Some of my Favorite Wedding Venues in the Charlotte, NC/York County SC Area | Kimberly Cauble Photography
If you’re a couple who has recently gotten engaged and begun planning your wedding, you know that one of the most important things is finding your venue, which will also dictate your date and other vendors! There are so many things to consider when choosing a venue: your vision, the size of your wedding and the number of guests, whether or not you’re set on getting married in a church, whether or not you want an all-inclusive venue, and of course, your budget. Luckily, if you are in the Charlotte, NC/York County, SC area, you have a plethora of wedding and event venues that suit every wedding vision imaginable to choose from!
One of the best pieces of advice I can give you as a wedding photographer to help you narrow down your venue choices is to find ones that offer all the spaces you will need for your day: dedicated getting-ready rooms for both the bride and groom, a place for your ceremony, and a place to hold your reception, all in the same location. This makes it so much easier for everyone—you, your wedding party, family, guests, and vendors, especially your photographers/videographers! Limiting the number of times we have to pack up our equipment, drive between locations, and set everything back up will save precious time and provide us with more opportunities to capture the special moments that you have ultimately hired us for!
Because I limit the number of weddings I photograph each year, I have not had the pleasure of working at ALL the awesome wedding venues in and around the Charlotte/York County area. But, there are several I have had the honor of working with that I can definitely recommend! Here are twelve wedding and event venues and the reasons why YOU should consider them for your wedding venue!
1. The Barn at Sandcastle Farm
I had the honor of photographing one of the first weddings at The Barn at Sandcastle Farm, right after they completed construction several years ago, and I’ve been back several times since. Located in Dallas, NC, just outside of Gastonia on the South Fork River, this venue provides couples with a beautifully lit barn for ceremonies and receptions, an open-air pavilion and other locations for outdoor ceremonies, a groom’s cabin, and a beautifully designed bridal cabin (which helps use get those exquisite getting ready photos)! There are multiple spots on the grounds that are perfect for wedding, bridal, and engagement portraits, including a swing, fence, trees along the riverbank, open fields, and of course, the barn, and every building was designed with good lighting in mind, one of my favorite things about this venue! On top of the beauty of the barn, the staff is exceptional! Sebron and her crew are so friendly and accommodating to guests and vendors, making weddings there some of my favorite photography experiences.
For More:
2. The Dairy Barn at Anne Springs Close Greenway
I have photographed many events and sessions on the grounds and at the various venues of the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, SC over the years, including several weddings at the Dairy Barn. The Dairy Barn is one of the most popular venues in York County! It has several spaces where you can host indoor and outdoor ceremonies and receptions, including a large, white, two-story, temperature-controlled barn with a twinkle-lit loft, two indoor spaces perfect for ceremonies and receptions, a bridal suite with a gorgeous wall of mirrors, perfect for admiring that beautiful wedding dress, and a groom’s room, ideal for getting ready and hanging out with the groomsmen. The sunsets at the Dairy Barn are also spectacular!
For More:
3. Loray Mill
Loray Mill is a restored textile mill located near downtown Gastonia, NC that has been converted into several small businesses, loft apartments, and multiple event spaces. There are a number of large, open concrete or brick rooms with beautiful natural light ideal for ceremonies and receptions, and some of the loft apartments can be used for spacious getting-ready spaces. There are fabulous indoor and outdoor portrait spots on the grounds of Loray Mills, from oak trees to walkways and brick walls, making this one of the most versatile spaces I have had the pleasure of shooting a wedding! There is even a tower accessible by elevator and a few sets of stairs that provide a spot for gorgeous sunset photos.
For More:
4. MeadowView Events
Meadowview is a relatively new event venue located just outside of Rock Hill in McConnells, SC. Wide, open spaces, rolling hills, a cattle farm, and beautiful landscape features surround a large building that suits both indoor weddings and receptions. The lighting was definitely designed with photography in mind—it is exquisite! There are also several outdoor spaces, including a covered patio, paved ceremony space, groom’s room, and large, beautiful bridal suite! The owners are also some of the friendliest I’ve ever met, and the sunsets are stunning!
For More:
5. Winthrop University
I actually graduated from Winthrop University with both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, so anytime I get to head back to campus, I feel like I am going home! There are several event spaces perfect for wedding ceremonies and receptions at Winthrop, including the Little Chapel and Tuttle and McBryde Halls. Because Winthrop is a meticulously maintained college campus, there are also many locations perfect for engagement photos, bridal portraits, and wedding photos. Using Winthrop’s catering service, Sodexo, also makes your food preparation so easy if you host a wedding there!
For More:
6. The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place is a little space tucked into the foothills, near King’s Mountain, NC. There are several outdoor spaces perfect for ceremonies, in the woods or open fields, as well as a covered shelter perfect for receptions. There are cabins for both the bride and groom to get ready, and an outdoor area with a firepit and gazebo to relax into the evening. There are ponds, creeks, and twinkle-lit walkways in the forest that provide picturesque portrait spots, and the owner is also a skilled decorator and florist, so you can have your decor and florals designed right there!
