20 Epic Waterfront Charleston Wedding Venues
Some of the most appealing parts of Lowcountry living are watching a sunset over the water, spending a day on the boat, or kayaking through our stunning salt marshes.
The Charleston area is rife with breathtaking rivers, streams, marshes, and beaches, and it’s no wonder that waterfront wedding venues are some of the most sought-after places to get married in Charleston, SC.
There is something quintessentially romantic about saying "I do" on the banks of the Ashley River or watching the sunset over the Intracoastal Waterway.
However, finding the right venue for your dream wedding can feel like you're swimming against the tide, are we right? Never fear! We're throwing you brides-to-be a life ring in the form of our comprehensive guide to the best Charleston wedding venues on the water. So get ready to take the plunge!
(Note: If you're looking specifically to host a beach wedding, you'll enjoy this post on the 18 Best Charleston Beach Wedding Venues.)
Best Waterfront Wedding Venues in Charleston, SC
Say your vows on island time! Located on a private island on the banks of the Stono River on John’s Island, the grounds of the Island House feature a 40’ by 80’ tent that offers 180-degree views of the water and sunset. The Island House also includes tables, perimeter tent lighting, chandeliers, chairs, and ample parking with your rental, so it’s one-stop shopping for the busy bride-to-be planning Charleston wedding.
photo credit: Annamarie Akins Photography
Our Angel Oak Earrings, inspired by the nearby Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island, are the perfect fit for this gorgeous venue!
The delicate wire-wrapped pearl chains emulate the beauty of our iconic Spanish moss, while the sparkling hydro quartz pendant draws inspiration from the light filtering through our ancient live oaks. The Angel Oak Earrings are available in four delicate shades: Seafoam Green, Rose, Sage, and Indigo. $68
Bring some Charleston charm to your big day by getting married at the Historic Rice Mill on the banks of the Ashley River. The Historic Rice Mill was built in 1861 and is one of the only remaining antebellum rice mills still standing today, making it an unforgettable Charleston wedding venue.
This beautiful building offers exposed brick, sweeping views of the sunset over the water, a beautiful deck, and an elegant ballroom. The Historic Rice Mill partners exclusively with Good Food Catering to serve up exceptionally catered cuisine for your wedding.
photo credit: Haley Foster Photography
Celebrate your wedding day with our adorable “I Do, Me Too” Oyster Ring Dish Set. These handcrafted jewelry dishes are the perfect reminder of your Charleston wedding and an heirloom keepsake to honor your love. $60
If you’re on the hunt for a Charleston wedding venue with a beautiful interior space, a manicured lawn, and views of the harbor, be sure to visit Harborside East. The sunsets behind the Ravenel Bridge are just icing on the cake!
This waterfront wedding venue is located in Mount Pleasant and offers an indoor/outdoor bar set up, tables and chairs, wrought iron patio furniture, a bridal room, and a partially covered patio with weather flaps.
photo credit: Britt Croft Photography
Incorporate a nod to luxurious Lowcountry living into your wedding tablescapes with our best-selling Gilded Oyster Shell Garlands. These handcrafted garlands look stunning coiled around the base of your cake stand or running the length of your reception tables. They are currently available in Gilded Natural, Tea Revelry Decoupage, and Banana Leaf (limited release). $96
Southern comfort marries timeless elegance at the Creek Club at I’on, one of the most picturesque places to get married in Charleston.
Nestled deep within one of Mount Pleasant’s most coveted neighborhoods, the Creek Club at I’on boasts a sweeping veranda, impeccable gardens, unparalleled views of the water, and more than 5,000 square feet of event space. The porches, fireplaces, and exposed beams offer old Charleston charm, and the sunset over the dock are absolutely Instagram-worthy.
photo credit: Desiree Gardner Photography
Let our Gilded Oyster Shell Candles remind your guests of Charleston’s natural beauty while adding a touch of lavish Lowcountry flavor to your wedding table decor.
Each candle is lovingly hand-poured by our team of female artisans, and you can choose between unscented, Beach Bonfire, and Lavender. $25
Is anything dreamier than sailing into the sunset on your wedding day? The Carolina Girl Yacht is one of the most distinctive places to get married in Charleston, and the luxury yacht offers comfortable seating for up to 150 guests. Your friends and family will love the 360-degree views of Charleston Harbor, and the Carolina Girl’s in-house day-of coordination team will ensure smooth sailing for your big day.
photo credit: Jacqueline Jones Photography
If you’re saying “I do” on the deep blue sea, we can’t think of a more appropriate something blue for your wedding than one of our Ocean Oyster Ring Dishes. Each of these hand-poured oyster jewelry dishes celebrates the beauty and grace of Charleston’s waterways, and they’re perfectly sized for wedding bands, bridal jewelry, and beloved trinkets. $40
The South Carolina Aquarium is the turtle-y, otterly perfect Charleston wedding venue for a couple of water babies. The patio offers sweeping panoramic views of the Charleston Harbor and the Ravenel Bridge, and the interior can comfortably accommodate up to 500 guests.
