7 Downtown Charleston Wedding Venues to Obsess Over
If you're getting hitched in the Holy City, these downtown Charleston wedding venues are some of the area's most buzz-worthy (and best) places to wed.
Charleston, South Carolina is known for being a wedding hotspot because along with its romantic charm, the city offers so many interesting places to say "I do"—and that includes all of the fabulous downtown Charleston wedding venues. From King Street to Market Street and East Bay Street, downtown Charleston is filled with all types of wedding venues. You'll find chic museums, elegant ballrooms, hidden gardens, historic mansions, and even unique industrial buildings right in the heart of town.
Give your guests the ultimate Southern experience at one of these centrally located downtown Charleston wedding venues.
The Room on Meeting
If you're looking for historic downtown Charleston wedding venues, one of the first places you should consider is The Room on Meeting. With some parts of the property dating back to the late 1700s, The Room on Meeting is one of the the oldest wedding venues in Charleston. The venue's most unique features are the brick archways throughout the formal dining room, which is filled with natural light and features hardwood floors, elegant crown molding, and charming beadboard walls. Located at the corner of Hassell and Meeting streets (just a few steps from Market Street and St. Mary's Catholic Church), The Room on Meeting is perfectly situated for a wedding in the heart of town. The venue provides a wedding coordinator, in-house catering, bar service, tables, chairs, china, and flatware/glassware.
Learn more about The Room on Meeting »
Joséphine Wine Bar
Your options for downtown Charleston wedding venues aren't limited to just mansions and hotels—there are a number of restaurants, wine bars, and distilleries that are great choices for anyone in search of a space that's slightly less traditional. Joséphine Wine Bar on Spring Street is a modern space with a French twist, thanks to its riviera-style barstools, bentwood chairs, and sleek decor that reminds us of a Parisian cafe. The venue is perfect if you're having a smaller wedding—the main dining room can accommodate up to 50 seated guests or 100 standing guests, but there is also a patio with room for up to 16 seated guests. Expect hand-crafted cocktails, locally sourced menu ingredients, and a lively vibe if you choose this venue for your big day!
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The Gadsden House
It's totally possible to host a garden-style wedding in the heart of Charleston, and The Gadsden House on East Bay Street is one of the best places to do so. This romantic downtown Charleston wedding venue has three private courtyards, each one surrounded by magnolia, crepe myrtle, and palm trees for added scenery and charm. South-facing piazzas extending from the main house give you views of the courtyards and the Charleston waterfront. Inside, the venue is just as stunning, with grand parlor rooms featuring original pine wood floors (circa 1798), sparkling chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The Gadsden House can host seated ceremonies and receptions for up to 180 guests or cocktail-style events for up to 300 people. Catering and bar service are provided by King Street Hospitality Group.
Learn more about The Gadsden House »
Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel
If you prefer a wedding venue that has everything in one place—multiple event spaces, overnight accommodations, and all-inclusive packages—then getting married at a hotel is something we definitely recommend. The Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel is located just a few blocks away from the Charleston City Market, making it an especially great place if you're hosting out-of-town guests who will want to do some sightseeing during their downtime. The hotel's experienced wedding planners will help you coordinate all of the details for your big day from start to finish, and the all-inclusive wedding venue makes planning a piece of cake, since catering, bar services, setup/cleanup, lighting, and event rentals are provided in-house. The Renaissance Charleston can host weddings for a maximum of 150 guests and has various ballrooms and banquet halls to choose from.
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Gibbes Museum of Art
Art aficionado or not, there's no denying that the Gibbes Museum is one of the prettiest downtown Charleston wedding venues. Sitting on Museum Mile in central Charleston, the Gibbes Museum of Art was founded in 1858 and is home to more than 10,000 pieces of art ranging from 18th-century paintings to contemporary sculptures and multi-media installations. The Lenhardt Garden, pictured above, features a courtyard and fountain surrounded by tall trees and hedges, making it an ideal space to host your ceremony. You can also rent the museum's opulent rotunda, where a glass Tiffany-style domed ceiling is the centerpiece of the room.
Learn more about Gibbes Museum of Art »
Cannon Green
Another one of our favorite downtown wedding venues in Charleston is the idyllic Cannon Green. Not only is this trendy venue filled with history, but it has a range of indoor and outdoor spaces that exude an elegant aesthetic. Mediterranean-style restaurant by day, Cannon Green is housed in an 1840s building with a private courtyard, water features, vaulted beam ceilings, and skylights for plenty of natural light even when you're indoors. If you're into a colorful, funky vibe, it's the perfect space to host a wedding for up to 120 guests.
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American Theater
Nicholas Sparks fans, meet your dream wedding venue. The American Theater in downtown Charleston isn't just a local landmark—it's also where scenes of The Notebook were filmed! You might recognize the theater as the setting for Allie and Noah's first date, when they saw a movie with friends and decided to walk home together afterward (and later danced in the street). If you're looking to recreate the same romantic, vintage vibe inspired by The Notebook, no other downtown Charleston wedding venue comes close. The theater is filled with Art Deco details, like vintage movie posters, milk glass chandeliers, checkerboard flooring, and metallic gold handrails. You can even personalize the theater's iconic marquee sign with you and your spouse's names for an unforgettable photo op. The American Theater can host weddings for 200 people and provides in-house catering and event coordination.
