Best Bridal Suites for Intimate Weddings in Raleigh-Durham NC
Many brides would love for their intimate wedding venue to have a nice bridal suite to get ready in. The issue that comes up sometimes is that smaller wedding venues are trying to optimize indoor space for the ceremony or reception; which means there is not a bridal suite at all or there is a mini room that doesn’t fit more than three people! Yikes! It’s definitely more convenient to start your wedding day getting ready at the venue if possible: 1. You don’t have to start earlier on your wedding day to accommodate travel time; 2. You don’t have to travel after getting dressed, which alleviates the worry of messing up your hair, makeup or outfit while in transport; 3. There is plenty of parking for all your friends and family; 4. Venues normally have everything you need in the bridal suite, including a space to set up for makeup artists and hair stylists! Below are some of my favorite bridal suites for intimate weddings in the Raleigh-Durham area.
The Distillery
The Distillery in Garner, NC
I’ve had the opportunity to work at The Distillery in Garner NC, a few times. Their bridal suite, also known as The Modern Cottage, is always clean and organized. Tall ceilings lend to an industrial, modern, minimalist feel in the space, with many soft touches throughout to enhance their relaxed vibe. There is a large sofa with two arm chairs, a round table with chairs and two stations for doing hair or makeup. The bridal suite has plenty of space to spread out, along with a private bathroom. The loveliest feature of the space is the large Anthropologie mirror up against the wall when you first walk in. Nothing is in front of or near the mirror, so you get unobstructed views of yourself after you are dressed. The space is well designed and this venue earns bonus points by not having stairs to climb!
The Parlour at manns Chapel
The Parlour at Manns Chapel in Chapel Hill, NC
I absolutely love the bridal suite at The Parlour at Mann’s Chapel in Chapel Hill, NC! It is well thought out and maximizes the smaller space inside of it’s intimate venue. There are two rooms adjoined to each other by a sliding door. If you need or want the extra space just use the sliding door to combine the rooms or slide the door shut to create two separate spaces in case the other room needs to be used by a different group. Two work stations are available for doing hair and makeup, both in front of a window providing beautiful natural light. It feels calm, cozy and inviting inside, yet it doesn’t get cramped when the rooms are full of people. The vibe is chic, vintage, cottage core. Restrooms are located outside of the getting ready rooms. You will need to go up a couple of stairs to get inside of the venue, but that beats a full flight!
The Maxwell
The Maxwell in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, NC gets a spot on my list of the best bridal suites in the Raleigh- Durham area with The Maxwell. This wedding venue offers a sophisticated yet relaxed bridal suite to get ready. There are large windows on two walls which provide ample natural light, along with a nice sofa, two arm chairs and other seating for guests to sit while being present to support the bride. The bridal suite includes a beverage station along with a garment rack to hang dresses and outfits. A private bathroom allows everyone to stay in the suite until time for the ceremony. The Maxwell does not have stairs to access the venue or the bridal suite! That is a huge win to me because I have a kit to carry, but more importantly, stairs can be an issue for some guests or brides who need accessible venues due to a physical disability. The highlight of this venue to me is the set up along the entry wall for the hair stylists and make up artists. It offers plenty of outlets, a long counter, ample mirrors, and great seating. I love it!
The Bradford
The Bradford in New Hill, NC
Words cannot describe the beauty of this wedding venue right outside of Holly Springs, NC, but I’ll try. Not only does The Bradford have one of the prettiest bridal suite’s in the Raleigh-Durham NC area, but the grounds are simply gorgeous as well. I love working here every single time, despite the flights of stairs I have to climb to get to the bridal suite. It’s worth it. The bridal suite is located on the top level of this mansion like wedding venue, so you and your guests will have to transcend a couple flights of stairs. It’s ok though because the suite has it’s own bathroom. There are a couple of trundle beds that can be used to sleep on if you choose to spend the night here before your wedding day or they can be used for additional seating while getting ready. A large window seat area provides beautiful light for makeup artists, while on the other side of the room is a wall of stations for both hairstylists and makeup artists to use. The vibe of the bridal suite is a chic, pretty, cottage attic.
