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Weddings

About

City Art is an art gallery and wedding venue located in Columbia, South Carolina. This urban event space provides an environment that is both elegant and warm, along with art exhibits that change throughout the year. Couples choosing City Art for their celebration are ensured an experience that they will treasure for many years to come.

Facilities and Capacity

This Southern turn-of-the-century building has been converted into an art gallery boasting maple plank flooring, 14-foot ceilings, and sand-blasted brick walls. Couples and their guests can marvel at the original contemporary art that is featured on the walls of the venue. Three galleries are available for guests to wander through and explore, all filled with an extensive range of art to enjoy viewing. The Main Gallery offers 2,800 square feet of flexible space, with plenty of room for dancing the night away. In addition, City Art has twinkling white lights that decorate the trees next to the entrance of the building to further add to the charming ambience.

Services Offered

City Art is able to accommodate a wide variety of wedding-related events, such as engagement parties, bridal showers, elopements, rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, and receptions. The venue’s professional staff knows that getting married is a truly momentous occasion. They strive to provide every couple with an unforgettable event that is as seamless as possible. When holding your special day here, you can also avail of the following wedding services and items:

  • Event rentals
  • Getting ready rooms
  • Liability insurance
  • Outside vendors
  • Preferred vendors only
  • WiFi
  • Audio equipment
  • Lighting
  • Tables and chairs

Location

This event space is conveniently situated in the heart of the historic Congaree Vista area. A newly constructed four-story garage located across the street from the venue allows for plenty of room for parking. You and your loved ones can enjoy visiting shops and antique galleries, dining at one-of-a-kind restaurants, and checking out the active nightlife. In addition, various lodging options are easily accessed from City Art.

  • Woman-owned
illustration popular

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$2,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$2,000

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$2,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$2,000

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Event Planning
Lighting/Sound
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Art Gallery
Historic Building
Loft

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Liability Insurance
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Decor
Furniture
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Shuttle
Valet

What months are included in your peak season?

January
June
July
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

February
March
April
May
August
September

Reviews of City Art

U
User2447076 Sent on 11/30/2015
5 out of 5 rating
Great venue! The location, size and uniqueness of the venue fit with our wedding so well.
U
User1908944 Sent on 11/06/2014
5 out of 5 rating
Me and my husband the most wonderful wedding reception. The staff was very courteous and respectful. Great place to have lots and lots of family. The antique feeling of the place makes you feel at home. If you're looking for a wedding venue or just a wedding reception venue than CityArt is the place to go.
U
User1843975 Sent on 10/03/2014
5 out of 5 rating
Beautiful place with lots of great art in a perfect location! Great Prices and Friendly staff and owners.
U
User1836595 Sent on 09/29/2014
5 out of 5 rating
We held our daughter's ceremony and reception at City Art. It was the perfect venue for our 125 guests. There was plenty of room for food, tables with chairs and a large dance floor. Our guests and vendors commented on what an amazing place City Art is. Many of our guests were from out of town and the location worked out perfectly. From rehearsal venue to nails and makeup, hotel- everything was within walking distance. Wendy at City Art spent an entire day making sure that a special request was available for us. We would use City Art again!
U
User1549274 Sent on 03/03/2014
5 out of 5 rating
City Art was perfect for my Daughter's wedding reception. It has so much character with the artwork, wood floors, and brick walls. Our guests were from all over South Carolina as well as out of state, and everyone raved about what a great place it was. The main area is very open so everyone is able to move around and still be involved, and the side room is great for those who want a quieter space. The band had plenty of room. We had a small tent outside with a few tables which I was very glad we decided to do. Wendy works well with Applause Catering which is who we used. It is also within walking distance to several hotels in the Vista which was a bonus. We have great memories of our daughter's reception at City Art, and I would definitely use them again.
U
User1451276 Sent on 11/24/2013
5 out of 5 rating
City Art was the perfect venue for our daughter's wedding. With its open spaces, the flow was perfect for 175 guests. We had four live food stations, two bars, an unmanned food table, candy bar, seven member band with plenty of room for dancing and seating for about 60 plus elbow tables. The venue has a cool vibe that all the guests were buzzing about. The art displayed everywhere certainly added to the ambiance. We would highly recommend City Art as the perfect venue for any event!
B
Bethany Sent on 07/09/2013
5 out of 5 rating
This venue is amazing and is one of the hidden gems of venues in Columbia, SC. Whether you are doing a sit down dinner or just a lively party, this is the place I would go. The staff was friendly, the process was easy, and the cost can't be beat for a downtown venue. The lighting in this venue is amazing and creates an excellent atmosphere for any party. I can't say enough wonderful things about City Art!
W
Wendy Sent on 06/04/2008
5 out of 5 rating
City Art was everything we were looking for at a fantastic price!!
J
Jess Sent on 09/09/2013
4.7 out of 5 rating
I LOVED having my wedding reception at City Art!! It is a beautiful venue, and so interesting! We had countless guests compliment us on how fun and different having an event in an Art gallery was. We had access to the entire gallery, which was awesome for the art lovers and for those who just wanted to escape the music. Wendy (owner) gave me a list of vendors she had worked with before, and it was really helpful talking to Vendors who already knew my space. Wendy is particular about the gallery, but she is also very helpful. She helped me plan the layout, made a lighting plan, and told me how many chairs she suggested (I would have rented extras, but she convinced me not to, and people didn't even use all the ones Wendy provided!). She was even there the night of the wedding to help the catering staff with whatever they needed, and she helped sweep up our rose petals (that people threw at us during the exit). I chose City Art because it was the largest downtown venue I could find -- we had about 200 guests for a cocktail party style reception, and we had more than enough room! We also didn't have to rent any tables or chairs, and there are several hotels within walking distance. I highly recommend this venue for your wedding reception!
B
Brantley Sent on 07/12/2013
1.6 out of 5 rating
I used City Art for my reception venue. I LOVED the space and location but working with the vendor was difficult. If you can handle Wendy, her rude comments, and impossible demands then go for it! My pictures from there are gorgeous and it's a beautiful downtown Columbia location. However, Wendy, the owner, caused me unnecessary stress and was very difficult to work with.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

10

Professional Network & Endorsements

3 Endorsements
The Coastal Breeze Party Band The Coastal Breeze Party Band Wedding Bands

City Art is a fantastic place for great wedding receptions! The room is intimate and warm and a great place to have a reception! We love performing there too!

American Floral American Floral Wedding Florists

What a great Space !! 75-250 people....hard wood floors, Art on the wall, sexy lighting and all in the VISTA !! A great spot for rehearsal, party, reception or wedding and reception....the SPOT is HOT !!

Applause Catering Applause Catering Wedding Caterers

City Art is a fun and fantastic venue, its full of funky art and just sets the scene for a great party!

Preferred Vendors
American Floral
4.9 out of 5 rating , 126 reviews
· Wedding Florists
Cinema Couture
5.0 out of 5 rating , 16 reviews
· Wedding Videographers
Partytime DJ's
4.9 out of 5 rating , 76 reviews
· Wedding DJs

Map

City Art frequently asked questions

City Art includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Event Planning
  • Lighting/Sound
  • Tables
City Art includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
The space offered by City Art for wedding events is known for:
  • Art Gallery
  • Historic Building
  • Loft
City Art offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
City Art offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
City Art offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Liability Insurance
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
City Art offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Decor
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
City Art is recommended by 93% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in average response time, 4.8 in value, 4.6 in quality of service, 4.6 in professionalism and 4.5 in flexibility.
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