The Speedway Club is a venue that is becoming quite popular for wedding receptions.
Located in Lowe’s Motor Speedway, I did not know what to expect when visiting this venue. Would there be beer stands and tshirts for sale? Would there be gas and oil cans strewn about? Well, the club was not at all what I expected.
Mainly for receptions, the Speedway club is two full levels of lavishly decorated space that can rival most upscale hotel or resort ballrooms. A huge stairwell with crystal chandelier acts as the centerpiece of the reception. Surrounding the Ballroom are floor to ceiling windows that give you and your guests a sky view look at Concord.
Ample room is provided for several hundred guests and the food offered buffet style is very good. The dance floor typically is adjacent to the space given for the DJ. Be sure your DJ comes with lights of his/her own, as the floor is lit by plain flat lighting.
One thing I did notice was the artwork on the walls. Paintings and drawings of race cars and race car drivers. This may be fine for a wedding reception filled with race fans, and I imagine only race fans would book a reception at the speedway, but if not you may want to look into options for changing the wall decor.
The Speedway Club Sales Department
704-455-3240
clubsales@lowesmotorspeedway.com.
Tucked away in Belmont, NC is one of the mosy popular wedding venues in the Carolinas. The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is the ideal choice for any bride who is looking for plenty of color in their outdoor wedding.
Bridal preparation typically takes place in a designated room adjacent to the garden office area. The room is large enough for a brides maid or two, but not much more than that.
Ceremonies can take place in a few different places in the garden. There is a large green lawn area and a smaller area that overlooks the fountains and main walk of the garden with stone walking path. Seating in the smaller area can accomodate roughly 100 people comfortably, give or take. The larger area can accomodate several hundred.
The garden offers many photo opportunities for the bride and groom which includes fountains and arbors, not to mention a large variety of colors from the blossoms available spring to fall.
Receptions take place in the banquet room. The dance floor is typically found in the middle of the room, with dinner tables surrounding it. A large screen and projector is available for any custom movies or slide shows you may want to show during the dinner or cocktail hour. Large windows surround this room, giving a great feel for cocktail hour or dinner if you can catch it just before sunset.
Word to the wise: Plan ahead. This venue books up fast.
The Peninsula Yacht Club, located on Lake Norman, is a popular choice for anyone who enjoys the lake and even sailing. The backdrop of the venue features a large boat dock filled with motor boats and sail boats.
Ceremonies take place in a grassy area next to the lake, with pine trees and a boardwalk surrounding it. There is enough room for a couple hundred guests comfortably. A nice option is that the bride typically waits in the club house until her march down the isle. When she exits the clubhouse, she is on the upper level and walks down a staircase to meet her escort. This makes a great picture.
The reception typically takes place mainly outside undeneath a large tent. A parquet floor is provided for dancing. Cake cutting varies from underneath the tent to inside the food preparation area where plenty of windows are available both for light and allow the cutting to be viewed from all angles.
Contact info:
Clubhouse: (704) 892-9858
Fax: (704) 892-0961
Ship Store (704) 895-8868 or (704) 895-8217
Email: membership@peninsulayacht.com
Address: 18501 Harbor Light Blvd
Cornelius, NC 28031
The Ranson House is a wedding venue in Huntersville, NC suitable for small weddings. The house itself is fantastic with a large white porch with rocking chairs. Inside the house are large rooms for dining and mingling.
Ceremonies at the Ranson House are typically done on the front lawn facing the house. In case of rain, the ceremony can be moved inside or onto the porch, or a tent can be utlizized. The only issue with the ceremony location is its proximity to highway 115. Brides would be well advised to have their ceremony later in the evening to minimize traffic noise.
Receptions at the Ranson House take place both inside the house and under a large tent behind the house. The back yard has one of the oldest oak trees in the area, it is absolutely enormous. Again, with outdoor receptions, be sure to hang paper lanterns or other ambient light sources.
The Ranson House
412 S. Old Statesville Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-948-4445
info@theransonhouse.com
River Run Country Club, located in Davidson, NC, is a popular choice for brides living from North Charlotte all the way to Mooresville. Hidden away in a huge neighborhood, it offers a large green area for ceremonies, and a banquet room for receptions.
