Just got engaged and planning a Charlotte wedding? Congrats!! Here’s a step-by-step guide to planning your day in the Queen City, from picking a season to getting your marriage license.

Couple sharing a sweet moment in warm golden hour light during their engagement photos

1. Pick Your Season

Fall is the most popular time to get married in Charlotte, and October is the sweet spot: mild temps and fewer rainy days. Spring is beautiful too, but expect pollen in April. Summer is hot, so plan evening events. Winter can mean better pricing. Here’s my full guide to the best month to get married in Charlotte.

2. Set Your Guest Count + Budget

Your guest count shapes everything, especially at historic venues with smaller rooms. Fridays, Sundays, and off-season dates can also bring venue costs down.

3. Choose Your Venue + Neighborhood

  • Historic + romantic: Dilworth and Myers Park have venues like The Morehead Inn and The Duke Mansion. See my roundup of historic Charlotte venues.
  • Modern + city: Uptown has museums, rooftops, and hotels with skyline views.
  • Garden + farm: Lots of gardens, vineyards, and estates sit within an hour of the city.

Popular fall Saturdays can book well over a year out, so start looking early.

Bride and groom with their wedding party in black on the steps of a columned pavilion

4. Book Your Vendors

Book your venue first, then your planner and photographer, since the best ones fill up fast. Here’s my guide on how to choose the right wedding photographer.

5. Get Your Marriage License

In Mecklenburg County, licenses come from the Register of Deeds office Uptown at 720 E 4th Street. Your license is valid for 60 days and works anywhere in North Carolina. Call ahead to confirm current fees, ID requirements, and whether you need an appointment.

6. Build Your Timeline Around the Light

Sunset in Charlotte ranges from about 5:10 PM in early December to about 8:40 PM in late June. I always plan your ceremony and portraits around golden hour, so share your date with me early.

Wedding guests in colorful attire standing among white chairs at an outdoor lawn ceremony

7. Plan for Weather

Have a real rain plan, especially for outdoor ceremonies. In summer, think shade, fans, and an evening ceremony.

8. Think About Your Guests

Charlotte’s airport is a major hub, which makes it easy for out-of-town guests. Block hotel rooms near your venue, and plan transportation if your ceremony and reception are in different spots.

Black and white close-up of a bride and groom holding each other, her hand with engagement ring resting on his cream suit

Planning a Charlotte wedding? I’d love to help you plan your timeline and photos. Reach out here.