The Space
The Matthews House is a classic, historic wedding venue in the heart of downtown Cary, a Greek Revival home that has stood at 317 West Chatham Street since 1915. Designed to be beautiful, it has spent more than a century proving the design worked, with elegant decor and furnishings reminiscent of the Greek Renaissance period: high ceilings, fireplaces, wide moldings, and heart pine floors. The historic home and its ballroom sit on a lawn with lush gardens, giving couples a timeless, refined setting with genuine character. Renovated and modernized by the Chung family while keeping its elegant charm intact, The Matthews House pairs historic beauty with modern comfort. For couples who want a historic, elegant wedding with a Greek Revival home, a grand ballroom, and beautiful gardens in walkable downtown Cary, The Matthews House is a distinctive and gracious choice.
Capacity & Layout
The Matthews House offers couples a genuinely versatile set of spaces across its historic property, accommodating up to 160 guests. The Grand Ballroom anchors the reception, while the historic house, with its high ceilings, fireplaces, and heart pine floors, provides characterful indoor spaces, and the brick-enclosed gardens, complete with a gazebo and fountain, offer a beautiful outdoor setting for the ceremony or cocktail hour. That mix of a grand ballroom, historic rooms, and enclosed gardens gives the day a natural flow and a genuine weather backup, letting couples move guests smoothly from vows to dinner to dancing. A dedicated bridal suite and a library add getting-ready and gathering spaces. That combination of an elegant ballroom, a historic home, and private gardens suits both intimate weddings and larger celebrations, keeping the whole day connected on one gracious downtown property from getting ready through the last dance.
Amenities
The Matthews House pairs its historic setting with genuine full-service support. Full wedding packages include an on-site wedding coordinator who guides and assists couples through the planning process, with meetings toward the end of planning, availability leading up to the day, and a hands-on point of contact on the wedding day itself, which is a real relief for couples. A dedicated bridal suite gives the wedding party a comfortable, private space to prepare, and the brick-enclosed gardens, with their gazebo and fountain, along with the Greek Revival architecture, give photographers an exceptional, layered range of backdrops that needs little added decor. That blend of historic charm and modern service sets the venue apart. For the entertainment, the enclosed Grand Ballroom gives a wedding DJ solid structure and controlled acoustics to build sound and lighting into, so the reception fills the room and the dance floor stays full within a genuinely elegant, historic setting.
Location & Getting There
The Matthews House sits at 317 West Chatham Street in the heart of downtown Cary, one of the most desirable and walkable towns in North Carolina’s Triangle. That central, walkable location is a genuine advantage for a wedding weekend, since out-of-town guests can stay nearby, explore downtown Cary’s restaurants and shops on foot, and reach the venue easily, while RDU International Airport is a short drive for anyone flying in. The wider Triangle, including Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, is close by, giving guests plenty to do around the wedding. Yet the historic home and its enclosed gardens give the property a private, gracious feel once you arrive, a peaceful pocket in the heart of downtown. That combination of a genuinely historic, elegant venue with a convenient, walkable downtown Cary location is a big part of what draws couples to The Matthews House.
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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- Backup DJs & photo booths on call 24/7
- Just $400 reserves your date
- Free setup and teardown, every time
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