Plan Your Dream Day With This Charleston Elopement Guide!

When you are planning your elopement, there’s really no better destination than Charleston. This city has it all, from historic cobblestone streets to secluded views rich with nature. Now, it’s just a matter of planning all the logistics. As a wedding photographer, I adore working with couples to help them have their dream day. Here’s a quick guide for a Charleston elopement!

Your Guide To Planning Your Dream Charleston Elopement 

When You Should Elope in Charleston & How to Pick Your Date

The very first thing you’ll want to decide is when you want to tie the knot. Charleston has hot and humid summers broken up by gorgeous, temperate fall and winter months. By sticking with the spring and early Charleston summer, you can get lush garden views if you choose to have an outdoor elopement. This is less of a concern if you plan on an indoor wedding. My biggest suggestion is to decide where you want to get married, think about what you want the backdrop to be, and then go from there. 

Charleston Elopement Locations

If you could use some help picking your locations, here are a few of my faves! 

• White Point Gardens: This area is located in the middle of the city and offers five acres of towering oak trees. 
• Cypress Gardens: if you’ve ever seen the boat scene in The Notebook, you’ve seen Cypress Gardens. You can get on a rowboat and journey through the swamp accented with cypress trees and a stone bridge. 
• Washington Square: located in downtown Charleston, this area has mossy oaks, iron fencing, and cobblestone paths taking you across the property.
• Hotel Emeline: this chic space gives you a private courtyard with ivy covering the walls. 

How to Get a Charleston Marriage License 

It takes two business days to receive your marriage license, but you can complete the entire process online before your Charleston elopement. Head over to their website and fill out all the required information. You must include your photo ID and a document verifying your social security number. Then, you must also sign the sworn statement that everything is correct. You will submit a payment with it. Two business days later, you will receive your marriage license by email and review any information to make sure everything is correct. Submit the notarized copy following the wedding either by mail or through the drop box. 

How Much Does a Charleston Elopement Cost?

The best thing about an engagement is that it can cost as much or as little as you’d like! Here are the fees you have to pay:

• Marriage license: $70
• Wedding officiant: between $200-$600
• Location permit $150-$500

From there, you will want to budget enough for food, lodging, outfits, flowers, and a photographer. Many people budget between $5,000-$15,000 for the entire event. 

Hiring a Charleston Elopement Photographer

Your elopement is an intimate moment that you are going to want to preserve for years to come. You need to be sure that you find a photographer to effortlessly match your style! As an elopement photographer, I adore planning editorial shoots that tell the story of your wedding day. So I want to make sure you have stylistic memories of every moment. I would love to be there to capture all the gorgeous and spontaneous moments that set your day apart! 

I Hope You Found Everything You Need To Start Planning Your Dream Charleston Elopement

If you think a Charleston elopement might be the option for you, I would love to have a conversation. Send me a message so you can decide if we’re a match made in heaven!