Top North Carolina Gala Venues

• Spaces for 50 Guests

• Spaces for 250 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Just outside Winston-Salem, Bermuda Run Country Club exudes Southern hospitality across two championship golf courses and a stately clubhouse. The property’s lush grounds, versatile ballrooms, and scenic terraces create the ideal backdrop for weddings, galas, and milestone celebrations. Known for impeccable service and warm ambiance, the club transforms every occasion into a distinctive, memorable experience.

• Spaces for 40-300 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 3 Event Spaces
• 4 Total Spaces

Monroe Camp and Retreat Center is a 300-acre Christian camp and retreat facility set in the longleaf pine sandhills of Laurel Hill, North Carolina, about 25 miles south of Pinehurst. Founded in 1954 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the property operates year-round, hosting weddings, group retreats, and meetings alongside its summer camp programs. Boyd Hall serves as the primary event venue, featuring floor-to-ceiling rustic wood beams and an open-air design that accommodates up to 200 guests for seated receptions. Hafer Hall, situated on a hilltop near the entrance with woodland views from its back deck, seats up to 104 and suits smaller receptions and retreat gatherings. Outdoor ceremony spaces include the cypress-lined shoreline of Lake Andrew and adjacent fields. A lakefront picnic shelter rounds out the property's gathering options. Overnight accommodations in McKnight Lodge and twelve rustic cabins make Monroe Camp a practical choice for destination weddings and multi-day retreats. Groups can add on professional food service, aerial ropes courses, a climbing wall, team challenge courses, and disc golf to extend the experience.

• Spaces for 80-500 Guests
• 1 Rooftop
• 2 Event Spaces
• 2 Breweries

Highland Brewing Company is Asheville's original craft brewery, founded in 1994 by Oscar Wong, a Chinese-Jamaican immigrant who introduced craft beer to the city using refurbished dairy equipment at Barley's Taproom. Today, the company operates an 11-acre campus in East Asheville — formerly the Blue Ridge Motion Picture Studios — with indoor and outdoor event venues, five sand volleyball courts, and an 18-hole disc golf course. The largest independent, family-owned brewery native to the Southeast, Highland has been led since 2018 by Leah Wong Ashburn, Oscar's daughter. The campus accommodates private events ranging from intimate gatherings in the Barrel Room to receptions of up to 350 guests in the Event Center & Rooftop, with Blue Ridge Mountain views and a full stage with audio-visual equipment.

• Spaces for 80-350 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Outdoor
• 3 Total Spaces

Set within a 1,400-acre private retreat in historic Flat Rock, North Carolina, Kenmure Country Club has welcomed weddings and family celebrations for over 30 years, earning its place as a multigenerational gathering spot for life's most meaningful occasions. The heart of the property is a 150-year-old Charleston-inspired antebellum mansion whose grand spiral staircase, sweeping veranda, and windows framing lake and Blue Ridge Mountain views make every arrival feel like an occasion in itself. The venue offers a remarkable range of event settings: the Charleston Grand Ballroom seats up to 260 guests beneath a luminous cupola of windows and a dance floor built for celebrating; the full Clubhouse opens for cocktail receptions of up to 350; and the covered Veranda provides an intimate perch for ceremonies or welcome parties of up to 80, with mountain views as the backdrop. All food is prepared in-house by the Executive Chef — from passed hors d'oeuvres to plated dinners and late-night bites — and a dedicated coordinator manages every detail from rehearsal through farewell brunch, so every host can be fully present for every moment.

• Spaces for 300 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Farm
• 1 Historic Space

DeStarte Wedding Barn is a rustic-yet-elegant venue set on a six-generation family farm at the base of North Carolina's South Mountains, near Lawndale in the foothills west of Charlotte. Recognized as a North Carolina Century Farm with property heritage dating to 1803, the setting pairs an authentic barn with mature pine forests, poplar trees, and rolling pastures crossed by brick walkways. The venue began as Glenda Miller's family home, and the original barn was built to shelter the family's horses before becoming the heart of the property's celebrations. Its main barn anchors the space with a 16-foot rock fireplace and a 6-foot rock fire pit, hosting weddings of roughly 20 to 300 guests across intimate gatherings and large-scale events alike. DeStarte offers all-inclusive packages that bring together tables, vintage wooden oak chairs, linens, a bartender, an on-site coordinator, a DJ, and ambient lighting, along with ample parking with handicap access. On-site lodging rounds out the experience, including a five-bedroom home, a private guest house, and a handcrafted cabin nestled in the pines.

• Spaces for 50-400 Guests
• 4 Hotels
• 1 Ballroom
• 4 Total Spaces

Shell Island Resort sits on the northern tip of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, where the Atlantic Ocean meets Masons Inlet and Figure Eight Island stretches along the horizon. The property offers more than 3,000 feet of beachfront, and its 153 all-oceanfront suites give attendees direct ocean views throughout their stay. For events, the resort provides more than 6,000 square feet of dedicated meeting and event space, anchored by the Full Soundview Ballroom — Wrightsville Beach's largest oceanfront ballroom at 3,000 square feet, with room for up to 300 guests for receptions or 200 for seated banquet dinners. Three individual meeting rooms — the Sunset, Waterway, and Palm rooms — each offer 1,000 square feet and can be reserved independently for smaller gatherings or combined for mid-size groups of up to 120. Beachfront ceremony and reception space is available directly on the sand, and SIR Restaurant and Oceanfront Lounge provides on-site dining for event guests. Complimentary wireless internet and covered parking for two vehicles per suite are included throughout the property.