For More:
7. The Barn at Cranberry Creek
I had the opportunity to photograph a wedding at The Barn at Cranberry Creek during the summer of 2020, and although it’s a little bit of a drive from my home, I would go back in a heartbeat! Nestled in the foothills of the Yadkin Valley in NC, along the Cranberry Creek, sits a beautiful, two-story white barn, both levels perfect for ceremonies and receptions, several outdoor spaces that provide beautiful backdrops for ceremonies and receptions, a lovely, spacious bridal suite, and the most unique groom’s room housed in a silo! The sunsets at this location are also breathtaking.
For More:
8. 1932 Barn at Hodges Family Farm
The 1932 Barn is a restored, historic barn located on the property of Hodges Family Farm in North Charlotte, NC. Not only is it a beautiful location with both indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremonies and weddings, including a red barn (pictured to the right), I was absolutely amazed at the staff there! There were multiple staff members (working like secret agents with little headsets) who ran that venue like a well-oiled machine! They were so accommodating to all vendors, even moving things out of the way so that I could capture the best photos during every moment of the day. And this is yet another location with stunning sunsets!
For More:
9. Vesuvius Vineyards
This past Fall I photographed a wedding at Vesuvius Vineyards—I was so excited because this venue has been on my wish list for several years! It fulfilled every expectation and more. Located in Iron Station, NC, the family-owned vineyard hosts a historic 18th century plantation home, with multiple getting-ready spaces and a large kitchen. There are multiple spots for wedding ceremonies outdoors, including directly in front of the house and the muscadine vineyard, and there is a beautiful and spacious covered porch attached to the home ideal for receptions. Another open building on the grounds can also serve as a ceremony or reception space, and just across the street is a covered bridge next to a creek that is a beautiful portrait location! The owners were also very friendly and accommodating!
For More:
10. Providence Cotton Mill
I had the opportunity to second shoot a wedding at Providence Cotton Mill a few years back with the lovely Siobhan Lorraine Photography, and this venue is exquisite. Located in Maiden, NC, this restored open brick building sits in the middle of an open field, providing beautiful natural lighting and cool breezes, even during the summers! There are spaces for both ceremonies and receptions indoors and outdoors, and there are bride’s and groom’s suites for getting ready.
For More:
Wedding with Siobhan (scroll to the end of the gallery for photos at Providence Cotton Mill)
11. Raffaldini Vineyards
Raffaldini Vineyards is an active winery just north of Charlotte in Ronda, NC. I also had the opportunity to second shoot with Siobhan Lorraine Photography there a few years ago, and I would love to go back! The vineyards overlook the mountains in the distance, and it is a gorgeous location with several outdoor settings and an indoor reception space. There are cabins nearby for getting ready, as well as a fire pit area out back for relaxing and sipping on their original wines.
For More:
Weddings with Siobhan (scroll to the 4th wedding featured for photos at Raffaldini Vineyards)
12. Burgess Creek Events
My first wedding at Burgess Creek in Rock Hill, SC was during a hurricane, but even so, we were able to pull it off without a hitch! Kim and Dave, the owners and managers of the property, are some of the nicest humans I have ever met. They open up their own home for brides to use as a getting-ready space, and there is a barn on the property perfect for indoor ceremonies and receptions (even during a hurricane!). There are also other beautiful nooks and crannies all over the property for photos, including a greenhouse, outdoor firepit, gazebo, covered pavilion, and more! I’m looking forward to my next wedding there this Fall (maybe it won’t be quite as rainy or windy!).
For More:
Bonus: The Living Water Chapel/Westminster Park
I have to confess that I have never actually photographed a wedding here (yet). But every single time I visit Westminster Park in Rock Hill, SC for a portrait session or just to explore with my family, I say, “Gosh I wish someone would hire me to shoot a wedding here!” The park, owned and maintained by Westminster Presbyterian Church for community outreach, has hundreds of acres of wooded areas with trails and open fields adjacent to the Catawba River, and there are several spaces on the property perfect for outdoor weddings. The beautiful Living Water Chapel constructed of stone and wood timbers overlooks the river and is a tranquil and gorgeous spot for an outdoor wedding, and the sunsets there are brilliant.
For More:
Are you looking for a wedding photographer? Look no further!
What you can expect when you hire Kimberly Cauble Photography?
An experienced photographer who is confident in all lighting situations!
A storyteller who will carefully craft a gallery to help tell your love story for years to come.
Free timeline consultation from an experienced photographer who has been shooting weddings for twelve years.
A variety of packages to suit a variety of budgets.
The ability to create your own flexible payment plan!
A 10% discount on all future portrait sessions (anniversary, maternity, newborn, family, senior, etc.)!
A photographer who will go above and beyond to make sure your day is captured as perfectly as possible.
A new friend.
