FAQs

General

  • Tours are by appointment only. You can schedule a tour by calling us at 704.339.5193 or by contacting us.

  • April, May, June, September, October, and November tend to be the most popular months, though we do not alter our pricing for peak or non peak months.

  • We have designated areas outside for your guests; however, we are a non-smoking facility inside, including e-cigs. Please make sure all guests are made aware of our designated areas outside of the venue. It is the responsibility of the client to ensure their guests are adhering to our venue’s policies.

Food and Drink

  • Yes, you may bring your own alcohol to serve at your event. A licensed and insured bartender must be hired to serve all alcohol. We allow beer, wine, champagne, seltzers, and up to two types of liquor for cocktails. Liquor must have mixers, no shots or straight pours or "on the rocks" allowed. We can help you find a bartender to suit your needs! Alcohol can be served for 5 hours maximum, and last call is 30 minutes before the end of the event. 

  • We recommend: >75 guests = 1 bartender; 75-150 guests = 2 bartenders; <150 guests = 3 bartenders. This is to ensure your guests have the most positive experience and do not spend time waiting in line for their drink.

  • If liquor is served you will be required to provide an ABC Special Occasion Permit to the venue.

  • Per the General Counsel for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission: “Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold no can any payment be required to attend an event with a Limited Special Occasion permit. There is no permit that would allow the client to have a cash bar at the wedding.”

  • We have our own excellent in-house catering team serving award winning cuisine by executive chefs. We have tastings every few months for our booked couples to enjoy free of charge.

     If you choose to use an outside caterer, they must be a fully licensed and insured business. The kitchen is not available for cooking food, only prep and plating. Your caterer must come to The Rafters to meet with our kitchen staff before the event to learn and agree to kitchen rules and procedures.

    There is a $1,000 fee for outside catering.

  • It is important to us that each guest enjoys a delicious meal. Our catering team is knowledgeable about ingredients and can guide you in selecting a menu best for your wedding. Our menu offers vegetarian options, as well as special considerations such as vegan, gluten-free, kids meals, etc.

Facilities

  • Yes, St. Mark's, The Rafters, and Founder's Hall are wheelchair accessible.

  • Our venue will hold up to 200 guests.

  • Our church will hold about 140 guests.

  • We can fill the church with as many guests as we can fit, then have the remainder in the reception hall where the ceremony can be livestreamed on our drop down projection screen. There is a $250 fee to hire the 2 AV techs this requires. The bonus of this option is that your wedding can be livestreamed onto our YouTube channel for any guests who cannot attend and will serve as a keepsake for you.

  • We can absolutely accommodate your ceremony in The Rafters or outside. Contact us to discuss your options.

  • We can include 200 white resin padded garden chairs, 20 six foot round tables, 15 five foot round tables, 4 hi-top cocktail tables, 4 four foot round tables, 4 four foot rectangle tables, & 6 six foot rectangle tables.

  • Yes, your reception tables and chairs will be set up prior to your arrival on the day of your event.

  • Floor length white linens are included with the Premium Package. If you choose the Classic or Basic packages, you will provide your own linens.

  • We do not allow glitter, confetti, rice. We do not allow staples, nails, screws, or any tape on walls or floors. This includes Command Strips/hooks. Glitter, even if pressed into fabric (tulle, decorations, clothing) is strictly prohibited.

  • In The Rafters, all real flame candles must be in an enclosed container and placed on a flat raised surface. Once the formal portion of the reception is finished and dancing/party begins, any flame candles will be extinguished. We do not allow real flame candles to be placed on or near the ground outside the venue or on the floor inside the venue. Battery powered candles are permitted in these cases. Inside, outside, and around the church, only battery powered candles are allowed.

  • We can’t allow sparklers or cold sparks of any kind. Our property is historic with buildings, grounds & trees hundreds of years old and cannot have open flames per the Fire Marshall.

  • No, The Rafters staff will have the Venue cleaned before and after your event. You are responsible to taking out anything you bring in. This includes large boxes from decorations or vendors, vases from florist, etc. We expect the Bridal Suites to be left tidy and free of trash or personal belongings. Trash cans and bags are provided, all trash needs to be secured in trash bags for removal.

  • We love our four-legged friends, and will allow pets to visit the campus, but we need them to remain outdoors on a leash and it is the responsibility of the client to clean up after the pet. All pets must be attended at all times and cannot be left alone, even in a crate. Pets cannot come inside any of the buildings. We require you to hire a pet service to watch after and care for your pet. If a staff member finds any leftover remnants the next day, a disposal fee of $250.00 will be deducted from your damage deposit.

  • No--We have numerous very nice hotels within 5 minutes from the venue.

Rental

  • Full access to all buildings on campus, Ready Suites, time on campus prior to wedding day for Engagement or Bridal Portraits, Setup/Breakdown of Tables & Chairs, Full Commercial Kitchen, HVAC in all buildings, indoor Restrooms, Onsite Parking, Nursery & Playground available.

  • Depending on the package you choose, you will have up to 13 hours on your wedding day, and up to 3 hours the day before for decorating and rehearsal.

  • We require a $2,500 nonrefundable initial payment to secure your wedding date. The full balance is due 60 days prior to the event date.

  • We welcome working with different vendors. All vendors are required to carry appropriate liability insurance. If vendors are not on our recommended list, please reach out for approval before booking with them.

  • One, your event. The venue is all yours on your selected day.

  • No, we do not include a wedding coordinator in your package, but we do have a list of coordinators that we highly recommend. We require you have at least a day of coordinator.

  • Yes, we will have a venue manager onsite throughout your rental time to answer all questions and manage the venue for you.

  • Yes, we require all clients to present us with proof of wedding insurance naming The Rafters as additionally insured 30 days before your event either through our recommended carrier or an approved carrier. We are happy to connect you with our recommended carrier.

  • Depending on your package, you will have up to 13 hours on your wedding day, and up to 3 hours the day before for decorating and rehearsal. For the Premium Package, you have 13 hours--You have access to the venue from 10am - 11pm*. Additional early access hours are available upon request for $250 per hour. Last call at the bar happens at 9:30pm (or 30 minutes prior to the end of the reception) and the last song is played at 9:50pm (or 10 minutes before the end of the reception). From 10:00 pm - 11:00 pm you’ll clean up your personal items and décor and take everything with you that you brought in. You MUST take away all of your leftover alcohol at the end of the reception. You will also return any borrowed décor back to the Bridal House to the décor room. Doors are locked by 11pm. *You may shift your 13 hours earlier to 9am-10pm, or 8am-9pm if you’d rather.

  • Yes, we include complimentary bridal and engagement photo session time-slots on our property. Due to hosting events on weekends, all photo sessions need to be scheduled on a Monday-Thursday.

  • Rehearsals the night before are reserved for the Premium Package. Classic and Basic packages will have rehearsal Monday-Thursday.  

Transportation

  • Yes, we have ample on-site parking free of charge. Our lot is paved and marked and easy to maneuver.

  • Yes, and we also have vendor recommendations for car or bus services.

  • Yes, buses are allowed up to 30 ft. max in length.

  • We are 15-20 minutes from the Charlotte-Douglas Airport and 10-15 minutes from Uptown Charlotte. There are multiple hotels, shopping, and interstates within 5 minutes of the venue.

Ready to schedule your tour?