We cannot say enough wonderful things about The Umstead, Haley, and Elizabeth. Choosing the Umstead as our wedding venue was the best decision we made for our big day, and we are forever grateful to this incredible team for making it truly unforgettable.

We toured over 30 venues from NYC to North Carolina, and as much as we debated getting married outside of where we live, my mother (who’s local to Raleigh) made an appointment at The Umstead. Having visited for my mom’s 70th birthday party a few years back, I was familiar with the space but hadn’t seriously thought about getting married outside of NYC. That all changed the second I stepped onto the Umstead property for a tour.

The picturesque lawn with beautiful white chairs overlooking the water, the luxurious terrace, and the stunning ballroom all took my breath away. Plus they said they would allow my pooch, Bella Mia, to participate in the ceremony!! In that moment, I just knew it was the right place. My husband (still so fun to say!) and I have said countless times since then how grateful we are to have chosen The Umstead. An absolute blessing.

Haley, our Umstead coordinator, was an absolute gem from start to finish. Her warmth, patience, and professionalism made the entire process seamless and enjoyable. She answered every question, adjusted her schedule to meet us when we were in town, and guided us through every detail with care. From our numerous emails about table layouts and settings to the exquisite tasting she hosted, Haley’s attention to detail and genuine passion made the planning process so smooth. She truly went above and beyond to ensure our day was perfect.

And Elizabeth, our day-of coordinator, was just as phenomenal. She kept us on track with such a positive and calming presence, guided the wedding party throughout the day, and even bustled my finicky gown twice with a smile and so much grace. She made everything feel effortless and fun, allowing us to fully enjoy the day. I was so grateful to have her near - she has the most wonderful presence!

Honestly, the entire Umstead team is remarkable, from the thoughtful welcome champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, cards, and complimentary mimosas and pastries Hayley sent to the kind bellhops who knew our names, every detail was top-notch and made us feel so special.

Our wedding was truly the most magical day of our lives, and we owe so much of that to The Umstead, Hayley, and Elizabeth. Their kindness, expertise, and passion for what they do made all the difference. My husband and I can’t wait to return to The Umstead to celebrate anniversaries and relive the memories. If you’re considering getting married here, do it—you will not regret it. We are forever Umstead fans!

Wow! There is no better venue than the Umstead for a wedding in the Triangle, or probably anywhere for that matter. The venue itself is stunning. The food was incredible, our guests are still raving about it. The staff has incredible attention to detail and service. And most importantly, the venue coordinator, Kayla, is not only incredibly professional, easy to work with, but also the coolest. She made sure every concern we had was heard and handled, and went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. 10/10. We can't wait to celebrate many anniversaries here in the future!

I’m not even sure where to begin with this post. From the moment I toured the Umstead and met with Ms. Kayla Bower, I knew it would be my top choice. I can’t express how deeply grateful I am that I went with my gut. We were forced to postpone our wedding one week before our original date due to COVID. Kayla and her team at the Umstead were so incredibly thoughtful, gracious, and flexible with us, given the circumstances. They truly helped us make the best of what seemed like an awful situation. When the day came to finally celebrate our wedding, of course we faced further COVID hiccups and weather issues. The Umstead acted quickly to accommodate us and the situation and did their absolute best to make our wedding as close to our original vision as possible, while keeping in mind COVID restrictions and guidelines for everyone’s health and safety. As an anxious bride I fully trusted Kayla and her team at The Umstead and they completely alleviated my stress and worry about perfecting the big day. Their bridal suite accommodation is wonderful And spacious, and they go out of their way to make you feel special and spoiled on such a momentous occasion. Our guests were blown away at the natural beauty of the grounds, the delicious quality of the food (GET THE WHIPPED POTATOES AND STEAK DIANE, YOU’LL THANK ME LATER), and the amazing service from everyone from the bellhop to the waiters in the dining room. O truly cannot imagine having gone with any other venue, especially given the large burden of re-planning during a global pandemic. The Umstead (and Ms. Kayla) will forever hold a special place in our memories and hearts!