• Spaces for 100-110 Guests
• 1 Outdoor
• 1 Historic Space
• 1 Garden

The McGill Rose Garden is a historic outdoor wedding and event venue on the edge of Charlotte's NoDa Arts District. The garden traces its origins to the 1950s, when Helen McGill began planting rose bushes along the fence line of the Avant Fuel and Ice Company her husband Henry had purchased. By the time the garden opened to the public on Mother's Day 1967, it had grown to include more than 500 rose bushes across two acres. Today the property is a City of Charlotte municipal park, and Rosie's Coffee & Wine — operating from the on-site brick building since 2019 — manages event bookings and offers a café and wine bar experience within the garden setting. The venue hosts intimate weddings and private events for up to 100 guests on Saturdays from late April through early November. Farm tables and chairs are included with rental, and the venue maintains partnerships with a network of vetted vendors to support couples through the planning process.

Castle Ladyhawke is the place to go if you and your family want to experience what it is like to live like real royalty. This stunning venue was constructed in 2005 employing original period style influenced by the real Scottish Border Castles that are located in the highlands of Western North Carolina. The venue sits on 62 acres of land in the mountains of Western North Carolina. What is the result? A masterwork including three stories and 10,000 square feet, complete with stunning stone walls, three opulent suites, a tavern, and its signature tower. The Mountain View Lawn is an exceedingly attractive location to say "I do," as it is positioned perfectly in front of the background of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On the other hand, The Great Hall is ideal for live music and dancing due to its outstanding acoustics. When you factor in the accommodation options at the neighboring Bear Lake Reserve, which are equipped with a variety of amenities, as well as everything that the quaint mountain town of Sylva has to offer, Castle Ladyhawke transforms into a genuine destination for couples who enjoy the mountains.

Cornelia Vanderbilt could have chosen any place in the world for her 1924 wedding reception, and she chose Biltmore. Today, you can offer your guests the same tradition of gracious hospitality and unmatched beauty with a wedding at Biltmore.

• Spaces for 200-300 Guests
• 1 Barn
• 1 Estate

Set on 1,400 acres in the rolling hills of North Carolina's Piedmont, Oakhaven is an estate and working farm with origins tracing to the 1930s. Over three generations, the property evolved from a private family retreat and cattle farm into a wedding and event destination near both Greensboro, NC and Danville, VA. The Grand Dutch Reception Hall is the centerpiece for receptions — a barn-inspired space with floor-to-ceiling reclaimed wood, expansive windows overlooking the countryside, and a soaring stone fireplace. An adjacent terrace provides space for cocktail hours and sunset gatherings. Three outdoor ceremony locations — the Signature Oak Tree, the Manor Gardens, and the Terrace Gazebo — give couples a range of settings to choose from. The hall accommodates up to 200 guests, and on-site accommodations including the English Manor, cabins, and a Wedding Cottage support extended wedding weekends. Oakhaven also hosts corporate retreats, nonprofit galas, family reunions, and milestone celebrations, with dedicated staff, catering services, and A/V capabilities available across the property.

• Spaces for 162 Guests

Jacks On The Waterfront is a waterfront venue and dining destination in Morehead City, North Carolina, overlooking Bogue Sound. The property brings together three distinct spaces: a waterfront bar featuring live entertainment from local and regional musicians, a wood-fired kitchen, and a rooftop event space called The View at Jacks. The View at Jacks is designed for private celebrations and business events, offering panoramic views of Bogue Sound alongside a fully stocked bar with complimentary bartender service, farmhouse and round tables, an indoor-outdoor sound system, smart TVs with HDMI and USB connectivity, and elevator access. Custom catering is arranged through Chef Johnny Chaanine. Dates are secured with a 20% deposit and signed contract.

• Spaces for 30-200 Guests
• 7 Outdoor Spaces
• 2 Theaters
• 10 Total Spaces

The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden set in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, and an affiliate of the University of North Carolina system. For nearly 40 years, the Arboretum has cultivated connections between people, plants, and places, drawing more than 500,000 visitors annually to its formal gardens, bonsai exhibition, and over 10 miles of trails. Private event rental spaces span both indoor and outdoor settings — from the fireplace-lit Baker Lobby and open-air Event Lawn to the Heritage Garden's serene plantings, the Blue Ridge Court fountain area, and a stone-tiered Amphitheater — all within the Arboretum's 65 acres of cultivated grounds. Events accommodate up to 150 guests. In-house catering is provided by Food Experience for groups of 20 or more, and a Green Weddings Program supports couples seeking environmentally conscious planning. Buildings and formal garden areas are wheelchair accessible.

