23 quintessential Columbia wedding venues
So, you live in Columbia, and you’re recently engaged – or maybe you’re the maid/matron of honor, mother of the bride, etc. of a Columbia bride-to-be.
Wait ✋...before you contact that expensive (albeit, gorgeous) waterfront venue in Charleston, have you ever considered tying the knot here in Columbia?
Yes, Charleston has been named one of the “most romantic cities” by Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine magazines… but the average cost of a Charleston wedding in 2016 was $29,000, with destination weddings driving up the costs of venues + vendors. Unless budget isn’t an issue, you’ll probably have to cut back on your guest list, food + beverage quality, photography budget – or all of the above if we’re being honest – to afford a CHS affair.
Not only could you save money by getting hitched in Columbia, you’d also support our local economy.... and if you plan to pour $20,000+ into a photographer, videographer, wedding planner, catering company + more over the next year, wouldn’t you rather invest in local businesses vs. Charleston tourism?
...not to mention – as a Soda Citizen, I may be biased – but I prefer some of these original, local venues over the three Charleston plantations where I’ve witnessed friends’ nuptials over the past year. Just sayin’.
Columbia brides, take a look at our list of 23 quintessential Columbia (and greater Midlands area) wedding venues:
💒 701 Whaley
📍Location: 701 Whaley St.
☔Indoor/outdoor venue: indoor
💸Rental cost: rates
👰Wedding bells + whistles: Named by Southern Living as one of the 11 Best Venues to Get Married in S.C.
We dig this downtown venue – which feature trendy light fixtures + an exposed-brick backdrop – for brides who are looking for the modern, industrial vibe. It’s an all-around aesthetically-pleasing space for your industrial-chic night. With multiple rooms of different sizes available to rent, 701 Whaley fits both small elopements and 200+ guest list soirees.
701 Whaley | Photo by @l.a.kornegay, posted by @701whaley
💒 1208 Washington Place
📍1208 Washington St.
☔indoor (capacity 300-400) + outdoor (rooftop terrace space available)
👰Original vault doors provide a unique atmosphere
Huge windows + chandeliers adorn the urban/industrial architecture at Washington Place, so whether it’s day or night, your wedding is sure to be breathtaking.
💒 Capital City Club
📍1201 Main St., Suite 2500
☔indoor
👰Event planner, customized menu planning and concierge services + coat check available
Grandiose, classic and with views that reach miles over downtown Columbia, The Capital City Club (atop the “BB&T building”) offers the perfect upscale space to go all out (and over the top – literally) on your big day.
💒 City Art
📍1224 Lincoln St.
☔indoor (capacity 300)
👰Guests can peruse three galleries of contemporary art
If you picture your special night surrounded by ornate paintings + sculptures instead of flowers, this is the space for you. City Art offers an urban, modern feeling for the artsy pair.
A City Art Wedding | Photo by @theweddingclick
💒 City Market Place
📍705 B Gervais St.
☔indoor
💸call 803-783-1061 for rates
👰Complimentary valet parking
This venue offers an industrial + rustic feel in the heart of the Vista. Guests can walk straight to Pearlz Upstairs for some post-wedding jazz – or back to their hotel.
City Market Place | Photo by @murphyweddings
💒 City Roots
📍1005 Airport Blvd.
☔outdoor
👰City Roots partners with Farm to Table Event Co. to provide locally-sourced catering
If you’ve always dreamed of a farm setting for your wedding, City Roots is about as aesthetically pleasing as you can get – and you don’t have to drive outside of downtown to achieve your country setting. From flower field backdrops (who wants to save a few bucks on a florist?) to chickens, it’s the urban-farm setting that’s a short Uber ride from downtown hotels.
💒 Columbia Museum of Art
📍1515 Main St.
☔indoor (capacity 150-1,410)
👰Professional special events team on-site (Bonus: Catch the 20% off sale while the museum undergoes renovations.)
Spacious + modern, CMA is centrally-located on Main St. and puts a contemporary spin on your vows. Show off the best of Columbia to your out-of-town guests.
💒 Corley Mill House + Gardens
📍221 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington
☔indoor + outdoor
👰Historic plantation venue outside in an isolated setting
This picture-perfect home in Lexington features stunning gardens for dreamy photos, plus access to inside the home for an indoor reception – which is rare for a historic home. Also, Chef Scott Hall of Bone-In Barbeque heads up the catering menu, so you can feel confident your guests will leave talking about the food (in a good way).
Corley Mill House + Gardens | Photo by @palmettoduo
💒 Doko Manor
📍100 Alvina Hagood Cir., Blythewood
☔indoor (capacity 24-300) + outdoor
👰Multiple event spaces + a full-catering kitchen
Just a short drive from Columbia, Doko Manor is set right on water and features a host of romantic climbing plants and all-natural charm. Just far enough to feel like a destination, the space offers many options to make your day your own.
💒 Gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion
📍1615 Blanding St.
☔outdoor (capacity 400)
👰Historic Committee staff on-site during event, access to electricity throughout gardens + a covered porch
An elegant venue that offers a modern feel (it was completely renovated this year) – while combining the aesthetics of mid-1800s arboretum-style gardens.
💒 Gardens of the Woodrow Wilson Family Home
📍1705 Hampton St.
