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Award winner thanks to recommendations from couples on WeddingWire.com.
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The Francis Marion

From 25 to 300 guests
Ceremony/Reception
Indoor
Get Ready Rooms

Why couples loved this venue

  • Unique aesthetic style
  • Quality catering
  • Guests comfort
  • Amenities
Paige
Katie
April
Brittney
Meghan

Recommended by 96% of couples

About this venue

Standing with stately grandeur and charm, The Francis Marion offers couples a classic wedding venue in Charleston, South Carolina. Constructed in 1924 during the Charleston Renaissance, this hotel is a jewel of architectural construction. Dine and dance in their historic ballrooms and later rest and relax in their spa and suites, for a wedding of refinement.

Facilities and Capacity

Decorated in rich tones of beige and gold with pops of blue hues, The Francis Marion exudes luxury and elegance. Lofty ceilings and long windows create a palatial feel while offering exquisite downtown vistas. The hotel offers three ballrooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 450 individuals. The Colonial, Gold, and Carolina ballrooms each boast their own distinctive furnishings and design and two of the ballrooms were constructed with the original build. Whichever hall you choose, you can celebrate your commitment to your sweetheart amongst storied sophistication.

Services Offered

Before your wedding day, the hotel's Wedding Sales Manager is excited to work with you on any questions you may have in the planning phase. From food and beverage to floor layout to linen and napkin colors. During the reception, the Francis Marion provides excellent food and beverage employees to handle all details for dinner, dessert, and bar. In the evening after your wedding, you and your partner can unwind in one of their comfortable suites.

Cuisine

Environmentally conscious, The Francis Marion cooks all their dishes with local, seasonal ingredients. Choose from brunch, lunch, and dinner menus, depending on your wedding event timeline. Additionally, cuisine may be served plated or in a buffet-style. Scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, delicious meats, and delectable vegetable pairings satisfy and enthuse your guests. Beverages are likewise provided through their bar service, with an array of beer and wine choices.

Accommodation

Straight lines with subtle ornate curves mark the furnishings in The Francis Marion’s suites and rooms. The interior design lends itself to a timeless ambiance with both contemporary and historical elements. You and your guests can avail of these comfortable dwellings, providing a calming retreat from the wedding buzz.

Features

Large team (21+ members)

Experience

  • 102 years in business

  • We speak N/A

Links

Visit website

Weddings at this venue

Sarah & Alec's wedding
Sarah & Alec
99 photos
Nicole & Jason's wedding
Nicole & Jason
36 photos
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FAQ

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?

$2,500

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

$2,500

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

Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Set Up
Tables

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

Cake Cutting
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$70

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

House Beer
House Wine
Specialty Beer

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

25

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Historic Building
Hotel

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?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Outside Alcohol
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Aisle Runners
Audio Equipment
Chairs
Chair Covers
Dance Floor
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

March
April
May
June
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
June
July

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of The Francis Marion

Weddingwire
4.8/5 87 reviews
Google
4.3/5 2458 reviews
Paige
Paige Sent on 05/19/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding Welcome Dinner in the Gold Ballroom

The level of professionalism and service far exceeded my expectations. Every member of the staff demonstrated an exceptional commitment to excellence, consistently anticipating needs and proactively offering assistance in a thoughtful and genuine way. Communication was prompt, clear, and incredibly responsive throughout the entire experience.

Most impressive was the flawless execution—the setting was absolutely stunning, and every detail came together beautifully. The timing and flow of both food and beverages were perfectly orchestrated, creating an effortless and enjoyable experience for all. Truly outstanding in every regard.
B
Benjamin Sent on 03/31/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Rehearsal Dinner

Bailey is truly one of a kind. We hosted our rehearsal dinner in the Gold Ballroom, and she went above and beyond to make the evening unforgettable. From the very beginning, she was responsive, organized, and incredibly flexible, helping us navigate every detail from arrangements and catering to vendors and special requests.

