We are so very lucky to have a plethora of gorgeous venues here in Charleston with several outdoor ceremony options.  Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that clients tend to choose one specific location for their ceremony at each venue more so than others and I started to realize that the most popular spots for ceremonies aren’t necessarily the best location in terms of photography.  So, I wanted to write a blog post that detailed the best outdoor locations for ceremonies at a few of the more popular venues, so that couples could see that what’s the most popular may not be the best choice – especially when it comes to photos.

Let’s start at Magnolia Plantation.  Some couples choose to have their ceremony right outside of the Carriage House, under the oaks overlooking the Ashley River (below).

While it’s a beautiful location, I don’t think it’s the most photographic ceremony location on the property.  Notice the harsh lighting and shadows in the above photo?  That’s because the sun is behind me, shining directly on my clients.  As a general rule, I always prefer to shoot with the sun behind my clients because it creates much softer and more even light.  So, in my opinion, a ceremony under the large oak facing towards the parking lot is actually a better location, photographically speaking (below).  I love the softer look of this photo and the beautiful sun peeking through the branches.

Another option is to have your ceremony by the white bridge (below).  That location is pretty shady most of the time and with the sunlight peeking through the leaves + moss, it’s rather beautiful.  It just creates such a gorgeous backdrop for your ceremony!

Next up, the Legare Waring House.  One of my favorite venues in town!  For the most part, couples seem to gravitate toward the Avenue of Oaks (below) for their ceremony.  Given the right lighting conditions, this is a fabulous location – but in the event of overcast skies or a ceremony close to sunset, the Avenue of Oaks becomes very dark, very quickly.  And depending on the time of day, the lighting can be very spotty and inconsistent.  This is something that couples need to keep in mind.

Another less popular, but dare I say better, option is the Wedding Oak at the Legare Waring House (below).  I honestly don’t know why more people don’t plan their ceremony in this location.  I absolutely LOVE this site for an outdoor ceremony because the light that streams from behind the tree is simply fabulous!

Next up?  The Creek Club at I’On.  I see so many couples opt to have their ceremony facing the house, under the tree (below).  While in theory, this is a beautiful spot, it really isn’t the most photographic site on the property.  If it’s an overcast day, the location is fine but it’s also kind of dull unless you do some sort of floral arch or backdrop.  If it’s a sunny day, the sun shines directly on the couple throughout the ceremony, creating harsh shadows + highlights which are not ideal for good photos.

My personal favorite ceremony site at the Creek Club is facing the marsh (below).  With that beautiful Southern sun filtering through the trees + Spanish Moss, you just can’t beat it!

Now onto Middleton Place. Butterfly Lakes (below) is very popular.  Sure, it’s an amazing view – but there is absolutely no shade or natural filters to use, so the photos tend to be very harshly lit.

Utilizing one of the gardens at Middleton Place may be a better alternative, depending on the “look” you’re going for.  Remember – SHADE is your friend and where the sun is in relation to you + your photographer will play a big part in how your photos end up looking.

Lowndes Grove is a favorite of mine and luckily, most couples choose to hold their ceremony on the front lawn, facing the Ashley River (below).  This is the perfect spot for a ceremony because the trees block + filter the sun, creating a gorgeous, soft glow.

Some couples choose to hold their ceremony on the other side of the tented reception space at Lowndes Grove, but the absence of trees + shade makes it super bright and not as well-lit, in my opinion.

The Historic Rice Mill is another favorite venue of mine.  The sunset over the marina is simply spectacular!  Most ceremonies are done on the back of the building, with the water to the right of the guests, as seen below.  It’s a fairly small space and there is absolutely NO shade.  It’s not one of my favorite places to shoot because there is just no relief from that harsh sunlight.

A “better” alternative may be to use the front of the Rice Mill!  With the brick building and oaks in the background, it’s absolutely gorgeous.  Plus, it’s shady – which is awesome for you + your guests!

Last but not least, the William Aiken House.  Although the carriage house is a gorgeous ceremony backdrop, depending on the time of day, it might not be the best option.  The shade from the nearby oak can be hit or miss depending on the time of day.

I am a big fan of the pergola at the William Aiken House (below) because the ivy covered wall behind it provides consistent shade throughout the day and much more even light during the ceremony.

Some couples choose to do their ceremony with the carriage house as a backdrop – but the lighting there is completely spotty unless it’s an overcast day.  It makes creating glowy images near impossible, as you can see below.

I love shooting backlit – where the sun is behind my clients – and I rely on natural diffusers (such as trees + bushes) to soften that light and create images that are glowing.  Shade is your friend – direct sunlight is not.  I hope this post helps clients realize the possibilities for outdoor ceremonies at some of the areas most popular spots and also helps clients understand light in a new way.  It really does make a huge difference!  When in doubt, ask your photographer.  They’ll always be able to tell you the best angle for great ceremony images.