
Charleston and ballrooms just go together. After all, the city has a famous 1920s jazz dance named after it. Historic Downtown Charleston is a thriving hub of activity with lovely areas like the fancy French Quarter and restaurant-lined King Street.
In South Carolina, it's not that uncommon to throw a ball and you'll find ballrooms in the city's hotels like the Charleston Marriott and the Francis Marion Hotel. But, these elaborate spaces may not fit every vision or budget for a ballroom event. That's where Giggster comes in.
Although you can rent a historic Charleston hotel ballroom with us, you can also plan a more unconventional gathering in large, open venues perfect for dances, birthday parties, and any other formal celebration where a little elegance is called for.
The planning process for a memorable ballroom event starts with Giggster. Download the app and use it to effortlessly sort through the lovely options in Charleston. Then, all you have to do is send the invites, and your event will start to take shape.
Take advantage of natural light, lavish surroundings, and ample space in a traditional ballroom venue, or think outside the box and go for an event space that still conveys that luxury without the slight stuffiness of a conventional ballroom. Whatever your vision, the Giggster app offers a suitable option.
Classic ballrooms are classic for a reason. Book a 1924 hotel ballroom in the Charleston Historic District and watch as guests are in awe of the splendor. Elaborate columns, gold accents, and intricate chandeliers all complete the picture.
When you want to buck the ballroom trend a little, rent a large distillery warehouse with vaulted ceilings to host your next event. Set up a stage and wow everyone with live music well into the evening.
Host the event in a well-equipped banquet hall where guests can dine and mingle and where there's enough space to cut loose on the dance floor.
Honor the ballroom's connection with music and use a moodily lit jazz club as your venue. Guests will have a "ball," in this more flexible space with cozy seating that can be moved around and a convenient bar menu.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With up to 2 places in Charleston, you'll easily find the best spot. We have the most interesting ballrooms, banquet halls, homes, restaurants, and warehouses, so finding ballroom venues in Charleston with Giggster is a cinch. Whether you want a spot near Charleston Harbor, close to Historic Hampton Park, or around the Charleston Gaillard Center, we've got you covered, and then some!
Hassle-Free Booking: You don't need hours to book an event space with us. The app lays everything out clearly so you can see the venue images, price (starting at the low price of {{MINIMUM_PRICE}}/hour), availability, and features in one central location. You can even communicate with our hosts, who are known for their quick response and exceptional service overall.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Let's say you chose a location on historic King Street, but that feels a little too busy for your ballroom vision. Provided you booked for an event that's at least 48 hours away, cancel for free within the first 24 hours of receiving your booking confirmation.
Platform Protections: When you're prone to worry, ease your mind by selecting one (or all) of our optional extra protections. You can increase the no-risk cancellation window or cover against liability and damage, even when you rent a venue like Modern Style & Luxury Hotel in Charleston (Buyout).
Let's see, what kind of event can't you plan in a ballroom space? Not many. Ballrooms aren't just for balls and galas anymore but of course, they work for those, too.
Birthday Parties – Add Grandeur. When you want to celebrate a milestone birthday in style, a ballroom venue is just perfect. Set up a DJ booth, encourage guests to dance, and serve a delicious meal complete with a candle-topped cake.
Balls and Galas – Lavish Elegance. Plan a lovely ball or even a charity gala in a traditional Charleston ballroom and impress the guests with floor-to-ceiling windows, private dining rooms, and intricate details full of Southern charm.
Weddings – Start the Marriage Off Right. A dream wedding often ends with an amazing reception in a ballroom. Decorate to the nines and just think of all the lovely photographs you'll look at for years to come.
Work Events – Honor Accomplishments. There may be no better way to honor your colleagues and the team's annual achievements than to party it up in a Charleston ballroom. Give speeches, dance, and chat to your heart's content.