Cut your cake in front of a tank of tropical fish, raise a glass by the bald eagle habitat, and dance the night away before the Great Tank, which is home to both sharks and sea turtles, all in the heart of historic downtown Charleston.
photo credit: Richard Bell Photography
Celebrate your bridesmaids or treat yourself to a nautical something blue with our Seahorse or Octopus Decoupage Oyster Shell Dish.
This sweet, handcrafted gift is a gift that gives back: we recycle 10 oyster shells from local restaurants to Charleston’s oyster reef restoration efforts for each oyster ring dish purchased. $40
Tie the knot on the USS Yorktown for a wedding that’s anchored in history and greatness. The USS Yorktown was the 10th aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy. She went on to receive the Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars for service in World War II and 5 battle stars for service in Vietnam. Today, this grand vessel is permanently docked in the Charleston Harbor as the centerpiece of the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, and she’s also one of the most unique places to get married in Charleston, SC. Host an intimate event on the Fantail or the Charleston Harbor Room, or throw an elegant, larger wedding on the flight deck or the hangar bays for an unforgettable big day.
photo credit: Priscilla Thomas Photography
Navigate your way through the ebbs and flows of love and life with our Moon & Stars Earrings. These charming, whimsical earrings remind you to let the stars be your guide, and they’re a thoughtful bridal accessory, engagement gift, or bridesmaid present. Choose from Rose or Seafoam hydro quartz. $60
Chart a course for everlasting love by saying your vows at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. The Mariner’s Walk Pier allows you to invite up to 120 guests for a ceremony right over the water, and the Sunrise Terrace & Deck offers 180-degree views of the harbor and historic downtown Charleston.
The hotel also boasts additional ceremony sites and reception options, making this a very versatile Charleston wedding venue. The fact that your guests and bridal party can stay directly on-site is an added convenience!
photo credit: Danielle Hulsey
Our Odyssey Charm Bracelet makes a lovely bridesmaid gift for your coastal chic wedding or nautical accessory for your bridal look. This handmade bracelet reminds the wearer to stay the course and follow their heart as they navigate through life’s ebbs and flows.
Elegance is the name of the game at the Daniel Island Club, one of Charleston’s exclusive waterfront golf clubs. Let your guests soak up panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway as you say your vows beside the manicured green, and then be sure to grab some sunset photos on the magnificent dock before retiring to the grand ballroom. The Daniel Island Club’s ballroom comfortably accommodates 300 guests, and their staff ensures a world-class experience for your dream wedding.
photo credit: Aaron & Jillian
Delicate and feminine, our Moxie Sea Glass necklace is a striking bridal necklace for an elegant, timeless wedding day.
The sea glass pendant rests at the end of a wire-wrapped pearl chain, and you can choose from sea foam, blush, or indigo to perfectly accent your gown. From $80
If the sound of a colorful coastal wedding floats your boat, be sure the Regatta Inn is on your list of Charleston wedding venues to visit. The bright coral luxury bed and breakfast is located on the Intracoastal Waterway side of Charleston’s popular Folly Beach.
It offers sweeping views of the water and neighboring Sunset Cay Marina from the covered patio or luxury wedding tent. Invite up to 175 of your nearest and dearest to celebrate with you at what’s sure to be the party of a lifetime.
photo credit: @MelissaMileyPhotography
What better way to welcome your bridal party to Folly Beach than with a handmade keepsake? Our Little Folly Beach Oyster Necklace rests on a pearl-wrapped chain, the perfect accessory for casual parties on the pier or candlelit dinners downtown. $80
A romantic first kiss under a sun-drenched oak tree at Dunes West makes this Charleston wedding venue one of the most desirable places to get married. Ancient live oaks frame sunsets over the marsh for a dreamy ceremony site your guests are sure to love.
