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One of the most exciting things about hosting a destination wedding in Charleston, SC, is the different activities you can try while you’re in town for it!
And with destination weddings becoming increasingly popular, it makes sense that you’d want to plan a few different things for you, your guests, and your wedding party to enjoy either before or after the celebration.
So, if you’re planning to host a destination wedding in Charleston, SC, here are a few of my favorite things you can add to the itinerary! All to make sure that everyone enjoys their time in this beautiful and exciting place.
Exploring Charleston and Folly Beach
One of the best activities you can treat yourself to during your destination wedding weekend is an exploring the best of Charleston and neighboring Folly Beach.
With its laid-back charm and southern hospitality, Charleston is a great place to dive into a little bit of history while also enjoying a great day out.
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From walking along the promenade to checking out the parks and gardens, it’s one of my favorite activities. It’s also a great way to unwind before (or after) your destination wedding.
Heading out to Folly Beach
Another great activity to enjoy on the weekend of your destination wedding is visiting the beautiful and relaxing Folly Beach!
Charleston’s own little beach town, Folly Beach is a great spot for families and groups. It’s perfect for hanging out, soaking up nature, and even catching the sunset with a drink in hand.
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Located about 15 minutes from downtown Charleston, I usually suggest that my couples rent a car to head over and spend a day – or morning, or afternoon…it’s perfect at any time of the day! – by the water.
Plus, having a car also means you can check out more of the sights! Especially ones that are located just outside of Charleston and even visit a few of the city’s more historic areas.
Destination wedding activities to do with your guests
Now, if you’d like to involve your guests and wedding party in a few fun activities during your destination wedding, here’s a rundown of some of my top tips on how you can spend some time before tying the knot!
Eat, of course!
Honestly, one of my favorite things about Charleston is…THE FOOD!
There are so many different restaurants and dining spots that you’d never have to visit the same one twice (unless you wanted to, of course!).
Checking out a few different food spots is one of my favorite activities during a destination wedding. Especially because it’s also a great way to get to know the people, sounds, and flavors of Charleston.
A few of my top spots are:
- Blu at the Tides Hotel (Folly Beach): This ocean-front restaurant is a visitor favorite. It’s one of the few places where you can dine or grab a cocktail with a view of the ocean.
- Ellis Fish Creek Camp: This one is a little more casual. Highly recommended, this seafood restaurant is located right on the water and the marsh. Order your meal at the counter and grab a spot on the terrace for some picture-perfect views of the ocean.
- 167 Raw: This top-rated oyster bar doesn’t take reservations. That means you have to get there early or be ready to wait in line. Keep in mind that they have two locations: one is a small sushi bar only and the main location is on King Street. The latter has a wider variety of seafood and eclectic dishes on offer.
Relax and unwind
Wedding planning can be stressful, I know. That’s why I love suggesting relaxing activities to help my couples and guests blow some steam before the destination wedding day.
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A great way to get started is by booking a session with the ladies over at Vacation Yoga. With private and small group classes available to choose from, you can book an instructor to come to you or head out to one of the beaches for a much-needed stretch.
If you’re more about leaning back and really embracing the moments before the big day, another great activity to try is getting a facial with a few of your guests.
Tamanu Skincare is a great option to treat your skin to a much-deserved refresher after so many months of wedding planning. Plus, it’s also a female-owned and operated business! However, be warned: the spa is supremely personalized, accommodating one client at a time. That means it books out up to a month in advance.
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If you’re really excited about the possibility of a facial at Tamanu Skincare – book your appointment well in advance to avoid any disappointment!
Check out the sights
I know I mentioned this earlier, but I can’t stress this enough: hitting the town and exploring Charleston, SC, is one of the most fun activities to enjoy before or after your destination wedding!
Checking out some of the sights, mingling with the locals, and brushing up on your history are all possible while visiting Charleston. Plus, you’ll also have more of a chance to connect with the actual place and create even more memories with the people you love.
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If you have the time, here are some of my favorite spots in Charleston (and Folly Beach) that you can add to your itinerary and visit during a day off from wedding preparations:
- The Angel Oak Tree: Estimated to be between 400 and 500 years old, this stunning Southern oak tree is an absolute treasure. The tree itself is over 66 ft tall and 28 ft wide and visitors flock to Johns Island for a chance to see it in person.
- Middleton Place: This historic landmark and museum used to be a plantation and now operates as one of the top attractions in Charleston. While Charleston is a beautiful destination, there is rich Black history in this area. When visiting Middleton Place, you can learn more about plantations, conditions of enslaved people, and how Charleston became what it is today. I suggest looking for tours that center African-American voices, first and foremost!
- The Lighthouse Inlet: For the more adventurous folx, walking out to the Lighthouse Inlet in Folly Beach is also a great way to spend an afternoon off the beaten path. The walk is under a mile long. Over 100 years old and a Civil War landmark, heading out to view the lighthouse is a unique day out! Be sure to bring your own water bottle, and be prepared to take in the beauty of this spot where the marsh and ocean meet just a couple hundred feet away from the Lighthouse. *If you have mobility concerns or don’t want to walk, the Lighthouse can also be viewed on the dolphin boat tours.
Hop aboard a boat tour
Being a port city, Charleson has plenty of fun to offer on the water too!
The city is popular for its boat tours, and I love suggesting this as a great activity to my couples when they’re in town and looking for a little fun.
Once on the water, you can get a different view of Charleston and even meet some of the area’s underwater residents: the dolphins!
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If you’re up for taking a boat tour as part of your destination wedding activities, these are two of my favorite companies to get involved with:
- Sail Folly: Operating a small fleet of sailboats, Sail Folly is one of my favorites! Especially because dolphins are more receptive to sailboats!
- Flipper Finders: If you have a bigger party, Flipper Finders is the way to go! They offer private tours on a motor boat and will take you to all the good spots.
Book a photoshoot
Whether you prefer to do this as a couple or as a group, booking a photoshoot to commemorate your destination wedding is also at the top of my list of favorite activities!
There are so many different places you can choose from – from the beach to the gardens to downtown – to help capture the essence and the spirit of your trip and the upcoming celebration.
I personally love working with couples – and their loved ones! – to capture genuine and intimate moments before their big day because it helps take some of the edge off. Once they know what to expect from working with a photographer, the wedding photos turn out more natural and special.
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The best destination wedding activities…
Let’s be honest: destination weddings are a great excuse to also get a lil’ bit of your holiday mode on!
And there are so many activities in Charleston that make it the best destination wedding spot for couples and their guests who want to experience even more fun outside of the typical wedding prep…
From exploring the area and its surroundings to booking a yoga class, getting a facial, or celebrating with a pre-wedding photoshoot, Charleston and Folly Beach are a top pick if you’re looking for destination wedding activities to add a little spark to your big day.
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Looking for a wedding photographer in Charleston, SC, to help capture all your special moments? Send me a message and let’s talk about the different ways we can work together to make your big day even more special and memorable!
