Photo courtesy of Barbara Millen Patrick.
Imagine. You are in the white dress. Your flowers are beautiful. And you are being escorted down the oyster shell path under a canopy of large oak trees to the gazebo where your guests – and your future husband – are waiting to celebrate your marriage.
A gentle breeze is blowing from the nearby harbor and you can almost hear the history of Charleston as you step up to your future. It’s a classic Lowcountry venue – romantic, historic and naturally beautiful.
Photo courtesy of Barbara Millen Patrick.
White Point Garden at the tip of the Charleston peninsula is a public park but right in the center is a perfect spot for a wedding. All paths lead to the gazebo with its stately white columns and it lures locals as well as visitors. Built in 1907, it was a bandstand and Charlestonians gathered for concerts in the park. Today, it welcomes couples – sometimes with a few friends and family members – for small romantic wedding ceremonies.
The oaks provide shade and the breeze from the water makes even the hottest days comfortable. There is plenty of room for up to 25 people (the maximum permitted) and the paths allow for the bride to have a natural aisle. There are many excellent photo opportunities in the park, along the promenade of the famous Charleston Battery as well as the backdrop of stately mansions.
Acoustic music such as a guitar soloist or a violin/cello duo is permitted (amplified music is not allowed) and often draws a respectful audience. The very first dance to the strains of a favorite tune is enchanting and the magic affects everyone within earshot.
It’s easy to book a wedding at the gazebo or one of the other Charleston city parks. Rentals are by the hour – Saturdays during the wedding season are busy – and you must submit an application for approval. There is a rental fee but, even so, the gazebo remains one of the most affordable venues in the area.
After the vows, a private carriage may arrive to whisk the couple away to tour the city in fine style as the memory of the wedding lingers and becomes part of the gazebo’s history.