11 Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina, has officially arrived on the wedding venue map! The city has tons to offer, from its vibrant NoDa arts scene to attractions such as the Mint Museum, with its extensive collection of ceramics and art from throughout the Americas. 

If you’re searching for a great al fresco wedding venue, look no further than Charlotte. Along with the city’s great weather, you have the choice of fantastic venues like Duke Mansion or the Foundation for the Carolinas stunning sculpture garden. 

And when it comes to cost, you might be pleasantly surprised! The average couple spends around $23,000 on a North Carolina wedding or about $5000 less than what most American couples pay for their big day!

Read on to discover our favorite outdoor wedding venues in Charlotte, North Carolina…


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Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

6500 South New Hope Road

The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden offers an ultra-elegant setting for an outdoor wedding.

Located just under 20 miles from Charlotte’s downtown business district, the landscaped garden is full of fountains and Instagram-worthy trails.

You can choose from several options for your outdoor ceremony, including the White Garden which features a gorgeous combination of delicate white and silver foliage during the spring and summer months. Be sure to sign up early if you’re interested in snagging a date between April and October when the garden is in its full glory!

The Crepe Myrtle Grove offers space for large outdoor events, with space for a tent and up to 500 guests. 

But, if you’re interested in a small elegant ceremony for less than 30 people, the garden has micro-wedding packages that allow a ton of flexibility when it comes to choosing a location.

Price Range: $950 – $2,500.

Capacity: 500 guests.

Find the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Alexander Homestead 

4717 Shamrock Drive

Less than a 20-minute drive from downtown Charlotte lies Alexander Homestead, a historic building that dates back to 1903.

Enclosed by massive oak trees and featuring an impressive lawn space for musicians, the beautifully renovated B&B has gardens that make for the perfect outdoor wedding spot in North Carolina.

A red brick pathway leads to a white gazebo; a popular place for couples to exchange vows, while the renovated Dairy Barn features an outdoor terrace space for receptions.

Notably, the barn doors open fully to create a seamless indoor-outdoor space so the party can go on if the weather doesn’t cooperate!

The venue offers all-inclusive packages that take care of everything from flowers to food and your guests can park for free.

Price Range: $13,000 – $20,000.

Capacity: 215 guests.

Find Alexander Homestead at Alexander Homestead or check out Facebook or Instagram.

The Ballantyne Hotel 

10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway

The Ballantyne Hotel is the real deal when it comes to wedding venues. Although it’s best known as a luxury option able to knock large weddings out of the ballpark, it also has several outdoor locations appropriate for smaller outdoor ceremonies.

When it comes to outdoor wedding spots at the Ballantyne, the South Lawn is the place to go for large events, while the Rose Garden is a perennial favorite for more intimate ceremonies.

The Terrace with quaint flagstones and views that go on for miles is another popular choice or the charming Carolina Terrace with its stellar views of the hotel grounds. 

Price Range: $1,500 – $2,500. 

Capacity: 500 guests.

Find The Ballantyne Hotel at The Ballantyne Hotel or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Foundation for the Carolinas 

220 North Tryon 

Foundation for the Carolinas has become one of the most popular Charlotte wedding sites around, thanks to the variety of venues it offers, including several outdoor options.

As the space is located in Charlotte’s central business district, it’s nice and close to attractions such as the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and accommodations like the Charlotte Marriott City Center, making it easy for your guests to explore the city. 

The Kearney Solarium has windows that retract completely to create an outdoor space with stunning views of Charlotte.

The Rogers Sculpture Garden Terrace is another popular location for couples to get hitched. It has a cozy enclosed feel and features a gorgeous wall of living plants.

Price Range: $2,600–$6,200.

Capacity: 200 guests.

Find Foundation for the Carolinas at Foundation for the Carolinas or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Duke Mansion

400 Hermitage Road

Bursting with historic charm, Duke Mansion in Myers Park is a gorgeous Colonial Revival mansion. Tobacco baron James Duke had the home built in 1915 and lived there until he died in 1925. 

Set on 4.5 acres of land, Duke Mansion has beautiful gardens and nooks that are perfect for an elegant outdoor wedding. 

The venue’s Barnhardt Terrace has a white gazebo that’s a popular place for ceremonies, and The Nesbit Garden, with red bricks and a classic water feature, is another wonderful choice.

Up to 20 of your guests can stay at the venue and enjoy the homestead’s luxurious rooms.

Price Range: $6,500.

Capacity: 150 guests.

Find Duke Mansion at Duke Mansion or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Palisades Country Club 

13704 Grand Palisades Parkway

The Palisades Country club is set on 1600 acres of land just over 20 miles from uptown Charlotte and is a wonderful location for a wedding.

The club centers around a New England-style clubhouse and has an 18-hole golf course which is a popular outdoor ceremony option with its leafy outlook and stunning clubhouse views.

