Last fall, I had the opportunity to visit and photograph a wedding day at the gorgeous Merrimon-Wynne House in Raleigh, NC, and my gosh did this downtown Raleigh wedding venue absolutely blow me away! The Merrimon-Wynne House has been one of my favorite venues to photograph destination weddings at as a wedding photographer. Its rich history, iconic front porch and hydrangea garden, and multiple venue spaces make this an ideal North Carolina wedding venue.
Original Grandeur in Raleigh
The Merrimon-Wynne House hosts both events and weddings year-round. It is an easy favorite amongst local and destination wedding vendors. It offers the perfect bent of modern amenities and historic charm for its guests. It creates the perfect backdrops for wedding ceremonies and receptions of all sizes and styles. The interior and exterior of the main house have been restored to their original charm. Designers chose to keep key original architectural details intact. The sweeping oval staircase, restored wooden molding, floor-to-ceiling windows, and gorgeous chandeliers dot every room and corner throughout the home. The downstairs of the main property boasts tons of natural light and neutral decor and architectural features. This lends itself well to being both a special events venue, as well as a wedding venue. Couples often choose to host cocktail hour and their wedding reception inside the home for smaller-sized weddings. The many open rooms on the first floor offer plenty of guest seating options and room for cocktail tables for events and parties. The neutral indoor spaces also make for a perfect ceremony backdrop, should inclement weather warrant an indoor ceremony!
Downtown Raleigh Wedding Venue
The Merrimon-Wynne House has been one of my favorite venues to work at this past year – it hosts both traditional and classic affairs for its couples, as well as modern and contemporary events for companies and local businesses. In the upstairs of the historic home, wedding parties can find beautiful rooms and suites to get ready in prior to their grand celebrations. At the top of the historic staircase, the bridal suite can be found. A full bathroom (complete with an antique clawfoot tub!), drawing room, and changing room are available for your wedding party to utilize.
Having such a large bridal preparation suite available for use on-site is both convenient and time-saving on a wedding day! Hair and makeup can set up in the iconic ‘blue’ room, with beautiful framed tapestries hung on the wall. Around the corner, a changing room with full-length mirrors, dress hooks, and steaming products is the perfect place to store your wedding dress. Across the hallway, a similar groom’s suite can be found for the other half of the bridal party to get ready within! The groomsmen have a similar assortment of amenities available, including mirrors, steaming appliances, tables and sitting areas, and plenty of games and entertainment.
Merrimon-Wynne House Wedding Venue
As a destination wedding photographer, what really drew me to the Merrimon-Wynne House was its gorgeous, historic exterior! Located just a few steps away from the Governor’s Mansion, the Merrimon-Wynne House boasts one of the most picturesque buildings in Raleigh, and is still located in its original location in the heart of the city. The sweeping wraparound front porch, with hydrangea bushes in full bloom in late summer and early fall, make for the perfect backdrop for first looks, wedding party portraits, and bridal portraits.
The lawn has been home to hosting plenty of outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions, and is absolutely breathtaking on a warm summer night with beautiful North Carolina weather. For this particular wedding day, the couple chose to have their ceremony on the lawn. While their guests went inside the main floor of the house for cocktail hour, the lawn was flipped for a stunning al fresco dining experience that left their guests absolutely speechless!
The Carriage House, located mere steps away from the main house, is a perfect contrast to the main house’s rich character, with modern amenities and an architectural design that perfectly compliments the deep history of the original property. The Carriage House hosts many wedding dinners and receptions, and can also be used as a dance floor for the band. With so many options on where to host your wedding’s events, the Merrimon-Wynne House is the perfect backdrop for a wonderful celebration, and an ideal wedding venue to say “I do!”.
If You Are Planning A Wedding In The Southeast, Colorado, Or At A Destination Worldwide, And Looking For A Fine Art Wedding Photographer, Let’s Get In Touch Today!
Planning: C and D Events
Floral Design: English Garden Raleigh
Venue: Merrimon-Wynne House
Rentals: Curated Events Raleigh
Film Processing: Photovision Prints
