Reception Venue - Downtown Raleigh

Jess87657

Hi Ladies!

Fi and I are planning our June 2011 wedding in downtown Raleigh and our ceremony will be at the Raleigh Rose Garden.  We booked Venture Hall (in the IMAX building at Marbles Kids Museum), but we're thinking of changing our reception venue.  We loved the space because it was modern and clean and we could do a lot with our decor.  I got an email from their coordinator and they're going to paint stars on the walls, so it's not going to be the look we're going for.  I have until next Friday to get our deposit back.

Any suggestions on reception locations near downtown that will allow an outside caterer?  We'd love to have a "blank canvas" to work with!

Thanks in advance!

mhoneill

we are hoping to have ours at the History Museam

Jess87657

They're booked on our date

NcsuPsych

What about the Art Museum? You could also look into the NCSU State club.

Jess87657

Thanks for the suggestions!  I've emailed the Art Museum, but haven't heard back yet.  As for the State Club, I inquired, but I think you have to have a membership to hold your event there.  Does anyone know if this is not the case?

Thanks Ladies!!

NcsuPsych

Page Meredith. Im pretty sure that thats where she just had her reception

ecuchika

Not sure how far this would be for travel but the Tobacco Campus in Durham is really neat and very modern for a reception--from the pics Ive seen.  I only drive past Raleigh and Durham but to me it seems they are really close in travel distance!
I think its called Bay 12(?)

www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com/" title="American Tobacco Campus" class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','1','','0CBYQFDAA')">American Tobacco Campus

www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com

334 Blackwell Street
Durham, NC 27701-3611
(919) 433-1560

sparkyframes

I'm having my reception at Cobblestone Hall in City Market - it's right across Moore Square from Marbles. the guy that's in charge kind of a challenge, he's friendly and very enthusiastic, which can sometimes be overbearing, but it's a great venue.  I know they are booking up fast, so look into it. 

tarheelbabs

You don't have to have a membership at the State Club, but you do have to "join."  It's not terribly expensive.  That's where my reception is also, but I was already a member of the club.

careyblackmar

Friends of mine had theirs at Shepherd Hall, 125 Hillsborough St.  They had an outside caterer and could also provide their own alcohol.  It's a church, so that might not be what you're looking for, but they loved it.

http://gallery.cgs-raleigh.org/Facilities/Shepherds-Hall/10193621_V6gHM#702121057_3rbPF

shigaites

There's the natural history museum and Artspace.  With the museum they have a list of preferred caterers but when I talked to their coordinator she said that if your caterer is not on the list it's easy to get an exception.  Artspace allows anyone from what I remember.  And there's All Saints Chapel which allows any caterer or you get a discount if you use an Empire Eats caterer (The Pit, Sitti, Raleigh Times, etc).

onlyncsu

I'd recommend Cobblestone Hall or a new venue, Seven. It's gorgeous. There's also the Capital City Club, though I doubt they allow an outside caterer. The view is amazing and they're great to work with. 

shigaites

Oh yeah, Seven is amazing looking!!

Jess87657

What is Seven?!  Do you have any more information about it?  I just googled it, but didn't come up with any results.

Thanks in advance!  You all are awesome.

sarahmadeline

I am having a similar conundrum to yours and I just keep feeling like the right venue is just around the corner! Downtown Raleigh has less to offer than I was hoping.

The art museum is beautiful for a a wedding, but they don't allow outside catering or much decoration. 
I'm looking in to using Flanders art gallery (next to where the Office night club was).  It's a really reasonable price, however, Poole's Diner is the only caterer that they work with.
Haywood Hall is a colonial house right behind the capital that basically allows any caterer, though to personalize it, you would have to just stick to using the grounds outside, because the inside is very colonial.
I would also definitely check into the Natural Science Museum (right across from the history museum), it seems like they might have what you're looking for!

Hope that helps!

shigaites

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_reception-venue-downtown-raleigh?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:873ad4b4-ad5f-40c0-945e-e3fad98ca5f6Post:3c36e197-9c7e-48b2-ada2-423254f9b9a1">Re: Reception Venue - Downtown Raleigh</a>:
[QUOTE]What is Seven?!  Do you have any more information about it?  I just googled it, but didn't come up with any results. Thanks in advance!  You all are awesome. :)
Posted by Jess87657[/QUOTE]

<div><a href="http://www.7raleigh.com" rel="nofollow">www.7raleigh.com</a></div><div>
</div><div>If you go to Story Photographer's blog I believe they did a shoot there about a month ago as well.</div>

salleyalley

Jess,
We're getting married in the Rose Garden and having our reception at Flanders in September 2010, so I've been in your exact same spot searching for downtown venues!
I really wanted to have our reception at Haywood Hall since the grounds are so beautiful, but their max capacity is 150 I think. Fletcher Park or Mordecai might also be good options near downtown-at Fletcher you get use of one of the beautiful old homes. We went to a wedding reception last year at Burning Coal Theater- a great spot and definitely the blank slate you are looking for!  All Saints chapel is great too- especially if you arent having a huge wedding.

Not sure when it opens to the public but CAM should be open by then and will definitely be a great modern space.

We are looking forward to working w/ Flanders and Poole's- a little nervous about fitting all our guests in and keeping the catering bill within reason, but so farso good!

Good luck with your decision!