however, is a wide open restaurant with very scenic views of the city. At night, the buildings of downtown Raleigh would light up and provide a great backdrop for any event.
Cardinal Club
150 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
clubcorp.com
(919) 834-8829
The Cardinal Club is a member’s club at the top of the Wachovia building on Fayetteville Street. This space offers spectacular views 29 floors high. The club is actually two floors with guests entering on the 28th and walking up a spiral staircase to get to the top floor. The largest space, decorated with wood and neutral colors, can hold about 150 people comfortably.
Capital Club
411 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, Nc 27601
(919)832-5526
The Capital City Club should be called the sunset room, as it is has one of the best views of the sunset over Raleigh. The west facing space is at the top of the 21 story Progress Energy building on Fayetteville Street. With less wood decor then the club’s pair at the Cardinal Club, the space is still elegant for a wedding.
Historic Character and Charm
Haywood Hall
211 New Bern Place
Raleigh, NC 27601
haywoodhall.org
(919) 832-8357
Haywood Hall is a historic house built in 1799. Between the house and the beautiful grounds around it, there is a lot of potential for a wedding or other large event. The grounds have gardens and walking paths around a brick common area. The outdoor space is shaded with tall trees and is still clear on a bright sunny day.
Cobblestone Hall
205 Wolfe Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 844-5959
Cobblestone Hall is the space in the historic City Market building. Opening as a market in 1914, the building has gone through multiple uses but is still in great shape. Outisde, the brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets will show visitors they are in a truly unique area of Raleigh. Inside, the tall roof, large windows, and long metal beams will make a great background for photos during a wedding or other large event. The space has been well renovated and is very flexible to decorate and use.
All Saints Chapel
110 South East Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 834-8350
All Saints Chapel sits just a few blocks outside of downtown. If you are interested in a more traditional wedding but want the reception close by, All Saints Chapel is worth considering. Do not underestimate the church from its exterior. The chapel has a well renovated alter and pews that are simple and fill the space to make guests feel cozy. There is a reception area directly below the chapel so when the wedding is over, guests can move straight to it downstairs.
The Longview Center
118 South Person Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 832-8324
The historic church’s current use is for weddings, parties, random events and it even has an art gallery. The Longview Center is located right across the street from Moore Square and is a great location for a downtown event.
Spacious and Interesting Museums
919-733-7450
One of the largest guest attractions in the state, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences has many spaces to choose from. From flexible general purpose spaces large and small to event space near exhibits, there are many ways to create an event in the museum. Each space is different then the others and is more unique then most options around town.
Marbles Kids Museum
201 East Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 857-1096
Marbles is a popular event space. Its location is perfect as it sits right across from Moore Square and allows for easy access to anything in downtown Raleigh. The space has a playful theme, the museum us for kids after all.
Other Spaces of Interest
Marriott City Center
500 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-833-1120
The Marriott Hotel is located right on Fayetteville Street. There are numerous rooms to rent which offer flexible choices on setup and decorating. The 400-room 4-star hotel above makes it convenient for out of town guests also.
Nash Square
200 McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919)832-1231
Nash Square is a 5-acre park in downtown Raleigh. The park is criss-crossed with stone paths and benches. In the center is a small plaza with a firefighter’s memorial and surrounded with many trees, trees that have been there for many years creating a great canopy over the grounds. The square hosts outdoor functions all year and with a little creativity could hold a wedding.
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