15 Epic Wedding Venues in Charleston, SC
A ROUNDUP OF FIFTEEN WEDDING VENUES TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR BIG DAY
As a wedding photographer, I have a unique perspective on wedding venues in Charleston because I visit so many of them on a regular basis. I have seen them in different seasons, different weather conditions and so forth.
In this post, I am dishing the pros and cons of each one, and a pointer that I think will come in handy for you as a Bride.
Narrowing to some of my favorite Charleston wedding venues was no easy feat, so only the venues that can accommodate a ceremony and a reception are on this list.
Let’s dive in!
1. HOTEL BENNETT
Pro: Aside from the lavish decor, pampering from your Wedding Specialist and beautiful views, you won’t have to worry about event rentals. They have it all. Everything from the chairs to the menu is covered. In my opinion, this is the best modern hotel to have your wedding in Charleston. It opened only a year ago in 2019 and it’s absolutely worth taking a tour.
Con: Like most downtown Charleston wedding venues, there is not a parking lot. Your guests will need to park in a parking garage and walk to this venue.
Pointer: Check out their Piazza, it overlooks Charleston’s skyline and it’s a great place for sunset for photos during your reception.
2. WILD DUNES RESORT
Pro: The Wild Dunes Resort has multiple wedding venues to select from. Looking for a beach ceremony and indoor reception? No problem. How about a ceremony on the lawn and a reception under the stars? You got it.
Con: There aren’t many Cons to this venue, but I would caution you to consider wheelchair-bound guests if you’re having a beach ceremony. It’s certainly something to plan for beforehand.
Pointer: This venue comes with complimentary valet parking for you and your guests. Tips aren’t expected, but they are appreciated for the valets. Also, let your guests know that there are plenty of places to stay in or around the resort.
3. THE PAVILION AT PEPPER PLANTATION
Pro: This venue has a lot going for it. It’s an indoor/outdoor venue that features a private lake as the backdrop for the ceremony, a private dock, a bridal cottage to get ready in, a fire pit, indoor & outdoor fireplaces, and close parking proximity.
Con: The Pavilion is in a residential community and there are community/town noise ordinances that we are obligated to adhere to. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is a music cut off time of 10 pm, while Sundays through Thursdays the music cut off time of 9 pm.
Pointer: Like many outdoor wedding venues in Charleston, this venue is right on the water which can cause the bugs to be an issue at certain times of the year. Be sure to have your venue sprayed before your event to help.
4. THE CEDAR ROOM
Pro: Of all the indoor wedding venues in Charleston, The Cedar Room offers the most natural light. The Cedar Room was built in 1881 and has gorgeous exposed columns, rustic brick, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Con: The bridal suite is not large enough for a bridal party to get ready in. You will need to plan ahead by getting ready off-site.
Pointer: There is a private elevator that the Venue Coordinator has access to. They can take you to the rooftop of The Cigar Factory to give you an amazing skyline view. Sunset photos here are a hidden gem at this venue if you know to ask for it.
5. THE ISLAND HOUSE
Pro: This venue comes with a stunning view and also provides space for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready upstairs while the groom and groomsmen get ready downstairs. This is one of the best venues Charleston has to offer for sunset photos. Take a tour here and see for yourself how epic it could be.
Con: If you plan to invite families with small children, be sure they keep in mind that their is not a railing at the edge of this venue where the river drop off is. There are numerous places for kids to safely run around here, but they’ll need to be careful if they start to get close to the water.
Pointer: There has been a new entrance gate and path added to this venue and it goes right next to a gorgeous oak tree. Ask for a golf cart and take your Bride and Groom photos here.
6. GADSDEN HOUSE
Pro: The top floor of the Gadsden House can be used as a bridal suite. The room is massive and has a full kitchen, so it’s comfortable and there’s room for your entourage. It’s easily the biggest bridal suite I’ve seen in Charleston.
Con: The second and third floors are not handicap accessible. The stairwell is gorgeous, but it can easily be a concern for someone in your wedding party or family.
Pointer: If you are getting married on a hot day, take advantage of one of the venue’s first floor rooms by keeping your cake and dessert indoors. I’ve seen too many melty cakes here in Charleston. There’s plenty of room to fit in guests who want to see you cut the cake.
Con: I’ve done weddings here where it rains, and what starts out as a beautiful dream of tying the knot on a private island quickly turns into cramming all of your guests inside the Lake House and making the best of it.
Pointer: Renting tents should be a priority for this venue in the event that the aforementioned should occur. Bugs can also be an issue because it’s on the water; so ask that they spray for bugs before your big day.
8. CHARLES TOWNE LANDING
Pro: When people say “Lowcountry”, this is what comes to mind. With Spanish moss draping ancient oaks and historic charm around every corner, you’re not left for wanting when it comes to this venue. There are three outdoor ceremony locations to choose from here as well as the Legare Waring House and Founders Hall.
Con: It’s a reoccurring theme with some of these outdoor venues, but the bugs here during the summer can be pretty rough. Be sure to have bug spray on hand.
