Top 10 Wedding Venues in Durham

By Kim •  Updated: 09/05/21 •  6 min read

One of the most important decisions couples make in planning their special day is choosing the venue. Needless to say, the venue can make or break a dream wedding.

If you are a bride or groom searching for an event space in the Durham area that will perfectly match you and your partner’s personalities and preferences, then here’s a list of the best and highly recommended wedding venues.

The Cookery

Address: 1101 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC, 27701

Contact Number: 919-908-8974

If you want to hit several birds with one stone throughout your wedding journey, The Cookery is a one-of-a-kind venue that can surely provide you an amazing total experience. They got you covered from the rehearsal dinner to the ceremony, reception, and even to your post-wedding brunch. It boasts a mezzanine, an outdoor patio, a full bar that features local NC beers, a gorgeous ballroom, a bridal suite, and a lovely garden.

Durham Hotel 

Address: 315 East Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701

Contact Number: 919-768-8830

The Durham Hotel has always been a favorite place among locals to celebrate special occasions or to stay in just to rest and relax. When they started hosting more weddings, though, potential brides could not be any happier.

If you want an elegant mid-century vibe for your wedding, this is a perfect choice! A ceremony on their rooftop where you and your guests can enjoy the lovely views of the city while having an intimate celebration sure sounds dreamy.

21 C Museum Hotel

Address: 111 Corcoran Street, Durham, NC 27701

Contact Number: 919-956-6700

Another stunning venue that can surely provide a phenomenal experience, especially for couples who love arts and modern designs, is the 21 C Museum Hotel. The wonderful art galleries that your guests can admire and explore while taking tons of photos will assure that there is never going to be a dull moment in your wedding.

They also have an in-house catering and event team, a honeymoon suite, and an in-house spa. With its charm and glamor, this venue will make you and your guests want to extend your stay even after the wedding.

The Cotton Room

Address: 807 East Main Street Building 2, Room 350 Durham, NC 27701

Contact Number: 919-530-8380

The Cotton Room is a full-service event venue that will make your planning easier and more relaxed without compromising style and elegance. The beautiful brick walls and captivating hardwoods in the venue make it a spectacular place to witness the couples’ exchange of wedding vows.

They also offer great features such as bridal and groom suites, lounge furniture, and complimentary use of the space for bridal/engagement portraits. On top of that, they offer a large variety of menus and bar packages that you can choose from.

The Rickhouse

Address: 609 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701

Contact Number: 919-264-1038

If you are a couple looking for a cool and exciting venue in downtown Durham, you might want to consider The Rickhouse. It has a large outdoor balcony that looks over the lovely Durham Athletic Park, and has striking brick walls and reclaimed wood as highlights of the venue.

If you are planning to invite up to around 400 guests, then you can be assured that they will all be seated comfortably. There’s plenty of open space for them to even be dancing around during the reception. If you want a fun wedding filled with the many people you love, then you can’t go wrong with this venue.

Bay 7

Address: 9401 Glenwood Raleigh, NC 27617

Contact Number: 919-987-1264

Another large, flexible space that can accommodate around 400 guests is the Bay 7. It was formerly a tobacco warehouse but is now an exquisite wedding venue that highlights a wrap-around balcony and panoramic windows.

You can surely create wonderful memories in this venue as you and your guests take gorgeous photos. This is also perfect for steak lovers since the venue is catered by the acclaimed Angus Barn.

The King’s Daughters Inn

Address: 204 N Buchanan Blvd, Durham, NC 27701

Contact Number: 919-354-7000

Planning to have your wedding on a weekend? If you want to extend your celebration to a relaxing and fun staycation with your friends and family, then this lovely bed and breakfast venue would be a great choice.

It is located in a historic building overlooking Duke’s East Campus and has a charming ambiance. It features 3 event spaces and has 17 luxury rooms that you can book for up to 100 guests.

We suggest that you book the entire place if you want to get access to all event spaces with no additional cost and gain a lot of other perks – what a way to maximize the use of such a stunning venue.

Duke Chapel

Address: Campus Box 90974, 401 Chapel Drive, Durham, NC 27708

Contact Number: 919-681-9488

If your dream wedding includes a solemn ceremony inside a majestic cathedral, Duke Chapel will surely make it come true.

It is located near downtown Durham and is considered a breathtaking architectural beauty. It has many great reception venues as well that can accommodate up to around 1000 guests.

The Durham Armory

Address: 212 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701

Contact Number: 919-560-4355, ext. 27202

The Durham Armory is another ideal venue for a large indoor wedding. Its location is also convenient as it is in the middle of downtown Durham. It provides a wide-open space with beautiful brick walls and hardwoods. It has a spotless interior that is often described as “an open canvas” that you can play around with and transform to achieve the décor and theme of your wedding.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Address: 420 Anderson St, Durham, NC 27708

Contact Number: 919-684-3698

If you want to hold your wedding ceremony and reception in an enchanting and natural setting, this is an ideal venue. It boasts picturesque surroundings that can be perfect backdrops for your wedding photos. If you are a couple who enjoys spending time in nature and would love to be surrounded by flowers on your special day, then this venue is perfect.

Conclusion

With these impressive wedding venues in mind, you will have a less stressful time planning and deciding where to hold one of the most memorable days of your life together with your partner.

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Kim

Right off we have to say that Kim loves weddings! Kim is a writer and editor who focuses on various aspects of how to make your wedding both unique and special. She loves dogs and is the pet parent of a Miniature Schnauzer named Finley. Together, Kim and her dog enjoy hiking across the countryside of the Sangre de Cristo range in New Mexico. She especially loves the area around Red River, which is referred to as the Enchanted Circle. When she’s home, Kim is excited to try redecorating her home, binge watching Netflix (Romcoms, of course), baking, and spending time with friends.

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