Panoramic aerial view of a winding river through green countryside with walking paths and scattered trees.
charleston venues

middleton place

Middleton place is one of Charleston's most expansive venues with tons of options for ceremony location, cocktail hour, and a built in rain plan!  View our real weddings with all of Middleton's most beautiful scenery.

MIDDLETON PLACE, CHARLESTON SC


Located along the Ashley River just outside Charleston, Middleton Place is one of the most historically significant and visually distinctive wedding venues in the Lowcountry. Established in the 18th century and home to America’s oldest landscaped gardens, Middleton Place offers couples a setting that feels both expansive and timeless. The terraced gardens, reflecting pools, and ancient live oaks create a variety of natural backdrops throughout the property, while the open river views provide beautiful evening light. One of the things that stands out about weddings at Middleton Place is how much space couples have to move between ceremony, portraits, and reception locations without ever leaving the historic grounds. For photography, the layered gardens and long perspectives along the Ashley River make it easy to create images that feel distinctly Charleston while still feeling private and relaxed.

A panoramic view of a golf course with rolling green fairways under dramatic cloudy skies and trees in the distance.

 

Top spots at Middleton Place


Stunning locations

 

A panoramic view of a peaceful golf course at sunset with rolling green fairways and scattered trees in the distance.

Location 01

Octagonal Gardens


There are multiple gorgeous gardens that would be incredible locations for a wedding ceremony or cocktail hour.  This Octagonal garden is a perfect location with plenty of space, sunset views over the Ashley River, ancient Oak trees, and long paths.  It also borders a maze of hedges that provides privacy for bridal parties in waiting.  

Aerial panorama of a lush golf course with winding paths, green fairways, and sand traps surrounded by trees and water hazards.

Location 02

The Terraced Butterfly Lakes


The famous terraced gardens and reflecting pools are one of the most iconic portrait locations on the property. These are ideal for couple portraits shortly after the ceremony when the gardens are quieter.

Panoramic view of an outdoor wedding venue with guests gathered on a grassy hillside at sunset.

Location 03

Ceremony Lawn Overlooking the Ashley River


Many Middleton Place ceremonies take place on the lawn facing the river. Late afternoon ceremonies work especially well here because the light softens as it moves across the water.

Elegant outdoor wedding reception setup with long white tables and paper lanterns under Spanish moss draped trees.

Location 04

Pavilion Lawn

Between the main lawn and pavilion is a shaded Oak grove that is perfect for outdoor dining or dancing! You can also watch the sheep passing through in the evening as they're herded back to the barn.

A panoramic view of a historic brick mansion with a sweeping green lawn and tall trees in the background.

Location 05


The original main house at Middleton Place was completed around 1738–1741, but it was destroyed during the Civil War. Today, the surviving structure, used as the House Museum, is the South Flanker, built in 1755. This remaining building is over 270 years old and has beautiful portrait locations on all sides.

Elegant outdoor wedding reception setup with round tables, wooden crossback chairs, and string lights under oak trees.

Location 06

The Pavilion

Middleton Place has beautiful, modern reception facility in case you need a rain plan. Bathrooms and kitchen included as well as al fresco dining options among the Oak grove right outside.

 

A few of my favorites


See what’s possible

 

