Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

of her flooring via email. Completely destroyed the beautiful venue, rustic plantation look that we wanted for our wedding. The Carriage House was once a beautiful link back to the history of this location and is now just an over priced event hall. Severely disappointed. 2. The tractors on site the day of our wedding made us have to change our wedding photos locations. Literally there is an excavator in the background while I'm walking down the aisle. No warning. Just showed up that morning to a tractor digging a hole. --- Planning a wedding at Magnolia requires you to use their preferred vendors, which is fine because you'll get quality work, but you'll be paying WAY more for a wedding that you probably want to. When we toured the venue, the woman showing us the space moaned about her divorce for a while which put a damper on our mood. The venue coordinator only emailed us to get the paperwork signed and to tell us they changed the floor. Good things - the view of the River, plenty of parking, good bathrooms, able to get married inside or outside, fire pit (except we had to do all the work lighting it which wasn't ideal), Bridal Suite is nice, Groomsmen suite is small, many tables to use day of

am giving them 4 instead of 5 stars is because the communication was spotty leading up to the wedding (I think there were some staffing changes. Once Emily took over, things improved). Otherwise, Magnolia was a dream!

y was perfect!

ardens and historic charm provided an unforgettable backdrop, making our special day truly magical. The venue's ambiance was perfect, creating an enchanting atmosphere that our guests are still raving about. However, there were a few notable drawbacks. During the ceremony, we experienced rude interruptions from individuals boating on the nearby river. Unfortunately, the venue does not monitor the river during weddings, which allowed for these disruptions. This was quite disappointing and detracted from the otherwise serene environment. Additionally, the cost was a significant consideration. Since COVID, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has increased its prices, making it a more expensive option. While the beauty and uniqueness of the venue were worth it to us, it's something to keep in mind for those planning their budget. Overall, despite these challenges, our wedding at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens was a memorable and romantic experience. The stunning scenery and historic charm made it a perfect setting for our celebration.

nning process was sometimes slow/delayed making things run a little less smoothly. There is some furniture available to use on your day, but unfortunately setup of this furniture, such as ceremony chairs, is not included and not worth paying extra when the cost of the venue is already top-end. Recommend utilizing your wedding party to help setup. Also be mindful that other ceremonies may be taking place on your day, limiting your choices for photo locations. This was quite disappointing when we wanted bridal portraits on the white bridge and we couldn’t access it due to another couple. We are looking forward to returning every year on our anniversary to celebrate and overall we are happy with our venue choice. Just wish some details and communication were solidified better to make our day as wrinkle-free as possible!

perfect wedding inside. We didn’t do too much to decorate (no extravagant flowers or drapes, just centerpieces and table decorations) and it was just as beautiful. The rain stopped just in time for some beautiful sunset pictures outside by the creek. We also had the best time driving around for pictures with Natasha. She was so much fun!

wedding being at the end of April meant all of the florals were in full bloom. Unfortunately, the events team is lacking. 1. We had communicated with multiple emails confirming a golf cart rental for one hour to be able to take photos throughout the grounds. The golf cart never showed up. We called and called all of the contacts that we had, and nobody got back to us. Luckily, our AMAZING wedding coordinators drove us around as far as they could in their own vehicle, but we were definitely not able to take a lot of the photos that we were hoping for. 2. When the rental team got there to set up and needed to fill the barrels with water, we could not find the hose connection. We called and called and were unable to get any response. After searching, we were able to find the connection on our own. 3. When I called to discuss this with the team at Magnolia, the venue contact who takes care of their weddings told me she was on vacation for the weekend and was sorry and turns out never actually booked us our golf cart. She did not offer anything other than an apology and did not seem to care much at all. Was extremely disappointed with their service & communication but the venue itself is stunning that I will offer 3 stars.

le to tour everything on different occasions with our different vendors. They gave a complete vendor recommendation list as well for all types of vendors (even things I had forgotten that I needed to book) - I dealt with a few different people through the communication process and all of them were so helpful and the views at Magnolia are unmatched from anything I’ve ever seen. It was truly amazing!