Pointer: If you like the idea of a venue where you can have the ceremony outside, but the reception inside – be sure to ask for a tour of Founders Hall. Also, the azaleas at Charles Towne Landing are breathtaking! If you are getting married around when they are in bloom, this place is beautiful.
9. BOONE HALL PLANTATION
Pro: There are scenes from The Notebook that were filmed here… need I say more!? Founded in 1681, this plantation offers several locations to have a beautiful Charleston wedding. The famous Avenue of Oaks makes for some stunning pictures.
Con: The Cotton Dock may be an amazing place for a reception, but you’ll have to keep in mind that the rental of everything is your responsibility. This venue is not a one-stop-shop.
Pointer: The Plantation grounds are open to the public until the gates close in the evening. Setting up the Cotton Dock for a reception can be a challenge at times because the public is still allowed to tour the venue while vendors are in the process of getting decorations in place. My advice is to only hire vendors that have worked at Boone Hall Plantation before that understand the complexity that it can bring… Trust me – it’s worth it in the end.
Pro: There are some amazing views for your ceremony here. If it rains and you need to have your ceremony indoors, it’s still just as beautiful. Two thumbs up for this wedding location!
Con: There is no bridal suite, but they do offer a bridal holding room. Plan to spend a very short amount of time in there for touchups and waiting. Plan to get ready off-site.
Pointer: The bar is stationed on the deck outside. During your reception, your guests will be going outside to get a drink while the DJ/Band is inside. Take into consideration the natural congregation around the bar and set out corn hole sets or other yard games. This venue is beautiful on the inside and outside, so take advantage of both!
Pro: It’s one of a few historic homes in downtown Charleston that have been converted into an event venue. What separates this home from the others is that your guests are able to enjoy more than just the yard. Dinner can be served upstairs inside this historic home as well which is a unique bonus.
Con: There is not a parking lot for your guests. They will need to park at a public parking garage and walk to the venue.
Pointer: The American Theater is right next to this venue. You can rent out the sign and create a personalized backdrop for your wedding photos.
12. MERCHANTS HALL
Pro: Centuries ago, this building was a bakery. Now it is a beautiful indoor venue on historic Market Street. It boasts exposed brick, arched windows and wooden beams paired with luxurious finishes.
Con: The bridal suite at Merchant’s Hall is beautiful, but it is a small space to get ready in. The Brides that I’ve photographed here have all had their hair and makeup done off-site before arriving.
Pointer: There is an art gallery directly below this venue. One of the weddings that I’ve done here actually rented it out for their cocktail hour. Guests were able to look at artwork while enjoying hors d’oeuvres. If your guest list is on the smaller side, consider doing this as a memorable touch.
13. ALHAMBRA HALL
Pro: This venue can hold a large group of guests. It’s also a budget-friendly location with a beautiful wrap around deck for views of the marsh and a large bridal suite.
Con: The cleaning and trash removal is your responsibility, so make sure you have a team of friends and family assigned to take on this task after the wedding.
Pointer: You’ll have exclusive access to the building, but the grounds of this venue are a public park and it stays open throughout the day. If you have your ceremony outdoors, understand that there will be dogs catching freebies close by. The locals of Mt. Pleasant are used to weddings going on here and they always do a great job of moving out of the way, but just understand that you are sharing the grass with them.
14. A WHITE HOUSE WEDDING
Pro: The outdoor space at this venue is gorgeous. Your ceremony can take place under a massive oak tree with a breathtaking view. This venue also comes with a private dock to use for photos during the cocktail hour.
Con: Wadmalaw Island has strict rules that the landowners must abide by. There is a hard cap as to how many weddings can take place here each month on this property. Even if they have the date available, they may have to turn you away.
Pointer: The back of this property has a hidden gem. Ask if you can go to the treehouse next to the marsh at the back of the property for photos during sunset instead of the dock where most people tend to go. The view is amazing!
15. THE ROOM ON MEETING
Pro: It’s difficult to find venues in downtown Charleston that will accommodate a small wedding. If you are planning to have a wedding with less than 100 people, you need to be sure to take a tour of this venue. It’s certainly one of the best small event spaces available in downtown Charleston.
Con: The ceremony can feel cramped if you invite too many people. As a photographer, it’s difficult to get a great angle of the ceremony without blocking someone else’s view. I usually warn someone before the ceremony starts that I may have to walk in front of them a few times during the ceremony, but I’ll get out of the way ASAP… I simply make the best of it.
Pointer: There are apartments above this venue that you can rent for your wedding. Yes, there’s a third floor that very few people know about! It’s the perfect location to stay if you are getting married here, the rooms are fantastic. You have to see them if they are vacant during your tour!
Well, there you have it! All of the venues above are Marley Photography approved! I hope that this blog on Fifteen Charleston wedding venues that can accommodate a ceremony and reception has helped you along your journey!
If you would like to receive more information on hiring Marley Photography for your wedding photography needs, click here.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post are my own based on my experiences at these locations. I am not making official statements for any business, so it’s important that you follow up with venues to verify facts.