Bar or Bat Mitzvahs and Sweet Sixteens – Spoil Your Child. Although this milestone party is a coming of age, you can still treat your kid to a luxurious and fun event. Have everyone dress up to fit in with the posh surroundings and plan games, entertainment, and even a photo booth to keep things lively.
While an exclusive special events yacht has its place on the party-planning scene, a ballroom is a much more traditional choice. So, make sure the site's features line up with your plans, and don't get distracted by flashiness over practicality.
Compare the guest count to the venue size. Ballrooms conjure up images of large spaces, so if your event's guest list is limited, you may be left with an empty and cold feeling if it's too sparse. Size down for smaller gatherings and lean away from a grand ballroom and more into a historic home that you can customize.
Where will everyone park? Ensure that if you're planning a large-scale event, private parking is available at the actual venue. You don't want guests fighting for street parking downtown or having to walk for miles in their fancy clothes (and especially shoes).
Concentrate on the amenities. Giving speeches? You'll need AV equipment and microphones. Speakers are imperative for DJs and other live music. Is there a bar area and a serving area for food? Also, focus on whether or not there is enough seating and restrooms for everybody.
Know exactly what you're getting with a ballroom space and consider the venue and location from all angles:
Advantages
History is the watchword here. Wherever you go in Downtown Charleston, you're bound to find oodles of charm. From a unique waterfront venue to a classic hotel ballroom, history is all around and adds significance.
The climate is mild all year. Guests won't have to wear heavy parkas or snow boots just to walk to the venue.
Charleston has great restaurants and catering companies. Whether you want Southern cuisine or something international, you can find it here.
Disadvantages
It's common for large events and weddings to be held in Charleston. This creates a lot of competition for venues, entertainment, and catering, especially in the summer.
We've said that Charleston's climate is mild, which is true, but it can also be humid. Think of all the intricate hairstyles that could get ruined! Air conditioning is an absolute must.
Historic venues, while great as a backdrop, may come with challenges. Fewer bathrooms and decor restrictions could interfere with the fun.
You may think that after you rent the ballroom the rest of the event will just magically come together. While it's true that securing the location is a big thing to tick off your to-do list, don't forget about these components, either:
Have a Budget – Ballroom events are grand, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't stick to a budget. Think about everything that goes into a successful event and allocate funds based on what's most important.
You'll Need a Theme – Every great party needs a theme. While it can be something as simple as "timeless elegance," you can also get a lot more specific. If it's a birthday party, focus on the guest of honor's passions. If it's for work, pick up cues from the workplace decor or slogan or the type of products you sell.
Do a Guest Count and Invite – Make a guest list and factor in that not everyone will be able to come due to other conflicts. Send out invites. Be specific about the dress code and times, and ask for meal preferences if applicable.
Budgets are meant to keep you on track, but if you want to splurge in a few key areas, make sure you cut elsewhere. These tips can help:
Do you really need an actual ballroom?
Of course, we don't want to talk you out of your vision, but ballrooms tend to come with a premium price tag. Can you re-purpose a more economical space, like a regular home or a restaurant, to fit your needs for dining and dancing? Either way, easily find the perfect setting that starts at $300/hour.
DIY the decor.
While you won't have enough time to grow your own flowers for the party, focus on things you can make by hand. Get crafty and create banners, signs, garlands, and centerpieces yourself. Renting instead of buying can save money and is less wasteful than buying 20 of something you'll never use again.
Avoid the summer and holidays.
All venues, including ballrooms, tend to be cheaper in Charleston outside the summer and the further you get from major holidays like Christmas and Easter. With pleasant year-round weather, there's nothing stopping you from scheduling the festivities in the spring—unless you have a birthday to contend with!
Ballrooms, banquet halls, and lofty event spaces are all waiting to be booked in minutes with the Giggster app. Live music, dancing, cocktails, and tasty meals complete the picture of the most magical ballroom event in Charleston you can imagine. Book now and prepare for all the wowed faces as people start showing up to the event.