Save $500 on the remaining 2024 Wedding Dates

Cotton Room Weddings

Couples searching for an intimate place to host a romantic, rustic wedding should consider The Cotton Room. The downtown venue sits in Durham’s historic Golden Belt District. It is the perfect setting for a luxurious wedding ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner, or bridal shower. Learn why The Cotton Room is a marvelous setting to host a small or medium-sized wedding.

About The Cotton Room

The Cotton Room is a gorgeous, 118-year-old historic space founded by Julian Shakespeare Carr in 1900. The facility belonged to Golden Belt Manufacturing, a subsidiary of the Bull Durham Tobacco Company. This textile factory produced cotton cigar pouches.

The owners sold the business several times before the American Tobacco Company purchased it and built a brand new factory. A cotton mill and a sewing factory operated on the property. In later years, the site housed a paper mill, a cardboard manufacturing site, and a cigarette label company.

The final owner, Brown and Williamson, donated the building to the Durham Housing Authority after they couldn’t find a private buyer. In 2004, the housing authority sold the building. The new owners, Dodd and Michelle Aldred, revitalized the old facility. They turned it into an all-inclusive wedding venue and event space.

Cotton Room Wedding portrait of the bride and groom

The Cotton Room’s Venue Spaces

The Cotton Room is the first gold-certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) historic site in the Southeast. Their venue blends classic design elements with modern, industrial-chic. This site can accommodate up to 440 guests.

Inside, The Cotton Room has exposed brick walls and sandy hardwood floors. Palatial columns scattered throughout the room uphold the roof’s wooden beams. Skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows allow sunshine to fill the space with warm, natural lighting.

This spacious area has a stunning, neutral decor. The Cotton Room’s event designers can create a celebratory atmosphere and decor that reflects each couple’s unique tastes. In His Image Photography has wedding photographers in Durham that have photographed many events at The Cotton Room.

Wedding party photo at Beltline Station

Amenities at the Cotton Room

The Cotton Room has different all-inclusive packages available for couples. This outstanding facility has award-winning chefs that will create specialty wedding menus. Their cooks use locally sourced ingredients to create delicious seasonal recipes. Additionally, their caterers will design customized dishes your guests can enjoy at your celebration. They can also create dishes that reflect your family’s culinary heritage and traditions. You’ll get to sample each dish during a tasting before your big day.

The wedding venue also has event planners for couples. Their professionals will help plan your special day. They will design your menu. These professionals will also recommend appropriate vendors. The Cotton Room will also arrange your floor setting. These planners will ensure your wedding day reflects your style.

Bride & Groom's view at the Cotton Room

  The Cotton Room’s sister company, Petal & Oak, can help you with the event design and decor for your occasion. They can select tasteful lounge furniture, centerpieces, china, linens, custom lighting, and even furniture for your wedding day. Additionally, the bride can prepare for her ceremony inside a private bridal suite. The venue also offers also Get-Ready Rooms for the groom and other wedding party members.

Durham has two hotels that your guests should consider while staying in town. The first facility is The Durham Hotel. The building has several guest packages that include theater, a food tour, or their rooftop restaurant. Another exceptional location is the 21C Hotel. The boutique hotel is a multi-venue contemporary art museum that has 10,500 square feet of art exhibition space. It also has a full-service boutique, a spa, and the Counting House restaurant.

Wedding cake by Ashley's Cake at the Cotton Room

Photographic Opportunities at the Cotton Room

The Cotton Room is an exceptional venue that offers unique, industrial settings for wedding day photographs. The exposed brick walls provide spectacular backdrops for pictures. Durham is also an exciting city to explore before your wedding. You can tour Duke University’s manicured grounds while you’re in town.

Our photographers at In His Image Photography studio are familiar with The Cotton Room and City of Durham. We have 20 years of wedding photography experience. We believe in a documentary-style photography process. Our professionals will capture intimate moments before the wedding and standout memories during your ceremony.

Back View of her Fierce wedding gown, by Ines Di Santo

  The Cotton Room is one of the most popular wedding venues in the city of Durham. They’ll provide five-star customer service your guests will adore, and we’ll be there to photograph every moment. You’ll have exquisite, professional pictures you can cherish for a lifetime. Contact us to find out how we can capture your wedding day.

Bride and Groom in the Hall at the Cotton Room

The Cotton Room

Address: 807 E Main St, Durham, NC 27701

Website: https://tchospitalitygroup.com/our-companies/the-cotton-room/

Bride and Groom sparkler exit at the Cotton Room

Are You Planning for Your Wedding Day?

This is no doubt an exciting time for you, and I'd like to help. My team and I photograph 40+ weddings per year all over North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia.

You will be in good hands. My team, In His Image Photography, has over 300 5-star reviews on The Knot and WeddingWire combined!

Use the buttons below to see our availability, starting prices, and to contact us for more detailed information.

African American Wedding Photographer