About this vendor
The Governor Thomas Bennett House, circa 1825, is one of the most magnificent homes in Charleston, South Carolina. The home is of tremendous architectural importance, with exceptional ornamentation plasterwork. Of particular note is the free-flying staircase, which is only one of two in the entire city. The house has been handsomely restored, providing an elegant backdrop to events and parties. The gracious interior of the house is extended and enhanced by a spacious piazza overlooking the garden. The garden is one of the most beautiful traditional gardens in Charleston. With a large brick courtyard and fountain, it is the perfect setting for distinctive and elegant functions.
Amenities + details
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Elopement
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
- Second Wedding
Settings
- Garden
- Historic Venue
Venue Service Offerings
- Destination Weddings
Reviews
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5
out of 5.028 reviews
Review photos
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We got married here 10/4/2025 and it was one of the best days. Such a great group of people who work here who made it feel like home for the weekend. Our guests were obsessed with ...
the house and the fact that it is hidden in downtown Charleston. You could not hear traffic or any other noise besides the wedding. Such a perfect place to start our forever!
Hands down, the best venue in all of Charleston, Thomas Bennett stole our hearts from the moment we laid eyes on it.
As Charleston locals, we thought we knew every corner of our ...
city, but stumbling upon this hidden gem nestled in the quaint streets of the peninsula was a delightful surprise. This was the first venue we visited, and as we toured other locations afterward, we found ourselves consistently comparing them, always concluding that none could match the charm of Thomas Bennett House. The greenery, floral accents, and charming moss trees create an enchanting atmosphere that's truly unmatched. Guests loved the open grounds and the opportunity to explore the interior of the house during the festivities. Utilizing both indoor and outdoor spaces, from the main floor and porch during cocktail hour to the stunning garden draped in lights, added to the magic of the evening. Our out-of-town guests couldn't stop raving about the venue's charm and beauty, and we couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect setting for our special day.
The elegance of the house itself served as a perfect backdrop for our ceremony, and the garden – undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Charleston – added a timeless charm to our special day. The large brick courtyard and fountain exuded eloquence and added to the wedding's ambiance. The free-flying staircase and romantic balcony were perfect for capturing unforgettable moments, specifically our first looks. The venue's layout, with separate floors for bridesmaids and groomsmen, provided privacy and convenience. The richly decorated and spacious rooms provided a great setting for getting ready with our wedding parties. Another important and often overlooked feature is the ample parking – a rare find in downtown Charleston!
Kathy, our guiding angel throughout the planning process, was responsive, professional, and informative. Her assistance ensured that every detail of our dream wedding was brought to life seamlessly. She also was very helpful with cleanup and making sure we got everything back.
If you're looking for a venue that exudes timeless elegance, offers both indoor and outdoor spaces that can support the entire day from ceremony to reception, and comes with the most supportive staff you could ask for, Thomas Bennett is the place for you.
This is a beautiful venue set in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. We chose this venue for the timeless and classic ambiance. As soon as we stepped through the main doorwa...
y that led to the porch, we knew right away this was our spot. The staff were incredible to work with and welcoming to us, as they assisted in bringing forth every detail of our dream wedding.
The Historical Governor Thomas Bennett House combines traditional and mindful modernization. Each room is richly decorated and spacious. The grooms suite on the ground floor served as a great holding room / lounge for us to get ready, while the third floor accommodated our bridesmaids. It was the perfect venue to spend the day getting ready with our whole bridal party. The GTBH allowed our guests to enjoy multiple spots throughout the celebration on the same property, all while being close to their accommodations downtown. It was everything we could have hoped for and more! Truly a dream come true.
The Governor Thomas Bennett House is one of the most beautiful venues in Charleston, SC. We had our wedding on February 25, 2023 where we hosted both, our ceremony and reception, a...
t the house and were so pleased with how it turned out. The GTBH is slightly more expensive than other local venues but it's worth the price. You're able to use each and every inch of the space! My bridesmaids and I got ready upstairs in the bridal suite, while my husband and his bridal party were able to hang out downstairs in the grooms area where they had a refrigerator, lounge chairs/couches and TVs. The inside of the house on the main floor was utilized during cocktail hour, in addition to the gorgeous porch that overlooks the garden. We had guests tour the house, in awe of it's beauty, during cocktail hour. The garden space outside is absolutely stunning and we got SO many compliments on our wedding venue, layout and space. The photos from our wedding are so stunning and a lot of it can be contributed to the beautiful trees with moss, GORGEOUS year-round florals and bloomed trees. The team works diligently year round to make this a gorgeous venue and it's truly something special. Ms. Kathy was such a pleasure to work with over our 18 month engagement period and made us feel so welcomed throughout the entire time, and especially on the day of. We feel so, so grateful that our wedding planner told us about this gorgeous space. Even as Charleston locals, we had no idea this beauty existed in the quaint streets of the peninsula. I highly recommend this venue for anyone who wants to have a gorgeous wedding without paying for drapery or excess florals! Our guests cannot stop talking about it!
