Top Five Wedding Venues in Charleston

Across the Historic District of Charleston, South Carolina, finding a wedding venue is no issue with dozens of choices that can accommodate every bride and groom’s vision. But refining the list to a small number of desirable locations can be a hassle without the proper guidance. We have done the hard work for you by listing five luxurious landing spots that are sure to provide the perfect setting for the big day. 

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

This exquisite property is a historic relic in nature as it was purchased by the prominent Drayton family in 1676. And it offers an impressive 500 acres of beautiful greenery and foliage in addition to a gorgeous Carriage House, Veranda and Conservatory. The land is rich in colonial history and continues to be managed by descendants of the Drayton family to this day.

Magnolia’s many venue options make for special event destinations as part of an extravagant wedding. The Carriage House is surrounded by ancient live oaks and has many amenities, including an outdoor patio, wooden bar and bridal suite. The ceremony commences on the beautiful Ashley River under distinctive evergreens with a magnifying view of the beautiful day’s sky.

Another wedding venue to consider is the beautiful Veranda—literally meaning trellis—with a picturesque plantation house backdrop for a 250-guest reception. Past attendees of this receptions set here have relished in their experiences, applauding the signature Long White Bridge in the Veranda’s vicinity. A cocktail hour can be enjoyed from the Veranda with panoramic views of the surrounding gardens. The bridge is situated beneath lavish oaks, mosses and light pink blooms, adding to the elegance of this venue. 

And, finally, Magnolia offers a Conservatory surrounded by colorful foliage picked and planted for your delight. This is the premier option for lovers of nature with a ceremony taking place on the Schoolhouse Pond Lawn overlooking the Ashley River. For the admirer of intimate settings, a close-knit reception of sixty guests among tropical gardens unfolds within the Conservatory. With all of Magnolia’s available accommodations, it’s easy to see why this location rates number one on our list.

Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel

The Renaissance Hotel is a prestigious spot known for its stylish and romantic wedding receptions. Staff experience aids in making all the dreams of your wedding become a reality, and with an expert culinary team and certified wedding planners, the fate of your special day rests in good hands. And the hotel isn’t short on achievements, being crowned with fourteen consecutive AAA Diamond Awards. You are also able to take advantage of fixed group rates and room blocks for your wedding guests.

The crew at the Renaissance Hotel will accommodate any request imaginable in addition to offering amenities galore. Spacious rooms and suites featuring contemporary and vintage furnishings are complimented by faint blue ceilings for which Charleston is known. You’ll even receive chocolate covered strawberries and quality champagne as complimentary gifts for choosing the historic hotel as the location for your wedding destination.

Location means everything, and the Renaissance Hotel is only steps away from notable Charleston landmarks such as the College of Charleston, Charleston City Market and the Charleston Harbor. A resident historian is also on site to fill you in on all of the Holy City’s noble and rich history.

The William Aiken House

Located on Upper King Street, The William Aiken House is best known for hosting gorgeous weddings by way of its priceless ballrooms, engaging private grounds and open-air piazzas. The House was built in 1807 and formerly housed meetings between the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company. The owner’s widow, Henrietta Watt, ordered the construction of a ballroom on the second floor which is still used today.

The house is capable of hosting relatively large receptions of up to 500 guests. Other convenient additions come in the form of private gardens and two capacious courtyards for outdoor entertainment, an elegant pergola and reflection pool, and two guest suites in a restored, Gothic-style Carriage House. These are only a few of the many enlightening options available to make the wedding of your dreams a reality.

The William Aiken House is an excellent pick sure to benefit all parties involved. From what Martha Stewart Weddings and Brides Magazine named “the premier wedding venue in the State of South Carolina” to a spread of exceptional reviews recommended by 97% of authors, you can be assured that you won’t need to take a leap of faith when selecting this venue.

Lowndes Grove Plantation

This venue is another that is proudly situated alongside the oak-lined banks of the Ashley River, and it is distinguished as a Historic Place on the National Register—the federal government’s official list of historical landmarks. The Lowndes Grove Plantation is located in the upper echelon of Downtown Charleston on Saint Margaret Street a block away from The Citadel Military College.

The Main House showcases 1786 architecture with eighteenth century furnishings, an expansive 750-square-foot piazza (roofed passageway) spotlighted by a grand lawn with sunlit terraces made of bluestone, brick and oyster tabby materials. The property is located—similar to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens—on the banks of the Ashley River, perfectly encapsulating the breathtaking views of the Lowcountry.

The interior of this fine plantation building features a formal dining room for intimate dinners and meetings, a glass-enclosed portico, and elegant décor ranging from casual to lavish covering every style and expectation. Couple all of this with coastal views from a private dock that extends outward an impressive 700 feet into the Ashley River. Described as one of Charleston’s last great waterfront estates, it has captured the hearts of many brides and grooms over the course of four centuries.

The Historic Rice Mill Building

Holding the title of second oldest of our list, the Historic Rice Mill Building was erected in 1861 to replace a former rice mill building that burned a year earlier. And the building happens to be the second on our list classified as a Historic Place by the National Register. Located at the City Marina on 17 Lockwood Drive, it serves as an excellent waterfront wedding venue, offering surrounding views of the Ashley River matched only by neighboring Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Surviving a Union blockade during the American Civil War, the 1886 Charleston Earthquake and Hurricane Hugo of 1989, the building was the subject of a $3 million renovation in the early 1990s, radically transforming the structure into a successful event venue. It continues to be aesthetically appealing with savory features of exposed brick, wide-plank wood floors, large double windows and pressed-tin ceilings.

The Mill accommodates up to 300 guests and has both indoor and outdoor venues that tailor to all tastes and preferences. If you are more comfortable with an indoor setting for your big day, consider the Marina Room—featuring large double windows and other stylish features in place to make your wedding as gorgeous as possible. But don’t forget about an outdoor venue! The Patio makes an excellent choice with its scenic views from a secluded garden space.

Choosing a Wedding Transportation Service

In need of a reliable transportation service in Charleston without breaking the bank? The Charleston Black Cab Company will ensure all of your esteemed guests arrive at the wedding on time, all while being treated to luxury and comfort with a crew of professional and experienced chauffeurs.

Unconventionality is the norm at Black Cab with five Party Bus options available for larger groups, offering a high-end experience hallmarked by pumping sound systems, strobe and limousine lights, wet bars, and much, much more. And if you plan to let it all out before your big day, packages are offered for an exciting Charleston Bachelor or Bachelorette Party before tying the knot.

Other vehicle options include the all-new Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV alongside Mercedes-Benz and Lexus models with a standalone first-class Limo Service in Charleston. Door-to-Door rates are affordable with competitive rates in the form of a “Best Price Guarantee” and $1 million in Comprehensive Liability Insurance coverage. Make your wedding day a success at any of these five venues by going with the Charleston Black Cab Company!