Market Hall
Market Hall in Raleigh, NC
Located in my hometown of Raleigh NC, Market Hall offers a blend of old world downtown Raleigh mixed with modern day touches. Original brick of the historic building peeks out from the tall ceilings and meets the clean, crisp lines of the modern bridal suite. A brick fireplace, sofa and chairs offers a nice lounge area for guests. In the middle of the room is a long table with chairs. The length of the back wall is full of windows to let in beautiful soft light, while overlooking Moore Square. Two stations are set up to the left for hairstylists and makeup artists to set up. A refrigerator and beverage station allow brides and guests to have a place for food and drinks to be set up, while a private restroom allows everyone to stay in place while getting ready. There is a flight of stairs to access this bridal suite but it overlooks the indoor ceremony area downstairs.
The Cookery
The Cookery in Durham, NC
Next up is The Cookery wedding venue in downtown Durham, NC. I will say that The Cookery’s bridal suite is unique, well thought out and one of my favorites! It is located on the ground floor so you do not have to climb any stairs to access the suite. Once inside, you are met with a moody, yet chill vibe…just like me!! Lol, JK! The suite offers two large, leather chesterfield sofas and two arm chairs that are so comfortable it’s like being at your best friend’s house watching tv together. It’s a calm space with a garage door in the back that can be let up to invite the sunlight from the small outdoor courtyard in the center of the wedding venue. I love it here!! The bridal suite is separated from a bar/reception area by sliding doors, so you have access to ice for chilling drinks, etc. Though the restrooms are not inside the suite, they are less than ten steps away, literally right around the corner. There is a garment rack, a steamer, two full length mirrors and a furniture cabinet that houses an awesome bluetooth speaker so you can listen to your favorite playlist while getting ready. Street parking is available in this downtown Durham location, and you can always uber.
The House on Barber Mill
The House on Barber Mill in Clayton, NC
I looked forward to working at The House on Barber Mill, located in Clayton NC, for a long time. I was waiting for a Clayton NC bride to book me as her wedding hairstylist here because I loved the historic look of this North Carolina intimate wedding venue. At last I got my shot!! There are minimal stairs to get into the house, but once inside, the nicely appointed bridal suite is on the ground floor. A beauty station with three chairs is set up for makeup artists or hairstylists to work at, plus an adjoining room where additional artists can set up if there is a larger group. A private bathroom is appreciated in this space along with a window that allows soft daylight to pour in. The vibe is a charming, historic home vibe with original hardwood floors, yet still has modern touches to accommodate today’s needs. Plenty of seating is available and the parking area is a short walk from the bridal suite. If you need an outdoor break, you can step out onto the lovely wrap around porch. It is true southern charm for a bride’s wedding day!
Carolina Grove
Carolina Grove in Hillsborough, NC
Last, but not least, is the bridal suite at Carolina Grove in Hillsborough NC that I am in love with. It is elegant, feminine, charming, all the things! The bridal suite is located at the top of a flight of stairs, tucked into a loft area of the wedding venue. When you pull the sliding doors back, you are met with this massive, oversized window that rains down a ton of natural light into the suite. You cannot beat this window or it’s light. There is a hook on the window’s framing that allows brides to hang their dress in front of the window for full length photos of their dress. One of the largest size Anthropologie mirrors is placed in the corner of the bridal suite which lets you see yourself dressed without obstructions. Two small sofas sit across from each other in the middle of the room with additional seating throughout. A hair and makeup station in one corner can accommodate four artists, while in a different corner is a nice refrigerator and table to accommodate drinks and snacks. A full private bathroom, complete with a shower, enhances the overall feeling of being well taken care of in this space. I always enjoy working here. Now…I will say Carolina Grove may be a bit large for an intimate wedding, but if you are creative with the venue, it can work!
So what do you think? I hope this compilation of bridal suites in the Raleigh-Durham NC area was helpful. Most times, brides already have their wedding venue picked out by the time they book me for their bridal hair services. But in the event that you haven’t booked a space yet or need suggestions for intimate wedding venues with bridal suites, then this one is for you! Please feel free to suggest more intimate wedding venues in the North Carolina area! I will be happy to research and write about them!