DECEMBER 18, 2020
Choosing a wedding venue is a decision that will stick with you for all of your days. With the right venue, you’ll fondly look back and remember exactly where you were standing on the best day of your life. While each couple has their must-haves and must-not-haves for the location, every couple can find the perfect venue in one of Charleston’s historic homes. There are so many unique options, from homes with historical decor to “blank slates” that are filled with history, but let you decorate according to your own style.
Why Choose a Historic Home?
Charleston is full of stunning estates that have maintained their beauty for decades. These elegant homes provide a unique venue for those who want a wedding of refined taste and timeless aesthetic.
Charleston’s iconic homes provide a gorgeous backdrop and the perfect landscape for a dream-like wedding. Not only will you and your spouse have the perfect day, but your guests will fall in love with the environment as well.
We’re giving you a snapshot of some of Charleston’s beautiful historic homes, along with a scrapbook of events that we’ve created in each venue. If you’re searching for the perfect Charleston, South Carolina wedding venue, chances are it’s on this list!
William Aiken House
Built-in 1807, this National Historic Landmark is a haven inside downtown Charleston. The beautiful architecture and environment make this home one of the greatest wedding venues in Charleston. The home offers a stunning pergola ideal for ceremonies. Inside the home, unique decorations fill each room. Click here to see just a few of the weddings that we’ve created there.
The home features all the following:
Private gardens
Two courtyards
Pergola and reflection pool
A ballroom on the first and second floor
Two guest suites
Two formal dining rooms
Handicap accessibility
For over 15 years, Engaging Events has remained a preferred wedding planner at the William Aiken House. If you want to celebrate your special day at an elegant place such as this, contact us to see how you can get started!
Lowndes Grove Plantation
Nestled away on west side of the peninsula, this 18th-century plantation home is nothing less than a spectacular display of classic southern architecture. The stunning landscape is dotted with live oaks and an incredible view of the Ashley River. Anybody interested in a relaxing, peaceful, yet classy wedding will find all that they could wish for here.
Lowndes Grove Plantation has the following key features:
Grand Lawn in front of the home
Formal Dining Room
Piazza with a view of the oak grove and river
Several indoor spaces for guests
Plenty of space for parking
Glass-enclosed portico
Private dock
Large outdoor patio for a tent and dancing
As a leading Charleston wedding planner, we have been on their preferred wedding planner list for over 12 years, thanks to our unique ability to plan elegant weddings that effortlessly mesh with the venue’s décor and style, which you can see here.
Thomas Bennett House
Previously the home of Governor Thomas Bennett Jr., this historic home is a Charleston classic. With a simple, yet stylishly designed interior combined with the inspiring landscape and garden, this home provides the perfect ambiance for an outdoor wedding.
See the main features at the Thomas Bennett House below.
Piazza overlooking the brick courtyard and fountain
Oyster tabby patio for tenting or open air dancing
Professionally manicured lawns inside the garden
Seasonal plantings
An off-duty police officer for receptions
Parking for more than 200 guests
Engaging Events has been an approved planner for weddings at the Thomas Bennett House for 12 years and running. Get in touch with us to see past examples of weddings here to discover inspiration and beauty.
The Gadsden House
This recently remodeled and restored historic home is an up and coming hot spot for wedding venues and receptions. As one of those “blank slate” venues that we talked about earlier, this gorgeous home is perfectly suited to fit any style. With multiple fireplaces, crystal chandeliers, heart pine floors, and more, this home is a dream.
See what else this beautiful home offers below:
Oyster tabby patio for tenting or open air dancing
Blue stone courtyard
Original heart pine floor interior
Modern and stylish landscape design with crepe myrtles, palms, and magnolias
Gas lanterns
Piazza overlooking the courtyard
Private groom and bridal suites
The Gadsden House is one of the most impressive Charleston wedding venues in the downtown area. We have had so much fun creating weddings in this venue during 2020, and we can’t wait to be there even more next year! To see some of the events we’ve held there in the past, click here for a full blog post that we wrote on The Gadsden House, and we’ll be uploading all of this year’s weddings to the scrapbook coming soon!
The Bottom Line of Charleston Wedding Venues
Charleston’s historic homes are the perfect locations for weddings. They offer elegance, space, history, and inherent beauty rarely found elsewhere. If you liked these homes, check out The Charleston Area Wedding Guide to see some more examples!
If you’re interested in speaking with an expert wedding planner at Engaging Events, get in touch with us here or on WeddingWire to explore your options.