The Governor Thomas Bennett House is such an iconic Charleston venue. The space is absolutely beautiful, versatile, and unique. Their sales team is incredibly knowledgable, patient...
, and kindhearted. They do everything they can for their clients while respecting the integrity of the space. Truly a magnificent venue, we love working with the team!
We just fell in love with this venue when we saw it. That we could have the cocktail hour in the house and on the porch, so our guests could see the beautiful home was a plus. The ...
garden for the ceremony was so beautiful and the area of the reception fit our size of 145 perfectly. We had access to the bridal suite to get ready nice and early and an added bonus was the groom's room - so the guys could also get ready on-site. The adjacent parking lot for guests that drove was also a plus, especially for Charleston. It was the perfect spot.
I cannot say enough about our wonderful experience hosting our wedding at the Governor Thomas Bennett House!! It is the most unique and gorgeous venue - it was a destination weddin...
g for us so we chose the venue before seeing it in person; pictures simply cannot do it justice. Our guests couldn't stop raving about how magical the whole place felt! We had our ceremony in the garden, cocktail on the grand porch and inside the beautiful home, and reception on the patio. We wanted to showcase the natural beauty of the space and were able to go with more minimal floral design and decor. I also loved that it was right in downtown Charleston - no 30 minute bus ride for the guests. We absolutely loved working with Linda, the venue manager, throughout the year of our engagement. She is so genuinely nice, extremely experienced, and was always happy to offer her expertise. I am so glad we chose TBH for our wedding and would highly recommend booking here if you can get a date :)
The Governor Thomas Bennett House was everything we wanted in a wedding venue. A historic southern white home, a large porch, and Spanish moss all nestled into downtown Charleston....
We fell in love with the venue as soon as stepped onto the porch and overlooked the garden. The venue is breathtaking and served as our ceremony site, cocktail hour, and reception venue. All of our guests were from out of town and kept raving about the charm and the beauty of the house. Having all of the events in one place and the location of the venue made it easy for our guests and wedding party. Christa and Linda do an amazing job of keeping the grounds looking beautiful and the house in amazing condition. They are also quick to respond to any questions or needs and are friendly. The House and the gardens also make for great wedding photos!
I could not have dreamed of a more perfect venue for our Charleston wedding. Linda, the house manager, is the sweetest and most accommodating person to work with. While the venue d...
oesn't provide any catering, rentals, etc. it is so worth it for the picturesque garden, newly installed oyster tabby (great for a reception), and of course, the fully furnished historic house. The bridal suite on the 2nd floor and the "man cave" downstairs were both perfect for our large wedding party to get ready in. The venue comfortably held our 180 guests and even has a parking lot right beside the house for easy access. Then after the reception ends, you're already in downtown Charleston and can easily continue the party a few blocks down on King St. The Thomas Bennett House really has it all and I cannot recommend it enough.
The Governor Thomas Bennett House is hands down the best wedding venue in Charleston! I have known for quite some time that I wanted an old Charleston home with inside/outdoor spa...
ce and fell in love immediately with the TBH (actually fell in love with the venue before I met my husband)! It seems to be some what of a secret tucked away off Calhoun Street but still centrally enough for guest to easily get to and from. Also, they have a parking area right next to the house for guest! The house takes you back in time with beautiful antique decor and the best part, you have it all day! My girls and I enjoyed taking over the upstairs to get ready while peering out onto the garden and side yard as the vendors set up. With the new oyster tabby side yard, its the perfect set up for a band and lots of dancing! Probably my favorite part about TBH is that the venue is already so breathtaking with its beautiful landscaping, that you really don't need to add much more decor! Christa was amazing to work with and I highly recommend contacting them for a tour!
