I got four compliments from nearly every guest on my wedding day: beautiful dress, good DJ, good food and BEAUTIFUL VENUE. Haywood Hall is truly a hidden gem in Downtown Raleigh. I never would have known it existed had I not thoroughly research...ed Downtown Raleigh wedding venues. The property is near the Capitol, but tucked away on a side street with an abundance of large oak trees, shrubs and flowers to block out all the city noise. If you're looking for a garden wedding in an excellent location, Haywood Hall is the perfect setting for you. Further, the groundskeeper, Greg Mobley, has an in-depth knowledge of local vendors and the downtown area. He's incredibly nice and willing to help in any way that he can. He referred me to the best florist, Janet Cross, and gave me some other helpful tips in the wedding planning process. For such a beautiful property in such a convenient location, the cost of hosting a wedding at Haywood is a bargain. One caveat is that you probably need a good year 1/2 to comfortably plan a wedding at Haywood since the venue doesn't come with anything but the property (you must book your own rentals, caterer, etc.). Another downside would be that the site doesn't offer the best rain plan. In the event of inclement weather, you would just have to order more tents for the backyard. However, if you don't mind a little extra work in the planning process and you're willing to "go with the flow" in case the weather doesn't cooperate, this couldn't be a more perfect venue for you and your guests.