The Nick Room is perfect for indoor receptions with its massive windows and ambiance-creating stone fireplace.

The venue offers all-inclusive packages and bespoke catering services and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is just a short drive away, so your guests will be able to get to the venue in a snap!

Price Range: Starting at $3,000.

Capacity: 200 guests.

Find Palisades Country Club at Palisades Country Club or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Whitehead Manor 

901 Sardis Road

Whitehead Manor is a late 19th-century Victorian mansion nestled in an estate featuring stately trees, gardens, and courtyards — it’s an ideal place to throw an elegant modern wedding with traditional touches.

This beautiful venue is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Charlotte, and there’s tons of free parking at the site. 

The home was built for Dr. R.G. Miller in 1895 and converted to a B&B in the 80s. You’ll have access both to the home and the nearby conference center during your wedding. 

The Prayer Tree is a tried-and-true favorite for exchanging vows outdoors, featuring a bold tree branch extending over a crushed gravel path.

The mansion’s courtyard has a wraparound white porch set off by precise dark red paving bricks that is just right for an elegant sit-down reception.

The venue provides a list of preferred caterers, but you’re free to work with anyone you’d like. 

Price Range: Starting at $5,000.

Capacity: 200 guests.

Find Whitehead Manor at Whitehead Manor or check out Facebook or Instagram.

McGill Rose Garden 

940 N Davidson Street

The McGill Rose Garden is a charming 2-acre public park overflowing with roses and located mere minutes away from Charlotte’s vibrant NoDo art district.

Featuring more than 500 rose bushes and dramatic hedges, this tiny hidden oasis of calm is the perfect venue for a small, intimate, romantic wedding.  

Decorate the tiny garden with lanterns to create a soft ambiance perfect for a nighttime wedding. Or exchange vows with a vintage boxcar draped with greenery in the background. The garden offers a wedding package that includes venue rental, chairs, tables, and access to fun lighting options.

The garden can even take care of day-of coordination and flower arrangements. Access to the covered reception area with a dance floor is also included. 

Price Range: Starting at $2,500.

Capacity: 100 guests.

Find McGill Rose Garden at McGill Rose Garden or check out Facebook or Instagram

The Brawley Estate 

601 Williams Street, Mooresville

While not strictly within the Charlotte city limits, the Brawley Estate is a wonderful option for a rustic farmhouse outdoor wedding.

The property is about an hour away from the city by car, but the drive is worth it for the rolling hills and gorgeous rustic-chic setting close to Lake Norman.

The estate features a gorgeous white Victorian house from 1904 with a wraparound porch set on 20 acres of land featuring shady trees, water features, and walking paths. 

The estate has five different outdoor spaces appropriate for weddings, including in front of a dramatic oak or a stunning pergola with the house and lawn behind you.

The main house has on-site suites for the bridal party and features beautiful details such as dark hardwood floors and high ceilings.

The venue is spectacularly flexible and can take care of arranging just about everything you’ll need on your wedding day, from parking to catering. 

Price Range: Starting at $4,700.

Capacity: 250 guests.

Find the Brawley Estate at the Brawley Estate or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Il Bella Gardens 

24767 Snickers Lane, Albemarle

Il Bella Gardens is a rustic outdoor wedding venue located in Stanly County, about 40 miles away from Charlotte’s central business district.

Say your vows surrounded by hummingbirds and stately grand trees in a simple outdoor setting. It’s the perfect site for a stripped-down rustic wedding full of personal touches.

The shaded and enclosed lawn is a popular choice for seated outdoor ceremonies, while more adventurous couples can tie the knot on a wooden walkway under a canopy of old-growth trees.

The venue has both indoor and outdoor options for receptions and a quaint cottage just right for small gatherings like rehearsal dinners.

The site even offers help with things such as centerpiece designs and planning. Chairs and table linens are included in the cost.  

Price Range: Starting at $4,000.

Capacity: 250 guests.

Find Il Bella Gardens at Il Bella Gardens or check out Facebook or Instagram.

Separk Mansion 

209 W 2nd Ave, Gastonia

Separk Mansion is a gorgeous Italian Renaissance home built in 1919 with space for indoor and outdoor weddings and receptions.

Full of charm, this dream venue has a ballroom on the first floor with dramatic columns and hardwood floors, not to mention grand staircases and a limestone veranda.

The estate’s garden, full of azaleas and flowers, is a popular location to exchange vows in the open air. You can get hitched in front of an ancient oak tree or with a dramatic white pergola in the background.

The Ballroom, with its high ceilings and shimmering chandeliers, is a wonderful reception option if you want to bring things indoors after your ceremony.

The venue has an all-inclusive package available, or you can opt to organize the event on your own. 

Price Range: Starting at $6,000.

Capacity: 250 guests.

Find Separk Mansion at Separk Mansion or check out Facebook or Instagram.

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