Location: 6304 Old Jenks Rd, Apex, NC 27523 Capacity: On request from the venue Type: Farm Estate Website: theoaksatsalem.com
The Oaks at Salem occupies 11 acres in Apex that once belonged to the Howell family, who farmed the land before the property became a venue. The grounds have grown from an original 5 acres to their current 11, and fields on the property carry the names of the farming families who worked this land.
A cobblestone courtyard, an old oak tree, and the pond anchor four ceremony settings, with the tent as the fourth, which also stands ready for the reception in any season. A restored main house holds the bridal suite and groom's retreat on opposite ends of the building.
The Ceremony Settings
The Courtyard sets its aisle in cobblestone, running through established planting along the path. Pond View turns the ceremony toward the water with the main house behind it. The Oak Tree setting stands in front of the main house. Each looks toward a different fixed point, the water, the house, or the tree, so the choice comes down to which backdrop a couple wants behind them in their photographs.
The Tent
The white tent does double duty as the reception space and as the venue's rain plan. On a clear evening it stays open to the grounds around it, and in bad weather the celebration moves entirely inside, closed on every side. Because it is built to run through every season, a booking here is ready for any forecast.
The Main House
Both suites sit at opposite ends of the restored main house. More than 1,000 square feet of veranda looks over the ceremony wall, the pond, and the barn.
What We Design Here
The grounds mix a working farm's texture with a more finished, cultivated softness, so the strongest arrangements here blend the two. Along the courtyard's cobblestones, the aisle is already stone underfoot and green at eye level, so our work brings color and height to the aisle. At the pond, the water and the house behind it carry the scene, so ceremony arrangements stay narrow and let the sightline through. Under the oak, the canopy overhead is the largest shape in view, and anything we add stays low and close to the ground.
Under the tent's market lighting, centerpieces look their best low and dense on the table. We lean toward ivory, warm gold, and deep green here, tones that stay clear and true under string light. The main house's suites call for smaller, quieter arrangements, since that light is softer and the rooms are for getting ready, where flowers are seen up close.
Practical
The property is 2 miles from historic downtown Apex, 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, and less than 1 mile from Highway 64. Parking is by mandatory valet, and the grounds are fully wheelchair accessible. Catering is booked through the venue's approved vendor list. Lodging is worth confirming with the venue when you book.
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 The Oaks at Salem, schedule a consultation.
Need flowers there today? See same-day flower delivery in Apex.