Charleston is a beautiful historical city on the coast that makes for a perfect backdrop for weddings, special events, and celebrations. Check out our round up of the best private event spaces and wedding venues in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Best Event Spaces and Wedding Venues in Charleston
The Dewberry
The Dewberry is a beautiful luxurious hotel in Downtown Charleston. The Dewberry has a sophisticated and warm feel and has various locations throughout the hotel suitable for business meetings, intimate brunches, dinners, and speculator weddings.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Eastside + Mazyck-Wraggborough
Ideal Party Size: 12 to 200
Francis Marion Hotel
The Francis Marion Hotel is conveniently located on King Street, and has beautiful historic ballrooms and event spaces for meetings, conferences, and weddings. The Francis Marion is home to 19,000 square feet of meeting and banquets spaces.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Upper King
Ideal Party Size: 30 to 500
Emeline
The charming and chic Emeline hotel has spacious rooms for business meetings and conferences as well as a stunning courtyard, greenhouse, and private dining room at Frannie and The Fox for weddings ranging from 40 to 240 guests.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Upper King
Ideal Party Size: 40 to 240
Hotel Bennett
The grand Hotel Bennett offers various luxurious event and meeting venues throughout the hotel. Hotel Bennett has indoor and outdoor spaces that can be rented. A unique space that can be rented in Hotel Bennett is their pink champagne bar, Camellias. This space would be a picturesque place for a bridal shower or pre-wedding celebration.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Upper King
Ideal Party Size: 16 to 500
Gibbes museum of art
The Gibbes museum of art is a beautiful venue for an indoor or outdoor wedding. The Gibbes outdoor space, Lenhardt Garden, is a classical European-style garden that can accommodate 350 to 500 guests. The indoor spaces have beautiful porcelain tiles and light fixtures that date back to 1905. The Gibbes can also host business meetings in four classrooms and studios within the museum.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Lower King
Ideal Party Size: 25 to 500
Gaillard Center
The stunning performing arts theater, The Charleston Gaillard Center, has 18 meeting spaces that can be rented for weddings, business meetings, or conventions. This versatile venue can accommodate parties ranging from 15 to 1,500!
Neighborhood: Downtown | Lower King
Ideal Party Size: 15 to 1,500
Cannon Green
Cannon Green is a beautiful and unique venue in Charleston. Its tucked-away courtyard can be used for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, or just about any other celebration. Cannon Green is also home to the beloved Charleston restaurant Wild Common. There is an Upstairs Chef’s Table that’s ideal for an intimate group dinner.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Lower King
Ideal Party Size: 50 to 250
American Theater
The American Theater is a recognizable landmark in Charleston that takes you back in time. It opened in 1942 and has maintained its Hollywood-inspired charm and glamor. The American Theater was actually used as a set for The Notebook. This theater makes for a unique setting for a fun celebration or wedding.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Upper King
Ideal Party Size: Up to 200
Founders Hall
Founders Hall is a beautiful state-of-the-art venue featuring large windows, outdoor lawns, a private courtyard, and a screened porch. This flexible space can be rented for weddings, retreats, seminars, family reunions–you name it.
Neighborhood: West Ashley
Ideal Party Size: 49 to 300
Parcel 32
Parcel 32 is a gorgeous venue located on King Street, right in the middle of everything. Parcel 32 features an entry courtyard, a parlor, a bar, a sunroom, a second-floor piazza, and a living room. Groups can get creative by utilizing these different spaces.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Lower King
Ideal Party Size: 150 or less
The Cedar Room
The Cedar Room is a beautiful and spacious venue located just off the Ravenel Bridge in the beautifully restored Cigar Factory. Its indoor and outdoor spaces can host large weddings and corporate events. This space features rustic brick walls and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Eastside + Mazyck-Wraggborough
Ideal Party Size: 150 to 550
William Aiken House
The William Aiken House is a historic mansion built in 1807 that is a national historic landmark. It features a large private garden and courtyard, as well as formal dining rooms and ballrooms. This beautiful property makes for a stunning and elegant setting for any event.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Eastside + Mazyck-Wraggborough
Ideal Party Size: up to 500
Post House Inn
The charming and locals’ favorite Post House Inn is a peaceful and beautiful restaurant and inn located in The Old Village neighborhood. The Post House Inn features an elegant room called The Rose Room, which is all light rose-colored and can accommodate up to 35 guests. The Post House is also available for a full buyout for larger events. The full buyout includes the private dining space, ceremony space, a reception space with seven inn rooms for added charm and convenience, and access to the bar, main dining room, and courtyard.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Eastside + Mazyck-Wraggborough
Ideal Party Size: 35 to 100
Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
The Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina features 10 venues for your special event, meetings, conferences, or retreat. The resort has various indoor and outdoor locations, and each venue has great views due to its location on The Cooper River.
Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant
Ideal Party Size: up to 150
Wild Dunes
Wild Dunes is a lovely oceanfront beach resort and neighborhood located on the Isle of Palms. It is a great property if you want to host your celebration or event where guests can stay on the property throughout the event. The resort has several venues ranging from elegant indoor ballrooms to Wild Dunes, a poolside pavilion, or a true beach wedding. It also has an award-winning golf course, in case you want to play a round before or after your event.
Neighborhood: Isle of Palms
Ideal Party Size: 20 to 400
Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens is a nature preserve that boasts beautiful garden trails, large trees, swamps, and a greenhouse full of butterflies and flowers. Cypress Gardens has numerous venues on the property that can be used for weddings, family reunions, corporate events, and more.
