201-250 guest capacity
This venue can host up to 250 guests
About this vendor
Why not have your wedding at the University of Charleston? University of Charleston was recently listed as one of the South’s Best Wedding Venues by Southern Living Magazine and with Gorgeous Ballrooms, Stunning Views of the Capitol and the Kanawha River, and an Extraordinary Catering Menu and Staff, it’s easy to see why! With our amazing team here at UC, we would love to assist you in creating your dream wedding.
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
Guest Capacity
- Up to 250
Settings
- Ballroom
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Garden
Venue Service Offerings
- Bar & Drinks
- Food & Catering
- Planning
- Rentals & Equipment
- Service Staff
Reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4
out of 5.016 reviews
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If you want to avoid stress that can come with preparing a wedding then I highly recommend you avoid choosing UC as your venue. Very unprofessional in regards to communicating information. They cannot respond to an email in a timely manner (months). We decided to change venues 60 days until our wedding day due to the unsatisfactory service we have received.
My wedding actually fell during the COVID pandemic. UC catering did their best to keep me updated with every change that happened. I am rescheduling a reception with them, and they are always very helpful and understanding.
I wish I could give this place 0 stars. Absolutely impossible to get ahold of anyone in the catering department. If they handle inquiries this way I can’t imagine how little they would care for the actual event.
Only plus side to this place is that it’s pretty. But good luck getting in.
My daughter Erin got married at the University of Charleston last weekend. I cannot say enough good things about this venue. It was quite frankly, perfect. The artsy Erma Byrd Gallery for the ceremony, the gorgeous Rotunda for the reception, the outdoor covered patio for partying and dancing….it was all AMAZING. Lisa, the UC catering director was so helpful and the entire UC staff was very professional and helpful. The food was delicious and everything went right according to our timeline. All of our guest kept gushing over how much fun they had and most importantly our daughter Erin and new husband Josh were thrilled. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
The catering team was exceptional with great tasting food, punctuality, and organization. The UC team obviously has a lot of experience because they helped pull off my reception flawlessly. I was nervous about guests waiting after the ceremony while pictures were being taken, but Lisa assured me she had things covered. The team prepared delicious spinach dip and finger foods, helped with seating, and did a superb job transitioning into the formal reception. The UC Catering Team gets an A+++ from my husband and I. We couldn't have been more pleased.
UC was the perfect location for both wedding ceremony and reception. Everything went perfect and food was amazing. Everyone was professional and I would recommend this venue to anyone looking for a wedding location
Our wedding at UC totally exceeded my expectations and more. We chose to get married on the lawn (which we had to rent our own chairs for, as UC does not provide). We had the Erma Byrd gallery as a back up plan in case of rain, which was really wonderful for UC to offer! We didn't end up needing it, but it was the perfect place for the bridesmaids and family to hang out in before the ceremony. Beautiful space and would have been an amazing plan B if needed. Our reception was held in the Rotunda which held 160 people comfortably. If you are planning for plated meals I believe the cap is 150 people. This venue is not crazy expensive, it provided some of the best views in the city of Charleston, overlooking the glowing Capitol building, and the food was really excellent. Bar service does not serve hard liquor, but that was something my husband and I were ok leaving out. I highly recommend UC, Lisa and her staff are very nice and easy to work with.
My fiancé and I chose UC for our ceremony & reception for the amazing views! We had our ceremony outside on the lawn, and the backdrop of the Capitol was gorgeous. Our reception was inside the rotunda. All of our guests bragged on the food, too.
However, if you do not have a wedding coordinator this venue is extremely difficult. Lisa, the “coordinator” is pretty much nonexistent, and every time I was there she acted like she had absolutely no idea who I even was. She never replied to my emails and was never in her office when I called. She didn’t answer my florists phone called the day of the wedding & was not around when my family went to set up some decorations. I saw her one time on my wedding day & she did not come to my rehearsal. But, the catering staff was excellent and made sure that everything was taken care of for me at the reception.
Overall, this venue is gorgeous, just make sure you are well organized and stay on top of things.
