Why Host Your Wedding at Heights House?
Enjoy an entire weekend celebrating with your friends & family in one location versus a single 5-hour reception.
You’ll never be in a rush to end an event and leave the location - it’s yours for the weekend! Since we only host one wedding per weekend, our team is fully dedicated to you for three days while other venues can have anywhere between three to five other couples getting married in a single weekend.
There is flexibility when it comes your vision for the weekend. Have an idea for your wedding that other venues wouldn’t consider? Share your idea with us and we’re likely to make it happen!
Get married in an immaculately restored 162-year-old mansion. A great deal of time and energy has been put into making our historic space feel grand and inspiring, while welcoming and cozy at the same time. Nothing was overlooked when it came to quality and that’s reflected in the renovations, interior design, and the goods we serve daily. Unlike many empty shell venues that leave you responsible to decorate, you truly don’t need additional decorations with Heights House (although you may certainly add any approved decor you want!)
The property feels secluded, nestled at the entrance of a historic neighborhood. The house sits back on an acre corner lot surrounded by old, large trees, yet is centrally located in downtown Raleigh. You can walk from our property to anywhere downtown.
With ample indoor and outdoor event spaces, plus room for a large tent on the lawn, Heights House is a venue for all seasons.
The Following Items Are Available for Weddings at Heights House:
- Use of the Heights House Hotel, gardens, and grounds from 4pm on check-in day until 11am on check-out day.
- Continental breakfast for all on-site guests.
- Choice of ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception locations on the lawn or in one of our large common interior spaces.
- Two designated areas stocked with goodies for the wedding party as they get ready. (Water, coffee, bubbly, beer, etc.)
- An indoor sound system should you want to play your own music playlist.
- 1-hour bridal portrait or engagement session. Date and time to be scheduled with Heights House management but must be between Monday - Thursday.
- Ceremony chairs.
- Adjustable cocktail tables.
- Standard tables & chairs for reception.
- Management of expense sheet and payments in all categories (Venue, House, Beverages, Rentals, Coordination, Enhancements, etc.) with timely reminders.
- Built-in management team that works hand-in-hand with our catering partners.
- Guidance on event flow and overall design.
- Vendor recommendations in each category.*
*At this time, the only vendors required to be chosen off our list are the tent supplier & catering: Spread, SnapPea, AC Events, and Donovan’s Dish.
- Unlimited communication via email/phone. (Text one month out, if requested.)
- On-site rental check-in and out.
- Wood parquet dance floor.
- Day of event venue coordinator. (Additional day of wedding coordinator is required through a licensed coordinator.)
- Lawn games.
- Fire pit.
Additional Information
Heights House does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital, family, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or citizenship status. Heights House is a safe and inclusive place for everyone. We would be honored to help you celebrate.
Heights House is not eligible for an outdoor amplified entertainment permit because the site is not located within a hospitality district or within 300 feet of a thoroughfare. Therefore, any amplified music (connected to a sound system) must be inside the house. You may have acoustic live music outside for a ceremony, cocktail hour and/or dinner.
The Heights House is ~10,000 square feet and the grounds cover an acre in the heart of downtown Raleigh.
Event maximum capacity is 149. However, our suggested guest count for a comfortable event at Heights House is up to 100. Any seated event over 49 guests must take place outside. We do have the right to hold up to three events per year with over 150 people and with outdoor amplified music. Please reach out to our team for pricing and additional details if you’re interested in a larger event.
We have on-site parking for up to 20 vehicles. During non-business hours, we have access to adjacent lots across the street for an additional ~20 vehicles. For events over 100 guests, Heights House secures an additional 20 parking spots in a nearby location. Although street parking in our neighborhood is free, we try to avoid it to respect our neighbors.
We have several hotels within walking distance or a short drive for your overflow guests. The closest ones we recommend are: The Origin Hotel, Guest House Raleigh and Aloft. There are also many Airbnbs in our historic neighborhood. Find a compiled list of all options here.
If you decide to hold the ceremony or reception off-site, the venue fees remain the same. We believe the luxury of holding your wedding weekend in one spot has incredible benefits unmatched at other Raleigh venues.
Since we only hold one wedding per weekend, we do not offer reduced rates for Friday or Sunday weddings. If you’re interested in holding an on-site rehearsal dinner only, one may be booked based on availability six months out from your date.
All events must end by 11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays and by 10:00pm Sunday - Thursday.
50% of all venue and rooms fees are required to secure your event date.
The property (outdoor and first floor) is wheelchair accessible. However, due to the historical setting of Heights House, we only have one ADA compliant guest suite located on the first floor.
Event Spaces
Location options for hosting your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, or farewell brunch.
View Interior Floor Plans & Landscaping Plan
Click the link below to view the layout of Heights House.
viewThe Lawn
up to 149 guests
We intentionally added landscaping to accentuate the existing old magnolias and oaks that surround the property. A 30x60 foot or smaller tent can fit on the East Lawn to create a space for your seated dinner reception. Electrical hookups in the lawn make it easy to hang market lights and create an intimate atmosphere under the stars. The entire outdoor property has professional uplighting and may be modified to your preferred brightness!
Adjustable high top tables can be scattered across the lawn for cocktail hour.
In the southwest corner is a fire pit with cozy seating, blankets and s’mores to enjoy in the evening.
The House
seated capacity up to 49 or 100 informally
The four interior common spaces are perfect for a small ceremony in front of one of the marble fireplaces. (~1,500 square feet of event space.)
After your ceremony, move inside for cocktail hour as your guests mingle in the library, parlor, sitting rooms, and front porches. Each room has a functioning fireplace and the custom bar in our parlor will serve all your guests.
The main sitting room, also known as the drawing room, is the perfect location for your dance floor. We’ll move the seating in order to accommodate your guests and a DJ.
There are three public restrooms on the first floor.
All of the lights in our indoor event spaces are dimmable so you can set the mood to your liking!
We can also host a seated dinner inside for small parties if preferred over an outdoor dining experience.
The Wedding Party Experience
Heights House has two designated areas for the wedding party to spend their day getting ready. both spaces are stocked with champagne, non-alcoholic mixers and beverages, meals, and snacks.
Other requests can be brought to your spaces throughout the day.
A 500 square foot, 2-room suite with incredible natural light, soft seating, sound system, original fireplace, double vanity, and multiple mirrors. It’s the perfect spot for hair and makeup prep!
A 400 square foot lower level lounge with windows for natural light, soft seating, flatscreen tv with cable, baby grand piano, record player, and mini fridge.
THANK YOU.
Cheers,
Sarah & Jeff Shepherd