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Updated Oct 14, 2024A Comprehensive Guide on How to Get Married in NC
From setting a budget to choosing your photography style and wedding vibe, here's a step-by-step.
North Carolina exudes a down-to-earth charm that makes it an especially lovely setting for weddings, whether you're from the state or not. How to get married in NC isn't so much about the when, the where and the what season, but about embodying that homey vibe. Avonné Stalling, the photographer behind North Carolina-based Avonné Photography, has been in the industry for 15 years and shot weddings all over the world. "North Carolina has a specific charm that you can't really put a finger on," she says. "If you want your wedding to feel like home, then North Carolina is for you. Weddings in North Carolina feel like a reunion with old friends versus a wedding event." We spoke with Stalling and North Carolina wedding planner Katrina Hutchins of Katrina Hutchins Events for more info; keep reading for our comprehensive guide to getting married in NC.
In this article:
- How to Get a Marriage License in North Carolina
- Notable Wedding Locations in North Carolina
- How to Plan a Wedding in North Carolina Step-by-Step
How to Get a Marriage License in North Carolina
Getting an NC marriage license is fairly straightforward: Simply appear with your partner at the county Register of Deeds. "You can apply for your license 60 days in advance, and it must be issued in the county that you are getting married in—not where you live," Hutchins notes. The requirements for marriage in NC—aka, what to bring with you—are your Social Security card, proof of age (such as your ID or birth certificate) and proof of divorce if previously married. North Carolina wedding laws require no waiting period after getting the license, so you can get married the same day, but you must get married within 60 days or the license will expire and you'll need to reapply.
Notable Wedding Locations in North Carolina
How do you get married in North Carolina? The answer: however you want. In North Carolina, you can have a wedding on the beach or in the mountains, in an urban city center or deep in the rural landscape. North Carolina wedding venues run the gamut from rustic and bohemian to sophisticated and high-end. Here are a few popular regions to check out.
Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains
The stunning Blue Ridge Mountains run down the Western border of North Carolina, with Asheville and some of its surrounding cities as a central hub for mountainous adventures—and mountain weddings. There are countless picturesque Asheville wedding venues in the region and a host of planners and vendors to bring wedding dreams to life. Note that Asheville only has a regional, rather than international, airport, so travel could be tougher depending on where your guests are coming from; for rentals and other needs outside the city center, make sure you check what additional travel fees, if any, you may incur. "North Carolina is known for our Blue Ridge Mountains," Stalling says—and she especially loves photographing weddings there in the fall. "The rolling hills and sunsets and the never-ending mountains of rich fall colors are unparalleled. Fall in North Carolina is truly a magical time." Hutchins loves the mountains for their yearlong potential. "We have great fall and spring seasons [in North Carolina], but we also have the ability to have amazing summer weddings in the mountains, as it is so much cooler up there," she says. "You can pretty much get married year-round here, which is unique!"
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Charlotte
As the biggest and most populous city in North Carolina, Charlotte boasts arguably the widest variety of vendors to choose from, including breathtaking venues: You can have a hotel ballroom wedding, an intimate inn elopement or a modern museum affair. Your wedding can exude urban charm or showcase scenery. And, it's convenient for guests, with Charlotte Douglas International Airport just a few miles from downtown.
Carolina Beach and the Outer Banks
Though it's not as well known for beach towns as its neighboring state to the south, North Carolina has its fair share of coastline appeal, both stateside and along its trail of islands known as the Outer Banks. Carolina Beach stands out, in particular, for those looking for a seaside wedding. The town boasts its own state park and a handful of oceanfront hotels and beach venues.
Raleigh and Chapel Hill
The state's capital and second-largest city is another pretty city to get married in, with another international airport that makes travel easy for guests. And, with its adjacency to Chapel Hill, it's a meaningful pick for college sweethearts from the University of North Carolina. Meanwhile, Chapel Hill has its own array of venues, including a botanical garden, a stunning art museum and a planetarium.
How to Plan a Wedding in North Carolina Step-by-Step
What do you need to get married in NC? When should you book your vendors? How much should you budget? Planning a wedding can bring up all these questions and more. Here are some starter steps to help answer how to get married in North Carolina.
1. Set a Budget
Marriages in NC generally fall in line with the national average of around $30,000, but remember that average includes outliers like small elopements and micro-weddings, so it's safer to budget considerably more. (There are also outliers up, of course: Hutchins specifically plans weddings of $200,000 and higher.) The average also changes depending on region, travel costs and other factors. The Knot Budget Advisor can help outline wedding costs by location using data from real couples. Start there, and set a budget you and your partner are comfortable with before taking any other step.
2. Choose a Venue
In North Carolina, you truly have the best of both worlds, from the mountains to the beach. So first, decide your vibe and which region fits that best; then, start searching for venues based on your estimated guest count and other desires. "North Carolina is very versatile and has something for every style of wedding, from ultra-luxe to scenic backyard elopements," Stalling says. "There are spacious venues and locations to host large guest counts, remote and private locations if you want a secluded feel, historical charm, nature and even-tempered seasons." You can start your search for venues—and for every other necessary vendor—on The Knot Vendor Marketplace.
3. Know Your Seasons
With fairly even-tempered seasons, each time of year has its charm in North Carolina—it just depends on what you're looking for. "Finding the best time of year can differ in different parts of the state," Stalling says. "In western North Carolina (the mountains), summer and fall are incredible. For eastern North Carolina (beaches and the coast), I'd say spring and early summer. In the intercity areas like Raleigh, Charlotte and Winston-Salem, spring is just absolutely gorgeous." She continues: "It's a very busy time from late March to May for weddings in the cities, and from June to late October is peak time for mountain weddings." So, what is the wedding off-season in North Carolina? Technically, it is the winter months, November through February. But note that "expenses are the same year-round minus possibly a venue fee," Hutchins says. "Everything else, I find to be the same across the board in most cases." If you're looking for a discount, you may find a small one on the venue in winter months, and the temperatures still hover around 50 degrees.
4. Consider the Guests
"I always think it is important to focus on your guest experience," Hutchins says. "When choosing a location, consider airports, hotels and drive times. Make sure that you are choosing a location that is either easy to get to or worth the time and effort to get to!" Use your wedding website to pass along information to guests about how to travel, where to stay (provide multiple suggestions) and activities to do during the weekend when they're not celebrating you!
5. Choose Your Photography Style—and Be Picky
With such an abundance of stellar wedding vendors, couples can get picky—so they should hone in on exactly what they want from the get-go. This especially relates to photography. "Have an idea of what style of photographer you'd want while conducting your searches," Stalling suggests. "There is a wide range of photography styles here in North Carolina. This is where I feel, as a to-be-wed, Pinterest is your friend. I would create a board of wedding photography that resonates with you and, as you search for photographers, try and match that Pinterest board to individuals you are reaching out to. It will help you stay in one lane and keep your decision-making narrowed down."