Wedding party walks together on grassy lawn in formal attire with bridesmaids in pink dresses and groomsmen in black suits.
Panoramic aerial view of a green golf course with winding paths, trees, and sand traps stretching across rolling terrain.
Outdoor wedding ceremony setup with white chairs arranged in rows on a lush green lawn surrounded by mature trees.
String lights illuminate an outdoor evening wedding reception with tables set beneath oak trees draped in Spanish moss.
A romantic sequence of wedding photos showing a couple dancing playfully on a tree-lined path.
A joyous couple exits their wedding celebration through a tunnel of guests holding sparklers in black and white.
A long dirt path stretches through a green field with trees and buildings in the distance on an overcast day.
Makeup artist applies powder with brush to model's face during beauty preparation in natural window light.
A wedding ceremony takes place under majestic oak trees draped with Spanish moss at an outdoor venue.
Wedding couple holds hands in elegant black and white attire with greenery accents in the background.
Aerial view of a symmetrical garden with manicured lawns and pathways forming geometric patterns surrounded by trees.
Outdoor wedding ceremony under Spanish moss-draped oak trees with white chairs and a stone pathway.
A couple in wedding attire shares romantic moments on a gravel path with a brick building in the background.
Black and white photo of a speaker in a dark suit holding a microphone and glass during a formal event.
Elegant outdoor wedding reception setup with long tables and hanging lanterns under Spanish moss-draped trees at dusk.
Aerial view of a green park with white geometric patterns and pathways creating a symmetrical design.
A bride wearing an elegant off-shoulder white lace wedding gown smiles while getting ready in a wood-paneled room.
Bride in off-shoulder lace wedding gown holds elegant white peony bouquet while standing on garden path.
Wedding guests gather along a scenic pathway overlooking a lake during an autumn outdoor ceremony.
A couple stands on a rustic wooden bridge in a lush forest setting during a romantic photoshoot.
Wedding guests gather outdoors for a garden ceremony with rows of chairs set up on a lush green lawn.
A series of romantic garden wedding photos showing floral arrangements and brick pathways in an outdoor setting.
Wedding party in pink dresses and black tuxedos walking in a line outdoors.
Scenic wedding ceremony photos at sunset overlooking a serene lake with lush greenery and golden hour lighting.
Wedding party poses in front of historic brick building with elegant formal attire and floral bouquets.
Aerial view of lush green forest canopy showing dense treetops from above.
Wedding guests enjoy an intimate outdoor reception under string lights and paper lanterns at a rustic evening celebration.
Aerial view of a symmetrical garden with manicured lawns, pathways and ponds surrounded by lush trees.
A romantic wedding couple poses by a serene lake, with the bride in a sparkling white gown and groom in classic black tuxedo.
Scenic wedding photography collage showing couples against dramatic sunset skies and lush landscapes at a southern estate.
A panoramic view of a golf course with rolling green fairways and cloudy skies stretching across the horizon.
A person in a flowing white wedding gown walks along a garden path surrounded by manicured hedges.
A blurred motion sequence of people dancing together in a romantic moment at an indoor venue.
A panoramic view of a red brick mansion with Spanish moss draped oak trees on a sprawling green lawn estate.
A panoramic view of a lush green golf course with rolling hills and scattered trees under a cloudy sky.
Elegant outdoor wedding reception setup with long white tables, paper lanterns and Spanish moss draped oak trees.
A panoramic view of an outdoor wedding ceremony setup with guests seated on white chairs in a manicured garden setting.
Small brick structure sits on manicured lawn beside tranquil pond surrounded by lush green forest.
A group in coordinating white and blue outfits sits together on a couch, creating a cohesive and elegant ensemble.
A black and white wedding photo showing newlyweds walking through flower petals being tossed by guests outside.
A series of romantic wedding photos showing a couple walking together through various outdoor settings.
Outdoor evening wedding reception under string lights and paper lanterns with guests seated at long tables.
A person walks through a garden path lined with blooming bluebonnets and white wildflowers in a serene park setting.
Aerial view of a winding river with green forests and marshland along its banks on a sunny day.
A romantic outdoor wedding scene beneath Spanish moss draped oak trees beside a tranquil lake at sunset.
Wedding guests line up along a scenic garden path during an elegant outdoor ceremony at a manicured estate.
A couple performs their first dance as newlyweds in a dimly lit ballroom surrounded by wedding guests.
A flowing white wedding dress with a long train is showcased in a dreamy outdoor setting under Spanish moss-draped trees.
Outdoor garden wedding ceremony setup with pink floral arrangements and white chairs along a stone pathway.
A couple in wedding attire walking together on a garden path, with the bride in a white lace gown and groom in black tuxedo.
A dramatic nighttime scene shows several dark vehicles illuminated by atmospheric fog and street lights.
Newlyweds and guests dancing together on a wooden dance floor at an evening wedding reception.
Elegant outdoor wedding reception setup with round tables, wooden chairs, white linens, and hanging paper lanterns and string lights.
A long driveway leads to a historic brick mansion surrounded by green lawns and mature trees.
A bride in a white wedding dress and cowboy boots poses in a rustic setting, showing off her country-western style.
A couple shares a romantic moment on a dirt path at a rustic farm setting while a peacock walks nearby.
Groomsmen in formal attire laughing together on a grassy lawn with Spanish moss and trees in the background.
Sequence of dance photos showing a dramatic dip move during a wedding first dance on a wooden dance floor.
Elegant catering appetizers with grilled scallops on wooden skewers arranged on a decorative silver platter with ice.
A panoramic view of a formal garden pathway lined with trees and ornate flowerbeds stretches into the distance.
Wedding couple strolling along a scenic waterfront path surrounded by lush greenery.
Elegant vintage-style lounge seating arranged outdoors under a tent with floral arrangements and soft lighting.
A romantic wedding couple embraces in a lush garden pathway creating an elegant black and white portrait.
Elegant dessert display featuring chocolate truffles and assorted candies arranged on tiered silver platters at a catering event.
Elegant outdoor wedding reception table with white linens, wooden chairs, pink floral centerpieces and hanging lanterns at dusk.
A flowing white wedding dress trails elegantly along a garden path surrounded by manicured hedges and green lawns.
An elegant white lace wedding dress with off-shoulder detail hangs by a window in natural light.
A scenic sunset view of a golf course with rolling green fairways and mature trees in the background.
A scenic winding driveway leads through green landscaping to a grand Spanish-style estate mansion.
Fresh oysters on ice garnished with herbs and mignonette sauce served on a white platter.

See more Charleston wedding venues photographed by Tim Willoughby or explore the full Charleston wedding portfolio

 

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Panoramic aerial view of a golf course with a white dome structure and groups of people gathered on the green.
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