NC's Most Luxurious Wedding Venues: A Bride's Guide

Congratulations on getting engaged, bride-to-be! Now it’s time for the fun part: choosing a venue. 

Your wedding will be one of the most special days you’ll ever celebrate. You deserve a venue that’s pure perfection—one that exudes class and opulence, setting the ideal stage for your “I dos”. If you’ve set your sights on Charlotte or the surrounding areaa for your wedding day, you’re in luck. The city is a treasure trove of wedding venues that will captivate you and your guests. 
Allow me to show you some of the city’s most luxe locations, as seen through the eyes of a wedding and engagement photographer in Charlotte, NC.  

7 luxurious wedding venues in Charlotte

Let’s uncover the city’s most luxurious locales so you can tie the knot surrounded by beauty (and take stunning wedding photos with your Charlotte photographer).

1. The Duke Mansion

Couples planning a classic Southern wedding will delight in the splendor of the Duke Mansion. Built in 1915, this estate is surrounded by towering trees, gorgeous gardens, and well-manicured lawns that envelop you in serenity the moment you arrive. An expansive courtyard sits in the center, perfect for cocktails and receptions under a canopy of stars. 

Step inside and be awed by the marble floors, that ooze old-world elegance with a modern twist. Each reception room in the Duke Mansion features the most ornate furniture—not a surprise since it’s located in Myers Park, one of Charlotte’s ritziest areas. 

Grand but not gaudy, the Duke Mansion creates a dreamlike scene for life’s romantic moments, from your engagement to your day of “I dos”. 

2. Lake Lure Inn and Spa

A stone’s throw away from Lake Lure, this historic hotel boasts waterfront views that will have you in awe. Picture yourself saying your vows to your beloved in front of the Blue Ridge Mountains, while the skies above paint a picture-perfect backdrop. As the sun sets, seek warmth indoors, where a rustic atmosphere—reminiscent of traditional mountain lodge style—awaits.

If you’ve ever wanted to recreate scenes from Dirty Dancing (yes, this is where it was filmed), now is your chance. Strike the iconic pose with the help of a photographer in Charlotte, and infuse fun into your wedding portraits. 

3. The Mint Museum Uptown

With clean lines and cityscape views, this modern marvel is the venue for contemporary couples.  Stylish and sleek, the Mint Museum Uptown’s event space spans over 4,000 square feet, perfect for dancing the night away with your loved ones. 

Although the Mint Museum Uptown boasts a modern flair, it maintains a refined vibe that will ensure your photos stand the test of time. Every corner of this hotel presents photo opportunities that will turn your portraits into works of art that are gallery-worthy. The Mint Museum Uptown is not only an exceptional venue, but also a playground for your wedding photographer to snap masterpieces you’ll treasure forever. 

4. The Ballantyne Hotel: A Luxury Collection Hotel

A short drive from Whitewater Center, you’ll find the Ballantyne Hotel. Part of Marriot’s luxury hotel line, this hotel is reminiscent of the classic mountain-style lodges that dot Northern Carolina. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that every detail has been carefully chosen to create a refined ambiance that caters to the most discerning tastes. 

Throw an indoor ceremony at the massive Ballantyne Ballroom, or spend your day under the sunshine. The Ballantyne Hotel’s outdoor venues boast sweeping views of the hotel’s vibrant green lawn, proving the perfect backdrop for photos with your wedding party. 

Undisputedly, the Ballantyne is one of the charming locations in Charlotte, with endless photo spots to choose from, including rose gardens, a grand staircase, and porte cochères. Explore this luxury location with your wedding photographer in Charlotte, and take photos you’ll cherish for a lifetime to come. 

5. The VanLandingham Estate

Get lost in the VanLandingham Estate, a charming, craftsman-style abode that boasts over 7,000 square feet of floor space. Constructed in 1913, this venue in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte oozes rustic charm, but with a few brand-new elements thrown in. 

Step indoors and you’ll find hardwood floors and brass accents, juxtaposed with contemporary-chic pieces for that “old meets new” aesthetic. Within its walls are massive windows that bathe each room in sunlight, allowing you to capture well-illuminated wedding pictures. Meanwhile, the exterior’s focal point is its expansive pavilion, which transforms into a scene straight out of a fairytale as the sun sets.

6. Palisades Country Club

End your engagement and begin married life at the Palisades Country Club. Say your vows in the great outdoors, surrounded by trees and sweeping views of the 18-hole Palisades course. For dinner and drinks, move to the beautiful Audubon Ballroom, which exudes class with its soft color palette, chandeliers, and French-style doors and windows. 

Pro tip from me to you: On the lead-up to your wedding day, why not plan a photo session with your photographer in Charlotte? Slip into golf outfits and pose away to capture playful couple portraits that you’ll treasure for the rest of your life!

7. Champagne Manor

Experience regal life at the Champagne Manor, an exquisite, castle-esque wedding location in Monroe. The moment you arrive, you’re greeted by beautiful, European-style architecture that transports you to bygone eras. Its interiors are the embodiment of luxury, with French limestone floors, chandeliers, and other intricate details that add an extra layer of refinement. 

Outside, you’ll find the greenest lawns you’ve ever seen and a 15-acre lake that sparkles under the sunlight. Picture yourself saying your vows while overlooking the water, and partying away in a pavilion with twinkling chandeliers. 

The beauty of this venue is every wedding photographer in Charlotte’s dream. It beckons you to immortalize the manor’s charm with each click, and create memories you’ll want to look back on one day.

Create lasting memories

Your wedding is one of your biggest milestones—why not indulge in a venue as extraordinary as the love you share with your spouse-to-be? From historic mansions to prestigious country clubs, the Queen City boasts exquisite venues that will have you and your guests ooh-ing and aah-ing everywhere you look! 

Whichever luxe location you choose, you can count on Robert Burns II Photography & Videography, LLC to capture your day. Contact me today for more information.