Historic mansions and plantations
   The Cape Fear region is graced with a number of historic houses that are available for weddings and receptions. Some of them are on old plantations, but several are right in Wilmington's Historic District.
   The City Club occupies the lower floors of the de Rossett House, a huge pre-Civil War mansion on a hillside with a view toward the Cape Fear River. An enclosed garden in front of the house is a beautiful setting for an outdoor wedding. The house and garden are part of the Wilmingtonian hotel complex, which has guest accommodations, including luxurious suites in the de Rossett House itself. The Wilmingtonian also has additional reception space in its nightclub across the street. All catering is in-house.
   The Bellamy Mansion is a spacious restored mansion, dating from the 1850s, better suited for a reception than a large ceremony because of how the space is laid out. It has beautiful gardens, which can accommodate a medium-sized outdoor wedding and reception. There is room for a tent on the rear lawn. Meals must be catered from outside; there is no on-site guest accommodation.
   The Graystone Inn is a mansion from the early 20th Century, now a bed-and-breakfast inn, which accommodates weddings and receptions in its grand public spaces. Outside caterers are welcome, and the inn offers luxurious guest rooms and suites.
   Thalian Hall makes its ballroom -- the Wilmington City Council chambers -- available for weddings. It is a rather grand, high-ceilinging room, with plenty of space for both ceremony and reception. It's a separate space from the 1858 theater, which is certainly worth a look and might be available for a ceremony. You'll need an off-site caterer.
   If you are looking for a true plantation -- in the country rather than right downtown -- there are two you might want to consider. They are also worth a look, but each is about a 25 minute drive from downtown -- and in opposite directions.
   Poplar Grove, on U.S. 17 north, has a restored manor house, garden and gazebo where weddings take place. An outside caterer is needed. The nearest guest accommodations are on Wilmington's Market Street strip or in the Landfall/Mayfaire area near Wrightsville Beach.
   Orton Plantation Gardens is off N.C. 133, between Wilmington and Southport. The plantation house is not open for public use, but the old plantation chapel can be rented for weddings. The grounds are gorgeous, and have sweeping views of the Cape Fear River. The nearest guest accommodations are in downtown Wilmington or in Southport.
   An elegant old house in a rural setting, the Murray House Inn is a bed and breakfast inn near historic Kenansville, just off I-40 approximately 45 minutes north of Wilmington. It has gracious gardens and beautifully restored interior spaces well suited for a small wedding and reception, plus guest accommodations.
   For more on these sites, including amenities and guest capacity for receptions, see our Reception Site directory.
Reception site directory

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