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Historic sites Antebellum houses, plantations and gardens offer storybook settings Return to articles index | Choosing a reception site | Tents and rentals | 'Destination' weddings Historic Downtown Wilmington | Beach weddings Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear region are blessed with a wealth of historic buildings and sites, many available for public use. These include antebellum plantations and 19th-century city mansions, in addition to downtown Wilmington’s many historic places of worship.
Because many such historic sites are open for public tours, there may be limits on when they can be used for weddings. Inquire early about availability. A year or more isn’t too soon. Don’t overlook the possibilities for outdoor weddings at some of the region’s historic sites. Many of the grand old mansions, both in the city and on surrounding plantations, have beautiful gardens that can make a gorgeous setting for your ceremony, reception or both.
Even sites that don’t have preserved buildings can offer possibilities for a creative wedding plan. For instance, some couples have held outdoor weddings at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site, the Civil War battlefield overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River. Keep in mind that, because of extremely tight budgets for state and local governments this year, you may be asked to pay for use even of public facilities. New Hanover County’s Airlie Gardens, for example, charges a substantial fee for weddings and bridal portraits. Two other leading visitor attractions aren’t historic sites, but have a unique ambience all their own, and offer their exhibit spaces for parties and wedding receptions.
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