The Dunes West Clubhouse blends country club comfort with Southern elegance for a ballroom reception to remember. Enjoy a cocktail on the sweeping veranda, wander the manicured garden with your love or savor a quiet moment by the water; you’re sure to have an unforgettable celebration with family and friends.
photo credit: Britani Edwards Photography
Thank your bride tribe for their love and support through all of life’s ebbs and flows with a best-selling Grit Bracelet. We designed this adjustable bolo bracelet to comfortably fit any wrist and to remind the wearer that they have the grit it takes to create a pearl during even the roughest waters.
The Grit Bracelet boasts 11 beautiful variations, so you can choose the design that best suits your loved one’s style or tailor your design to your wedding theme or colors. Pair a Grit Bracelet with a Gilded Oyster Jewelry Dish for an elegant gift they’ll always treasure. $30
Make a splash by hosting your wedding at the Lake House at Bulow. This intimate lodge is both rustic and luxurious, and the gorgeous outdoor spaces are unmatched.
One of the most unique Charleston wedding venues, the Lake House at Bulow offers a lawn with lovely views of the lake that gives way to a beautiful deck over the water. Let the picturesque bridge to the small, wooded island serve as a grand entrance for your walk down the aisle, and say I do under the shade of the towering pine trees. The Lake House also offers stately overnight accommodations for 12, for an added convenience.
photo credit: Reese Moore Photography
Embrace the rustic elegance of the Lowcountry with a Coastal Calm Oyster Shell Necklace. The delicate gold oyster shell pendant is paired with natural Imfibinga seed beads from Kenya to celebrate the beauty of the sea and the power of the land. The subtle, sophisticated palette of grays and blues makes this necklace a thoughtful bridal accessory, bridesmaid gift, or engagement present. $70
The world is your oyster at Bowens Island. This beloved Charleston oyster hall is perfect for a rustic, intimate affair or can be dressed up for an elegant Lowcountry wedding that’s filled to the brim with local flavor. Bowens Island is known for serving up mouth-watering oysters and epic views of the marsh along their dock.
They offer 3 distinct rental areas for your big day, so you can comfortably host an intimate or larger gathering. Your guests will love the utterly unique coastal aesthetic and the gorgeous sunsets, best enjoyed with a glass of champagne in hand!
photo credit: Kimberly F. Denn
Our Lowcountry Oyster Lovers Gift Basket makes a wonderful (and practical) welcome gift for your family, friends, and bridal party for your Bowens Island wedding. Tell them to bring their signature G&G oyster knife and tea towel to the reception; it’s sure to be a shell of a party! $169
Anchor your dream wedding with a Charleston wedding venue that’s both on the waterfront and in the heart of the historic district: the Charleston Yacht Club. The Charleston Yacht Club overlooks the city marina, and the 2,067 square foot Flag Room can accommodate up to 300 people, and the Riverside Deck offers more than 1,000 feet of space as well.
The venue rental includes round tables, cocktail tables, banquet tables, folding chairs, and white linens. Guests will adore the sweeping views of the Charleston Harbor, vaulted ceilings, and proximity to downtown’s nightlife scene after your grand exit.
photo credit: Jay Dee Photography
Give your bridesmaids a special gift that will forever remind them of your big day, the Rainbow Row Earrings. We named these simple, playful earrings after Charleston’s iconic Rainbow Row, which is actually right down the block from the Charleston Yacht Club. Choose your favorite of the 8 available color combinations to remind the wearer to stay faithful to their own true colors and “be the rainbow in someone’s cloud!” $60
Exchange your vows against a scenic backdrop of sprawling live oaks and shimmering waves at Alhambra Hall. Located in the heart of Old Village in Mount Pleasant, Alhambra Hall is actually a former ferry terminal! Today, this gorgeous Charleston wedding venue boasts hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and elegant wrap-around porches. Alhambra Hall also features a bridal suite and can comfortably accommodate 200 guests for a seated reception and up to 350 guests for a cocktail-style reception.
photo credit: @southerntidephoto
Kick off the weekend’s festivities by welcoming your gals with a Mantra Bracelet. They’ll love the sweet, simple design of this minimalist bangle, and you can choose the script that best reflects your friendship or honors your bestie’s personality. We love the “Love My Tribe” and “Mermaid Vibes” Mantra Bracelets to celebrate a nautical wedding! $20
Let your love of nature set the tone for your dream wedding at the Woodlands Nature Preserve, one of the more distinctive places to get married in Charleston, SC. This 6,000-acre Charleston wedding venue believes that “the sky's the limit” when it comes to your wedding at Woodlands Nature Preserve. They’ve hosted everything from intimate weddings to full-blown music festivals at this versatile property. Be sure to check out the Zun tent cabins on the property for the immersive experience of a lifetime.
photo credit: Franzi Annika
Let the character of the Lowcountry inspire your wedding table decor. Our Natural Oyster Place Cards celebrate the beauty of our natural surroundings while also giving your guests a personalized heirloom keepsake to take with them as the party retires.
