Charleston is a city I had the privilege of visiting for the first time this year, and it was never on my radar until it very quickly proved to me why it is such a fabulous spot for a destination wedding. The moss draped oaks, the rainbow colored historic downtown, and the fact that it sits right near the ocean? It is a dream, and it is absolutely my goal to go back. As a wedding photographer who primarily serves the Midwest, I was so excited to travel to Charleston for Maggie and Garrett’s wedding at the Admiral’s House on Riverfront Park.
If you are considering the Admiral’s House for your own wedding, keep reading. I am sharing everything you need to know about the venue, my personal advice from photographing here, and a look into Maggie and Garrett’s celebration.
About the Admiral’s House in Charleston
The Admiral’s House is a classical estate located along the banks of the Cooper River in Charleston, South Carolina. Built in 1905 for the commandant of the Charleston Navy Base, the home is steeped in history and elegance. It is part of the Venues at Riverfront Park collection, a group of unique historic properties managed by North Charleston Tourism that are available for weddings, events, and overnight stays.
One of the best parts about this venue is its versatility. You can host your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all on the same property, and with the option for overnight stays, your Admiral’s House wedding can easily become a full weekend experience for you and your closest family and friends.
Capacity and Layout
The Admiral’s House has a reception capacity of 150 to 200 guests, making it a great fit for couples planning a mid sized to larger celebration. The estate includes five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, giving your wedding party plenty of room to get ready together, plus two half bathrooms on the main floor for guests. The home can also sleep up to 10 people overnight, which is perfect if you want to extend your celebration into a full weekend. The property is also ADA compliant.
Outside, the venue truly shines. The staircase leading up to the front doors also makes for a gorgeous ceremony backdrop if you are dreaming of something more intimate and elevated. And then there is the front lawn, which is incredibly spacious and perfect for a larger outdoor ceremony. That is actually where Maggie and Garrett said their vows, and it was absolutely breathtaking. Then there is the stunning wrap around porch which is a beautiful spot for cocktail hour, giving guests a chance to relax and take in the surroundings. Fun fact, a scene from The Notebook was actually filmed on this very porch, so if you have ever dreamed of your own Notebook moment, this might be the spot.
What’s Included and Pricing
Renting the Admiral’s House gives you access to the entire estate for your day, including the historic home itself, the outdoor verandas, and the surrounding gardens. Your rental includes use of the bedrooms for getting ready or an overnight stay if you choose that package, and a complimentary two hour rehearsal the day before your event, as long as the venue is available. A day of coordinator is required, which the venue can help connect you with if you need a referral, or you can ask me!
Pricing for a day event starts at $10,000, with options to add an overnight stay or additional nights if you want to make a full wedding weekend out of it. Since pricing and packages can shift from year to year, it is always best to reach out to the venue directly for current rates and availability. You can check out their website here.
Maggie and Garrett’s Wedding at the Admiral’s House
Maggie and Garrett’s wedding was full of personal, handmade details that made their day feel so distinctly theirs. Maggie’s mother helped button her into her stunning gown, complete with a custom lace bolero. Maggie carried a clutch she made entirely from scratch using pieces from both her nana’s and her mother’s wedding dresses, and her mom also hand smocked the flower girl dresses and the ring bearer outfit, adding even more love into the details of the day.
When Maggie was dressed, she stepped out onto the second floor mezzanine deck to show off her look to her bridal party. Tears were shed, hugs were made. Then Maggie made her way down to the lawn for a first look with Garrett. They shared private vows, and it was absolutely ma
The Ceremony
Maggie and Garrett’s ceremony looked like a literal painting. Held on the front lawn of the Admiral’s House, the moss covered oaks shaded the entire space, creating this naturally canopied setting that no amount of decor could ever replicate. The aisle was lined with gorgeous florals, and a beautiful string trio played as Maggie made her way down to Garrett. It was one of those ceremonies where you almost forget to take photos because you are so caught up in how beautiful everything looks.
Cocktail Hour and the Second Line
After their ceremony, Maggie and Garrett’s cocktail hour featured an intentional spread of signature cocktails, an Old Fashioned and a Spicy Margarita, alongside local beers and wine that felt warm and completely true to who they are as a couple.
Then came one of my favorite moments of the entire wedding. Every single guest was handed a custom made tambourine. Then, led by a trio of horn players, Maggie and Garrett led their guests in a Louisiana style second line march straight into the reception. The energy in that moment was absolutely electric, and I could not stop smiling behind my camera.
The Reception
The Admiral’s House wedding reception carried that same joyful energy through the rest of the night.
The reception space itself was a feast for the eyes. A beautiful light blue bar anchored the room while multiple patterned tablecloths added so much personality and warmth to every corner. The detail photos from this reception are some of my favorites I have ever taken.
Maggie and Garrett kicked things off with a choreographed first dance that was absolutely stunning. They moved under a beautiful green chandelier and on top of a custom built dance floor that Maggie designed herself. Yes, the bride designed the dance floor. It was one of those details that perfectly summed up just how much heart went into every single element of their day.