! We loved working with Caroline and Amanda helped us closer to our wedding day. If you don't mind planning from a blank slate, I highly recommend the Veranda/Piazza for a wedding venue! It is so charming and beautiful with all of the oak trees, bridges, and spanish moss!

ng your wedding or next event at Magnolia!

the planning process.

r from beginning to end for my wedding last Saturday. She is a beautiful person inside and out who was there to help on the day of the wedding when our rental company took a turn for the worse way imaginable. She deserves a huge raise/bonus/more pto/etc!! Lol The wedding thanks to her and Rosemary & Rye Catering went beautifully and we couldn’t ask for a better place to get married. Thank you again for everything, you are an angel! ❤️

as frequent and clear- her responses were immediate. This made for a really easy planning process. Even though it rained and our ceremony had to be moved inside the venue was transitioned into such a beautiful space that I didn't even think twice that my original plan wasn't happening. The Carriage House underwent renovations last year and OMG the updates are just so perfect! Thank you so much Magnolia & Amanda for such an unforgettable night!

iew speaks for itself. Can't recommend it enough!

ooked the venue (The Carriage House) a year in advance. When booking, I was told that they would ask the other couple if I could use the white bridge for a few minutes the day of my wedding. I was also told that I would have access to a golf cart all day. Unfortunately I did not receive these things in writing and that is on me. Finally, I was told that they would be doing all of these renovations to my venue before the wedding and that it would be done right on time for my wedding day. Fast forward to a few months before the wedding, I could not get in touch with Magnolia's wedding coordinator to ask her a few questions. I ended up having to use a personal contact at the venue to even receive a response. Then, to my surprise, I was told that I would need to reach out to the other bride to see if I could use the bridge, despite being told the opposite when I signed the contract. Also, I was informed that I could only use the golf cart for an hour and that I would need to pick a time. Keep in mind - they have a gravel lot, so my intention was to use it to bring the elderly guests from the parking lot and then to use it for photos around the gardens. After this, we heard nothing from Magnolia's coordinator. Finally- the wedding day is here! For starters, there was no event coordinator on site. Only one 16 year old boy. The door to the bridal suite was locked when I arrived and no one let us in for at least 30 minutes. We were not early and I had emailed my entire timeline to the venue. While my wedding planner was setting up, Magnolia had apparently approved a wedding rehearsal to happen during my setup time and the party was very rude and in the way of my wedding being set up. Next, my fireplace and torches were not lit on time. Once again, I had to ask my personal contact (A GUEST AT MY WEDDING) to please help with the issue. Finally, the toilets started to spew water, so bad that the water entered the reception area. When we called to see if someone could fix it, they did nothing and said that they would have to escort people to the bathroom at the other venue. I understand that things happen, however when my wedding planner called to explain all of the issues we had, the person on the phone simply said, "Well it just seems like you are looking for money back. So how much do you want? " and " You are the most infuriating person to talk to.". We never wanted money back, only an apology and a promise to ensure they would never let this happen to a bride again. After my wedding coordinator called, I followed up asking for an apology. To this day, no one at Magnolia has contacted me, my mother, or my wedding coordinator with an apology for all of the preventable things that went wrong at my wedding. If you are looking at Magnolia, I highly recommend looking somewhere that treats their clients with respect and in a more professional manner.

eeing the notebook, It was a dream of mine. I was disappointed with how the process went a few weeks before the big day. The good: This place is magical. It's absolutely stunning in the spring. Flowers everywhere and views of the river that are unreal. It's a fairytale. The carriage house is where we were married, and after the ceremony, we were taken by golf carts all around the property to take pictures. The carriage house is the original stables. Historic! The bad: To rent the venue was $8,500 with a deposit. It came with nothing but renting the space, the firepit/lanterns lit, and a golf ride. Essentially, we rented an empty stable and grass. We had to bring in our own vendors, including catering and rentals. When I initially booked the spot, the women I worked with explained that their hours for the plantation closed to the public at 4 pm instead of 5 pm. This way, we would have the grounds to take photos before the ceremony so we wouldn't have to be in one area with cars as the background & can enjoy the reception. The park was open until 5 pm to the public, and we were limited on where we could take bridal portraits before the wedding. Not too much of a big deal, but still annoying. Two weeks before the wedding, we were told we needed to pay for a $1 MILLION insurance policy for the wedding. It's mandatory. Why wasn't this addressed to us from the very beginning? They put it in the contract but don't disclose it upfront. DAYS before the wedding, we get an email explaining the carriage house is under renovation, and there will be no restrooms in the venue. They were bringing LUXURY Portapotties. They explained that they would try to make them look "as nice as possible"; however, it was an eyesore, and it limited us to where we could take pictures on the already limited space ceremony site. I was furious, and the coordinator couldn't even call me back until days later. On the rehearsal day, we drive in to see the main house covered in tarp for renovations. My jaw dropped. IT wasn't just the carriage house; it was the property. Jobs like this take anywhere from weeks to months to plan.. They didn't feel it necessary to inform us until a few days before the wedding/not at all. To us, that was beyond unprofessional. A wedding we had been planning for 3 years had a magnitude of drama just days prior, and I think that is so unfair-- especially with how much we paid to rent the space. After a fight, they gave me my deposit back, and the wedding was beautiful because my vendors worked so hard to make it so, If I had the opportunity to pick another wedding venue, I would have due to the headache this was at the last second. Maggie was an angel at Magnolia. She did her best to help us, and I don't think I would have been as calm if it wasn't for her. Overall-- how stunning this property is can make up for the unprofessionalism; however, if you want to get married here-- make sure you ask for transparency at the very beginning.

