Lowcountry isn’t just an aesthetic – it’s a lifestyle. It’s a blend of South Carolina Southern hospitality, gorgeous coastal views, and an appreciation for taking things a little bit slower. It’s also a lovely style to incorporate into a beautiful wedding, as seen in these images from the most luxuriously styled Editorial. Kiawah Island is a beautifully distinct Lowcountry area with spectacular vistas and resorts that exude luxury and comfort. Kiawah Island Golf Resort is home to one of the region’s most premier golf courses, as well as an acclaimed spa, an opulent seaside hotel, and some of South Carolina’s most beautiful wedding venues. Looking for a Lowcountry venue without sacrificing any of the grandeur? I’ve collected some information on what makes a Kiawah Island Ocean Course wedding a momentous and unforgettable occasion.
About The Kiawah Island Ocean Course Wedding Venue
Less than 25 miles from beautiful Charleston, Kiawah Island is ten miles of incredible oceanfront beaches, preserved coastal forests, sand dunes, and so much more. It’s a secluded getaway from the rest of the world, surrounded by stretches of water and marshlands that glow in every sunrise and sunset. A home away from home for celebrities and those looking for a serene spot to relax and unwind, Kiawah Island is truly a place to take a break from it all.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a spectacular destination for those looking to enjoy Kiawah Island’s beauty. With five-star accommodations, world-class amenities, recreational activities for the whole family, and one of the most respected golf courses in the country, it’s an amazing place for a vacation as well as a wedding.
Whether you’re dreaming of a beachside wedding with your toes in the sand or a grand ballroom wedding – or a combination of both! – Kiawah Island Golf Resort has a little bit of everything for you to create your perfect wedding day.
Details of the Grounds
There are literally dozens of possibilities to shape your perfect wedding day at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Each of their spaces exudes Lowcountry charm and extravagance with views of the ocean, their world-class golf courses, and classic coastal landscapes.
The venue space that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing was the Ocean Course Clubhouse, a picture-perfect spot with all the charm of a Southern estate and the high-end aesthetic of a world-class golf course.
Within the Ocean Course Clubhouse are several different spaces that you can use to curate your perfect wedding day. On a beautiful day, the Ocean Course Lawn is the perfect spot for an outdoor ceremony, surrounded by rolling green lawns and endless views of the ocean. The lawn itself looks out over the iconic Ocean Course golf course that has hosted momentous events like the 1991 Ryder Cup and PGA Championships in both 2012 and 2021. Set up a beautiful archway to frame your vow exchange, but you won’t need much as far as decor with the scenic sea view vistas behind you.
Receptions
For your reception, you can rent out Kiawah’s signature seafood restaurant, The Atlantic Room, including its spacious veranda just steps from the ocean. The restaurant has panoramic views of the ocean and golf course through floor-to-ceiling windows and elegant albeit neutral decor (an ideal canvas for transforming the space with your own personalized touch.) The restaurant and veranda can accommodate up to 120 guests, but if you reserve The Atlantic Room for your wedding, you’ll have the option to put up a tent on the lower lawn and increase your guest list to up to 300 of your closest friends and family.
If you’d like to host an indoor plated dinner for 200 or more guests, you can also rent out the full clubhouse and add the stylish Ryder Cup Bar to your event space.
On the second floor of The Ocean Course Clubhouse is The PGA Room, with more unobstructed breathtaking views. There is also an adjoining foyer that can be an ideal spot for a cocktail hour and enough room to host a seated dinner for 80 with a dance floor and DJ.
More Unique Venues
While The Ocean Course Clubhouse is a spectacular venue for a sophisticated oceanfront wedding, Kiawah Island Golf Resort also has dozens of other spaces that can come together for an unforgettable wedding. Their main hotel, The Sanctuary, has luxurious accommodations and plenty of coastal glamor that will make you feel like you’ve been “transported back centuries in time to a grand seaside mansion.” With traditional Southern decor and a bright, airy aesthetic, it offers several locations for passionately romantic ceremonies and celebratory receptions. Whether you prefer a ballroom setting or a beachside soiree, The Sanctuary has a home for your wedding.
Another unique ceremony setting Kiawah Island Golf Resort offers is The Sanctuary Chapel, which is a nondenominational space that evokes the aesthetic of historic Lowcountry houses of worship. It’s a bright and simplistic indoor space for you and your guests to gather in an intimate setting that truly situates you and your partner at the heart of the most important day of your lives.
Photography Opportunities
The views from Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course make an extraordinary backdrop for breathtaking wedding photos. We’ll take effortlessly beautiful photos of you and your partner in front of the ocean and strolling across the green grass of the golf course. Lowcountry trees with hanging moss and stretching palm trees add Southern charm to your wedding album. At sunset, everything glows with golden light, blanketing your wedding with even more romance. There’s a reason that Kiawah Island is considered one of the most beautiful places in the country, and your wedding photos will reflect that honor.
Kiawah Island Ocean Course Wedding Details
The very first benefit you’ll be able to take advantage of when you book your Kiawah Island Ocean Course wedding is their amazing planning team, who will help you navigate all of your options for venue spaces, accommodation selections, and all the other details and personalized touches that will make your wedding day truly magical. Whether you’d like to add late-night snacks, a cigar bar, or another custom upgrade, their team will work closely with you to bring it all together.
The world-class accommodations on site are a lovely benefit for your guests who may be traveling to attend your wedding. Their team also invites you to indulge in a day at the Sanctuary Spa in anticipation of your big day. Book yourself a massage, facial, or salon service to relax, and you’ll also receive complimentary access to the sauna, steam room, vitality mineral whirlpool, and relaxation lounges!
Another huge benefit to hosting at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is its incredible food. Their catering and culinary teams will work in collaboration with you and your partner to ensure that your first meal as a married couple is customized to your taste and served with the rich tradition of Southern Hospitality.
Any wedding at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is beautiful in its own right, but yours will be uniquely you, and that’s what will make it the unforgettable event of a lifetime.
A Kiawah Island Ocean Course Wedding
The images you see throughout this blog feature a gorgeous styled outdoor ceremony overlooking the Atlantic and a sailcloth tent reception on the Kiawah Island Ocean Course. A Kiawah Island Ocean Course Wedding is the perfect mix of opulence and sophisticated Lowcountry elegance.
I absolutely love getting to share all the incredible wedding venues I get to visit with newly engaged couples! That is why the blog links below are filled with even more venues and work from my portfolio. If you’re feeling inspired or want to talk photos, then I’m always a quick email or a phone call away! So let’s chat!
Vendors:
Venue: Ocean Course at Kiawah Resort
Host & Stylists: The Styled Society & Katherine and Tyler
Planner + Designer: Get Intrigued
Photographer: Svenja Bauer
Suites: Jim’s Formal Wear
Wedding Dress: White Magnolia Bridal
After Party Dress: Michaela Addison Bridal
Lounge Wear: Michaela Addison Bridal
Veil: Michaela Addison Bridal
Earrings: SJ Bailey Co.
Engagement Rings: Charleston Rings
Lighting + Drapery: Lit Charleston
Bar & Escort Display: The Luxe & Co.
Tenting & Rentals: Curated Event Rentals
Table Top: Emerson James Rental
Linens: Stradley Davis Linens
Stationary: La Papeterie Design
Hair & Make-up: Silhouette On Site
Floral: Moonstruck Florals
Cake: Baked Toat
Styling Mats: Locust Collection
