Francis Marion Hotel
Select services venue
The venue will provide the space, plus a few extras.
Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing
Starting at $10,500
Catering services pricing
$90 per person for off-peak dates, with a minimum total spend of $15,000
Guest capacity
Up to 300 seated guests
About this venue
Celebrate your love at the Francis Marion Hotel, a historic Charleston landmark overlooking Marion Square. Since opening in 1924, the Francis Marion has offered a timeless setting for weddings filled with Southern charm and historic elegance. From the Colonial Ballroom’s Palladian windows and Marion Square views to the Gold Ballroom’s crystal chandeliers, original details and elegant fireplace, our distinctive event spaces provide a beautiful backdrop for your celebration. Enjoy the convenience of on-site guest accommodations, customizable catering and room blocks for family and friends. Located on King Street in downtown Charleston, the Francis Marion places guests steps from historic streets, charming boutiques and celebrated restaurants. Whether planning an intimate gathering or an elegant reception, the Francis Marion offers a timeless Charleston setting for memories to last a lifetime.
Our event spaces
Gold Ballroom
Crystal chandeliers, hardwood floors and timeless architectural details set the stage for a romantic Charleston wedding.
The historic Gold Ballroom showcases handcrafted moldings, hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers and a fireplace topped with an antique mirror. An orchestra balcony adds distinctive character, creating an intimate and elegant backdrop for wedding ceremonies, receptions and celebrations.
Guest capacity
Up to 120 Seated
Up to 150 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other
Room cost
$3500 for (5) hours of time
Carolina Ballroom
A spacious, versatile ballroom blending historic Charleston charm with flexibility for your wedding celebration.
Added to the hotel in 2004, the Carolina Ballroom pairs the Francis Marion’s historic charm with a spacious, flexible layout. Ideal for larger weddings and receptions, the ballroom offers room to personalize your celebration in the heart of downtown Charleston.
Guest capacity
Up to 300 Seated
Up to 400 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
Room cost
$5000 for (5) hours of time
Colonial Ballroom
Historic elegance, Palladian windows and beautiful views of Marion Square create a timeless setting for your Charleston wedding.
Originally the hotel’s dining room, the Colonial Ballroom features eight Palladian windows overlooking Marion Square, a striking fireplace and classic architectural details. Filled with natural light and historic charm, it offers an elegant setting for wedding ceremonies, receptions and celebrations.
Guest capacity
Up to 175 Seated
Up to 200 Standing
Square footage
3,500
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
Room cost
$4000 for (5) hours
Gold Ballroom
Crystal chandeliers, hardwood floors and timeless architectural details set the stage for a romantic Charleston wedding.
The historic Gold Ballroom showcases handcrafted moldings, hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers and a fireplace topped with an antique mirror. An orchestra balcony adds distinctive character, creating an intimate and elegant backdrop for wedding ceremonies, receptions and celebrations.
Guest capacity
Up to 120 Seated
Up to 150 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other
Room cost
$3500 for (5) hours of time
Carolina Ballroom
A spacious, versatile ballroom blending historic Charleston charm with flexibility for your wedding celebration.
Added to the hotel in 2004, the Carolina Ballroom pairs the Francis Marion’s historic charm with a spacious, flexible layout. Ideal for larger weddings and receptions, the ballroom offers room to personalize your celebration in the heart of downtown Charleston.
Guest capacity
Up to 300 Seated
Up to 400 Standing
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Baraat, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
Room cost
$5000 for (5) hours of time
Colonial Ballroom
Historic elegance, Palladian windows and beautiful views of Marion Square create a timeless setting for your Charleston wedding.
Originally the hotel’s dining room, the Colonial Ballroom features eight Palladian windows overlooking Marion Square, a striking fireplace and classic architectural details. Filled with natural light and historic charm, it offers an elegant setting for wedding ceremonies, receptions and celebrations.
Guest capacity
Up to 175 Seated
Up to 200 Standing
Square footage
3,500
Ideal for
Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, Farewell brunch, Cocktail hour, Engagement party, Other
Guests often feel this space is
“Luxurious and chic”
Room cost
$4000 for (5) hours
Available services that can be provided by Francis Marion Hotel
Services & amenities
- Bar services
- Catering services
- Clean up
- Dance floor
- Dressing room / Bridal Suite
- Event rentals
- Event staff
- Lighting/Sound
- On-site accommodations
- Pet friendly
- Service staff
- Set up
- Wheelchair accessible
- Wifi
Transportation & access
- Self parking - paid
- Valet - paid
- Wheelchair accessible
Rentals
- Barware
- China
- Flatware
- Glassware
- Linens
- Standard Chairs
Accommodations
- Bedroom suites
- Double bed rooms
- Honeymoon suite
- Luxury suites
- Room blocks offered
- Single king rooms
- Single queen rooms
- Twin bed rooms
Reviews
Write a review4.9 out of 5
7 reviews
- EC
Eliana C.
