When I got married 11 years ago, the Charleston Visitors Bureau was promoting Charleston’s value as a wedding destination. It’s safe to say they succeeded! The Holy City is consistently ranked among top wedding destinations in the U.S., and with gorgeous backdrops from downtown to Lowcountry plantations draped in moss, it’s no surprise why.
As a wedding and event planner, I plan five Charleston weddings every year as well as many corporate events, so I’m no stranger to the Charleston wedding venue topic. I’ve had the honor of planning events at some of my favorite places, including Middleton Place and Merchants Hall, and each has its own charm. For a more complete list, event planner Lindsay Bishop is guest blogging for y’all to share her top 5 Charleston wedding venues!
Written by: Lindsay Bishop Events
One of the most exciting things about getting married in Charleston is the wide range of wedding venues that the city has to offer! With options from lush, romantic gardens to chic downtown hotels, no matter what type of wedding you’re planning, you can rest assured that Charleston will have the perfect spot to make your vision come to life!
The Plantation Wedding – Middleton Place
Lush, green, and peaceful, a plantation is the perfect setting for a wedding filled with romance! While Charleston has lots of plantation venues to choose from, Middleton Place’s uniquely European feel, paired with jaw-dropping views of the Ashley River, is what makes them truly special.
With a number of different ceremony sites and cocktail hour locations, Middleton Place gives couples the ability to truly customize their wedding day based on how they want their guest experience to look. I love that they only host one wedding per day, which means that you have full run of the property for photos! And, just when you thought that it couldn’t get any more spectacular, their newly-renovated reception Pavilion is the perfect mix of reclaimed wood and modern lines, making it versatile enough that is can easily transform to fit your vision.
Address: 4300 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
The Historic Home – The Gadsden House
If you’re looking for a downtown spot with a historic feel for your Charleston wedding venue, The Gadsden House will blow you away! The house itself has been perfectly restored with charming original wide-plank floors, stunning crystal chandeliers, and fireplaces perfect for any floral installation you can dream up. Soft, subtle color choices inside are a major plus, blending well with any color palette you can dream up. The lush courtyards feel like an oasis, and are the perfect setting for an intimate ceremony, followed by a super-fun dance party later on! Major plus: its close proximity to Bay Street gives your guests lots of after-party options!
Address: 329 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
The Hotel Ballroom – The Dewberry
For a completely different vibe, The Dewberry will make all of your Southern-inspired Mad Men dreams a reality. They take the hotel ballroom to a whole new level with floor-to-ceiling windows and an adjacent exposed-brick courtyard perfect for a memorable ceremony or al-fresco dinner. The hotel itself is impeccably decorated with fun wallpapers, retro wood paneling, and incredible mid-century modern furniture. If you’re looking to really wow your guests, make the trip to their rooftop for cocktail hour, where you’ll find one of the best views in the city!
Address: 334 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
The Blank Slate – Runnymede Plantation
If Charleston’s Lowcountry sets your heart on fire, you won’t want to miss Runnymede Plantation. Due to a 2002 fire that decimated the original home, this hidden gem is more of a wide-open space than your typical plantation wedding venue. Their 1,000+-year-old oak tree with branches so long that they touch the ground is the perfect place to say your vows. My favorite thing about Runnymede is that it is a blank slate, with enough natural beauty that you don’t have to do much to wow your guests. The other unique thing about this property is their permanent, fully floored 5,000 square foot tent, which gives you the ability to plan your entire wedding celebration in the great outdoors, without having to stress about the what-ifs of inclement weather!
Address: 3760 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
The Newcomer – Merchants Hall
Merchants Hall may be the new kid on the block, but their prime downtown location and cool industrial-meets-glam vibe is sure to make them a highly sought after spot! Due to both their location and wide-open layout, Merchants Hall is also the perfect venue for couples planning to hold their ceremony at one of Charleston’s many historic churches downtown.
Address: 36 North Market Street, Second Floor, Charleston, SC 29401
Photography by: Rachel Red Photography & Candi Leonard Photography & Catherine Ann Photography
More Charleston Travel Guide Resources
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