Weddings at Magnolia Plantation

Magnolia Plantation is one of my favorite locations to have a wedding in Charleston! It truly feels like you have stepped back in time. The drive into the plantation is covered by large oaks with Spanish moss. There are several locations within the plantation to have both a ceremony & reception. So whether a client is planning a small or large wedding Magnolia Plantation has a location to accommodate them.

The Carriage House is the largest location. The ceremonies are typically held on the carriage house lawn which over looks the Ashley River. The river is quiet but on one of my first weddings on the lawn I did have a boat of “mooners” just before the ceremony. You can either have the ceremony facing the dock or facing the live oaks. I actually like it better facing the oaks. After the ceremony guests can enjoy cocktails on the dock & lawn or on the patio.  The patio is a fun place since they have a large fire pit. I have done smores around the fire pit which is fun for adults as well as kids. The patio can also be tented if the weather looks bad. This could then be used as a backup plan for rain. You always need a backup plan with outdoor locations. Then after cocktails guests move inside for the reception. The Carriage House has beautiful rafters and dark wood which works with pretty much any color scheme. The Carriage House is the safest location at Magnolia Plantation since it is the largest and is air conditioned (the others are not!).

 The Conservatory in Magnolia Plantation’s newest location. It is a greenhouse with a large wooden deck attached. Ceremonies at this location take place at the School House lawn. The Conservatory is best for parties of 75 or less. This is a beautiful location for those brides who are “going green”! The deck is very large are can also be tented if needed. The Conservatory is not available for rentals in the summer since it is not air conditioned.

The Veranda is probably my favorite location at Magnolia Plantation for a reception. Ceremonies here take place on the white bridge lawn. This location is tricky, the veranda floor is slanted so tables have to be setup with that in mind also it is open so no air conditioning. For large parties you can have dinner on the veranda then move the party to the lawn for dancing. My last wedding there we had 140 people seated for dinner (18 tables) then had a tent on the lawn where the band setup.

Of course being a wedding planner I always suggest that brides hire a planner for their wedding but at Magnolia Plantation it is really a must. Magnolia Plantation does not have any one on-site to assist in setup or break down or just general flow of the wedding and reception. It is the clients responsibility to coordinate all the rentals and vendors. At Magnolia Plantation you must hire all your vendors individually. There is no on-site rentals, bar or catering so everything needs to be brought in. Also at both the Conservatory and the Veranda setup can not begin until after 3pm. Jubilation has a lot of experience with each location and would love to assist anyone planning a wedding at Magnolia Plantation!