And then there was the band. They did not stop. Not once. No breaks, no pauses, just pure energy from start to finish. They invited Maggie and Garrett up on the stage multiple times throughout the night, and the crowd absolutely loved every second of it. Midway through the evening, Maggie changed into a second dress so she could really get down for the rest of the night, and get down she did. Later in the evening, a cigar roller made the rounds for guests to enjoy, adding one more memorable touch to an already unforgettable celebration.
Why I Love Admiral’s House for Weddings
It is near impossible to take a bad photo here. The grand oaks draped in Spanish moss, the white columns, and the wraparound deck gives every part of the Admiral’s House a romantic, storybook feel. Whether you are exchanging vows under the trees or dancing the night away under a tent, this venue photographs beautifully from every single angle.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Admiral’s House
How far is the Admiral’s House from downtown Charleston?
The Admiral’s House is located in North Charleston, just about 15 minutes from downtown Charleston. It is close enough that guests can easily explore the city before or after your wedding weekend, but tucked away enough to feel like its own little escape.
What is the backup plan for outdoor ceremonies in case of bad weather?
This is such an important question to ask any outdoor venue. Many couples opt to rent a tent as a backup option, which also doubles as a beautiful reception space regardless of the weather. It is worth having a detailed conversation with your planner well in advance of your wedding day to make sure you have a solid rain plan in place.
Is there parking available at the Admiral’s House?
Yes, the Admiral’s House offers on site parking for guests, which is a huge plus for a venue of this size. If you are expecting a larger guest count, it is worth confirming the exact parking capacity with the venue directly when you book.
Can we have a destination wedding at the Admiral’s House if we are not from Charleston?
Absolutely. The Admiral’s House is a wonderful destination wedding venue, and plenty of couples travel from all over the country to get married here. With its overnight accommodations and the ability to host your entire wedding weekend on the property, it is honestly one of the best setups for a destination celebration that I have ever seen.
My Advice for Couples Considering the Admiral’s House
If you and your family are planning to stay the night at the Admiral’s House after your wedding, pack your own shampoo and soap. The residence does not provide toiletries, and the last thing you want to be thinking about the morning after your wedding is tracking down a bottle of shampoo.
Hire a planner, and not just because the venue requires one. Maggie and Garrett’s planner was absolutely essential to making their day run smoothly. There were so many moving parts throughout the day, from the ceremony on the front lawn to cocktail hour on the porch to the second line into the reception, and having someone there to manage all of it made all the difference. This is not a venue where you can wing it, and you genuinely will not want to.
Last but not least, think carefully about the season and time of year you are planning your wedding. Charleston is surprisingly breezy year round, which can be a welcome relief in the summer but it welcomes looking at classic “winter” months to host your wedding. Maggie and Garrett held their wedding in February, and it was actually on the colder side for Charleston that time of year! The average temperature early in the year in Charleston is actually in the 60s!
Ready to Hire Your Wedding Photographer for Your Admiral House Wedding?
If Maggie and Garrett’s wedding has you dreaming of your own Charleston wedding, I would love to be the photographer who gets to tell your story. Getting to travel to the Admiral’s House on Riverfront Park for their wedding was such an honor, and it is a venue I would fly back to in a heartbeat.
To see more from Maggie and Garrett’s wedding, be sure to check out their feature on Style Me Pretty!
If you are ready to chat about your Admiral’s House wedding or any destination wedding, head over to my Charleston weddings page to learn more about how I work, or reach out directly through my contact page and let’s talk.
Maggie and Garrett’s Wedding Vendors
Kelsey Diane Photography // Sarah Kay Photography @sarahkay.photography // The Admiral’s House at Riverfront Park // Anderson Event Design @andersoneventdesign // Palmetto Wedding Films @palmettoweddingfilms // East Coast Entertainment Infinite Soul @eastcoastentertainment @infinitesoulmusic // Charleston Elite Musicians @charlestonelitemusicians // Bliss in Bloom Charleston @blissinbloomchs // Cru Catering @crucatering // Ashley Bakery @ashleybakery // Charleston I Do @charlestonido // Snyder Events @snyderevents // Curated Events Charleston @curatedeventscharleston // Lowcountry Trolley @lowcountrytrolley // LIT Charleston @lit_charleston // Nuage Designs @nuagedesignsinc // Kate Eliza Creative @kateelizacreative // Patsy’s Bridal @patsysbridalboutique // Altered for the Altar @alteredforthealtar // Essense of Australia @essenseofaustralia // JPratt Designs @jprattdsigns // Badgley Mischka @badgleymischka // Tecovas @tecovas // Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers // Cigar Row Events @cigarrowevents // Sip Hip Hooray @siphiphooray // Bella Bridesmaids @bellabridesmaids // Berlin’s Men’s Clothing @berlinsformen // Hydrangea Hill Creations @hydrangeahillcreations // Bridesmaids Pajamas: Piyama // Serena and Lily // Hill House Home // Petite Plume // Il Piccolo Charleston Luxury Photo Booth and Bar @ilpiccolobarfotobooth