Bridal Preparation is usually done in the ladies locker room, as it is a golf resort. There is plenty of room for the largest of wedding parties. No worries there. Lighting is adequate and mirrors are plentiful. Seating is available for mothers and grandmothers while the bride prepares.
The ceremony area is adjacent to the country club. It is large enough for almost any sized wedding and offers a nice view of the golf course and pond with wooden bridge. A tent can be used as a contigency in case of rain.
The banquet room is very nice with a wooden ceiling and a large fireplace. A dance floor is typically placed in the center, adjacent to the DJ/Band area. Cake cutting is typically done in front of the fireplace and is an excellent photo opportunity. The room is very dark once the sun goes down, which is great for dancing, but make sure your photographer is capable in shooting such low light conditions.
River Run Country Club Wedding
The Anne Springs Close Greenway Dairy Barn is one of the most popular wedding venues in the Fort Mill / Rock Hill area. It features a large converted barn that is suitable for rustic weddings with southern charm.
Ceremonies often take place in the loft of the barn, which has solid wood floors and wood rafters. Even though the area is lit by large windows on opposite ends, the loft remains very dark. Make sure you retain a photographer that has either worked the venue previously or have previewed the venue before your wedding day.
The food service area is a beneath the loft and is also where the cake cuttings are usually done. The bad news here is that the lighting in this area has a green hue. Again, make sure your photographer knows this, there are ways around it it as far as photography goes. The cake cutting is usually done in this area as well.
The dancing and mingling takes place in a large white room with high ceilings and windows. This is a great area for small to medium sized receptions (up to 200 guests). There is ample room for mingling and dancing. Some of the most energetic and exciting receptions I have seen took place in this room.
Surrounding the dairy barn are many photo opportunites including trees, white fences that span long distances, and a log cabin just a short walk from the main building.
Want something completely different for your wedding?
The Carrigan Farms Rock Quarry is about as different as you can get in the Charlotte area. Located in Mooresville, NC it is a venue tucked away behind the Carrigan Farms peach orchard.
Bridal Prep is done in a small wood cabin that is dripping with character. There isn’t a alot of room in there, maybe for 4 people, but the old worn wood and antique stove make great photo opportunities. Surrounding the cabin are many outdoor possibilities for photos including a wheat field and small natural pond.
The wedding ceremony takes place on the edge of the water filled rock quarry. It is the only actually blue lake you will find in the area, as the bottom is stone and not red clay. The ceremony area is large enough for small to medium weddings. Your guests will view your ceremomy with an amazing backdrop of stone and water.
The wedding reception area takes place under a large wooden covering and additional tables set to the side of it underneath a large tree. There is ample room for a live band or DJ under the covering, with a concrete floor for dancing. After dark, there is not much light offered. Brides would be well advised to plan for this. I recommend hanging paper lanterns on the shelter and even the trees.
All in all if you are an earthy couple looking to enjoy your wedding day with mother nature, you can’t go wrong here.
The Peninsula Club has been remodeled and is once again open for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
The Club is located on Lake Norman and offers a beautiful view of the lake. Ceremonies take place on a well kept green in front of the club house with the lake as a backdrop. There is not much shade available at the ceremony location, brides would be well advised to plan on later in the afternoon or early evening for summer weddings.
The interior of the club house can be customized to fit your needs. A large banquet room in the middle of the venue can be closed off with removable doors for smaller weddings, or opened up to include a second room for larger ones. While your guests arrive they can relax in a very nice lounge with bar.
Brides interested in Church weddings do have the option of a reception only booking. The Club often holds golf and tennis tournaments, be sure to check on if there may be any possible conflicts with your wedding date.
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The Ballantyne Resort is both a wedding and reception venue, suitable for medium to large weddings.
Bridal prep areas are the best in Charlotte. Typically brides rent a suite or use one of the smaller rooms on the main level. Both provide enough room and creature comforts for any bridal party.
