Lowndes Grove has been one of my favorite venues to photograph Charleston weddings at time and time again, and today, we’re sharing Lowndes Grove photos of this historic beauty for a Venue Spotlight! Lowndes Grove, often considered downtown Charleston’s last great waterfront estate, is a stunning venue to host Charleston weddings and events at! As a Charleston wedding photographer, I love historic venues that offer my couples scenic beauty, multi-purpose spaces, and stunning lighting for their special day! Check out some of our favorite Lowndes Grove photos in our blog post below.
A Historic Charleston Home
The beautiful mansion and surrounding grounds that make up Lowndes Grove create an ambiance that will captivate wedding guests! The main house, part of the National Register of Historic Places, serves as the primary backdrop for Charleston weddings, rehearsal dinners, and events. Its southern charm is steeped in history, and has been home to many famous Charleston families for nearly four centuries. Originally built by William Lowndes, Lowndes Grove has been a cornerstone of Charleston society and events since its construction. The property has several iconic features that create a gorgeous ambiance. We personally love the live oak groves, wraparound terraces, the grand lawn out front, and amazing views of the Ashley River. Along the oak-lined banks of the property’s waterfront, guests and couples alike can find peaceful river views along a private dock that juts out into the river.
Lowndes Grove Wedding Venue
Heading into the Main House, you’ll find many historical architectural elements that have been preserved. If you walk through the front doors, you’ll be greeted with a glass-enclosed portico, complete with original glass windows and a beautiful black-and-white checkered floor. The double portico is one of my favorite spots to take portraits at, as its lighting creates an unparalleled backdrop for intimate wedding portraits.
If you walk through the entryway and up the main spiral staircase, you’ll be greeted with many staterooms that have been preserved that serve as a bridal suite for wedding parties. The ‘peach’ room at the front of the house offers floor-to-ceiling windows, antique chandeliers, and blue baroque drapings. The Bridal Suite is filled with natural light and lots of room. Large wedding parties will find this property ideal to utilize for hair, makeup, and portraits prior to the wedding ceremony. Many couples opt for the groomsmen to use the downstairs drawing rooms for their getting ready, too.
On the left side of the house, you’ll find an expansive piazza with a clear tent that stays erected year round for wedding receptions. With a clear tent, you can create a nearly al fresco reception experience for your guests, complete with tons of natural light. When the evening arrives, a star-filled sky can be seen through the tent’s roof. The piazza makes for the perfect reception space for your guests, and also offers a rain plan for ceremonies. Panoramic sunset views can be seen from the reception space. Guests are encouraged to walk out onto the private dock during cocktail hour along the river.
Charleston Wedding Photographers Tips
As Charleston wedding photographers, we encourage our couples to work with their wedding planner when selecting the perfect Charleston wedding venue. Throughout the wedding planning process, we work with our couples and their planning teams to ensure a seamless, stress-free wedding weekend. We build comprehensive wedding day timelines with our planners and couples. These then get shared with the rest of their vendor teams well ahead of their wedding day. Therefore, this ensures that their wedding photography experience is memorable, poignant, and easily fits into their vision of their wedding day.
Oftentimes we will do a venue walk through with our clients and planning teams prior to their wedding day. Walk-throughs ensure we get the best shots of their wedding, find all the amazing views on a given property, and scout locations ahead of time. We also encourage our couples to do a portion of their engagement session at their venue prior to their wedding day!
For your Lowndes Grove photos, we have so many favorite spots across the property to share with our clients. Furthermore, of our favorite photo locations are iconic, classic Lowndes Grove, while others are more off the beaten path, and offer our clients something truly unique. Lowndes Grove is one of our favorite South Carolina wedding venues, and continues to make each wedding absolutely unforgettable, beautiful, and filled with Southern charm!
