Complete Wedding Guide
Plan Your Wedding in South Carolina: Everything You Need
Everything you need to know about marriage licenses, requirements, costs, and planning your wedding in South Carolina. South Carolina is a Southern wedding paradise with Charleston's historic beauty leading the way, complemented by Hilton Head's coastal luxury and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the upstate.
South Carolina weddings split between Charleston's historic district, which books out 18 months in advance for spring weekends, and the Lowcountry plantation venues along the ACE Basin and Sea Islands that offer a more private moss-and-marsh aesthetic. Middleton Place, a functioning plantation with 65 acres of formal gardens, is one of the most photographed ceremony sites in the Southeast. South Carolina's 24-hour waiting period applies to all couples, and the license fee varies by county from $50 to $95.
South Carolina Marriage License Requirements
South Carolina marriage licenses do not expire. South Carolina abolished common law marriage effective July 24, 2019, but still recognizes those created before that date. Notaries public can legally officiate.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in South Carolina?
Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges and justices of any court. Notaries public can also officiate weddings in South Carolina.
Wedding Costs in South Carolina
Average Wedding Cost
$29,500
This includes venue, catering, photography, attire, and other typical wedding expenses in South Carolina.
Average Guest Count
140
The typical South Carolina wedding hosts 140 guests. Plan your seating, catering, and photo sharing accordingly.
Best Seasons
Spring, Fall
The most popular seasons to get married in South Carolina. Book venues early during peak season.
Coastal Wedding Tips for South Carolina
Secure your beach or waterfront permit early
Many coastal and beach ceremony sites in South Carolina require permits from the county parks department, the National Park Service, or the state coastal commission. Permit availability is limited and often opens months in advance. Apply as soon as your date is confirmed.
Always plan a weather backup
Coastal weather in South Carolina can shift quickly. Even if the forecast looks clear, have an indoor or tented backup venue confirmed before you send invitations. Many beachfront venues include a backup space in the contract.
Time the tide and the sun
For a beach ceremony, check both the tide table and the sunset time for your specific date. A low tide gives you more sand space, and a ceremony that ends 30 to 45 minutes before sunset positions you perfectly for golden-hour portraits with your photographer.
Protect your guests from wind and glare
Coastal ceremonies in South Carolina frequently deal with ocean wind that disrupts officiant scripts and guests' comfort. Provide printed ceremony programs so guests can follow along, and orient seating so the sun is behind the couple rather than in guests' eyes.
Popular Wedding Regions in South Carolina
Charleston
One of the most beautiful cities in America with cobblestone streets, pastel row houses, and centuries of history.
Hilton Head & Lowcountry
Barrier island resorts, moss-draped oaks, and the relaxed elegance of the South Carolina coast.
Upstate & Greenville
Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, waterfalls, and Greenville's revitalized downtown along the Reedy River.
Top Wedding Venues in South Carolina
How to Get Married in South Carolina: Step by Step
Apply for Your Marriage License
Visit the Probate Court in South Carolina with your partner. Bring valid photo ID (driver's license or passport), proof of age, and the license fee of $50 to $95. Both partners must appear in person.
Wait 24 hours
After receiving your license, you must wait 24 hours before the ceremony. Your license is valid for No expiration after issuance, so plan your ceremony date within that window.
Choose Your Officiant
In South Carolina, your wedding can be officiated by ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Make sure your officiant is properly authorized before the ceremony.
Hold Your Ceremony
Have your ceremony at your chosen South Carolina venue. You will need 2 witnesses present at the ceremony.
File Your Marriage Certificate
After the ceremony, your officiant will sign the marriage license and return it to the Probate Court. Once filed, you will receive your official marriage certificate. This is your legal proof of marriage.
South Carolina Wedding Planning Tips
Charleston is consistently voted the top wedding city in America for good reason
Spring in Charleston (March to May) brings azalea blooms and perfect temperatures
Consider the Lowcountry for a more relaxed, coastal alternative to formal Charleston venues
Planning your South Carolina wedding? Collect every guest photo.
