The Space
St. Andrews Church was built in 1888 as a cultural, spiritual, and social center for Wilmington’s prosperous Brooklyn neighborhood. The adjacent school building, known as The Annex, was completed in 1910 in memory of the founding charter members of the original Second Presbyterian Church established around 1858. The former church was transformed into the Brooklyn Arts Center, a performing arts venue and wedding destination, after a two-year renovation completed in 2011. The sanctuary features soaring 50-foot cathedral ceilings, original brick and plaster walls, 125-year-old stained glass windows, and an exceptional balcony overlooking the main floor. The Annex is a two-story school building providing additional event space. The Manse is a historic building on campus available for bridal preparation, and a Bell Tower Tasting Room offers another intimate gathering space.
A courtyard on the campus serves as a ceremony and cocktail space, connecting the multiple buildings and providing outdoor gathering without leaving the venue footprint.
Capacity & Layout
The sanctuary seats 350 guests or stands 900, giving you flexibility based on your celebration style. The Courtyard accommodates ceremony and cocktails. The Annex as a two-story space can host additional reception elements, dining, or dancing. The Manse provides a private bridal suite for final preparations. The layout supports a full day: ceremony in the sanctuary or courtyard, cocktails on the courtyard or in the bell tower, and reception in the sanctuary or Annex.
The multiple buildings mean your guests move through spaces and discover new areas throughout the event, creating a sense of journey rather than a single-room static feel.
Amenities
The venue provides access to a 35-car private parking lot plus abundant free on-street parking within one block, solving the logistics for downtown event parking. A catering kitchen supports on-site food preparation. Bridal suites include the Manse Suite and additional dressing rooms for the wedding party. Restroom facilities throughout the venue serve guests. The campus includes exhibition galleries that can display artwork or photos, adding dimension to your event space.
Accommodations nearby include Ms. Cat’s Cottage, available as a short-term rental for guests needing overnight lodging. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and the historic character combines with modern guest amenities.
Location & Getting There
Wilmington sits in New Hanover County on North Carolina’s coast, about 2 minutes from the Cape Fear Riverwalk and 10 minutes from Wrightsville Beach. Downtown Wilmington is a vibrant historic district with restaurants, shops, and waterfront attractions. The Brooklyn Arts District, where the venue sits, is a walkable neighborhood with character. New Hanover County Airport is 3.9 miles away. Guests from Raleigh, Charlotte, and surrounding regions can reach Wilmington in 2-3 hours, and the location’s coastal setting makes it a destination celebration.
We’ve performed at The Brooklyn Arts Center. The sanctuary’s 50-foot cathedral ceilings, brick and plaster original walls, and historic balcony create acoustic properties that work well for ceremony sound and reception dancing. Hard surfaces like the brick and plaster, combined with the high ceiling, carry music clearly without excessive echo. The Annex and courtyard offer spaces with different acoustic characteristics, allowing you to position a DJ system centrally or distribute sound across the campus. The stained glass windows and historic architecture mean sound quality should respect the space’s character, which professional audio systems naturally do by avoiding distortion and keeping volumes appropriate for the sanctuary’s grandeur.
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?
Your price depends on your date, your area, and add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound. Pick your date on our pricing page and you will see your exact price, and just $400 reserves your date.
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 retainer reserves 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
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