Her professionalism and warmth made the entire planning process seamless and stress-free. If you’re considering hosting a wedding event at the Francis Marion, you can feel completely confident knowing you’ll be in the very best hands with Bailey.
Katie
Katie Sent on 10/30/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful Wedding Reception!

We hosted our wedding reception at the Francis Marion Hotel, and it was absolutely perfect from start to finish! Bailey was a dream to work with—responsive, professional, and genuinely kind. She made the entire planning process so smooth and stress-free.

The hotel staff were all incredibly friendly and attentive, making our guests feel welcomed and well cared for throughout the evening. The food was outstanding—we’re still hearing from guests about how delicious everything was! From the hors d’oeuvres to the plated dinner, every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor.

The setup was spectacular—elegant, romantic, and exactly what we had envisioned. The Gold Ballroom truly has that timeless Charleston charm, and the Francis Marion team brought our vision to life flawlessly.

We couldn’t have asked for a better venue or a more wonderful team. Highly recommend the Francis Marion Hotel to any couple looking for a classic, elegant, and unforgettable wedding experience!
R
Rebecca Sent on 03/15/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful hotel, even greater team!

Francis Marion - What a beautiful hotel and wonderful people to work with! We were planning the wedding in the midst of COVID and with border closures, there were so many uncertainties with travel and us actually getting to Charleston for our wedding. Gillian and Marie understood our uncertainties and were willing to work with us through the process while so many other venues gave no room for flexibility. The staff were so understanding and supportive and worked seamlessly with our planners and all the other vendors to help give us a beautiful event. Not only did we have our wedding at the hotel, we also had our rehearsal dinner and brunch for our family the day after the after the wedding. Our stay at the hotel, the food and the staff was fantastic and we cant wait to go back to visit!
J
Jillian Sent on 08/01/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Venue

Wow! This venue was the best place to have our wedding. From the start, Savannah, made us feel comfortable and she was great! Savannah went above and beyond for everything, as it was a destination wedding for us so hard for us to come and visit a lot. We cannot say enough great things about Savannah and the Colonial room. It was absolutely beautiful! From the start of our planning to the end, it was a smooth process.
The hotel staff also made it enjoyable as they were all very polite and went above and beyond for not only ourselves but for all of our guests.
Highly recommend this venue to anyone! It is a beautiful reception hall.
April
April Sent on 07/15/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Elegant & Simply Mesmerizing

We held our wedding reception at the Francis Marion Hotel. Its one of the iconic historic hotels in Charleston, SC. We wanted to thank FMH & Savannah the wedding manager for accommodating us and our guest in their beautiful Colonial Ballroom. The ballroom was large and could fit up to 300 guests. The colonial is very inviting with large windows overlooking the Marion Square Park at the intersection of Calhoun St. & King St. The lighting was well lit and as the night progresses, the lights dim to give the guest a sense of the night setting in. The food prepared by Chef Simon was fantastic and was well worth the wait. We had horderves served during the cocktail hour which was a collection of Antipasto and during the reception dinner we had Chicken Pesto over Risoto & Braised Beef Short-Ribs over Cheesy Grits paired with an appetizer of She Crab Soup which is an iconic Charleston soup. The service of the servers were mature and very respectful. The Francis Marion Hotel also gives the newly weds a complimentary night in their Bridal Room which includes a little gift of Champagne & Chocolate Strawberries for your romantic stay. Overall, we enjoyed the time spent at The Francis Marion Hotel and we look forward to visiting again in the future. If you are ever looking for a place to hold your wedding reception especially in the summertime, The Francis Marion Hotel is the place to go.

