The best Charleston wedding venues range from historic downtown mansions and waterfront estates to oceanfront resorts and centuries old gardens. This guide covers 16 of the top wedding venues in Charleston, South Carolina, with the real details couples ask about: location, guest capacity, style, and what each place does best.
I have photographed weddings at these venues, so this is a working photographer’s view of each one, not a directory listing. If you are choosing a venue and want images that match the setting, working with an experienced Charleston wedding photographer who knows the light and flow of each property makes a real difference.
Lowndes Grove is a waterfront estate on the Charleston peninsula and one of the city’s most requested wedding venues for sunset ceremonies over the Ashley River.
The grand lawn frames the Main House on one side and the river on the other, and a 700 foot dock reaches out over the water for western facing sunsets. Catering is handled in house by Patrick Properties Hospitality Group. See a real wedding I photographed there in my Lowndes Grove wedding feature.
The William Aiken House is a historic 1807 mansion on Upper King Street where the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all happen on one gated property.
Two courtyards, a pergola, and a centuries old magnolia anchor the grounds, and a Gothic style Carriage House holds two guest suites onsite. See the full walkthrough in my William Aiken House wedding guide.
The Gadsden House is a historic 1798 venue in the heart of downtown, known for its intimate courtyard gardens and Southern piazzas.
Three courtyards paved in bluestone and Charleston brick sit under magnolias and palms, while the parlor rooms carry heart pine floors and crystal chandeliers. It works beautifully for couples who want atmosphere and detail over sheer scale.
Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark on the Ashley River, home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America and one of Charleston’s most striking garden wedding settings.
Couples marry at the Butterfly Lakes or the Octagonal Garden overlooking the river, then celebrate in the Pavilion. A 55 room Inn, roaming peacocks and sheep, and horse drawn carriages make it a full destination weekend. See more in my Middleton Place wedding photos.
Hotel Bennett is downtown Charleston’s leading luxury hotel wedding venue, overlooking Marion Square with a grand ballroom and a rooftop ceremony space.
The Crown Ballroom runs nearly 7,000 square feet with 30 foot ceilings and arched windows over Marion Square, and the rooftop Observatory delivers one of King Street’s only sunset ceremony views. In house catering and a bridal suite keep the day contained under one roof. See a real celebration I photographed there in my Hotel Bennett wedding feature.
Legare Waring House sits inside Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, best known for its dramatic oak allee leading to the house.
Moss draped oaks and open lawns give the property an immersive, transportive feel, with multiple ceremony and reception spots across the grounds for couples drawn to scale and greenery.
Boone Hall is one of Charleston’s most recognizable venues, famous for its three quarter mile Avenue of Oaks and the waterfront Cotton Dock.
The live oaks were planted in 1743 and now form a natural canopy that has appeared in films like The Notebook. Couples often marry beneath the oaks or on the front lawn, then move to the Cotton Dock over the tidal marsh for the reception.
Wild Dunes Resort is an oceanfront wedding destination on Isle of Palms, ideal for couples who want a beach ceremony and a full resort weekend.
Couples exchange vows on the sand, under the Grand Pavilion gazebo, or on the panoramic Sweetgrass Inn rooftop, with lodging, dining, golf, and a spa all onsite for guests. See a real rooftop celebration I photographed there in my Sweetgrass Inn Indigo Rooftop wedding feature.
The Historic Rice Mill is a downtown waterfront venue with exposed brick, pressed tin ceilings, and marina sunset views over the harbor.
The ground floor pairs exposed brick, wide plank floors, and large windows with sweeping views of the marina and harbor, and the indoor and outdoor spaces give couples a built in weather option. See a real modern wedding I photographed there in my Historic Rice Mill wedding feature.
Cannon Green is a downtown Charleston venue that pairs a restored 1840s Charleston single house with a modern event space and a jasmine framed courtyard.
The Garden Room and Trolley Room give clean, gallery like interiors, while the central courtyard, framed by palms and fragrant jasmine, sets up beautifully for cocktails at sunset and dancing under the stars.
South Carolina Society Hall is a historic ballroom in the heart of downtown Charleston, built between 1799 and 1804 and designed by architect Gabriel Manigault.
Set among Meeting Street’s most historic addresses, the hall carries gleaming hardwood floors and refined period detail, giving couples a genuinely Charleston setting a short walk from the city’s best hotels and restaurants.
The Creek Club at I’On is a waterfront venue in Mount Pleasant, set on Hobcaw Creek with wide porches and marsh views just minutes from downtown.
An open floor plan with tall windows, fireplaces, and porches opens onto the creek and marsh, blending a relaxed coastal setting with an easy drive from downtown Charleston.
Magnolia Gardens is a waterfront garden venue on the Ashley River, home to the oldest public garden in America and its iconic long white bridge.
Couples exchange vows under ancient live oaks beside the Ashley River, with camellias, azaleas, and Spanish moss in every direction. The Carriage House, Veranda, and Conservatory each offer a different backdrop on the property.
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is a dramatic oceanfront venue on a championship golf course, offering panoramic Atlantic views for ceremonies and receptions.
Home to multiple PGA Championships, the Ocean Course sits directly on the Atlantic, with rolling dunes and open sky that make a memorable ceremony backdrop. It is a drive from downtown, so plan guest transportation and lodging on the island. See a real oceanfront wedding I photographed there in my Ocean Course wedding feature.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a five star oceanfront hotel styled like a grand Southern mansion, a short drive from Charleston.
Set among maritime forest and pristine beaches, the Sanctuary pairs grand interiors and fine furnishings with a beachfront setting, giving couples a polished resort experience and lodging for their guests. See a real wedding I photographed there in my Sanctuary at Kiawah Island wedding feature.
The Pavilion at Patriots Point is a waterfront venue in Mount Pleasant with panoramic views of Charleston Harbor and the Ravenel Bridge.
The open air pavilion and lawn look across the harbor to the downtown skyline, the Ravenel Bridge, and Fort Sumter, and the indoor and outdoor spaces let couples tailor the day around the weather and the sunset.
Charleston pairs historic architecture, waterfront settings, and Southern hospitality in one walkable, scenic city. Couples get everything from downtown mansions and garden estates to oceanfront resorts, which is why it is one of the most sought after wedding destinations in the South.
For high end celebrations, couples often look at Lowndes Grove, Hotel Bennett, the William Aiken House, and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island. Each offers refined architecture, strong service, and picturesque settings.
For an outdoor ceremony, consider Middleton Place, Magnolia Gardens, Boone Hall, and Legare Waring House. These properties feature oak lined paths, waterfront lawns, and manicured gardens that photograph beautifully.
Several top venues sit on the water, including Lowndes Grove, Middleton Place, Magnolia Gardens, the Historic Rice Mill, and the Pavilion at Patriots Point. These offer views of the Ashley River or Charleston Harbor.
Spring, roughly March through May, and fall, roughly September through November, are the most popular. These seasons bring comfortable weather, vibrant landscapes, and soft natural light for outdoor ceremonies.
Costs vary widely by venue, season, and guest count, so contact each venue for current rates. Premier Charleston venues commonly start in the five figures for rental and catering, and full weddings in the city often run higher once photography, florals, and coordination are included.
Because Charleston is a top destination, most couples book their venue and photographer 12 to 18 months out. Spring and fall dates fill fastest, so reaching out early protects both your venue and your date.
Pasha Belman is the photographer behind Pasha Belman Photography, specializing in family portraits, weddings, engagements, senior photography, and professional headshots throughout Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and coastal South Carolina. Learn more about Pasha.
