The Space
The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel is a stylish, historic boutique-hotel wedding venue in downtown Winston-Salem, set in the landmark R.J. Reynolds building, the very Art Deco tower that served as the architectural muse for the Empire State Building. Guests step through a magnificent Art Deco entryway into a lavish social living room, giving the hotel a genuinely grand yet playful character that is signature Kimpton. Named the number one hotel in Winston-Salem by U.S. News and World Report, the Cardinal pairs its historic architecture with modern boutique style and celebrated dining. That combination of a landmark Art Deco building, luxury boutique amenities, and a downtown location makes it a standout venue. For couples who want a chic, historic hotel wedding with genuine Art Deco grandeur and the convenience of downtown Winston-Salem, the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel is a distinctive and memorable choice.
Capacity & Layout
As a full boutique hotel, the Kimpton Cardinal gives couples elegant event spaces along with the flexibility and amenities of a landmark property, so the wedding and the weekend around it happen in one place. Couples can hold the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception in the hotel’s stylish, Art Deco-inspired spaces, including the lavish social living room and the patio, then keep the whole weekend on-site thanks to guest rooms just steps from the celebration. That all-in-one structure keeps guests together and removes the logistics of shuttling between a venue and a hotel. The historic architecture and boutique design give the day a genuinely distinctive character, and the spaces suit both intimate weddings and larger celebrations. Having the ceremony, reception, dining, and lodging all in one landmark building keeps the celebration connected and full of Art Deco style.
Amenities
The Kimpton Cardinal’s amenities are those of a genuine luxury boutique hotel, which is a major part of its appeal. Stylish guest rooms let the wedding party and guests stay right in the historic R.J. Reynolds building, turning the celebration into an immersive downtown weekend, and the hotel’s restaurant, The Katherine, brings celebrated dining, a seasonal Supper Series, and live music to the experience. Signature Kimpton touches, from the lavish social living room where guests can enjoy a glass of sweet tea to a genuinely pet-friendly, welcoming atmosphere, give the stay real character. The landmark Art Deco architecture gives photographers a striking, one-of-a-kind backdrop that needs little added decor. For the entertainment, the hotel’s enclosed event spaces give a wedding DJ acoustically controlled rooms to build sound and lighting into, so the reception stays energized within a genuinely iconic, historic setting.
Location & Getting There
The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel sits in downtown Winston-Salem, in the historic R.J. Reynolds building, steps from the city’s fine art, craft beer, and soul food scenes and close to Wake Forest University and the Old Salem Museum and Gardens. That central, walkable location is a genuine advantage for a wedding weekend, since out-of-town guests can stay right at the hotel, explore downtown Winston-Salem on foot, and reach everything easily, while Piedmont Triad International Airport is a short drive for anyone flying in. The downtown setting, near the university and Old Salem, gives guests plenty to do around the wedding. Yet the landmark Art Deco building gives the hotel a distinctive, self-contained grandeur once you step inside. That combination of an iconic, historic boutique hotel with a convenient, walkable downtown Winston-Salem location is a big part of what makes the Kimpton Cardinal so sought-after for weddings.
Why Couples Book Dow Oak Here
You only get one reception at this venue, so it should be run by a team that already knows how to make a room like it work:
- We have actually performed at this venue, so we plan for its sound, layout, and flow instead of guessing on your night
- One team for your DJ and MC, photo booth, and custom lighting, on a single plan and one contract
- Backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team
- An online planning portal plus a planning call before the day
- More than 3,000 five-star reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and just $400 reserves your date
Wedding DJ FAQ
Have you performed at this venue before?
Yes. Every venue in our directory is one we have actually worked, so we already know how to set up, light, and run the room for a wedding, from ceremony sound to the last dance.
How much is a wedding DJ?
Our wedding DJ packages start at $1,500, and just $400 reserves your date. Your final price depends on add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound.
Do you provide lighting and a photo booth too?
Yes. One team handles your DJ and MC, color-matched uplighting, and a modern photo booth on a single plan.
What happens if our DJ has an emergency?
We always have trained backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team, so someone can step in seamlessly.
How do we book you?
Check your date using the form on this page. We confirm availability, send your pricing, and a $400 deposit reserves your date.
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Check Your Date Just $400 reserves your date.Check Your Date
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Fill out the form and a real member of our team reaches out, usually the same day. No call center, no pressure.
- Backup DJs & photo booths on call 24/7
- Just $400 reserves your date
- Free setup and teardown, every time
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 by 3,000+ couples and hosts
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