Our lead contractor on the project, Brad, got to experience the birth of his first daughter just a few days after the completion of construction. The feeling of perfect serenity this site provides will be incredible for couples to have that sense of calm that we all need when saying their vows and starting that journey with their significant other. When the couple is together at the end of the aisle on the edge of our majestic lake, they will have the feeling of being in a magical paradise with the capacity for up to 200 of their closest friends and family members watching them begin their love story together.

Questions for Touring a Raleigh Wedding Venue

But we also realize that for us to be the best parents that we can be we also need to maintain a strong and healthy marriage as well. Audrey is now 2 and Phillip is almost 5 and they are such a blessing and a joy (most days) and they have given us a renewed purpose. For us, we have two beautiful children so we just want to build the best life we can possibly give them. Lastly, it is important to remember why you initially fell in love and to have a clear picture of why you want to continue to be with your partner for the rest of your lives. Amanda and I are very open and honest about the fact that we went through a year of marriage counseling after our first child was born and it was the greatest thing we could have ever down.

What is the best season for weddings in Raleigh?

Couples are drawn to our Lake View Lawn location for its incredible view, which includes our carefully maintained lawn, vibrant lake, gazebo, and an eye-catching fountain. Our guests simply adore what this location adds to their wedding photos. With grand views of our lake, this unique ceremony location is unlike any other in Raleigh! Walnut Hill is a family-owned estate and wedding venue that offers a range of gorgeous outdoor event spaces for both intimate and grandiose celebrations.

After hosting so many dream weddings at Walnut Hill, we know a thing or two about how to handle the day-of and streamline the details so that your time here is truly unforgettable. Destination weddings in Raleigh, NC are the perfect way to celebrate your special day. If you’re planning a fall wedding and you hope to capture the incredible fall color changes, book dates starting in the second half of October. Finally, Walnut Hill’s proximity to Raleigh’s downtown core also makes it the perfect option for couples tending to out-of-town guests. Families looking for an opportunity to connect, meet, and celebrate prior to the ceremony and reception can take advantage of the weekend package, which includes accommodation for up to 13 guests.

Center Lawn

The Estate House, which is often used by brides as their entrance for the ceremony, serves as a beautiful backdrop for the reception. Our beloved tree is situated on a wide-open lawn with lots of other trees and manicured gardens. This location has a more grandiose and dramatic vibe than our other ceremony locations, namely due to its massive and majestic 300-year-old tree. The Osage Orange Tree location is situated at the front of our lovely estate house, which makes for a truly grand entrance!

The Pavilion is a great option for an outside ceremony space that will keep guests cool, but an indoor ceremony is always an option we are happy to help with as well! While guests enjoy having a drink and soaking up the summer sun during your cocktail hour, eating and dancing the night away in the heat is not ideal. We all love the experience of when entering a luxury hotel or spa and being given a complimentary glass of fruit flavored water to enhance the experience. A cute and easy way to greet guest is with a water station set up near your ceremony location.

• If you choose a cramped and more restrictive venue, that’ll take away from the comfort and freedom that comes with an outdoor celebration.
• Amanda, owner of Walnut Hill, recommends that you book your destination wedding in Raleigh, NC at least 18 months in advance for peak dates.
• We understand that the biggest hesitation for booking a summer wedding in North Carolina is the worry about the heat.
• People change as marriage and life goes on and that is ok and can be a good and healthy thing if both sides remain understanding and respectful.
• We will be forever grateful, and we love you all more than you know.
• Cheers to 10 amazing years of marriage and I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring!

One of the major benefits of an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception is having lots of open space. For couples eager to have an outdoor wedding reception, our modern white barn Pavilion is the best of both worlds. We’re confident that you’ll find the perfect outdoor wedding location on our beautiful property. Our wedding 10 years ago feels like yesterday, and it is just so amazing that we get to celebrate our love and our journey at the wedding venue that we now own and manage together. There are plenty of ways to get creative with keeping your guests cool so we are here to tell you to not let this get in the way of booking and planning your dream summer wedding. When planning an outdoor wedding, it’s critical that you have the bathroom situation sorted out beforehand.

The Weather

With Walnut Hill, you’ll have all the open space you need to have the outdoor wedding of your dreams. The lawn is a nice open space, perfect for dancing, chatting, dining, and celebrating your special day! If it starts to rain, guests can easily walk back inside the pavilion without losing the feeling of being outdoors. If you’ve been dreaming of an outdoor reception but are concerned about the weather, the Pavilion is the perfect fit. It functions as both an indoor and outdoor venue, as the ft wall completely opens to reveal an amazing view of the lake.