☔outdoor (capacity 250)
👰Historic Committee staff on-site during event, access to electricity throughout gardens + catering prep kitchen
Get married where a former president grew up. This endearing venue offers plenty of charm with its Italian-villa stylings. A history-buff couple’s dream venue.
💒 Riverbanks Zoo + Gardens
📍500 Wildlife Pkwy.
☔indoor + outdoor (combined capacity 50-500)
👰Complimentary bridal portraits on the wedding day.
A beautifully designed space, Riverbanks offers exquisite gardens + a unique atmosphere you won’t get anywhere else in Columbia. It’s our only zoo, after all. Plus, a portion of proceeds support animal conservation.
💒 Robert Mills House and Gardens
📍1616 Blanding St.
☔indoor (capacity 50 seated or 100 standing) + outdoor (capacity 400)
👰Historic Committee staff on-site during event, access to electricity throughout + private parking lot for ~30 cars
It’s arguably Columbia’s most well-known historic estate, located downtown with tree-lined walkways and an elegant feel.
💒 Seibels House + Gardens
📍1601 Richland St.
☔indoor (capacity 80 seated, 150 standing) + outdoor (capacity 350 combined)
👰Handicap accessible ramp available by request, bridal suite + gardens
Columbia’s oldest home makes any wedding seem more familiar + special. It’s full of true S.C. charm.
Seibels House and Gardens | Photo by @loringmagnoliaphotography, posted by @historiccolumbia
💒 South Carolina State Museum
📍301 Gervais St.
☔indoor (capacity 1,000)
👰Optional museum experiences for guests (including the planetarium, observatory, etc.) + seven available spaces for rent of varying size + atmospheres
Night at The Museum takes on a different meaning when you tie the knot at the S.C. State Museum. This space offers a modern vibe, leaving space to make the night your own.
💒 Spirit Communications Park
📍1640 Freed Dr.
☔indoor (capacity 400) + outdoor (capacity 1000+)
👰Offers event planning specialists + full catering service team
This spacious, versatile venue in The BullStreet District will hit a home run with major ball fans, overlooking the Columbia Fireflies’ home field.
Photo courtesy Spirit Communications Park // Columbia Fireflies
💒 Stone River
📍121 Alexander Rd., West Columbia
☔indoor + outdoor
👰Overlooks the Gervais Street Bridge
In search of a wedding that is quintessentially Columbia? Stone River is situated on the Congaree River, ft. drop dead gorgeous view of the iconic Gervais Street Bridge – lending itself a spacious, but undisturbed feel.
Stone River | Photo by @theweddingclick, posted by @whitehouseweddingflowers
💒 The Barn at Hendrix Farm
📍2205 Augusta Hwy., Lexington
☔indoor + outdoor
💸call 803-518-1198 for rates
👰Events can be held in either the barn or on the 53 acres of pasture
Mason jars, wood paneling, horses – what more do you want from a farmhouse wedding?
A bride at Hendrix Farm | Photo by @courtnprice
💒 The Farm at Ridgeway
📍3248 US Highway 21 S, Ridgeway
☔indoor + outdoor
💸call 803-508-6680 for rates
👰Large parking lot + accommodating to any caterer or special requests
Totally charming – this space offers a simple, yet tasteful feel with wood paneling, high ceilings + farmhouse vibes.
💒 The Hall at Senate’s End
📍320 Senate St.
☔indoor (capacity 50-350) + outdoor
💸call 803-748-4144 for rates
👰Plenty of parking, bridal suites + sound systems at all venues
The mix of greenery, exposed wood + brick make The Hall a trendy, yet sophisticated spot for your big night, adjacent to the Congaree River.
The Hall at Senate’s End | Photo by @murphyweddings
💒 The Lace House
📍800 Richland St.
☔indoor (capacity 300-600) + outdoor
👰Indoor + garden options accommodate a range of sizes
On the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion Complex, this tucked-away treasure has a spacious + classic feel while also having that picture-perfect blend of S.C. nature and architecture. That gate.
A wedding at The Lace House | photo by @carolinablossoms
💒 The Millstone at Adams Pond
📍5301 Bluff Rd.
☔outdoor (capacity 100-375)
👰In-house catering + a screened porch
This outdoor rustic venue offers an intimate-feeling space with beautiful lighting + seating arrangements next to a calming pond. I’m imaging Ally + Noah canoeing past your guests now.
💒University of South Carolina Alumni Center
📍900 Senate St., Columbia
☔indoor (capacity 900)
👰Get married at your Alma Mater’s grand ballroom
UofSC alums should seriously consider this practically brand new downtown ballroom – bathed in garnet. We foresee a Cocky appearance.
Photo courtesy University of South Carolina Alumni Center
💒 Wavering Place Plantation
📍427 Adams Hayne Rd., Eastover
☔outdoor (capacity 170)
👰Security guard + parking attendant provided + day use of the “kitchen house” as a bridal suite
Tucked away + beautifully intimate, this venue offers a breathtaking + classic feel.
It’s my dream to get hitched on the Gervais Street Bridge à la the Gervais Street Bridge Dinner, complete with a live painting by @easelcathedral, signature cocktails by Motor Suppy’s Josh Streetman and florals by Fern Studio. Y’all think Mayor Steve + Soda City would do me a solid and make this happen? (...a girl can dream).
