So you got engaged and are thinking of Charleston, SC for your wedding destination wedding. Great choice! Charleston has become a very popular wedding destination and has numerous gorgeous wedding venues to choose from. Where you choose to host your wedding sets the vibe for your celebration, so it’s important to reflect you as a couple. I have been a wedding photographer in Charleston, SC for 16 years and have visited tons of wedding venues. Below, I will show you How to Choose Your Outdoor Wedding Venue in Charleston, SC

Charleston Outdoor Wedding Venues

The first step in how to choose your outdoor wedding venue is to decide what type of Charleston bride you are.

Nature Lover

Do you love nature? If you want to be surrounded by the beauty of nature, here are a few options for you outdoor wedding experience: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, White Point Gardens , Old Wide Awake Plantation and Hampton Park (where the above pictures were taken). All of these wedding venues have old oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss that evokes that Southern romantic vibe. You can get some epic newlywed photos with these trees in the background.

Historic Downtown

Or are you a classic bride who loves the romantic cobbled streets and colored buildings of downtown Charleston?  The Gadsden House, Lowndes Grove, and Governor Thomas Bennett House are three of my favorite venues to photograph weddings at. The big bonus to these downtown wedding venues is the proximity to all of the charming streets of Charleston where you can have multiple backdrops for your wedding party or newlywed photos.

The Beach

Another option if you are super easygoing and love the salty air and sand is to give your guests a beach wedding experience. Here in Charleston, we are lucky to have multiple beaches to choose from. There is Isle of Palms with the Wild Dunes Resort. Kiawah with the ultra-lux Ocean Course, and Folly Beach with its laid-back vibe..

Once you have chosen your outdoor wedding venue, the next step is deciding the best time of year.  If you are hosting a wedding outdoors in Charleston, SC, fall, and spring are the ideal time of year. Read this post and aren’t feeling an outdoor wedding venue is right for you then check out my blog post about the best indoor wedding venues.

Photography: @leighhaywardphotography