Once you have your marriage license sorted, make sure every guest can share their photos and videos. With Pix Wedding, guests scan a QR code and instantly upload to your shared album. No app downloads. No hassle.
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Explore South Carolina Wedding Venues
Browse our guide to the best wedding venues across South Carolina.
Wedding Photo Sharing in South Carolina
Learn how to collect every guest photo at your South Carolina wedding.
What Makes Getting Married in South Carolina Unique
South Carolina weddings split between Charleston's historic district, which books 18 months in advance for spring weekends, and the Lowcountry plantation venues along the ACE Basin and Sea Islands that offer a more private moss-and-marsh aesthetic. Middleton Place, a functioning plantation with 65 acres of formal gardens, is one of the most photographed ceremony sites in the Southeast. Charleston's wedding industry handles enormous volume, which has built genuinely deep vendor pools. Greenville's downtown and Falls Park add an upstate urban option. Hilton Head Island provides a resort destination format. South Carolina has a 24 hour waiting period and license fees vary $50 to $95 by county.
Signature South Carolina Wedding Angles
South Carolina Wedding Season: What Locals Know
South Carolina weddings peak in March through May and again in October through early November. Charleston spring season is the most competitive booking event of the year and locks venues 14 to 18 months out. Summer humidity from late June through September is genuinely uncomfortable outdoors. Coastal hurricane risk runs August through October. Spring camellia and azalea bloom in Charleston is a distinct visual draw.
South Carolina-Specific Wedding Questions
When do Charleston spring weddings book up?
Charleston's prime spring wedding window of late March through May for top venues like the William Aiken House, Lowndes Grove, and Middleton Place is genuinely the most competitive booking event in the Southeast. Saturday dates for those weekends book 18 to 24 months in advance. Camellia bloom in March and azalea bloom in early April are the visual draws. October offers a secondary peak with milder weather.
How does the South Carolina marriage license waiting period work?
South Carolina requires a 24 hour waiting period after the license application is filed. The fee ranges $50 to $95 by county, the license is valid for 30 days, and no blood test is required. Application is at any county Probate Court. Couples applying Monday can marry Tuesday, which is short enough that destination wedding planning treats it as same-week.
What is the difference between Charleston and Hilton Head for weddings?
Charleston offers historic architecture, walkable district, and the deepest vendor pool. Hilton Head offers resort infrastructure, golf course backdrops, and beach ceremonies on Calibogue Sound. Charleston is the better choice for a wedding that uses the city as part of the experience. Hilton Head is the better choice for a self-contained destination resort format. Pricing on premium properties is roughly comparable.
Popular Wedding Searches in South Carolina
Wedding Guides for Other States
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Marriage laws and requirements can change. Always verify current requirements with your local Probate Court in South Carolina before making plans. Last reviewed: 2026.
South Carolina Marriage & Wedding FAQ
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
A marriage license in South Carolina costs $50 to $95. You can apply at the Probate Court. No residency requirement, so out-of-state couples can apply as well.
South Carolina has a 24 hours waiting period after the marriage license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for No expiration after issuance.
Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges and justices of any court. Notaries public can also officiate weddings in South Carolina.
The minimum age to marry without parental consent in South Carolina is 18. With parental consent, individuals as young as 16 may marry.
The most popular wedding seasons in South Carolina are Spring and Fall. During these windows, top venues in regions like Charleston and Hilton Head & Lowcountry book out months in advance. Fall weddings benefit from cooler temperatures and, in some regions, stunning foliage color.
The average wedding in South Carolina costs $29,500 with an average guest count of 140. Spring and Fall are the most popular seasons for weddings in South Carolina. Popular wedding regions include Charleston, Hilton Head & Lowcountry, Upstate & Greenville.
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