Our Lakeside Canopy venue is very comfortable during the summertime, thanks in part to our fans and the relaxing breeze from the scenic lake nearby. Set on a sprawling 400 acres, this unique wedding venue is perfect for couples who want to blend traditional, rustic settings with modern details. We had such a precise vision for this site that meant so much to us, so we did not want to settle for anything less than perfect for our couples to get to experience. We just love to own the ridiculousness and enjoy those times together after a long hard day of work and watching the kids. While this may seem like obvious advice, not all wedding venues may offer A/C for their reception area and may choose to just open doors or provide fans.

• The Pavilion is a great option for an outside ceremony space that will keep guests cool, but an indoor ceremony is always an option we are happy to help with as well!
• Our beloved tree is situated on a wide-open lawn with lots of other trees and manicured gardens.
• Make sure to check with each venue that you are touring with that they provide special summer pricing, but most venues will.
• If you’ve been dreaming of an outdoor reception but are concerned about the weather, the Pavilion is the perfect fit.

” Granted, the summers are balmy and warm — visitors and out-of-towners who are used to the overcast skies of the PNW or the chilly winters of the Northeast could even call it “hot.” The temperature easily rises to well past 90 degrees. If you need recommendations for wedding planners, please let us know. A local wedding planner can be present at your destination to meet with vendors on your behalf and provide helpful local knowledge. If you’re local or within driving distance of Raleigh, you can always schedule an in-person tour once you’ve seen the event space virtually.

We don’t pretend to have all the answers and everyone’s love stories are different, but we thought just sharing some of the things we have learned will hopefully help some of you out. You want to make sure to choose a menu that will remain fresh no matter what the summer conditions offer. You want to make sure you plan a menu that not only goes with your cool summer vibes, but also makes the most sense for the atmosphere and environment that you are in.

Things to Do for Out-of-Town Guests

When you say your I Do’s, it means you want to spend the rest of your life with that person. This helps us remember why we fell in love with each other in the first place and that although we are older and are parents now, we still know how to party once in a while! ” As much as we love laying around in our sweats and pajamas, we also love getting dressed to the nines and going to explore new restaurants around town or going back to some of our old favorites. It is so important to try and get a babysitter for the kids at least once a month and try and make time for just the two of you and like they say on Parks and Recreation, “Treat yourself!

Get creative with keeping guests cool

We feel so lucky and blessed, so we wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on our marriage and offer some wisdom and advice to our couples as they are just beginning their marriage journeys. On July 28, 2022, my wife Amanda and I will celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary with a special vow renewal ceremony at Walnut Hill. Your guests will absolutely love these unique delicacies! Making sure to work closely with your caterer and coordinator to plan your menu accordingly to your North Carolina summer wedding makes all the difference in the world!

Amanda, owner of Walnut Hill, recommends that you book your destination wedding in Raleigh, NC at least 18 months in advance for peak dates. The best season for destination weddings in Raleigh, NC is from April through June and from September through November. You’ll also have the opportunity to book a Sunday send-off brunch, as long as you book in advance. You really don’t have to go all the way south for some of that famous Southern hospitality — and those chic, unique spaces perfect for exchanging vows.

Outdoor Wedding Venues in Raleigh NC

To zero in on your ideal wedding venue, make sure to begin with a virtual tour video. If you’re marrying “off-season,” such as in the summer or winter, 12 months in advance may work. Walnut Hill is right for couples who want aviator game to spend time bonding in a secluded, retreat-like property.

Scott & Julie Real wedding- Arika Jordan photography

You go to bed that night so excited for your future and getting to start planning your fairytale wedding. It was a perfectly romantic day and you are on cloud nine. You just got engaged to the love of your life. If you choose a cramped and more restrictive venue, that’ll take away from the comfort and freedom that comes with an outdoor celebration. Please note, at Walnut Hill, we have catering prep space for all of our reception locations. Many couples opt to dine and have their first dance on our Center Lawn before heading inside the Pavilion for the rest of the reception and dancing after the sun goes down.

Our Pavilion Gardens location consists of a manicured garden semi-circle off the main pavilion. This location is also fully covered, which offers some much-needed shade on sunny days and protection from the rain if there’s a drizzle that day. Would you like lake views, a modern open air chapel, a stunning garden, an ancient tree backdrop, or a charming open lawn? Then, contact us once you’ve fallen in love with the picturesque beauty and exquisite service available at our venue. Start your wedding planning journey with a virtual tour of our grounds. Raleigh gives you a chance to skip the crowds, beat the lines, and experience premier, customized attention as you plan your wedding.