The Best Beach & Waterfront Wedding Venues in Cary, NC

The Best Beach & Waterfront Wedding Venues in Cary, NC

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1 Wedding Venues in Cary, NC

Beaches, waterfront settings
100-150 guests
150-200 guests
Quick responder
Carnes Lake Banquet Hall 

5.0

  • Up to 250 guests
  • Raw space
  • Indoor & outdoor
  • Starts at $1,995

Carnes Lake is an 1800 square foot hall that will be perfect for your wedding and/or reception. It's set on a private, fenced and gated, property outside Lancaster SC at 3548 N Rocky River Rd. The 6 acre lakefront venue will make you smile and breathe a little easier as soon as you arrive. The hall will accommodate around 50 - 75 people inside and room to double that with outdoor seating. Both inside and outside areas have a beautiful lakefront view. Another great feature is ample parking for all you guests. Whether you're in Lancaster, Charlotte, Waxhaw, Monroe or Pageland, Carnes Lake Banquet Hall is perfect.

Why you'll love this venue

  • Flexible event spaces
  • Offers full flexibility in setup and decor
  • Space for a large guest list

Venue considerations

  • No on-site bridal suite
  • Does not have a dance floor
  • Not wheelchair accessible
My husband and I just got married here on September 13, 2025 but I’ve attended several weddings at this venue and I LOVE it every single time I arrive. Our wedding was the most perfect day! Carnes Lake has an intimate, at home feel! The out door space is amazing with multiple options for how you can set up for an outdoor event. The inside venue space is the intimate part, it’s small but MIGHTY! We had about 150 guests at our wedding and had plenty of room out on the patio area AND inside. They have a full kitchen with an island that’s perfect for serving space and preparation for making food! Ugh, everything about Carnes Lake helped make our day SO magical! Mrs. Fran, the owner, is so helpful and sweet & has answers to all of your questions and quickly! She was a delight to work with through our planning! Carnes Lake is just the most precious spot for your event/ wedding! We LOVED every thing about it!
Kelsey M., 3 months ago

Location flexible? Discover venues near Cary, NC

About wedding venues in Cary, NC

Why is Cary Perfect for Your Wedding Day?

Cary boasts an impressive variety of wedding venues from historic mansions like The Matthews House to modern spaces like Chatham Station. Its central location in North Carolina's Triangle region gives your guests easy access to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. You'll appreciate the financial advantage too; venues here typically account for just 16% of your total wedding budget compared to the national average of 25%. November has emerged as the most popular month for venue inquiries and most couples book their dream location about 14 months before the big day.

What Types of Wedding Venues Can You Find in Cary?

Cary's venue selection offers something special for every couple's vision. The Matthews House features a stunning Grand Ballroom complemented by manicured gardens and a spacious terrace, plus you'll get concierge service and an onsite wedding coordinator to help with planning. Chatham Station gives you 4,500 square feet of open space filled with natural light in historic downtown; perfect for celebrations up to 200 guests. If luxury is what you're after, The Umstead Hotel and Spa delivers with art-filled interiors and beautiful lakeside terraces set against wooded grounds. Prestonwood Country Club offers elegant ballrooms with sweeping golf course views while The Mayton combines 44 comfortable guestrooms with direct terrace access to Downtown Cary Park.

How Much Do Cary Wedding Venues Cost?

Venues in Cary cost about $6,805 on average which represents roughly 16% of your total wedding expenses. You'll find this quite reasonable compared to the national benchmark of $6,500-$12,000 that typically eats up 25% of total wedding costs. Total wedding budgets in Cary by guest count:

  • 50 guests: $18,931
  • 100 guests: $31,411
  • 150 guests: $43,146
  • 200 guests: $53,638
  • 250 guests: $64,131
  • 300 guests: $74,623

Which Wedding Services in Cary Cost the Most?

ServiceAverage CostPercentage of Total Budget
Venue$6,80516%
Catering$5,44413%
Florists$5,32412%
Bar Services$4,35510%
Photographers$4,0959%
Planners$3,8639%
Videographers$3,6188%
Bands/DJs$1,3343%
Cakes/Desserts$9212%
Hair & Makeup$6101%

When Should You Book Your Cary Wedding Venue?

Most couples in Cary secure their venues about 14 months (403 days) before their wedding date. November tops the charts as the most popular month for venue inquiries. If you're dreaming of a spring or fall wedding; especially a Saturday celebration at one of the more sought-after venues; you'll want to book early. These prime dates fill up quickly so getting ahead of the game will give you more options to choose from.

Where Can You Find Fully Accessible Wedding Venues in Cary?

