Charleston, SC Church Wedding Venue
WEDDINGS AT SAINT JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Welcome to Saint James Episcopal Church, one of the most beautiful church venues for weddings in the Charleston area. Located on James Island, we offer three ceremony spaces to choose from: our traditional sanctuary, an intimate indoor chapel, and a scenic outdoor creekside chapel. Come tour the property, meet our team, and start planning your wedding.
Church Venues for Weddings, Charleston SC
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Main Sanctuary
Church for Wedding in Charleston
Our historic Main Sanctuary is a classic church for wedding ceremonies with traditional church architecture, beautiful natural light, and warm acoustics for organ or choir music. It works well for any wedding ceremony!
What You'll Love
• Grand center church aisle wedding setting
• Organ and choral music available; outside musicians welcome with approval
• Accessible entry with plenty of on-site parking
• Easy walk to the reception venue on campus -
Small Chapel Wedding
Indoor Chapel
Our indoor chapel is perfect for a small church wedding or small chapel wedding. This peaceful, light-filled space has a quiet setting with plenty of parking and simple altar florals coordinated by our Flower Guild.
What You'll Love
• Perfect for smaller guest lists
Perfect for smaller guest listsz
• Quiet, elegant atmosphere with natural light
• Short walk to parking and the event center
• Great option for weekday or morning ceremonies -
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Outdoor Creekside Chapel
Exchange vows under the live oaks on Ellis Creek. Our outdoor chapel has a serene outdoor wedding ceremony setting for couples looking for a natural outdoor chapel wedding at a Charleston church wedding venue. We have indoor backup options if needed.
What You'll Love
• Live oaks, water views, and coastal light
• Seating for family and friends
• Simple altar florals coordinated with the Flower Guild
• Pairs well with an on-site reception at the Saint James Center
Why Couples Choose Saint James
Couples choose Saint James for its Lowcountry setting: beautiful live oaks, water views, and a serene atmosphere. You'll also appreciate the flexibility of having three ceremony spaces in one location. Our clergy and music program support Christian and Episcopal wedding ceremony traditions, the Flower Guild assists with altar florals, parking is easy, and the Saint James Center on campus makes hosting your reception simple.
At a Glance
• Historic James Island setting with grand oaks and water views
• Three ceremony options - sanctuary, indoor chapel, and outdoor wedding ceremony locations
• Flexible options for small wedding guest counts (indoor chapel)
• Wedding reception venue at the large Saint James Center
• Ample parking and accessible facilities for guests
• Friendly planning support and clear guidance on church wedding requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely. We welcome all couples to inquire. During your tour, we'll walk you through our church wedding requirements and preparation schedule.
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Yes! Our Outdoor Creekside Chapel is a beautiful option under the live oaks. We'll also go over indoor backup plans during your tour in case the weather doesn't cooperate.
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An outside officiant may be possible with approval from the Rector. We'll work through those details with you if that's something you're considering.
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Altar florals are coordinated with our Flower Guild. You're welcome to use your own florist for altar flowers with Guild approval. All personal and reception florals are up to you.
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Yes, tons! We're on James Island and have hotels on the island, ten minutes from downtown Charleston and the beaches. We're happy to share general lodging suggestions and driving times during the planning process.
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Yes! Just ask during your tour and we'll go over options for livestreaming or recording the ceremony.
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Start by submitting an inquiry and booking a tour. Once you're ready, you'll sign the agreement and pay the deposit to lock in your date. Then you'll receive our wedding packet and a planning checklist to guide you through the next steps.
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Just click the "Book a Tour" link and pick a time that works for you. You'll get a confirmation email with directions. If you have specific questions—about music, altar flowers, the outdoor option, or anything else—feel free to add them in the notes section.
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The Main Sanctuary works great for larger celebrations with that classic center aisle. The Indoor Chapel is perfect for smaller, more intimate guest lists. And the Outdoor Creekside Chapel has flexible seating under the oaks. The best way to see what fits your vision is to book a tour, and we can walk through the layouts together.
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Absolutely. You're welcome to use your florist for altar flowers—we just ask that you coordinate with our Flower Guild for approval. All personal flowers and reception florals are entirely up to you.
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Yes! Outside musicians are welcome with approval from our church organist. There's a rehearsal fee that applies, and we'll coordinate timing with you.
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We do! Receptions are hosted at the Saint James Center right on campus. That's handled through a separate agreement, but it's super convenient having everything in one place.
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We'll walk you through indoor backup options during your tour so you'll have a solid plan in place if the weather doesn't cooperate.
How It Works
✔ Download the Wedding Packet – Quick guide to spaces, fees, flowers, music, and next steps
✔ Reserve Your Date – Sign the agreement and pay the deposit to confirm.
✔ Plan Your Ceremony – Choose music and altar flowers, finalize your readings, and schedule the rehearsal.
✔ Book a Tour – Pick a time that works for you and see the spaces in person.
Parking
If you've been to weddings in Charleston, you know parking can be a headache. Not at Saint James. We have two large parking lots (one in front and one in back) so your guests can pull in, park, and head straight to your ceremony. No hunting for street spots, no stress. Accessible parking is available, and we'll let you know which lot works best for your ceremony space when you book your tour.
Your Wedding Day Starts Here
We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Download the wedding packet and book a tour to see the spaces in person.