- XOXO
Mr. & Mrs. Salvador
A
Amanda Sent on 06/17/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Charleston Venue

We had our reception in the Gold Ballroom and it was absolutely beautiful! Gillian helped us initially then Savannah took over and they were both wonderful to work with! Excellent with communication and making sure everything was what we wanted. The option of providing your own alcohol gave us the option to chose our favorite beers and wines to allow our guests more choices crafted by us- we had 4 local beers.
Also, other venues in Charleston do not include tables, chairs, linens and dinnerware/ service ware/ glass wear; the Francis Marion does and it was great to not have to bring another vendor into the picture.
It’s convenient location in the heart of downtown was perfect for our guests. I’d recommend the Francis Marion to any bride looking for a beautiful venue in downtown Charleston.
Brittney
Brittney Sent on 03/13/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Ceremony and Reception

Out of all the venues my fiancé and I contacted only two were responsive and flexible. Francis Marion and their gem, Savannah, happened to be one of them. Savannah is detailed oriented, made us feel comfortable and was extremely open. Francis Marion really provides a lot for your money. We are planning our wedding from Atlanta and are never worried since we know Savannah is on top of things. I would definitely recommend looking at one of their three ballrooms for your event.
Meghan
Meghan Sent on 12/24/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Elegance, charm, and ease. Sure to impress!

We had our ceremony and reception at FMH, and our wedding experience was fantastic from the very beginning. The property itself is an absolute dream! From the architecture to the décor to the downtown location, the Francis Marion Hotel was everything we wanted and more (at a surprisingly reasonable price)! We worked with Gillian first and then Savannah, who didn’t skip a beat when taking over our wedding. Both ladies were wonderful! I planned the wedding from 900 miles away and did not meet Savannah in person until the wedding weekend, however it was super easy to coordinate the event via email. When we finally met for the rehearsal, she had everything organized and ready to go. We are extremely pleased with FMH and couldn’t be happier that we chose this venue!
Brandon
Brandon Sent on 11/10/2018
5 out of 5 rating

This place was like a dream come true

This place was simply amazing.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

87
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
illustration message review

Are you interested?

Team

Bailey Mikolay
Bailey Mikolay
Weddings Sales Manager

Professional Network & Endorsements

Gillian Claire Gillian Claire Wedding Photographers

What a wonderful venue to have a wedding! It's so beautiful and the staff is so fabulous to work with. Highly recommend them!

Darby Events | DJ+Piano Combo Darby Events | DJ+Piano Combo Wedding DJs

The Francis Marion has THE BEST LOCATION in town as far as we're concerned. You could not ask for a better location to get married and the classic atmosphere they create is in a league all it's own. Not to mention the bridal suites are just out of this world. Definitely consider the Francis Marion for your wedding if you're looking for something unique and classic at the same time.

Richard Bell Photography Richard Bell Photography Wedding Photographers

The Francis Marion is a wonderful place for a wedding, reception or both! The venue is beautiful and with several Ballrooms they are able to accommodate small, intimate weddings or large formal events. Every aspect of working with Caroline and her crew is wonderful. They are accommodating, friendly and easy to work with. The location is fantastic at the heart of downtown Charleston across from Marion Square. The food is always awesome! Their chef does a fantastic job on every dish. Their food displays look good. The pasta station and shrimp and grits station are well done! The rooms at the Francis Marion are perfect for getting ready or for the honeymoon night! If you are looking for a place for guests from out of town to stay, its perfect, as well. Truly a wonderful place for destination weddings in our historic city! http://charlestonwedding.com/index.html#/francis-marion-hotel-charleston-reception-venue/

Richard Bell Photography
5.0 out of 5 rating , 182 reviews
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4.9 out of 5 rating , 202 reviews
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4.8 out of 5 rating , 1 review
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4.9 out of 5 rating , 26 reviews
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5.0 out of 5 rating , 65 reviews
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The Francis Marion frequently asked questions

The Francis Marion includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The Francis Marion includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at The Francis Marion includes:
  • House Beer
  • House Wine
  • Specialty Beer
The space offered by The Francis Marion for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Historic Building
  • Hotel
The Francis Marion offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
The Francis Marion offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Francis Marion offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
The Francis Marion offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Aisle Runners
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Chair Covers
  • Dance Floor
  • Lighting
  • Tables
The Francis Marion is recommended by 96% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.8 in quality of service, 4.8 in average response time, 4.8 in flexibility, 4.8 in professionalism and 4.8 in value.
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