The Matthews House offers excellent wheelchair accessibility with their attentive concierge service ready to accommodate various needs. You'll find Chatham Station particularly welcoming with its open 4,500-square-foot floor plan designed for easy navigation throughout its historic downtown location. The Mayton connects you directly to Downtown Cary Park through terrace access and features comprehensive amenities that meet accessibility standards so all your guests can fully participate in your celebration.

Which Cary Venues Offer Outstanding Food Quality?

The Umstead Hotel & Spa serves up sophisticated gourmet catering that's earned recognition for culinary excellence; your foodie guests will be impressed. The Palm Venue & Catering brings over 20 years of restaurant experience to their freshly renovated 2023 space with menus you can customize to your taste. Prestonwood Country Club delivers upscale dining with the bonus of championship golf course views that create a memorable backdrop for your reception meal.

How Can Remote Guests Participate in Cary Weddings?

The Matthews House excels at including remote participants thanks to their dedicated onsite coordinator who can help you create interactive options beyond basic streaming. You'll appreciate their professional event direction to facilitate engaging experiences for virtual guests throughout their versatile spaces. This means your loved ones who can't attend in person can still feel connected to your special day regardless of where they're located.

Why is Cary Perfect for Your Wedding Day?

Cary boasts an impressive variety of wedding venues from historic mansions like The Matthews House to modern spaces like Chatham Station. Its central location in North Carolina's Triangle region gives your guests easy access to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. You'll appreciate the financial advantage too; venues here typically account for just 16% of your total wedding budget compared to the national average of 25%. November has emerged as the most popular month for venue inquiries and most couples book their dream location about 14 months before the big day.

What Types of Wedding Venues Can You Find in Cary?

Cary's venue selection offers something special for every couple's vision. The Matthews House features a stunning Grand Ballroom complemented by manicured gardens and a spacious terrace, plus you'll get concierge service and an onsite wedding coordinator to help with planning. Chatham Station gives you 4,500 square feet of open space filled with natural light in historic downtown; perfect for celebrations up to 200 guests. If luxury is what you're after, The Umstead Hotel and Spa delivers with art-filled interiors and beautiful lakeside terraces set against wooded grounds. Prestonwood Country Club offers elegant ballrooms with sweeping golf course views while The Mayton combines 44 comfortable guestrooms with direct terrace access to Downtown Cary Park.

How Much Do Cary Wedding Venues Cost?

Venues in Cary cost about $6,805 on average which represents roughly 16% of your total wedding expenses. You'll find this quite reasonable compared to the national benchmark of $6,500-$12,000 that typically eats up 25% of total wedding costs. Total wedding budgets in Cary by guest count:

  • 50 guests: $18,931
  • 100 guests: $31,411
  • 150 guests: $43,146
  • 200 guests: $53,638
  • 250 guests: $64,131
  • 300 guests: $74,623

Which Wedding Services in Cary Cost the Most?

ServiceAverage CostPercentage of Total Budget
Venue$6,80516%
Catering$5,44413%
Florists$5,32412%
Bar Services$4,35510%
Photographers$4,0959%
Planners$3,8639%
Videographers$3,6188%
Bands/DJs$1,3343%
Cakes/Desserts$9212%
Hair & Makeup$6101%

When Should You Book Your Cary Wedding Venue?

Most couples in Cary secure their venues about 14 months (403 days) before their wedding date. November tops the charts as the most popular month for venue inquiries. If you're dreaming of a spring or fall wedding; especially a Saturday celebration at one of the more sought-after venues; you'll want to book early. These prime dates fill up quickly so getting ahead of the game will give you more options to choose from.

Where Can You Find Fully Accessible Wedding Venues in Cary?

The Matthews House offers excellent wheelchair accessibility with their attentive concierge service ready to accommodate various needs. You'll find Chatham Station particularly welcoming with its open 4,500-square-foot floor plan designed for easy navigation throughout its historic downtown location. The Mayton connects you directly to Downtown Cary Park through terrace access and features comprehensive amenities that meet accessibility standards so all your guests can fully participate in your celebration.

Which Cary Venues Offer Outstanding Food Quality?

The Umstead Hotel & Spa serves up sophisticated gourmet catering that's earned recognition for culinary excellence; your foodie guests will be impressed. The Palm Venue & Catering brings over 20 years of restaurant experience to their freshly renovated 2023 space with menus you can customize to your taste. Prestonwood Country Club delivers upscale dining with the bonus of championship golf course views that create a memorable backdrop for your reception meal.

How Can Remote Guests Participate in Cary Weddings?

The Matthews House excels at including remote participants thanks to their dedicated onsite coordinator who can help you create interactive options beyond basic streaming. You'll appreciate their professional event direction to facilitate engaging experiences for virtual guests throughout their versatile spaces. This means your loved ones who can't attend in person can still feel connected to your special day regardless of where they're located.

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