7 of the Best Wedding Venues in Charleston, SC
If you're searching for the best wedding venues in Charleston, SC, you’re in the right place. Charleston's blend of historic architecture, coastal charm, and Southern elegance creates a unique backdrop for weddings.
As a Raleigh wedding photographer who has worked throughout the Carolinas for over a decade, I've learned to recognize venues that not only offer beauty, but the kind of timeless character that documents beautifully on film photography.
Why Charleston, SC Wedding Venues Are Exceptional
Charleston, SC wedding venues offer something distinct; a marriage of Old World elegance and lowcountry warmth. From restored historic buildings to oceanfront properties, Charleston provides couples with venues that feel grand, yet intimate.
Museum and Theater Wedding Venues in Charleston, SC
The Gibbes Museum of Art
For couples who love art and culture, The Gibbes Museum of Art stands as one of the most distinguished wedding venues in downtown Charleston, SC. Located along Museum Mile in the heart of Charleston's historic district, this Beaux Arts building underwent a $13.5 million renovation that restored it to its original grandeur.
The museum offers several stunning spaces for artistic wedding celebrations. The Campbell Rotunda Gallery serves as the jewel of the venue, featuring a Tiffany-style art glass dome and splendid natural Georgia oak molding. Surrounded by Neoclassical sculpture and nearly 10,000 works of early American art, couples exchange vows in a setting that’s timeless and meaningful.
The Lenhardt Garden provides an outdoor alternative. A classical European-style garden with contemporary touches. Live oaks create a stunning backdrop, offering an intimate space for unforgettable evening celebrations.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests in the garden; 150 in the Rotunda for cocktail receptions
The American Theater
Opened in 1942 as Charleston's premier movie house, The American Theater brings Hollywood glamour to Upper King Street. This non-traditional wedding venue feels like stepping back in time, with sophisticated architecture worthy of red carpets and dazzling marquees.
The restoration returned this Charleston, SC wedding venue to the spotlight, earning it a starring role in "The Notebook." Today, couples can host their celebration beneath handmade milk-glass chandeliers in the grand ballroom or even treat guests to a private film screening in the quintessential stadium-seat cinema.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests
Boutique Hotel Wedding Venues in Charleston, SC
The Dewberry Hotel
Mirroring Charleston's historic charm and architectural grace, The Dewberry has quickly become one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Charleston, SC for couples who love timeless elegance and artistic details.
The hotel's Ballroom features a stunning cast brass and crystal palmetto chandelier that sets the tone for sophisticated celebrations. For outdoor ceremonies, the intimate ivy-covered Charleston Walled Garden offers 2,400 square feet of private, romantic space.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
The Rivers Room with its North Terrace provides an alternative space for up to 150 guests, while the Hospitality Suite offers an intimate setting perfect for getting-ready photos or small gatherings.
The Ryder Hotel
The Ryder brings coastal charm and contemporary style to wedding reception venues in Charleston, SC. With its island energy and laid-back elegance, this venue appeals to couples seeking something beyond the traditional wedding.
The Backyard serves as an intimate open-air space adorned with café lights, tropical greenery, and a peaceful waterfall. Set behind a cozy fireplace, it creates the perfect atmosphere for ceremonies, receptions, or welcome parties.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests in the Full Backyard
The Palm Suite offers a dreamy space for bridal parties to prepare, with room for getting-ready photos, bridal brunches, or celebratory moments before the ceremony.
Coastal Charleston, SC Wedding Venues
Tides Folly Beach
For couples dreaming of an oceanfront celebration, Tides Folly Beach is one of the best beach wedding venues in Charleston, SC. Located on Folly Beach with its miles of golden sand and coastal charm, Tides offers the quintessential southern beach wedding experience.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
The venue's indoor/outdoor flexibility means you can embrace the beach atmosphere while having weather backup options. As a wedding photographer who appreciates natural light and authentic settings, beach venues like Tides offer perfect opportunities for stunning sunset portraits and genuine, joyful moments captured against the ocean backdrop.
Industrial Chic and Waterfront Venues in Charleston, SC
The Cedar Room
Located in the celebrated Cigar Factory, The Cedar Room at Mercantile and Mash offers 8,000 square feet of open, airy space featuring historic wood columns, hardwood floors, and original elements from the circa 1881 building.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests
The rustic brick walls and floor-to-ceiling windows reveal views of the architecturally acclaimed Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, creating a uniquely Charleston backdrop. The built-in bar, bridal suite, and courtyard with 1,500 additional square feet make this one of the most versatile wedding reception venues in Charleston, SC.
On-site parking after 5:00 pm addresses one of downtown Charleston's biggest challenges, making this venue particularly practical for larger celebrations.
Grand Estate Wedding Venues in Charleston, SC
William Aiken House
Named South Carolina's premier wedding venue by Martha Stewart Weddings and Brides magazine, the William Aiken House represents the pinnacle of Charleston historic elegance. This 1807 mansion seamlessly blends modern sophistication with 19th-century allure.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests
Distinguished as a National Historic Landmark, the property features sweeping ballrooms, lush private grounds, and open-air piazzas. Behind the venue's gates, a two-century-old magnolia tree centerpieces sunlit courtyards and manicured lawns. An elegant pergola with reflection pool, Gothic-style Carriage House, and museum-caliber artwork throughout the formal spaces create an enchanting experience.
Considerations for Charleston, SC Church Wedding Venues
While many couples choose the venues above for both ceremony and reception, Charleston also offers beautiful historic churches for those seeking a traditional Charleston, SC church wedding venue. The city's rich religious history means stunning church architecture abounds, from intimate chapels to grand cathedrals.
If you're planning a church ceremony followed by a reception at one of these venues, consider the logistics of travel time between locations and coordinate with your portrait wedding photographer to maximize the time available for portraits at each site.
What to Look for in Charleston, SC Wedding Venues
After over ten years in commercial photography, including work that's been published in The Together Journal, The Knot, Equally Wed, Zola, Bustld, and Pinestraw Magazine, I've learned what makes a venue truly exceptional:
Natural Light: How light moves through a space dramatically impacts your photography. Charleston's historic venues often feature large windows and outdoor spaces that provide gorgeous natural illumination.
Architectural Character: Venues with authentic historic details or distinctive design elements create timeless photographs that won't feel dated decades from now.
Location: Consider your guests' experience; proximity to hotels, restaurants, and Charleston's other attractions can enhance the overall wedding weekend.
Capacity and Layout: Ensure the venue comfortably accommodates your guest count while maintaining the atmosphere you envision, whether that’s intimate or grand.
Choosing Your Wedding Venue in Charleston, SC
Choosing among the remarkable wedding venues in Charleston, SC comes down to understanding what matters most to you as a couple. Are you drawn to coastal settings or urban sophistication? Do you envision an intimate gathering or a grand, yet timeless celebration? Does historic architecture speak to you, or do you prefer contemporary design?
The wedding venues in Charleston, SC that I've highlighted here represent some of Charleston's finest options, each offering unique character and exceptional service. I encourage you to visit your top choices in person, ideally at the same time of day you'd be holding your ceremony.
Let's Capture Your Wedding in Charleston, SC
Whether you're planning a celebration at one of these exceptional Charleston, SC wedding venues or still exploring your other wedding venues options, I'd love to discuss how we can work together to create powerful, artful photographs of your day.
Contact me today and let’s discuss your Charleston wedding. I'd be honored to learn about your vision and explore how we can honor your unique story through wedding photography at one of the best wedding venues in Charleston, SC.