Bailey made our wedding a dream!
The team at the Francis Marion Hotel was an absolute pleasure to work with. Their communication was prompt, attentive, and highly detailed throughout the entire planning process. The venue itself is large, elegant, and impeccably clean - the perfect backdrop for our special day. They were extremely accommodating, working closely with my mother and other guests who had major food intolerance issues. The hotel also provided amazing vendor referrals that helped make our wedding day run seamlessly. I cannot recommend the Francis Marion Hotel highly enough to any couple looking for a beautiful, stress-free venue with a top-notch staff.
- AA
Ashley A.
Almost perfect
Overall, our experience with the Francis Marion Hotel was great. The price tag looks huge initially but once we detailed out everything that it includes vs bringing in outside vendors, the price is well worth it. I didn’t need to rent chairs, flatware, dinner ware, glassware, linens, hire an event planner or a caterer, or even buy/make centerpieces- all of those were provided to us. I took it upon myself to set up in the morning pre-ceremony with my Maid of Honor; their staff set up the chairs but we rolled out and measured the aisle runner, set out decorative floral arrangements, placed out the guest book, pens, and place cards for guests, and our welcome sign. The FMH staff flipped our ballroom from Ceremony to Reception during cocktail hour, however I did have a couple of people assigned to set up the reception decorations and from everything I’ve heard, it all went very smoothly. Our ceremony and reception were perfect and the food was delicious. 4 stars instead of 5 because my planning experience started with Gillian, then we were transferred to Marie, then Melissa met us for our menu tasting and we loved her so we asked to work with her exclusively through the wedding, she left the FMH and we weren’t informed of this until about two weeks before the wedding after I called to follow up unanswered emails, then we were moved back to Marie, and Marie was difficult to keep track of during the reception when things started to fall off of the timeline- thank god for my mother, former corporate event planner, taking the wheel and directing the staff and DJ what to do next and when. I don’t imagine this is a common occurrence, at least I certainly hope it isn’t. Overall, we had a very good experience and I will continue to recommend the Francis Marion Hotel to anyone that asks for my opinion concerning a wedding venue. Nearly all-inclusive, you have a day-of coordinator (if you can find her!), and all of the “extras” are included. We opted to provide our own liquor to save money, we purchased florals, and purchased favors. Every other major item was included in our bill. I don’t know how anyone keeps their head attached when they have a dozen different vendors they need to keep track of for all of those items I mentioned before.
- TC
Tara & C.
Highly Recommend- Gorgeous and easy to work with
Having our wedding reception at the Francis Marion Hotel was one of the best decision we made while planning. Gillian made sure that everything was organized and was very responsive and attentive to questions. She helped make the process for planning my wedding at this venue a breeze. They were also extremely accommodating for COVID (namely the possibility of reduced guest count) and I never had to worry. They have numerous wedding packages to help fit your budget.. I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that this gorgeous downtown hotel was within my budget! The packages include most everything you'll need to have an incredible event, including tables, chairs, linens, food, and bar packages. The food is incredible, the service is unbeatable, and they strive to ensure that you have an incredible day. Do yourself a favor and book Francis Marion Hotel to host your event!!!
- KT
Kylie & T.
Make it so easy!
We are so thrilled to be getting married at Francis Marion! Gillian has made everything so easy for us! We are so grateful that so much stuff is included in the package and we don’t have to worry about as many vendors. Highly recommend Francis Marion!
- NB
Nicole Burnham
Highly Recommend
Francis Marion was our first account, when we started business 11 years ago, and we still work with them today. Obviously the hotel itself is beautiful, but the staff, service and food are what set Francis Marion apart. The level of customer service is like none other. They truly care about their guests & are very accommodating, having packages to fit ALL budgets. Guests never need to worry about a thing. From the sales team to the banquet team, when it comes to hospitality, the Francis Marion runs like a well oiled machine. Oh - did we mention the food.....It's beyond delicious. Definitely not your "typical" hotel food. The hardest part is deciding what you want to serve at your event, because it's ALL so good. Seriously, no matter what type of event you are hosting, Francis Marion Hotel is where you need to be.
Preferred vendors of Francis Marion Hotel
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