Winston-Salem, North Carolina provides everything you need to create your perfect wedding. From historic inns to breathtaking surroundings, Winston-Salem allows you to turn your dreams into cherished memories, whether you’re organizing an intimate event or a grand affair. 

Your wedding day is a special occasion that needs the right location, and what better spot than Winston-Salem, North Carolina? With its Southern charm, historic locations, and breathtaking scenery, Winston-Salem provides an ideal backdrop for your perfect wedding.

Let’s get started with the comprehensive guide to preparing for your big day in this enthralling city.

Top Wedding Venues in Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem wedding venues will captivate you with their deep-rooted history, inspiring beauty, and charming, active downtown. Whether you’re looking for a historic mansion, an ideal 60-acre location, or an enchanting stone manor house and French-inspired gardens, you’ll most certainly find it in this lovely area.

Summit Street Inns: From 2020 to 2023, Summit Street Inns was completely restored to the finest historical standards. It is now accessible to the public, with ten well-appointed overnight guest rooms and luxurious bathroom accommodations that transcend any industry benchmark for elegance and comfort.

Beautiful gardens, pleasant outdoor living spaces, event space, and on-site parking are all characteristics of the property. There is also a billiards area and a parlor. Summit Street Inns guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast at Founders Restaurant, which is only a mile away. A great choice for someone hosting a wedding with out-of-town guests—have them stay right at the venue!

The Shaffner Inn: This lavish white and green Tudor Revival-style mansion was constructed in 1907 as a private residence for Henry Fries Shaffner, co-founder of Wachovia Loan and Trust.

Its grand staircase, Tiger Oak hand-carved paneling, nine original fireplaces, a wraparound enclosed porch, along with dormer casements that mimic medieval English lead-glass windows, all surrounded by magnificent antiques, exude elegance. 

Let’s learn more about these unique wedding venues.

Winston Salem Historic Inns—An Ideal Choice for a Wedding Venue

Winston-Salem Historic Inns cast a spell of timeless elegance and Southern charm, making them an enchanting choice for couples seeking an unforgettable wedding venue. Here’s why these historic inns stand out as the ideal backdrop for your special day:

Summit Street Inns: Shared wonders

The Colonel Ludlow House and the B.J. Sheppard House are sibling properties that operate together as Summit Street Inns, located side by side on Summit Street in the center of Winston-Salem’s Historic West End.

A communal garden patio connects the two late-nineteenth-century residences. Despite falling into disrepair in recent years, the homes have long been favorites of history lovers and architecture buffs due to their magnificent architecture, distinctive features, and ideal location.

However, following a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the residences have been reconstructed to their former glory and are now open to overnight guests as well as hosting weddings, milestone occasions, and more. 

The Shaffner Inn: Bringing an icon back to life

Established in 1992, The Henry F. Shaffner House is located a mile southwest of Summit Street Inns at 150 S. Marshall St. A significant makeover in 2021 infused new life into what had long been one of downtown Winston-Salem’s most famous residences.

With all-new luxury features, the inn now has a classic boutique vibe. The Shaffner Inn presently has eight overnight guest rooms, each with its own distinct flair and personality.

Its combination of meeting and event space as well as exquisite lodgings, makes it a great venue for personal gatherings and celebrations, corporate outings, and business meetings.

Services and Amenities at Winston-Salem Wedding Venues

Summit Street Inns is a perfect wedding venue in Winston Salem will ten well-appointed guest rooms — four in the Ludlow House and six in the Sheppard House— each with its own distinct personality and exquisite facilities.

With features such as over-the-top baths, luxurious mattresses, and high-quality linens, the accommodations here are meant to provide guests with the ultimate luxury and relaxation.

A common dining space (in the Ludlow House), a billiards room/parlor (in the Sheppard House), and wraparound front porches are also available to Summit Street Inns’ guests. The residences also have an attractive brick-lined terrace ideal for cocktail events, outdoor weddings, and easy onsite parking.

In terms of dining, both inns offer a lighter continental breakfast, and visitors may also have a full complimentary breakfast at Founder’s Restaurant, which is located inside The Shaffner Inn.

Several of downtown’s most popular restaurants, including Mozelle’s, Bernardin’s, West End Cafe, The Old Fourth Street Filling Station, and Joyner’s Bar, are simply a few feet away and can be reached in under two minutes. When you add it all up, Summit Street Inns and The Shaffner Inn provide a great setting for a romantic weekend or a quiet escape in the midst of the city. 

Vendors for Local Bakeries, DJs or Bands, Wedding Planners, and More

In Winston-Salem, you have a variety of talented vendors to choose from to make your wedding day truly special. Here’s a list of local catering, DJs or bands, and wedding planners in the area:

Top bakeries for wedding cakes:

• Beauty From Life Baking
• Dewey’s Bakery
• Artsy Cakesy
• Danielle Kattan Cakes

Best Entertainment (DJs and Bands):

• Triad DJ & Events.
• A & A Disc Jockey Service
• The Plaids
• Emerald Empire Band

Top Wedding Planners

• Relish Design Company
• A Lovely Affair Weddings and Events
• Rebecca Rose Events
• Taylor’d Southern Events

Winston Salem Historic Inns—Beyond Weddings

Our venues are adaptable and well-equipped to host various events. These lovely and historic locations provide a picturesque background for events such as wedding showers, baby showers, and family reunions. Here’s how these inns can be ideal locations for such types of gatherings:

Wedding Showers: Winston-Salem Historic Inns provides an intimate and charming setting for wedding showers. Their distinctive architecture, lush grounds, and warm interiors offer a charming atmosphere ideal for celebrating the bride-to-be. Each inn has a setting that provides a sense of luxury to any occasion, whether it’s a high tea, a garden luncheon, or a themed brunch.

Baby Showers: Welcoming a new family member is a joyous occasion, and our historic inns provide a warm and friendly setting for baby showers. The tranquil surroundings, personalized décor, and food options create a pleasant ambiance for welcoming the new baby.

Family Reunions: Winston-Salem Historic Inns provides a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for family reunions. You can organize meetings in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. These inns can satisfy your family’s wants and tastes, whether it’s a picnic in the garden, a BBQ on the terrace, or a formal supper.

Choose Winston-Salem Historic Inns and Add a Sparkle to Your Special Day

Your dream wedding reflects your journey as a couple, and in Winston-Salem, that journey is met with open arms, picturesque landscapes, and a community excited to share in your joy. So, whether you’re drawn to historical inns, scenic outdoor spaces, or elegant rooms, remember that your dream wedding in Winston-Salem is an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Contact us now to plan your dream wedding venues at Historic Inns in Winston-Salem, NC. Your extraordinary wedding experience begins here!