Neighborhood: Moncks Corner
Ideal Party Size: 40 to 250
Middleton Place
Middleton Place is a national historic landmark that has beautiful gardens and courtyards, views of The Ashley River, as well as indoor venues like the Cypress Room that can be used for private dinners, luncheons, and rehearsal dinners.
Neighborhood: Charleston
Ideal Party Size: 200 to 400+
Magnolia Plantation
Magnolia Plantation is a serene venue featuring indoor and outdoor spaces with views of the gardens, the Ashley River, and captivating live oak trees.
Neighborhood: Charleston
Ideal Party Size: 50 to 200
Boone Hall
Boone Hall in Mount Pleasant, SC, features large live oaks, Spanish moss, and multiple wedding venues onsite, including the front lawn of the mansion and the most popular venue, the Cotton Dock, which has views of the water and marsh.
Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant
Ideal Party Size: 60 to 300
The Gadsden House
The beautiful and historical Gadsen House is full of charm and is conveniently located in the middle of Downtown Charleston. The Gadsen House features three courtyards, parlor rooms, and lovely piazzas.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Ansonborough
Ideal Party Size: 80 to 300
Lowndes Grove
Lowndes Grove is an idyllic Charleston venue that highlights Lowcountry beauty with views of the water and marsh, oak trees, and a stunning waterfront estate.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Hampton Park
Ideal Party Size: 30 to 300
Historic Rice Mill
The Historic Rice Mill in Downtown Charleston is a waterfront venue with true character and history. The design of the space features exposed brick, marble counters, plank wood floors, and large double windows.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Harleston Village
Ideal Party Size: up to 300
RESTAURANTS and Stores WITH STANDOUT PRIVATE SPACES AND Large Group Dining Options
A Maker’s Post
A Maker’s Post on Sullivan’s Island is a local store featuring curated artisan goods, plants, gifts, and more. A Maker’s Post has a beautiful indoor and outdoor event space featuring lush plants. This space can be rented for a group of up to 20 guests for intimate dinners and engaging cocktail receptions.
Neighborhood: Sullivan’s Island
Ideal Party Size: up to 20 people
Reservations: email shop@makers-post.com to inquire
Hank’s Social Hall
Hank’s Social Hall is an elevated gathering space for private events that is located directly next to the renowned seafood restaurant Hank’s Seafood Restaurant. Hank’s Social Hall exclusively caters award-winning seafood dishes from Hank’s and offers high-quality service and hospitality. The Social Hall can accommodate up to 120 guests.
Neighborhood: Downtown | Ansonborough
Ideal Party Size: up to 120 people
Reservations: Rental requests can be made through this form.
Bar 167
Bar 167 accepts table reservations for large groups of up to 16 guests. Large group reservations can be made with preordered hors d’oeuvres and family-style entrees. Bar 167 also offers a buy-out option for parties of 16 to 75 guests. The available spaces are the downstairs dining room, upstairs dining room, and terraces. Guests can enjoy passed and stationed hors d’oeuvres, preordered wine, and batched signature cocktails. And lastly, Bar 167 can provide catering for off-site events. Catering orders can be placed by emailing chscatering@167raw.com.
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Ideal Party Size: 16 to 75 guests
- Reservations: For private dining reservations, email chscatering@167raw.com | for groups under 10 guests, reservations can be made on Resy.
Leon’s
Leon’s dining room and patio can accept reservations for parties of 6 to 12 people via Resy. If you are looking for a space for larger parties, Leon’s has a beautiful private dining space, Leon’s Oyster Shed. It is the perfect intimate and inviting dinner spot. The Oyster Shed was once an older home, giving it a cozy feeling with wood beams and one long table that can seat up to 24 guests. For larger parties, the brick patio outside of the Oyster Shed can be rented to accommodate an additional 36 spots.
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Ideal Party Size: 6 to 60 guests
- Reservations: Reservations can be made online or by emailing events@leonsoystershop.com
Sorelle
Sorelle provides a variety of spacious dining options ideal for special celebrations or events. The restaurant can be reserved for exclusive use, accommodating up to 60 guests. Additionally, there’s a charming private dining room located on the third floor. This room features an eight-person round dining table, a billiards table, a private restroom, and a luxurious outdoor patio with a fire pit and TV. It can seat eight guests for a meal or host up to 25 guests for a reception-style gathering. For those seeking a large party option without reserving a private space, Sorelle offers a dining table in the Mercado. This table comfortably seats 7 to 12 guests and is available for reservations from 5:00pm to 5:30pm and from 8:30pm onwards each evening.
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Ideal Party Size: 7 to 60 guests
- Reservations: Inquiries can be made by making a reservation online or by submitting a private dining request form.
Red Drum
Red Drum is a beloved Mount Pleasant restaurant that offers a variety of private and large party dining options. The Wine Room at Red Drum is perfect for an inviting and intimate event. The Wine Room can seat up to 20 guests and has a dedicated server. The Pub Room at Red Drum can also be reserved, and can be closed off for privacy. The Pub Room can accommodate 50 guests or 125 if guests choose to rent out the patio as well. If guests would like to rent the covered patio (which includes an outdoor bar) that space can accommodate up to 70 individuals. And if guests don’t want to rent out a private space, Red Drum can accommodate tables in the main dining room for up to nine people.
- Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant
- Ideal Party Size: 9 to 125 guests
- Reservations: For events or private dining email thereddrumgastro@gmail.com or call 843-568-9571
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