There’s a reason the South plays host to thousands of weddings a year and and why Charleston wedding venues host a majority of them. From cobblestone streets, Oak lined alleyways, and romantic porches, the wedding venues in Charleston SC are truly one of a kind. While Charleston offers lots of wedding venues we pared our list down to 10 unique wedding venues. When picking a wedding venue you want to make sure you consider space for your ceremony, reception, and cocktail hour. You also want to choose a venue that offers ample backdrops for photos including outside areas with shade. From historic plantations to palm lined seaside escapes, today we are sharing the 10 best wedding venues in Charleston, SC. Make sure to also visit our wedding guests guide to Charleston for even more advice – here.
A few facts about wedding venues in Charleston SC:
The majority of Charleston wedding venues require a professional event planner. Your event planner must be a professional and not a guest or member of the family. Learn about the difference between a wedding planner and wedding coordinator here.
Charleston is a quiet city and most receptions have a firm ending time of 10:30-11:00 PM.
The “off-season” for weddings in Charleston are January, February, July and August. Many Charleston wedding venues offer a discounted price during this time – some even eliminate their food and beverage minimums. Often January and February can be beautiful in Charleston so these months are definitely worth considering!
If the majority of your guests are traveling to Charleston for the first time consider booking a few weekend events. Spa and golf packages, ghost tours, oyster roasts, and paddleboarding lessons are just a few of the unique experiences you can offer guests.
The 10 Best Wedding Venues In Charleston SC
Boone Hall Plantation
With it’s sweeping Oak Trees and romantic water views, there’s a reason Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds chose Boone Hall Plantation for their 2012 wedding. With indoor and outdoor options available this is the ultimate Southern venue.
Venue Rental Cost: $2000-$7600
Capacity: Around 300 guests
Molly Carr Photography | Click Here to see more of this wedding
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island
Whether you prefer to get married in a ballroom, by the ocean, or on the greens of the golf course, Kiawah Island offers it all. The resort specializes in custom wedding weekend services like spa and golf packages, custom cocktail receptions, and oyster roasts.
Venue Rental Cost: $1500-$7000 + food and beverage minimums up to $20,000
Capacity: Up to 350 guests
Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay | Click Here to see more of this wedding
McLeod Plantation
Situation just across the Ashley River from downtown Charleston, this restored antebellum plantation house boasts a riverside outdoor pavilion, a sweeping avenue of oaks, and the McLeod Oak, which is thought to be more than 600 years old.
Venue Rental Cost: $2,000-$4,000
Capacity: 75-150
Alex Thornton Photography | Click Here to see more of this wedding
The Governor Thomas Bennett House
Located in the heart of downtown Charleston The Governor Thomas Bennett House, circa 1825, is a gorgeous example of Federal Style architecture. Say “I do” under the shade of a 200 year old oak tree and enjoy a reception among the house’s exquisite gardens. Rental of the house includes a bridal suite and man cave as well as ample parking for guests. (a huge perk in downtown Charleston!) Out of town vendors are not allowed at this venue.
Venue Rental Cost: $6,800-$11,000
Capacity: 70-200
JoPhoto | Click Here to see more of this wedding
The Legare Waring House
Maintained by the South Carolina State Parks this 1840’s house resides on the grounds of Charles Towne Landing, the site of Charleston’s first permanent settlement. Nestled amid a stunning moss-draped avenue of oaks, the Legare Waring House features traditional Charleston colors and furnishings. Event rental includes use of the house including bridal suites and a grooms wing.
Venue Rental Cost: $4000-$8000
Capacity: 200 indoors and outdoors
JoPhoto | Click Here to see more of this wedding
Lowndes Grove Plantation
The last great waterfront estate in downtown Charleston, Lowndes Grove plantation boasts panoramic waterfront views, an expansive piazza, and 14 acres of live oak groves. In addition to Lowndes Grove, Patrick Properties also offers The William Aiken House, The American Theater, and Upstairs at Parcel 32 for weddings and events.
Venue Rental Cost: $4000-$8000 + $12,000-$18,000 food and beverage minimum
Capacity: Up to 500 guests
Patrick Properties provides exclusive catering for this venue.