For ceremonies, there is a paved outdoor area is used with the golf course as a backdrop. Ample room is available for stringed instruments and other music options. In case of rain, a large lobby area with stairwell is a contengency plan option. I have witnessed two weddings at Ballantyne Resort, and in both cases golfers were allowed to play through behind the ceremony. In one case, a golf ball landed within a few yards of the groomsmen. Be sure to double check with the staff on their policies regarding this.
Receptions are held typically in the large ballrooms with high ceilings. These are great for a blank slate for you to customize to your liking. A stage and parquet dance floor can be provided for entertainment. The lobby area outside of the ballroom provides seating for guests looking to relax their ears from the loud music.
All in all the Ballantyne Resort is a desireable option for brides looking to impress their wedding guests.
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The Charlotte City Club is a popular reception venue located in the heart of uptown Charlotte. If you are looking for an upscale feel to your wedding, it definitely should be considered.
The venue features many rooms, including a dining room, lounge/bar area, bridal prep rooms, and a huge stairwell with white stairs and crystal chandelier. Next to the stair well is a baby grand piano for the guests entertainment while they wait for your entrance.
The dining room is a large room with full windows overlooking uptown. I have seen color schemes ranging from deep red to yellow in this room, all worked well. Cake cutting is typically done in the dining room before adjuring to the dance hall.
The dance hall is a large rectangle with yellow walls. The parquest dance floor typically is adjacent to the DJ or live band. After witnessing a few receptions here, I can tell you that accent lights will go a long way. While there is a large chandelier in the room, ambient lighting around the room is minimal. Use your imagination on lighting schemes, check with your DJ or band on their options as far as dance floor lighting.
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The Great Aunt Stella Center is a popular ceremony venue choice for local brides who want a church wedding but do not belong to any particular church. The sanctuary offers a historic feel with antique stained class, plush red carpet, pipe organ and original pews dating back 100 years. Seating can accomodate 400 people.
Brides typically prepare for the day on the 3rd floor, where a large room with window light is waiting. I have always noticed a lack of mirrors however, brides would be well advised to bring their own. There is ample room for bridesmades and make up artists. Located on the same floor are private rest rooms, convenient for brides not wanting their groom to see them.
The sanctuary is dark, even with the stage lights provided by the venue. Make sure your photographer knows this. Camera flash is allowed typically.
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Asbury Park Grove, located in North Charlotte is a wedding venue option for small to medium sized weddings. It offers an all in one solution for brides looking for a convenient place to hold both ceremony and reception, that is also close to many hotels in the area for guests. It is located about 5 miles from the intersection of 77 and WT Harris. This is where the Northlake Mall and various hotels are located.
Adjacent to the lobby is a room for bridal prep. It is large enough for brides and a handful attendants to prepare for the day.
You have two options for ceremonies at Asbury Park Grove. One is on the large patio with white gazeebo, the other is on the back lawn. The patio and gazeebo is covered and the choice of mosts brides, as it takes away the question of rain but still provides an outdoors feel to the ceremony.
The receptions at Asbury Park Grove take place in a large banguet room that is a blank canvas. It is up to you to provide ambient lighting and decor, which is not a bad thing at all. There is amble room for a DJ or small band, and a parquet dance floor is also offered. The food is great and the servers are friendly.
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The Magnolia Room located in Rock Hill, SC is a large banquet style room suitable for 100-300 guests. The floor plan is wide open and offers plenty of flexibility. Typically a large dance floor is setup in the center of the room, which is much more desireable than off to the side against a wall.
Lighting - The lighting is suitable “as is” for most weddings. Large windows line the back wall of the room, providing a nice atmosphere for early on in the reception. As the sun goes down, accent lights on the walls and a large chandelier in the middle of the room illuminate.
Bar/Tables - The Magnolia Room can accommodate plenty of tables for seated dinners. I have seen as many as 30 large round tables in use. The bar is off to the side and accessed easily by your guests. One thing rarely considered by brides is the large line at many venue bars. The Magnolia Room’s bar is very large and has its own separate lounging area. Guests usually look happy and comfortable in the setting.
Misc - There is a bridal room adjacent to the ball room that can be taken advantage of for bridal prep before the ceremony. It is nicely furnished and a good alternative to the extra cost of a hotel.
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Photos Courtesy of Jeremy Igo
