The capital of South Carolina is Columbia, and it truly lives up to its title in terms of entertainment, culture, and of course, hosting beautiful weddings. Whether you decide to hold your ceremony or reception at the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the renowned University of South Carolina, or two of the most notable parks in the south: Finlay and Congaree National Park, Columbia would be an ideal setting to carry out your special day.

If you are planning a weekend of events for you and your guests, there will be no shortage of attractions to keep everyone occupied in Columbia. Columbia is South Carolina’s largest city and is home to many cultural and artistic attractions. The South Carolina State Museum is large enough to hold a wedding ceremony and can be rented out for a reasonable fee. On a free day, the whole family will enjoy taking a trip to one of Columbia’s other museums which include: The Columbia Museum of Art; EdVenture, South Carolina’s largest children’s museum; the McKissick Museum, and the Cayce Historical Museum.

Another way to spend a free day is heading to Columbia’s Lake Murray. Lake Murray is known as the “jewel” of Columbia and has over 500 miles of shoreline. You and your guests can swim, canoe, fish, and even camp under the stars. If you can manage not to get your dress dirty, it is even an ideal spot for pictures! Columbia also has a number of public golf courses for those guests that who would rather use a putter than a paddle. Columbia is also home to the state library, the South Carolinian Library, and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. These places could serve dual purposes in making a beautiful ceremony and reception venue for small weddings, and discovering a little about South Carolina’s history on a day with nothing to do.

One of the largest attractions in Columbia is an educational institution: The University of South Carolina. The University of South Carolina is home to many weddings each year. The University has many banquet halls and a church on campus that would be ideal as either a reception or ceremony venue. There are also a number of art galleries and museums located on campus that would make for an interesting free day. In addition to the University of South Carolina, Columbia also has Columbia College that, while not as large as the University of South Carolina, still has a lot of charm and plenty of places that would make great reception and ceremony sites.

Columbia, South Carolina is perhaps known best for being the capital city, its proximity to other larger cities, and the abundance of artistry and culture that is found in the city, which would make the destination perfect for a wedding. Have you or anyone you know gotten married in Columbia? We want to hear your story! Our forum section is the perfect way to tell other future brides about your special day!