The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte is the city's only Forbes Five-Star hotel, a 146-room uptown landmark that sets the standard for luxury hospitality in the Carolinas. The Grand Ballroom, with crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a pre-function terrace overlooking the uptown skyline, accommodates seated receptions for up to 400 guests with white-glove Ritz-Carlton service. The award-winning RATES Bar, full-service restaurant, and spa ensure every moment of a wedding weekend is attended to with the brand's legendary care. The dedicated Catering and Events team brings decades of experience managing high-end Charlotte weddings, earning a reputation as the market's most meticulous planning resource. Steps from uptown's finest hotels, restaurants, and cultural venues.
Best seasons to marry here
Plan your day here
When are you getting married?
Pick a day and I'll work out the light for it — sunset here, when golden hour opens, and the ceremony time that puts you inside it.
Planning your timeline
| Month | Sunset | Ceremony | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:33 PM | 3:33 PM | 3.5″ |
| February | 6:05 PM | 4:05 PM | 3.1″ |
| March | 7:30 PM | 5:30 PM | 4.0″ |
| April | 7:55 PM | 5:55 PM | 3.8″ |
| May | 8:20 PM | 6:20 PM | 3.4″ |
| June | 8:39 PM | 6:39 PM | 4.0″ |
| July | 8:38 PM | 6:38 PM | 3.7″ |
| August | 8:12 PM | 6:12 PM | 4.3″ |
| September | 7:31 PM | 5:31 PM | 3.7″ |
| October | 6:48 PM | 4:48 PM | 3.2″ |
| November | 5:17 PM | 3:17 PM | 3.3″ |
| December | 5:12 PM | 3:12 PM | 3.6″ |
Sunset times are calculated for this venue's coordinates, shown in EDT for the 15th of each month in 2026. Golden hour is the 60 minutes before sunset. The ceremony start is my rule of thumb — about 2 hours before sunset, so a short ceremony and family photos still leave the two of you in golden light. Adjust it to your own timeline. Average temperatures and rainfall are NOAA 1991–2020 normals from CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AP, 6.4 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Catering
In-house catering required
Bar / Alcohol
In-house full bar program
Music Curfew
Midnight
Rental Hours
8 hrs included
Vendors
Preferred vendor list
Rain Backup Plan
Fully indoor; multiple ballrooms and salons available
Hurricane Season Note
Fully indoor uptown venue; inland Charlotte location minimizes hurricane impact
Verify Before You Book
Confirm current Grand Ballroom capacity and preferred vendor list; pricing is top-tier — verify minimum spend requirements
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Sunset Direction
West-facing terrace over uptown Charlotte
Shade Coverage
N/A — primarily indoor; terrace exposed
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
Grand Ballroom crystal chandeliers, uptown skyline terrace, hotel lobby architecture, pre-function spaces
Wedding party on the staircase in champagne satin beneath draped ivory fabric
View
Sweetheart table inside a floral arch, mirrored floor doubling the blooms
View201 E Trade St
Charlotte, NC
Parking
Valet parking; nearby uptown decks
Nearest Airport
CLT · 10 mi
Guest Hotels
On-site 146-room hotel; Le Méridien Charlotte, Omni Charlotte Hotel within 2 blocks
