Cotton Dock Wedding at Boone Hall

Real Weddings, Venues

The Cotton Dock at Boone Hall: Rustic, Dreamy, and So Very Charleston

There are few places in Charleston that blend Southern charm, moody waterfront light, and old soul energy quite like the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation. Tucked behind the Spanish moss and towering oaks, this weathered wooden dock gives you that “Lowcountry meets effortless elegance” kind of vibe.

It’s where rustic and romantic collide in the best way possible.

Bride and groom at sunset wedding ceremony on the water at Cotton Dock in Charleston, South Carolina

A Venue That Doesn’t Need Much (But Still Looks Incredible When You Add a Little Magic)

The Cotton Dock already comes with the good stuff:

Exposed beams
Old brick fireplaces
Creeks lapping at the edge of the floorboards
Golden hour light that practically begs to be photographed

From a photographer’s lens (hi, that’s me 👋), the light inside the dock is soft and cinematic, and the outside view? Pure poetry. The venue sits right on the water, surrounded by marsh grasses and backed by one of the most iconic oak-lined drives in the South. You can keep it simple or layer in your own style—twinkle lights, wild florals, antique rugs, a live band on the dock. It all works here.

Real Weddings That Brought Cotton Dock To Life

I’ve photographed couples here who danced barefoot on the wood floors, who toasted with champagne under hanging moss, and who said “I do” with the tide rolling in just behind them. This place holds space for the kind of moments that linger.

It’s moody when it needs to be, and glowing when the sun hits just right.
It’s got history, texture, and room to breathe.

Candid wedding moment at Boone Hall’s Cotton Dock at sunset of bride and goom

What You Need to Know if You’re Considering the Cotton Dock

Here’s the quick rundown:

Capacity: Up to 300 guests
Exclusivity: You get the place to yourself for the day
Vibe: Rustic coastal charm meets timeless Southern storytelling
Requirements: You’ll need a planner or day-of coordinator (trust me—it’s worth it), and you’ll have to use one of Boone Hall’s preferred caterers for food + drinks
Add-ons: Most couples bring in rentals to make the space their own—tables, chairs, draping, the works. Snyder Events is a go-to around here.

Lighting at Boone Hall's Cotton Dock at sunset

Let’s Talk About the History

Boone Hall is a working plantation with deep and complex roots. It’s important to acknowledge that while this space is undeniably beautiful, it also holds a painful past. The preserved slave cabins and Gullah exhibits onsite serve as an honest, ongoing effort to share that history. If you choose to get married here, honoring the space and its story is part of the experience—and something that many couples feel deeply connected to.

My Take? It’s Iconic… Without Feeling Overdone

Some Charleston venues are polished. Some are wild. This one? It’s both. The Cotton Dock has that rare kind of character that makes people pause. It’s unfussy but stunning. Historic, but with enough flexibility to make it your own. And on wedding days, it just feels different—in the best way.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels personal, artistic, and rooted in place… this might be your spot.

And if you want photos that do it justice—I’m just a message away. 🤍