Our in-house calligraphy team would love to personalize your Oyster Place Cards with your guests’ names, the location of your wedding, or your wedding date. The Oyster Place Cards are available in rustic Natural, sophisticated Gold Painted, and glamorous Gold Hi-Gloss Finish. From $7
Adventure awaits for your wedding at Gold Bug Island! This Sullivan’s Island wedding venue includes a banquet hall, outdoor patio, lawn, and bar area to accommodate up to 150 people, and the views of the marsh are unparalleled. Gold Bug Island gets its name from Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Gold-Bug”, which is set on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.
photo credit: KB Photography
Nothing pairs more perfectly with a Gold Bug Island wedding than our Gold Bug Long Pearl Necklace! This elegant braided pearl necklace reminds you that your real treasure is your grit and your ability to turn any hardship into a pearl on your own life’s adventure. The Gold Bug Long Pearl Necklace accents any wedding gown, and it looks beautiful as a sophisticated stand-alone necklace or layered with your family heirloom pieces. $70
Step back into the romance of a bygone era by getting married at Wingate Place. The charming 1930s farmhouse is nestled among centuries-old oak trees at this outdoor Charleston wedding venue.
Located on John’s Island, Wingate Place offers both a bridal suite and groomsmen quarters on their 180-acre property. Host your ceremony in front of the lake, dine al fresco under the moss-laden trees, and gather under the tent for an evening of joyous revelry.
photo credit: Sarah Beach Photography
Our Customized Blessing Beads are our most popular gift for newlyweds. Bless the road that lays ahead by letting our in-house calligraphy team inscribe the gilded oyster shell with the couples’ names, wedding date, or a cherished Bible verse.
These sweet, simple beads are stunning when displayed on a cake table, draped over a welcome sign, and arranged over the bridal gown for photos, and they’ll become an adored piece of coastal decor for decades to come. $60
Where better to celebrate all the happiness on the horizon than with panoramic views of Charleston's iconic marshes? Mingo Point on Kiawah Island is the epitome of luxurious Lowcountry living, and your friends and family will delight in this rustic outdoor Charleston wedding venue. Let a live band play on the deck, cuddle up around the bonfire pits, or treat yourself to an oyster roast or Lowcountry boil at this gorgeous waterfront venue!
photo credit: Clay Austin Photography
Our Kiawah Island Bridal Earrings channel the timeless elegance and grace of Kiawah Island living. The delicate 24k gold-plated sea oat chains give way to seafoam and indigo hydro quartz pendants, emulating the iconic beauty of our native flora against the Kiawah waves. These refined earrings are a thoughtful something blue for the Lowcountry bride. $74
Bridge the gap between your wedding dreams and reality at the Cooper River Room! The Cooper River Room rests at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge in Mount Pleasant. You’ll enjoy sunset views of the Cooper River, landscaped gardens, and rocking chairs on the covered porch. This versatile Charleston wedding venue comfortably accommodates up to 300 guests, and your rental includes tables and seating for 150 people, a gas fireplace, a private bridal suite, and a catering kitchen.
photo credit: Riverland Studios
Toast the newlyweds with our Cheers Wine Charm Set. Give this festive gift as a congratulatory gift, engagement present, bridal shower gift, or housewarming surprise, and pair them with 4 of your vintages for a real treat. The inscriptions read “Carpe Diem”, “Cheers”, “Best Day Ever”, and “The World Is Your Oyster.”
The purchase of the Cheers Wine Set supports our in-house oyster shell recycling program. Grit & Grace Studio is proud to have recycled more than 6,000 gallons of shells from Charleston restaurants and integrated them into SCDNR’s oyster reef restoration projects. $100
Whether you’re newly engaged or shopping for an extraordinary bridal gift for your best friend or daughter, we are here for you. Shop the Grit & Grace Bridal Collection today, and connect with a team member to discuss any questions you may have about customizing our collection to celebrate your loved one.
We’ve also authored an extensive series of wedding blog posts to guide you through the planning process, from bachelorette party planning to ideas for your something blue, and epic Charleston beach wedding venues. It also would be our honor to host you at the Grit & Grace Cottage if you’re planning a Charleston wedding or bachelorette weekend.
One Love & Blessings,