Durham Arts Council

most part, they were really easy to work with, although towards the end, there were some surprise problems. Due to a change in management, there was a problem with the piano that I'd been promised (three days before the wedding, they said they didn't have one), then when that was fixed, they weren't sure they could get a tuner. Eventually everything got worked out, and nothing went wrong that wasn't fixable. Just be sure to get things in writing (either contracted or in an email - the piano issue was quickly resolved by forwarding the initial emails about it). The final price listed included 4 hours of actual event time, two hours of prep time, and an hour of cleanup, plus the cost of security required because we had alcohol. They also rent tables and chairs (for 120 people, we paid $55). Overall, this is a great place to go for a picturesque venue at a decent price.

ade the experience enjoyable and about as low stress as it could have possibly been! The DAC building is a gorgeous venue (we used the Pavilion and Allenton Gallery rooms), and made for a non-traditional, modern, and very magical setting for our May 2014 wedding! We also love the general theme of the DAC in supporting local artists, and providing access to the arts for our local residents.

he mid-afternoon light streaming in the windows of the Pavilion was beautiful and gave us a sense of being outdoors even while we were fully protected from the elements. We had 88 guests, and all fit on the main level -- we had no wedding party to accommodate in front, and the tables for food were set up but scooched out of the way until after the ceremony ended. More guests would not have fit on the main level. The Arts Council event staff did a wonderful job of meeting our needs, including having me come in through a back entrance and allowing me to hide in their board room at no charge. We reserved the catering kitchen so our caterer (Extravagant Fare) could use it as a staging area. The Durham Arts Council was a perfect setting, with great outdoor photo locations nearby (their own grassy areas plus the Carolina Theater courtyard behind the Arts Council building). Our guests could look at the art galleries and chat with each other. We couldn't have been happier with our choice of the Durham Arts Council.

. There is even art on the walls! Everyone was friendly and accommodating. It was also very affordable.