• Spaces for 300 Guests

The Sheraton Raleigh Hotel is a full-service hotel in the heart of downtown Raleigh, specializing in upscale meetings and weddings. The property offers more than 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting space across 18 rooms, accommodating gatherings from 10 to 600 guests. Three dedicated ballrooms anchor the events program: the Hannover Ballroom, the Oak Forest Ballroom, and the Governor's Ballroom. The hotel's location in downtown Raleigh places it within walking distance of the State Capitol, museums, and more than 40 restaurants and nightlife options.

• Spaces for 160-7,000 Guests
• 1 Landmark
• 2 Outdoor Spaces
• 6 Total Spaces

N.C. State Fairgrounds is a 300-acre, year-round event campus in Raleigh operated by the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Eleven distinct facilities totaling more than 400,000 square feet of building space are available for private rental, accommodating gatherings ranging from small business meetings to large-scale trade shows and public exhibitions. The campus's most storied venue is J.S. Dorton Arena, built in 1951 and recognized as both a National Historic Monument and a National Architectural/Civil Engineering Monument. Its suspended-roof design eliminates interior support columns, creating unobstructed sightlines for up to 5,000 seated guests — or 7,000 with portable seating and a stage in place. The Jim Graham Building, the largest facility on the grounds, provides a fully climate-controlled 100,000-square-foot complex for trade shows, livestock showcases, and exhibitions, while the Gov. W. Kerr Scott Building handles banquets, proms, and fundraisers for up to 2,000. The Heritage Tobacco Pavilion offers an open-air option — a 5,040-square-foot covered pavilion with a stone fireplace and lake views — alongside the historic Pitzer Heritage Circle, which features period structures depicting North Carolina's cultural history and is well suited to outdoor celebrations and reunions.

• Spaces for 200 Guests

Willow Creek Inn is a historic Victorian manor built in 1877, now operating as a boutique event venue in Prescott, Arizona. Originally located in downtown Prescott, the building was carefully disassembled and relocated to its current address on Willow Creek Road in 1962, where it was reassembled and renovated. The property has carried several names over the decades — including the Green Frog Inn and The Carriage House Inn — and spent more than two decades hosting weddings, anniversaries, and banquets as the Willow Creek Restaurant. In 2021, the property was purchased and reimagined as a dedicated event venue by a third-generation wedding hostess, who oversaw a full renovation and redecoration of the space. Today, Willow Creek Inn welcomes a broad range of celebrations — weddings and elopements, anniversary parties, vow renewals, birthday gatherings, family and class reunions, celebrations of life, and corporate events — in both indoor and outdoor settings framed by lush gardens, serene creeks, and mature trees. The venue offers event coordination, in-house décor services through Willow Creek Creations, and partnerships with local catering and vendor teams. Event insurance is required for all bookings.

• Spaces for 65 Guests

Hatley Pointe is a boutique mountain resort set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, built around elevated experiences and year-round adventure. The resort hosts gatherings of all sizes — from intimate elopements to multi-day weekend celebrations — set against mountain terrain that shifts from ski slopes in winter to lift-accessed mountain bike trails in summer. For events, the Smoke & Timber restaurant brings Italian and Spanish-inspired cuisine built on locally sourced ingredients to every catered reception. Full-property and partial buyout options are available, making Hatley Pointe well suited for corporate retreats, leadership offsites, bridal and baby showers, engagement parties, milestone dinners, and family reunions. On-site dining and gathering space in one mountain setting allows event groups to stay focused on the occasion rather than the logistics.

• Spaces for 50-120 Guests
• 3 Restaurants
• 1 Outdoor

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Wilmington is situated in downtown Wilmington at 244 North Water Street, within steps of the Cape Fear Riverwalk. The restaurant offers private dining across three dedicated spaces — The Regatta Room, The Cape Fear Room, and The High Tide Terrace — accommodating groups ranging from intimate gatherings to parties of up to 70 guests. Each space suits a range of occasions, from corporate dinners and business meetings to milestone celebrations and rehearsal dinners. A private dining manager works with each group to shape the event, drawing on the kitchen's signature menu of USDA prime steaks and seasonal selections. Valet parking is available nearby at 14 Grace Street, and complimentary WiFi is offered throughout the restaurant.

• Spaces for 35-145 Guests
• 3 Restaurants
• 1 Bar
• 1 Meeting Space

Meridian Restaurant is a fine dining destination in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, founded in 2007. A James Beard-nominated establishment and two-time winner of the National Elite 10 Best Restaurants Award, Meridian has built its reputation on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine crafted from local, organic, and seasonal ingredients — with everything prepared in-house, from hand-rolled pasta and artisan breads to house-made sausages and fresh mozzarella. For private events, Meridian offers several configurations to fit the occasion. A smaller private dining room accommodates up to 35 guests for business functions and intimate celebrations, while a larger private room hosts up to 100. The bar area seats 35 or accommodates 60 for standing receptions, and the full restaurant is available for exclusive buyout events. Customizable menus — either à la carte or fully designed — are paired with an award-winning wine list, with catering and private chef services also available.