My mother in law originally was interested in booking this location for our rehearsal dinner but once my husband and I saw photos of their property we knew this was the reception l...
ocation we had been dreaming of. We booked this location in late 2015 for our May 20 2017 wedding; many people who don't know how popular Charleston is for weddings thought we were acting too hasty but booking this beautiful site early is an absolute MUST. After we sent in our deposit we were told two other couples tried to book as well. Both Linda and Crysta were very helpful in our planning and the execution of the reception. They communicated well and were a delight to work with. They made sure everything on the day of was running smoothly as I got ready with my bridesmaids. The house has a large bridal suite on the second floor that we had in the morning before leaving to go to the cathedral. The house has an extensive property that was recently renovated; there is a large garden with fountain that was a perfect space for our cocktail hour. We had both floors open for guests to tour during the cocktail hour which has a huge hit! Everyone loved the beautiful décor. The other half of the property outside had our tent (tent is NEEDED to protect against the sun!) with our guest tables, dance floor, and band stage. There is a new elevated platform that was perfect for displaying the cake. There is also a secret garden that is perfect size for games and high top tables, where we had our corn hole table sets for guests to enjoy. Overall this was a beautiful location that had everything we needed! Book as early as you can!
The Governor Thomas Bennett House is the most beautiful venue in Charleston. We got married here on March 18, 2017 with reception following the ceremony and could not have been ha...
ppier. It was truly one of the best days ever for both of us celebrating with dear friends and family. From the moment I met Christa Lanning and Linda McCormick , I knew this is where I wanted to get married. They were so helpful and sincere throughout the entire planning process and definitely made our day extra special. The house and grounds are absolutely gorgeous and perfectly maintained. This is a perfect venue if you are looking for an outdoor ceremony/reception. The property combines a spectacular 3 story house with a piazza . We loved the fact that you may use your own caterer, florist, band, tent rentals, wedding planner, etc. and includes a private parking lot for over 100 cars. This was a big plus for us for our out of town guests! I would highly recommend The Governor Thomas Bennett House for any event, especially a wedding. This is now our favorite venue in Charleston! Thank you Christa and Linda for everything! Susan and Myles
I had a feeling this was going to be our wedding venue when I started looking at photos online but after we saw it in person, we knew right away it was absolutely perfect. It stood...
out even after visiting many other beautiful venues in Charleston. To have the entire stunningly gorgeous historic home for your use all day is so so nice. We made ourselves right at home getting ready on the day-of and pretended it was our house and backyard for the day. The intimacy of the space allowed our 70 person wedding not to feel too small in the space (unlike other more sprawling venues) but they can also accommodate a large guest count easily. The addition of the oyster tabby patio was really nice (installed after we had signed our contract). Christa and Linda were amazing to work with leading up to the event answering any questions and keeping us updated with the patio construction progress. Our guests-mostly from the northeast--were in complete awe of the Thomas Bennett House and gardens and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect backdrop for our wedding day!
Truly amazing. We were married in December 2016 at the Governor Thomas Bennett House, and could not have chosen a better time of year or venue! The weather is beautiful in Charlest...
on, and the house is fully decorated for the holidays. It was so beautifully done that every one of our guests could not stop talking about it all weekend... it is absolutely picturesque. It is everything you would hope for a Charleston wedding. Additionally, the staff at the Governor Thomas Bennett House went above and beyond in making our wedding spectacular. During the planning phase, they were so responsive and I felt like they cared so much about each and every one of their brides. They truly make you feel like your wedding is the only event happening during the year. Christa was an amazing help throughout the entire planning year, especially during our 6+ site visits and countless emails, phone calls, etc! God bless her!
We had 135 guests and it was a great number for the part of our wedding that was held inside. We held our cocktail hour inside the house and on the veranda before the ceremony, then loaded our guests on buses taking them to the ceremony, and we returned to the house for our reception under a tent in the gardens. The schedule was a little out of the ordinary, but our guests loved it and they were able to see the home during the early evening hours as the sun was setting.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this venue. We felt like we got so much value for our money- especially in December with the home fully decorated. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Christa and staff at GTBH!! You will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Best wedding venue ever. My husband and I are from New York but are Charleston obsessed. We visited a lot of venues in the area as we knew we wanted a southern wedding. TBH was exa...
ctly what we were looking for-- a big white southern home with a porch, beautiful gardens, huge tree, little courtyard in the back for games, space for the vendors to go without being seen. The inside of the home is gorgeous, the bridesmaids were up in the bridal suite all day (awesome photo ops!) and we had our cocktail our on the porch/first floor of the home so everyone had a chance to get a good look at the historic beauty. Christa and Linda were a pleasure to work with, super helpful and accommodating. Our wedding was in October and our guests still talk about it when we see them (3 months later)! Mostly everyone came from NY and this was so different than what they're used to. The home is so beautiful for pictures inside and out. We did family portraits outside of the pretty white gate with the tree in the background and also by the lit hedges in the back. The location is also great because you're in a quiet neighborhood but it's easy for guests to take an Uber from downtown (5 minute ride) and they also have a parking lot if need be. We had our ceremony outside and lucked out with a beautiful day but it also is possible to have both ceremony and reception tented with a walkway tent between the two if it does rain. If you're looking for a wedding that's got southern charm written all over it then the TBH is definitely the venue for you.
