Host Your Rehearsal Dinner or Welcome Event in Charleston, SC at The Waverly
The night before the wedding deserves its own setting, not a rushed dinner squeezed between errands — the same downtown Charleston property, available for the celebrations that happen around the wedding day itself.
A Charleston Setting for Your Rehearsal Dinner
Planning your wedding at another Charleston venue? The Waverly offers a central setting for bringing your closest friends and family together for the rehearsal dinner or welcome celebration the night before. With The Garden, Veranda, Reception Hall, and Covered Porch, you can create an indoor-outdoor event that feels distinct from the wedding day while keeping guests conveniently in Charleston.
Choose your caterer, take advantage of the on-site catering kitchen and in-house bar service, and plan up to five hours of event time. For a smaller gathering, the Covered Porch can accommodate up to 40 guests for a seated dinner, while the venue’s other spaces offer flexibility for larger celebrations.
The same standard venue rental rates and terms apply to rehearsal dinners and welcome events.
For the full tour of these spaces, see Explore the Venue.
Welcome Parties & Farewell Brunches
Extend the celebration beyond the rehearsal dinner with a welcome party for your full guest list or a farewell brunch before everyone heads home. The Waverly can accommodate each as its own event or as part of a combined celebration.
A popular option is to combine the rehearsal dinner and welcome party into one evening. Start with a more intimate dinner for family and the wedding party, then invite the rest of your guests to join later for drinks and a larger welcome celebration. This lets the atmosphere naturally shift from an intimate gathering into a kickoff for the full wedding weekend — all without changing venues.
The Rehearsal Itself, vs. the Rehearsal Dinner
Worth clearing up, since the two get confused: if your ceremony is at The Waverly, a one-hour walkthrough rehearsal is included the day before your wedding — timing depends on what else is booked that day, but it's part of your wedding rental, not something you book separately. The rehearsal dinner — the meal or party afterward — is its own event, whether that's here or somewhere else.
Plan Your Pre-Wedding Event
Hosting your ceremony at The Waverly too? See Intimate Weddings or Signature Weddings depending on your guest count.
