Location: 315 North First Ave, Knightdale, NC Capacity: Up to 240 (ceremony, incl. staff); 150 seated Type: Vintage Industrial Website: firstandmainnc.com
First and Main fills a restored 5,000-square-foot mercantile building in Old Towne Knightdale. The original 12-foot tin ceilings run the length of the room, and the floor underfoot is heart pine, worn to a soft shine long before the building hosted its first wedding. Large windows keep the room lit through most of the day.
The floor plan is fully open, so a couple can set a ceremony, a reception, or both in the same room and arrange it their own way.
The Building
The mercantile dates to the 1940s, and the restoration kept the elements that make the room what it is: the 12-foot tin ceiling, original to the building, and the heart pine floor, weathered by decades of use. The room runs on daylight from its windows, so its mood shifts over the day: bright for a midday ceremony, warmer by the evening reception.
Furnishings and Setup
A collection of antique and vintage furniture is included with the rental, and additional props, accessories, and tabletop decor are available to rent on top of it, so couples can style around pieces that already suit the building. A 55-inch 4K television and a pair of Bluetooth speakers are available for slideshows, toasts, or music. Rental time runs 8 hours on the event day, with an on-site event manager present through setup and breakdown who also serves as the point of contact for a couple's day-of coordinator.
What We Design Here
Tin and heart pine set a warm, low-key palette to work against: ivory, warm metal, and deep, muted color read well against both surfaces without competing with either. Because the room is open and the ceilings run high, arrangements can go tall at a reception table or stay low and close at a ceremony, and both sit in proportion. We let the tin and pine be the backdrop. The arrangements bring enough color and structure to mark the occasion and leave the room's own character in view.
Practical
First and Main is in Old Towne Knightdale, nine miles from downtown Raleigh at the crossroads of I-540 and U.S. 264, an easy base for out-of-town guests looking for nearby lodging. On-street parking is available, along with a larger lot within walking distance when it can be reserved. The venue allows couples to bring in their own vendors, with a complete vendor list due 30 days before the event. The building has an accessible entrance and restrooms. Open flame is allowed only inside a container, and confetti, glitter, and rice are not permitted on-site. The events team at First and Main handles booking, tours, and pricing directly.
Hidden Door Floral Studio is a Raleigh wedding florist designing for weddings across Raleigh, the Triangle and North Carolina, and happy to travel beyond. To talk about your wedding at First and Main, schedule a consultation.
Planning a wedding or event here? See our wedding and event flowers.