A Photographer’s Guide to Weddings in Charleston, South Carolina
Why Charleston Is One of the Most Iconic Places to Get Married — And How We Capture It Beautifully Every Time
Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most romantic wedding destinations in the country — and for good reason. With historic cobblestone streets, Spanish moss draping over ancient oak trees, pastel homes, waterfront views, and timeless Southern charm, Charleston offers an endless variety of breathtaking backdrops for wedding photography and videography.
At Stories & Stills, our team captures weddings across Charleston every single week, and we’ve learned exactly what makes this city so special — and how to photograph it in a way that feels natural, elegant, and true to each couple.
If you're planning a Charleston wedding, here’s everything you need to know from a photographer’s perspective.
⭐ Why Charleston Is a Dream Location for Wedding Photography
1. The Timeless Southern Architecture
From Rainbow Row to the French Quarter, Charleston’s iconic architecture creates romantic, editorial-style images that never go out of style.
Popular photography spots include:
East Bay Street
The Battery
The French Quarter
Rainbow Row
Broad Street
St. Philip’s Church
These areas are perfect for first looks, couple portraits, and engagement sessions.
2. Spanish Moss + Oak Trees Everywhere
Charleston’s lowcountry landscapes create some of the most cinematic wedding photos imaginable.
We use these locations often:
Hampton Park — dreamy, soft lighting and massive oak trees
White Point Garden — right on the waterfront with beautiful greenery
Boone Hall — the famous Avenue of Oaks
Middleton Place & Magnolia Plantation — perfect for nature lovers
Spanish moss gives images that enchanted, ethereal feel Charleston is known for.
3. Waterfront Views & Romantic Sunsets
Charleston's coastal setting creates incredible golden hour opportunities.
Some of our favorite photography moments happen at:
Waterfront Park Pier
The Battery seawall
Shem Creek boardwalk
Folly Beach (perfect for day-after sessions)
Sunset on the water creates soft, flattering light — ideal for storytelling and cinematic shots.
⭐ Best Charleston Wedding Venues for Photography
After capturing weddings all across the city, here are a few venues that consistently produce stunning photos and films:
✔ Lowndes Grove
Historic, waterfront, timeless — one of Charleston’s crown jewels.
✔ The Gadsden House
Bright interiors, symmetrical architecture, and elegant courtyards.
✔ William Aiken House
Luxury, color, charm, and boutique historic beauty.
✔ Boone Hall Plantation
Iconic oak-lined entrance + gorgeous natural landscapes.
✔ The Citadel Beach Club
Perfect for couples wanting a beach wedding with Charleston elegance.
✔ Legare Waring House
Fairytale oak trees + sprawling grounds.
Every Charleston venue has a unique aesthetic — and our team creates a custom photography plan based on light, time of day, and the couple’s style.
⭐ When to Schedule Photos in Charleston (Lighting Tips)
Charleston has a very bright, warm sun much of the year, so timing is everything.
Best times for portraits:
Golden Hour: 1 hour before sunset
Early Morning: softer, cooler tones
Shade-based mid-day sessions: when first looks happen earlier
Our team scouts locations before every Charleston wedding to determine:
where the best shade will be
how the sun will fall during the ceremony
when to schedule portraits for the most flattering light
This planning is part of The Stories & Stills Way — our signature process used by every photographer and videographer on our team.
⭐ How We Photograph Charleston Weddings (Our Approach)
Charleston is rich with color, texture, and history — but great wedding photography isn’t just about pretty locations.
Here’s how we capture Charleston weddings:
✔ A relaxed, stress-free experience
Charleston weddings run on Southern charm — and our approach reflects that. We guide, pose, support, and plan so you never feel rushed.
✔ True-to-life color tones
Charleston’s pastel buildings and coastal light look best with natural, accurate colors, not trendy filters. Our popular color styles highlight Charleston’s beauty the way it actually looks.
✔ Natural posing + candid moments
We mix storytelling documentary moments with guided, flattering portrait direction.
✔ Fast sneak peeks within 72 hours
Your Charleston wedding images will be ready to relive just days after the celebration.
✔ Full photo + video team available
Charleston’s historic pathways, waterfront venues, and large oak-tree canopies make photo+video teamwork invaluable — we coordinate seamlessly onsite.
⭐ Should You Do a First Look in Charleston?
In Charleston, we strongly recommend first looks for two reasons:
The heat and harsh mid-day sun — first looks give you better light.
Crowded downtown streets — early portraits avoid tourists and traffic.
Plus, doing a first look frees up your evening for:
sunset photos
cocktail hour
time with guests
smoother timeline overall
But if you prefer a traditional aisle reveal, we can adjust the timeline to preserve the best lighting possible.
⭐ Tips for the Best Charleston Wedding Photos
Here are simple ways brides can elevate their Charleston gallery:
✔ Add time in your schedule for downtown portraits
A 20-minute stroll creates iconic Charleston magic.
✔ Consider a veil
Charleston’s breezes create beautiful movement shots.
✔ Choose getting-ready rooms with natural light
Historic inns and Airbnbs downtown are excellent.
✔ Plan golden hour into your schedule
Charleston golden hour is warm, glowy, and cinematic.
✔ Trust your team
We know the city, we know the light, and we know how to capture Charleston at its best.
⭐ Planning a Charleston Wedding? We’d Love to Capture Your Day.
Stories & Stills serves Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Summerville, and the entire lowcountry region.
We offer:
Photography packages
Videography packages
Photo + video combinations
Unlimited edited photos
Full-resolution galleries
Experienced team (The Stories & Stills Way)
Budget-friendly options without sacrificing quality
📩 Send us your wedding date and we’ll check availability.
👉 https://www.storiesandstills.com/contact
Or explore packages:
👉 https://www.storiesandstills.com/pricing
Let’s capture your Charleston wedding in a way that feels authentic, beautiful, and completely you.