The Bradford has quickly become one of my favorite Raleigh NC wedding venues! It’s absolutely gorgeous, with a gorgeous European vibe and it provides couples with so many options for their wedding celebrations. The Bradford is located in New Hill and has become one of the most luxurious - yet down to earth - venues in the area. It’s a unique combination of elegance and coziness, all nestled on 156 acres of beautiful land. As a wedding photographer in North Carolina, I’m always looking for unique and truly wonderful venues to share with my couples - and the Bradford definitely makes the top of the list! Every event held at the Bradford is held with the utmost love and care - plus, it’s simply beautiful here!
5 Reasons to Get Married at the Bradford
#1: There’s plenty of space to get ready!
Not every venue that you find will have space for you to prep for your big day, which means you’ve got a lot more logistics to figure out for your wedding day. You’ll have to find another space to prepare and transportation to get from there to your ceremony site. But, the Bradford helps you keep everything on site! They offer both a bride and groom’s getting ready suite, so there’s plenty of room for you to prep with your loved ones beforehand.
All of their open rooms also have tons of natural light, making them absolutely perfect for your portraits! The Bradford also has a number of bedrooms that are available to you, meaning that you don’t even have to clean up your suite before photo time. I’m all about anything that makes your wedding day less stressful!
#2: The Bradford is incredibly picturesque.
This stunning property is known for it’s European vibes. There’s a beautiful balcony, fountain out front, and a gorgeous tiled courtyard. No matter where you look, the Bradford boasts beautiful options for your portraits and ceremony/reception. Whether you want to have your reception under the twinkling lights or use a tent, the options are nearly endless. As a wedding photographer, I definitely appreciate all of the beautiful spots for your portraits. Every photo captured here feels so classic!
#3: The Bradford can accommodate nearly any size wedding.
The space at the Bradford is able to hold up to 250 guests. Even with a full guest list, this stunning venue helps your wedding day feel intimate because of the possible setups and locations for your events. And, if a big wedding isn’t your thing, an intimate wedding would look SO stunning here! One of the trickiest parts of being a wedding venue is that no matter the size of the celebration, you want your venue to feel intimate and special. The Bradford is like that - it’s accommodating to large groups but also so versatile.
#4: The newlyweds can start their honeymoon at the Bradford!
The Bradford offers a truly stunning honeymoon suite, which makes it the perfect spot to kickstart your honeymoon! Not only do they have incredibly comfortable accommodations, but the Bradford also offers a luxury wedding experience complete with optional yoga classes, bourbon or wine tastings, custom pajamas, brunch made by a private chef and so much more! The Bradford has always been about creating a truly one-of-a-kind luxury experience for it’s couples. What better way to kick off your honeymoon trip than by a dreamy stay at the Bradford? And, having a spot to stay the night of your wedding also means there’s one less thing to worry about the logistics for while planning!
#5: The Bradford is weather proof!
With options both inside and outside for your ceremony and reception, the Bradford is virtually weatherproof. This venue also allows the use of a tent on their property, which means that you can host your ceremony or reception outdoors as your heart desires. If the weather doesn’t work out, or an outdoor setting isn't totally your style, the Bradford’s ballroom is simply stunning, too! As a wedding vendor, I’m a huge fan of a venue that keeps things easy in case of weather changes - I love how easy it is to move things in or outside based on the weather… and that the backup options are just as beautiful as Plan A is, too!
Spring Wedding at the Bradford on Cinco de Mayo
Corrine and Ryan met through a friend and fell in love almost instantly with each other that very night. They’re such a romantic and wonderful couple! Ryan proposed to Corrine on a trip at Big Sur and they immediately began to plan their dream wedding day at the Bradford. Their intimate celebration took place on Cinco de Mayo and was an absolute blast.
From the beginning, Corrine and Ryan knew that they wanted a small wedding day with only 50 of their loved ones around them. The Bradford turned out to be the perfect venue for their intimate celebration. Corrine and Ryan chose to be married in front of the sweet brick fireplace on the property. They lined the fireplace with the most gorgeous dusty pink and mauve roses to bring a little pop of color to the space. Their ceremony was SO perfect and totally them. I loved watching them exchange their vows.
We explored the Bradford during their portrait time, and I loved capturing Corrine and Ryan with their bridal party in front of the large white estate house. It also made the perfect backdrop for many of their newlywed portraits - especially as the sun began to set. I can’t get over the sunflare and gorgeous light we had that day! Corrine and Ryan ended the night with a courtyard wedding reception under the twinkling lights. It was absolutely beautiful (and of course, they had margs!).
Congratulations, Corrine and Ryan! Your beautiful Cinco de Mayo wedding at the Bradford was absolutely incredible and I’m so happy for you both!
Raleigh NC Wedding Vendors
Planning: Honey + Thyme Events Venue/Bartending:The Bradford Photography: Thin Spaces Productions Entertainment: Dj Todd Moody Catering: Rocky Top Caterers Rentals: Curated Events Raleigh Florist: Seeded Events & Design Bakery: Little Rose Deserts Beauty: Wink Inspired Beauty Transportation: North Hills Transportation
Cheers, I'm
ANNA CLAIRE
A lover of adventure and travel, it’s my dream to tell stories of love all over the globe. My home base is in Charlotte, NC, but if your wedding is taking place anywhere else - say no more. As I like to say, if there’s a love, there’s a way.
I am a Charlotte luxury wedding photographer and destination elopement photographer available to capture your unique wedding day.