What is the average cost of a wedding in Charleston SC?

Every couple desires a beautiful celebration, one that will successfully turn every little vision they’ve had into a bespoke reality. But in order to have the union of your dreams, you need to consider every detail that plays a crucial part in devising a flawless event. From searching for the perfect venue and booking professional vendors to deciding on the theme and choosing the attire that matches your distinctive style, plenty of things need to be taken care of. And before you start planning the intricate particularities, you need to talk about and set a wedding budget. 

This is a starting point in every event, which will serve as guidance as you consider what should be an integral part of your special day. And if you and your partner have decided to celebrate your love in Charleston, South Carolina, you are probably already questioning yourself regarding the average wedding cost in this area. Luckily for you, we have designed a meticulous guide that will take out all the guesswork and will alleviate the pressure of researching on your own. 

But before we delve into discussing finances, let us first inform you about all the elements contributing to determining the conclusive expense you are to pay.

The final price is defined by several factors

At first, you might be overwhelmed by hearing the total sum, thinking that the pricing is unreasonable. In fact, the total cost of your budget is determined by all the things you decide to include in your celebration. Let us begin with the more apparent ones, which include the venue, vendors, rentals, attire, and officiant fees. These are always the ones you consider first, taking up the larger proportion of your expenses. But while devising your allotment, you should not forget to consider all the seemingly inexpensive details, which frequently require you to extend your budget. These include everything from invitations and transportation to bridal favors, marriage license, jewelry, and many more.

Once you become familiar with everything that constitutes the average wedding cost, you are likely to change your standpoint. After all, celebrating your love and the beginning of the marital union between you and your partner is a once-in-a-lifetime event. This makes investing in a quality service that will make your celebration flawless from beginning to end worthwhile. 

The average wedding cost in Charleston

Now, let us move our discussion into a more focused direction and discuss the expense of planning your wedding in Charleston. Currently, this South Carolina city is considered the epitome of flawless celebrations and a place that promises to turn every unique dream of yours into a bespoke real-life event. With its charming lanes, awe-inspiring landmarks, and appealing energy, it is no wonder why Charleston is so frequently regarded as the ultimate romantic spot in the south of the country. The quintessential charm it inherently provides, combined with the astonishing setting and gorgeous venues, all contribute to placing this town on the throne of US marriage destinations.  

When it comes to determining the wedding budget range in Charleston, we included a variety of factors, putting our focus not only on quantity but on quality, as well. This means we consider the standard of the services provided, calculating only those that can guarantee that our dear couples receive an otherworldly experience. That is, our primal focus in determining the average allotment was that your lovely event consists of candid moments you are going to value for a lifetime. 

That being said, we determined the average wedding cost in Charleston to be about $60,000-$80,000, estimating that the number of guests you will invite to celebrate your love affair is around 125. To ensure that you are familiar with every segment that makes up the final expense, below you can find a list of percentage breakdowns. 

  • Venue, Catering, and Bar: 30-50%

Generally speaking, the venue, catering, and bar occupy the largest percent of your Charleston wedding budget. According to our findings, this is around $30,000-$40,000.

  • Planner: 5-10%

This is yet another aspect of your celebration that take up a considerable amount of your allotment, but which plays a crucial role in your event’s execution. Hiring a professional will allow you to enjoy your day to the fullest, concentrating on celebrating your love surrounded by your close family and friends. 

  • Photographer: 10-15%

Hiring an experienced Charleston wedding photographer is the best decision you and your partner can make. Having all of your candid memories turned into lovely digital memorabilia is what you will cherish for years to come. That being said, the average wedding photographer cost in this area is about $3500 and $5000.

  • Florals: 10%

Floral arrangements can elevate the overall atmosphere of your event, further complementing the aesthetics you have envisioned for the day. Having this in mind justifies the 10% you will allot to this.

  • Rentals: 15%

This category is comprised of everything you are paying the price for using for a limited amount of time. This might include tables, chairs, tableware, lighting, and decor pieces. 

  • Band: 10-15% or 

  • DJ: 2-5%

Your choice of entertainment is another important factor in determining your event’s atmosphere. The budget allotment you will need to make will vary depending on the musician you choose.

Below you will find other aspects that contribute to the final Charleston wedding expense, but in smaller percentage quantities:

  • Ceremony Music: 2%

  • Hair and Makeup: 3%

  • Stationary: 2%

  • Cake: 2%

  • Lighting: 2-5%

Granting you an insight into all the specificities that establish the average cost of services will allow you to allot your finances more effectively. However, be wary of the current economic situation and consistent inflation. Although many vendors try to resist this negative trend as much as possible, you should prepare to face higher prices. 

Given the invaluable nature of your wedding day’s experience, and all the timeless memories you are about to receive in turn, the average wedding cost you are to pay may be viewed as trivial compensation – compared to the value you will receive. 

For more inspirational and highly applicable content, explore the rest of our blog page. And if you are looking for a Charleston wedding photographer that will capture your invaluable memories flawlessly, please get in touch. We would be honored to play a part in designing your love story!

Previous
Previous

What is the best month to get married in Charleston SC?

Next
Next

How much do wedding photographers cost in Charleston, SC?