d an outdoor venue…Mother Nature brought wonderful weather the day of our wedding, but when the sun went down and it started to get chilly, we had heat lamps and blankets that kept our guests warm enough between dances ! The Veranda was a perfect venue for us and we absolutely enjoyed hosting our wedding there. Our planner coordinated with the staff so we personally didn’t have much interaction but we had no complaints! Beautiful venue for a momentous event!

t! My brother got married here in 2012 and I also have photographed weddings here. There are thousands of cute photo options for brides which is a dream come true for a photographer. The staff is super friendly, helpful, and goes above the normal standards for a wedding venue. There is tons of space if you’re having a larger wedding. In addition to that they have many different locations that you can get married at. They have a getting-ready cabin for the ladies which is perfect for photo opts. This is also a great spot if you just want to take nature photos as well because there is so much to see and do. If you're engaged you should definitely arrange a tour of this venue because you will be in love!

oking at several Venues, we are so delighted that we chose the right one! We would very highly recommend them for any event!!

hter's wedding as a "fairy tale wedding that can't be beat". I have heard from my daughter's college friends that have been to a lot of weddings in the past few years and they said this wedding couldn't been topped. The food from B Gourmet was fantastic, the flowers from Wildflowers were stunning and blew me away. The draping from Low Country Entertainment made the venue sooo elegant. Jessica Cruz with Cruz Coordination was an absolute God Send who handled every change we had to make during a pandemic with ease. She is worth her weight in gold!!! We could not be happier with the way the wedding went the entire day!! Our only regret is that we don't get a do over!! :)

for any occasion. We adore working with the sales team and event staff and we are always excited when our couples decide to host their nuptials at Magnolia!

s located on the Ashley River so guests also enjoyed chatting on the platform overlooking the river. The bridal suite is just the perfect size for final touch-ups before the ceremony and relaxing intermittently throughout the evening. The staff are simply exceptional in both providing feedback and personable service. No doubt they are employing all Covid best practices. Our guests can't stop talking about this venue! And of course, we recommend the impeccable Pure Luxe Brides wedding planners to coordinate every aspect of your special day and guide you throughout the entire process from engagement to the Big Day! We have been blessed in every way to work with these exceptional vendors!!

nds and family and let us into the gardens for free when we visited. The onsite bridal suite was perfect for my bridesmaids and I to get ready in and the grounds were the perfect backdrop for our big day! Everyone was in awe of our venue and how beautiful it all came together!

e weather in May.

our wedding day and were so thankful to have chosen the carriage house. We had the options of moving the ceremony to the porch or inside, we chose inside and it was a beautiful, intimate ceremony. We had about 70 people at our wedding and the space was set up to feel intimate but not empty. We were still able to take advantage of the grounds and walked around in the rain for some fun and amazing pictures. Leanza was great to work with throughout the process, always responsive to our random questions. She was great to work with as a bride from out of state.

don't even need alot of decor because the space itself is gorgeous! The bridal suite at the Carriage House is also the cutest little house ever. The fact that there is a kitchen on site also helps with the caterer. Leanza was a pleasure to work with at Magnolia and I highly recommend Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

then our guests walked over the quaint red bridge to the reception. The greenhouse along with all of our floral arrangements and decor made for a breathtaking space. We danced all night on the deck!

could not be happier with our choice. It was the most picturesque place to get married! Leanza was also wonderful and the preferred vendor list she provided was amazing. We loved every single one of our vendors that she recommended.