The most AMAZING wedding venue in Charleston! Not only is the house extremely beautiful it is also convenient for guests staying at the harbor and in the historic downtown area. ...
From the lovely bridal suite to the spacious groom's quarters the house offers so much space for the wedding party to prepare on wedding day. The outdoor garden space is truly stunning and allows guests to enjoy the picturesque beauty of Charleston. The house itself gives guests the opportunity to admire and enjoy the interior of perfectly preserved historic property. Linda and Christa, the venue managers, are awesome. They were professional, helpful and we valued their guidance from start to finish. As the parent's of the bride we could not have asked for a more perfect location to host our youngest daughter's wedding. The Governor Thomas Bennett House is classic, elegant, sophisticated and so very southern…a fabulous wedding venue!
This venue is absolutely amazing. I feel so blessed to have had our wedding at the Thomas Bennett House!! Both Linda and Christa were amazing to work with throughout our wedding p...
lanning process. This venue is also one of the most breathtaking spots ever, it is truly a hidden garden tucked away in downtown Charleston. Our guests were seriously blown away with the beauty. My husband and I loved this venue b/c it allowed for the intimate, southern, garden style wedding we wanted. The venue also was private and away from all of the loud sounds + businesses downtown but only a 15 min walk or $5 uber to all of the local restaurants and bars downtown for those wanting to stay out after the wedding is over. One thing to know is this venue does not allow sparklers and you can't get in until 10 am on the wedding day, but all of that is explained up front. Overall, I couldn't have been happier with the TBH. There is a bridal suite upstairs and man cave downstairs so it was awesome being able to all get there and stay in the same spot all day! SO MUCH EASIER than travel for the wedding party and family. If you are looking for the perfect, southern, charming, and just down right gorgeous venue--look no further!! This place is one of a kind. Thanks so much to everyone at the TBH for ensuring our day had zero hiccups and was the best day ever!!
I cannot begin to describe how much I loved Thomas Bennett House; I had the wedding of my dreams. Christa and Linda were so helpful and accommodating every step of the way! All of ...
my guests described the venue as "enchanting" and one of the most beautiful wedding venues they had ever visited. I loved getting ready in the bridal suite upstairs and my husband and the guys enjoyed the man cave downstairs. Our day could not have been more perfect!
We booked the Thomas Bennett House sight unseen for our wedding ceremony and reception - and could not have been happier! It is the most beautiful venue and a bit of a 'hidden gem'...
located in downtown Charleston. Simply gorgeous!
The house is perfectly charming, southern, historic and romantic - I can't say enough good things! Linda and Christa, the coordinators, are amazing to work with and made wedding planning so enjoyable and easeful. Both Linda and Christa were always available to answer questions promptly, offer suggestions and completely understood our needs and wants. They thought of every detail and made sure the house was perfect in every sense for our wedding - from the landscaping, flowers, lights, fountain, interior... everything! They are both wonderful, friendly, professional and such a pleasure to be around! The day of our wedding both Linda and Christa made me feel relaxed and calm and I knew they had everything in place with our vendors. Even with a couple minor unexpected happenings with vendors, they were there to help and made sure all went seamlessly. They event went as far to bring my husband and I appetizers, bustle my dress and fix my train throughout the afternoon!
Our guests are still talking about the venue and what a charming Charleston wedding we had! I can't thank the TB team and our vendors enough for all of their time and efforts to make our day perfect!
We knew from the moment we stepped foot in the garden of the Thomas Bennett House that it was the perfect location for our destination wedding (with 80 guests). Linda is just so wo...
nderful to work with, and helped us source a few paintings of the venue to give our parents. She couldn't have been more of a joy to communicate with. The venue itself is absolute perfection. We were lucky with the May weather and had a completely outdoor, untented ceremony and reception. Everything was in bloom and all of our guests were completely blown away by the house and gardens. Had there been rain forecasted, Linda had lots of great contingency options. It's really the perfect venue for a downtown Charleston wedding!