Photo: Richard Ellis Photography
Folly Beach
If you’re looking to host a beach wedding in Charleston then Folly Beach is the ultimate location. Known to locals as “the edge of America,” Folly is a surfers beach with a relaxed vibe. Keep your wedding relaxed and stress-free by hiring an event planner to book everything from rental houses, to chairs and an officiant.
Venue Rental Cost: Ceremonies on the beach are free but receptions must be hosted off the beach.
Alex Thornton Photography | Click Here to see more of this wedding
Seabrook Island Club
Located about 40 minutes from downtown Charleston, Seabrook Island is one of South Carolina’s beloved “sea islands.” The Seabrook Island Club’s Ocean Terrace offers an idyllic setting for coastal ceremonies with its tall palms and backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Venue Rental Cost: Ocean Terrace ceremony site $1,500-$2,000 | contact venue for venue reception packages
Seabrook Island Club provides exclusive catering and bar service for this venue.
Dana Cubbage Weddings | Click Here to see more of this wedding
Magnolia Plantation
Magnolia Plantation boasts nearly 500 acres of gardens bursting with azaleas, camellias, and lilies. The Plantation House Veranda, Carriage House, and indoor greenhouse at the Conservatory, all offer historic indoor and outdoor options.
Venue Rental Cost: $6000-$7500
Capacity: 50-250 Guests
JoPhoto | Click Here to see more of this wedding
Cedar Room
Located in the historic Cigar Factory in downtown Charleston the Cedar Room is an open and airy space featuring floor to ceiling windows. With 8,000 square feet of space this venue can host up to 550 guests.
Venue Rental Cost: $3,500- $8,500 + Food and Beverage Minimum $6,000-$10,000
Capacity: Up to 300 for a seated dinner
Mercantile and Mash provides exclusive catering and bar service for this venue.
Jennings King Photography | Click Here to see more of this wedding
*Prices listed here are estimates as of December 2018 and are subject to change.
Our last gift guide of the season is all about the groom and groomsmen! I always think guys are the hardest to shop for as they tend to always have what they want! But today’s holiday gift guide definitely has some items your guys are missing. How cute is this 
What is your proposal story? Our engagement was very private and special, exactly how I have always imagined. Early Saturday morning on June 3rd we took the boat out for what I thought was a casual fishing trip. We went into a small creek back behind Goat Island. My responsibility was the throw the anchor, which would explain the reason why it took 5 different tosses before getting it right. When I finished tying the anchor to the boat I turned around to find Chris on one knee! I never saw it coming. Afterward we spent the next hour and a half soaking it all in before we started calling family and friends. We drove the boat back to breach inlet where we keep it at my parent’s office. When we got closer to the dock Chris had planned a surprise gathering with our closest family and friends. That day could not have been more perfect!
Tell us a little a bit about your wedding: I wanted a classic and elegant wedding. I used a variety of colors to achieve that. I used blush pink and ivory table cloths and I used gold candelabras and a lot of greenery for decoration. My vision was to have all of our family and friends in one large room to help celebrate, which is one of the reasons I chose the Cedar Room.
How did you meet? We met in flight school in Pensacola, Florida. We were both students there.
Tell us a little a bit about your wedding: We wanted to bring together the bright colors of Florida and a tribute to our Navy lifestyle. We met while stationed in Florida and have been all over the world since, but Florida is always home for us. We are both Naval Flight Officers and proud of our gold wings, so gold accents with our bright Florida colors was a must. We also wanted it to just be a big party, so an open bar was another important aspect! We picked Boca Grande because we have always loved that area since Daniel’s family moved there several years ago.
What were your favorite parts of the day? Favorite pars of the day had to be the great views. The island is so beautiful and our photographer made sure to take us to spots she had found before for pictures. Everyone loved getting to visit such a beautiful island and it just made for such an amazing backdrop for the day.
Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now? Forget the traditions of a wedding. Do whatever you’d want for a big party with family and friends. We got so wrapped up in “this is what is supposed to be done at a wedding” and it got out of hand sometimes. Do what you want!