Even after the electricity went out for hours the morning of my wedding, none of my guests could tell -- UC still pulled off the event flawlessly. They were incredibly helpful through the planning process. The venue is gorgeous, too.
The University was everything I dreamed for my big day. They offered everything from food to decorations and had someone there the whole time to help with anything that was needed, even cake cutting! For everything the provide and the view the price was phenomenal! The cheapest I found for the Charleston area!
This was a beautiful venue! The staff was very helpful throughout the whole process and it was a lot more affordable than I ever thought! We had originally planned for an outdoor ceremony on the lawn however, it rained the morning of, but due to the versatility of the space we were still able to do it under their tent on the patio, with no extra cost to us.
We had our reception in the Rotunda. The venue it’s self is AMAZING the food was GREAT!!!! However, I was very disappointed in the organization and communication of the coordinator. We were promised so many things in our contract and many expectations were not fulfilled. During every meeting we had with the coordinator she was very unprepared and unprofessional.
For example:
The book we were given at the signing of our contract provided false information (number of tables/people and alcohol policies).
Changes were made through the University regarding alcohol polices which is out of control of the coordinator we understand. However, we were never contacted and/or notified of any changes.
Two days before the wedding I was informed via "email" that there was another event the day of my wedding and I would not be able to decorate until the afternoon. Mind you a year before the wedding we put in our contract that we would start decorating at 8 am. (We provided all the overlays, center pieces, and decorations. The option for linens/decorations is much slimmer than you are lead to believe.)
When I contacted the coordinator asking for table sizes for linens I was giving incorrect measurements.
During the signing of the contract we were told 200 people could fit in the Rotunda. We invited 242 knowing at least 60 cold not come. During our first sit down meeting (after save the dates were sent) we were told 150. Only 1 week before the wedding when we provided our seating arrangements and meal tally we were told only 100 or im sorry only 12 tables of 8 which makes 96 (WHAT!!!) ….My mom made the tables work by arranging them on both the inside of the Rotunda and up on the landing from the stairs.
During my first sit down meeting with the coordinator (again following the signing of the contract) I was asked for all my vendors’ information and she proceeded to tell me my DJ was “horrible”, her exact words. (Not what you say to a bride!!) No worries though she was completely wrong he was AMAZING!!!!
We had a great time at our reception all because of our wonderful family and friends (and our DJ). I grew up just a few miles outside of Charleston and wanted to be married in Charleston. I planned the wedding from 2.5 hours away so any problems that came from this vender were quickly fixed or solved by my mother. We were very lucky to have her in Charleston to keep track of our wedding planning.
Sadly as much as I would like to say I would recommend this venue I would not wish all this stress on any bride or her family.
The location was beautiful! I had some problems and confusion with the coordinator but the event staff was amazing. I would overall recommend this venue.
We loved our UC wedding! The rotunda is beautiful. We had planned on having an outdoor wedding, but rained forced us inside. We had it in the Erma Bird Gallery and it was cozy and romantic. The capital was shining in the background. The food was good and sound was great for dancing. The only thing I would change was the lighting inside - it was brighter than we would have liked. Overall though, I'm really glad we had our wedding there!
The location is what lured me in, but Liz and her chef at UC are what sold me. Throught the entire process of planning my wedding Liz turned into my fairy godmother. She did over and beyond what I could have expected. Our day was amazing and we owe it all to Liz.
The food was amazing. We had a very southern comfort food menu and it was delicious. Our family is still talking about it. Additionally, our friends and myself loved, loved the bartenders and servers. An excellent experience.
I had went to college here and knew back then that I wanted my wedding to be here because of the beautiful views and uniquness of the rooms. The ceremony was held in the Erma Byrd Art Gallery which holds upto 180 guests. It is overlooking the riverbank and beautiful state capital. The reception was one level below in the rotunda, which was equally gorgeous. There is plenty of parking and easy access to carry everything inside. Wonderful location!
Contact
2300 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV
University of Charleston-UC Catering
University of Charleston-UC Catering's photos