The Space
The Chelsea is an iconic, historic wedding and event venue in historic downtown New Bern, North Carolina, a beloved gathering place for many years with a genuinely rich story. Housed in the Stanley Building, once used as a pharmacy by Pepsi’s creator, Caleb Bradham, The Chelsea pairs authentic downtown character with a warm, well-appointed banquet room. As both a celebrated restaurant and a full-service caterer, the venue gives couples a characterful, food-forward setting for an intimate celebration. That combination of a historic downtown building, a genuine Pepsi-history connection, and standout cuisine makes The Chelsea a distinctive New Bern choice. For couples who want a historic, characterful wedding with an intimate banquet room and standout cuisine in downtown New Bern, The Chelsea is a memorable and welcoming choice.
Capacity & Layout
The Chelsea proudly hosts receptions, rehearsal dinners, showers, luncheons, and brunches in its upstairs banquet room, which seats 110 guests, giving couples a warm, intimate setting for the celebration. The characterful room hosts dinner theatre, live entertainment, dancing, weddings, receptions, and all types of special events, so it is genuinely ready for a lively celebration. Set in the historic Stanley Building in the heart of downtown, the banquet room pairs authentic character with a comfortable, well-appointed atmosphere. That layout lets couples host the ceremony, dinner, and dancing in one intimate space, giving the day a natural flow with a genuine indoor weather plan. That combination of a characterful upstairs banquet room, a 110-guest capacity, and a downtown setting suits intimate weddings, keeping the celebration warm and connected from the ceremony through the last dance in downtown New Bern.
Amenities
The Chelsea pairs its historic setting with genuinely full-service, flexible amenities. The venue offers customized menus, full-service staffing, and its on-site banquet room, along with off-site catering across the area, so the dining is handled by an experienced, celebrated team, and The Chelsea is well known for catering at other New Bern venues, from Tryon Palace to Stanly Hall Ballroom, reflecting its genuine local expertise. The historic Stanley Building, with its rich Pepsi-history story and downtown character, gives photographers a characterful range of backdrops. For the entertainment, the enclosed upstairs banquet room, already home to dinner theatre and dancing, gives a wedding DJ solid structure and controlled acoustics to build sound and lighting into, so an intimate reception fills the space and the dance floor stays lively at an iconic downtown New Bern venue.
Location & Getting There
The Chelsea sits at 335 Middle Street in historic downtown New Bern, North Carolina. That central, walkable location is a genuine advantage for a wedding weekend, since out-of-town guests can stay at nearby downtown hotels and B&Bs, explore New Bern’s shops, restaurants, and historic landmarks on foot, and reach everything easily, while Coastal Carolina Regional Airport is a short drive for anyone flying in. The vibrant downtown setting gives guests plenty to enjoy around the wedding. Yet the venue’s historic Stanley Building, rich Pepsi-history story, and downtown character give the celebration an iconic, characterful feel once you arrive. That combination of an iconic historic venue with a walkable downtown New Bern location is a big part of what draws couples to The Chelsea.
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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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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