Intimate Weddings in Charleston

What Counts as an Intimate or Micro Wedding?

There’s no industry-standard cutoff for an “intimate” or “micro” wedding — and The Waverly does not require a minimum guest count. For couples planning a smaller celebration, the venue offers flexibility to create an experience that feels intentional for the size of the group.

For reference, guest lists under approximately 60 may feel more spacious in the main Reception Hall, while other areas of the property can lend themselves naturally to smaller gatherings. The Waverly can accommodate celebrations of varying sizes, with fully seated events up to 175 guests.

A Setting Built for a Smaller Guest List

The Garden and Veranda were designed for closer gatherings as much as for full-capacity ones — a fenced-in lawn and stone-paver setting for the ceremony, a covered, lantern-lit space next door for cocktail hour. Neither space asks a smaller guest list to fill room built for 200. The Reception Hall works the same way: its chandeliers and soaring ceilings read as intentional whether it's arranged for 30 guests or 150, not stretched thin or overcrowded.

For the full tour of these spaces — including the Covered Porch and getting-ready suites — see Explore the Venue.

What's Included for Your Intimate Wedding

An intimate wedding at The Waverly includes the same full rental as any wedding here — this isn't a stripped-down package for a smaller guest count:

On cost: The Waverly's rental fee is set by season and day of the week, not guest count — a Saturday in peak season (March–June, September–December) runs $7,500 whether you're hosting 30 guests or 200; the same Saturday in the off-peak months (January, February, July, August) runs $6,000. A smaller wedding doesn't come with a lower venue fee, but catering and bar costs, which do scale with headcount, are typically lower.

See the complete list of inclusions on our What's Included page.

01
Exclusive access from 9:00 a.m., with five hours of event time plus up to 30 minutes for your ceremony
02
Two private getting-ready suites, yours for the full day
03
A fully equipped catering kitchen, available to your caterer of choice
04
All tables, chairs, and bar glassware included, scaled to your guest count
05
A licensed, insured event planner, required for every wedding regardless of size

Plan Your Intimate Charleston Wedding

If your guest list is closer to 30 than 200, this is the place to start. If you're still deciding how big your day should be, it's worth comparing notes with Signature Weddings before you book.

Explore Signature Weddings → Explore Rehearsal Dinners & Welcome Events → Inquire Now →

Intimate Charleston Wedding at The Waverly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered a micro or intimate wedding?

There’s no universal definition for a micro or intimate wedding. At The Waverly, there’s no minimum guest count, giving couples the flexibility to plan a celebration that feels right for their group. For smaller guest lists, different areas of the property can also be used to create a setting that feels appropriately scaled and intentional.

Does The Waverly have a separate intimate wedding package?

Every wedding at The Waverly receives the same complete property access, including exclusive use from 9:00 a.m., both private suites, and all event spaces. Rather than stripped-down packages, your event benefits from the full venue with rentals and catering scaled to your guest count.

Is an intimate wedding more affordable?

The venue rental fee is set by season and day of the week rather than headcount. However, an intimate wedding significantly reduces variable costs like food, beverage packages, florals, and tabletop rentals, resulting in a substantially lower overall wedding budget.

Can we still have a full reception with a smaller guest list?

Yes, absolutely. You can enjoy cocktails on the Veranda, a formal seated dinner in the Reception Hall or Covered Porch, and a full evening of music and dancing with our late-night 2:00 a.m. bar license.

Do we still need a wedding planner for a smaller wedding?

Yes. A licensed and insured professional event planner or coordinator is required for every wedding at The Waverly, ensuring your timeline, vendors, and day-of details run seamlessly regardless of group size.