nt! Thank you Magnolia for not only being a beautiful dream to get married at, but also helping us fall in love with Charleston. As a destination bride, it was difficult deciding on venue, vendors, etc. without being there in person. Leanza is so quick to respond and provided me with a list of preferred vendors which really helped! I would just recommend booking early since it's one of the top places to get married in the U.S. (certainly for a reason). The only thing I can "complain" about , if you can even call it that because it wasn't a big deal at all, is that we were told the Carriage House (our venue's) floors would be renovated to a stained cement well before our wedding and it wasn't. But really, that's one of those details that NOBODY cares about anyway. Just figured I'd mention it because those stained floors would be really pretty!

eautiful and magical in the conservatory. It turned out better than we had imagined and magnolia plantation provides so many beautiful areas for photos. Magnolia plantation also provides free admission to guests on the day of the wedding so there was a lot to offer our guests to keep them occupied until the wedding. We loved the conservatory and definitely recommend it for anyone who wants more than just the typical plantation wedding.

ghout the planning process. From our initial tour of the entire plantation and venue space, we had a great experience on site and with the staff. The Magnolia team provided us with an amazing list of vendors who were familiar with the venue, and were there to provide more recommendations along the way. When we decided to book the Carriage House for our wedding, we were happy to find out that an outdoor ceremony site was also included, as well as use of the entire plantation for photos, and a bridal suite. We got married on the grounds of the Carriage House this past October and couldn't have asked for a more picture perfect day. The grounds provide such an AMAZING backdrop for photographs and a wedding ceremony! We are so overwhelmed thinking back to how beautiful our wedding was.

lia & the entire staff for making our wedding a reality!

commodate our last minute changes and needs. I am so thankful to have had my wedding at such a stunning venue. I have not stopped receiving compliments about our venue since our wedding.

is too high. Here is what occurred during my daughter’s June wedding and in the months since: The bride and her attendants, including the mothers, arrived at Magnolia Plantation six hours in advance of the ceremony only to find the air conditioner broken in the bridal suite. Temperatures quickly soared to over 90 degrees. With up to 14 people enclosed in the tiny space, conditions became intolerable. The stylists were applying makeup to bridesmaids only to watch it drip off. Our wedding planner called the sales manager, who was not on-site that day, but the response was nothing more than an apology – not from the sales manager, mind you, but from the wedding planner who had no real control over the situation anyway. In seeking relief, the bridesmaids congregated in the bathroom area of the bridal suite because there was cool air seeping through a locked door that accessed an office on the other side. As conditions worsened, one bridesmaid pounded on the locked door in desperation hoping that someone might be on the other side. To our shock, a staff person opened the door and was thrown aback by the extreme heat in the suite. She arranged to have a small portable air conditioner brought to the suite, but it was too little, too late. By the time the ceremony started an hour later, the temperature in the bridal suite had dropped only to a still unacceptable 86 degrees. Where was this person when we first arrived? Why didn’t she stop by to see how things were going? From my perspective, it is simply good public relations with customers who have just spent $7,000 to use your venue to let them know that you appreciate their business. In the three months since the wedding, I have sent three letters to Magnolia Plantation – the last by certified mail – requesting a partial refund because of the non-functioning air conditioner. My correspondence has not received so much as an acknowledgement, much less an apology, leaving me with no other impression that Magnolia Plantation could not care less about their customers once they have your money in hand. In hindsight, I regret that we did not select a different venue for my daughter’s wedding. $7,000 is real money to me. To be treated so disrespectfully by Magnolia Plantation is simply unacceptable.

A/C upon arriving for my wedding (imagine my surprise). When I spoke to the site manager during my reception he informed me that the A/C had been broken for at least a week. However, no one from Magnolia called me at any time before my wedding to inform me of this issue. In fact, after sending an email to Magnolia's wedding sales rep the day after my wedding I am still waiting for an explanation. We paid $7000 for this venue and it was the worst decision. There is zero customer service. We had to call the site manager several times during our reception and only after fighting about it did they bring out 2 fans. By this time the reception was half way done. Additionally, one fan was so rusted through I had to request it be kept as far from the buffet dinner table as possible. The second fan was a tiny box fan. Stay away. Your wedding day is too important for a venue like Magnolia that only wants your money and could care less about your happiness or satisfaction.