This is the MOST gorgeous wedding venue in Charleston! My husband and I toured 6 wedding venues before absolutely falling in love with the Thomas Bennett House! As soon as we toure...
d, we both KNEW it was the one. The house is beautiful inside and out! My husband loved the man cave fully equipped with leather sofas, beer fridges, and flat screen TV's. Meanwhile I loved that the bridal suite was the entire top floor with vintage furniture, huge bathrooms, and the most perfect lighting! Also, the grounds of the Thomas Bennett House are always well-maintained. Everything from the grass to the trees to the flowers were absolutely perfect the day of my wedding. We loved that the house is private from outside guests with a great white fence surrounding the house and gardens. Also, the house grounds were large enough that we were able to hold the ceremony by the pineapple fountain, and move to the nearby grassy area for cocktail hour and reception, and easily fit all 150 guests.
A HUGE selling point for this venue for us was the complimentary parking lot that is next to the house. Parking in Charleston is always difficult, and we wanted to avoid that struggle for our guests. Having the parking lot available was awesome to be able to have our guests not worry about finding parking or paying for parking.
The house coordinators Linda and Christa were amazing throughout the planning process and the day of the wedding! They helped keep everyone organized and made sure everything inside and out of the house was perfect.
I cannot say enough great things about the Thomas Bennett House and could not imagine getting married anywhere else! I highly recommend scheduling a tour and guarantee you will fall in love with it, just like we did!
If there was a sixth star, I would add it for The Governor Thomas Bennett House. From the very first visit with Linda as our guide, my daughter fell in love with what she lovingly...
calls "the hidden gem".
Over the next 18 months of planning, it was smooth sailing. Every question was promptly answered. Every visit was incredible. Every time we walked through the gorgeous front door it felt perfect! The venue is breath taking. On the wedding day, it was perfect. Extra attention had been paid to making sure the grounds were pristine and the house itself, well, the bridal party spent ALL day in the 2nd floor bridal suite getting ready. What a treat that was. The guys even enjoyed the grooms cave!
All in all, PERFECTION! Thank you GTBH for making Kevin & Maggie's wedding a dream come true.
If you've been dreaming of a Southern Wedding in a charming and timeless home, look no further! The Governor Thomas Bennett House feels like a hidden gem with its secluded location...
tucked away on Barre Street. The beautiful gardens and trees add to the romantic and intimate feel of the grounds. The house is beautiful inside and out with bridal suite on top floor, elegant interior on main floor with free-flying staircase, man cave on bottom floor and spacious piazza overlooking the garden. PLENTY of gorgeous spots for photo ops, a photographer's dream! We got use of the entire house and grounds on our wedding day. It felt like ours...like we were getting married in our family home.
Crista and Linda were a joy to work with! Their promptness, willingness to help and flexibility take Southern Hospitality to another level. It felt like they were family and really cared about making our day special. Their excitement and passion are contagious. We just loved them!
Choosing the Governor Thomas Bennett House for our wedding was the best decision we made. We could not have been more pleased and wouldn't change a thing. Even with the rain and brewing hurricane, it was a magical day. Our friends and family will be talking about this house for years to come. The Governor Thomas Bennett House will always be part of our fairy tale!
This is, hands down, the most beautiful venue in Charleston and really showed off the Southern charm that I wanted to portray to all my out of town guests. Linda McCormick was a p...
leasure to work with and her staff was completely professional and helpful. We used the entire house and grounds for the reception. The cocktail hour was in the house and on the veranda overlooking the fountain and lawn. Following the cocktail hour, we still used the house, but moved the reception to the spacious lawn which we used for a giant tent and dance floor, but also had room for smaller tables and couches for those guests that wanted to have a quieter experience.
I absolutely LOVED my reception at the Governor Thomas Bennett House. Linda McCormick is the coordinator there and is so easy to work with! It was the perfect day and the gardens w...
ere GORGEOUS!
Booked it sight-unseen. Gorgeous. Stunning. I had a 'vintage garden party' afternoon destination wedding and it exceeded all my expectations.
The Thomas Bennett House was such an amazing place to have our wedding. Not only do you have access to a beautiful historic Charleston home but you can also use it's fabulous garde...
ns. The house manager is such a pleasure to work with too! Highly recommend it!!!
We adored our wedding venue! It's old Charleston feel and history was breathtaking! We were able to get married in the garden and have the reception in the yard. Great way to not l...
ose out of town guests on the one-way streets of Charleston! Linda McCormick, the coordinator of the house could not have been any nicer! She was a joy to work with! Honestly, SHE was a big reason we decided to book this location!
Contact
69 Barre St, Charleston, SC
Governor Thomas Bennett House