Lake House at Bulow Wedding | Johns Island Wedding Venue
Sierra and Weston wanted a wedding that felt more like a weekend at a family lake house than a formal event. Lake House at Bulow on Johns Island gave them exactly that. Tucked beneath towering oaks and overlooking a private lake, it’s one of Charleston’s most secluded wedding venues—where every part of the day unfolds in one place.
Why Choose Lake House at Bulow for Your Wedding?
There are so many great reasons to consider this venue for your wedding day. Especially if you want to host people onsite for the whole weekend!
- Located on Johns Island just outside Charleston
- Private lakefront setting
- Over 100 acres of Lowcountry landscape
- Overnight accommodations
- Entire weekend experience
- Exclusive use of the property
- Indoor and outdoor spaces
- Great for both intimate and larger weddings
One of the things that makes Lake House at Bulow different from many Charleston wedding venues is that it doesn’t feel like you’ve rented a venue—it feels like you’ve borrowed someone’s favorite lake house. Family arrives the day before, coffee happens on the porch overlooking the water, and no one spends the morning driving between hotels and ceremony locations. Everything unfolds easily because everyone is already together.
Getting Ready at Lake House at Bulow
Sierra and Weston both got ready at the cabin – Weston upstairs with his groomsmen, and Sierra downstairs in the bedroom with her bridesmaids looking out to the water.
- Natural light inside the house
- Multiple rooms
- Covered porches
- Space for both wedding parties
- Relaxed timeline
After walking around the property for a while to find the best place for the couple to have their first look, I just knew. Sierra and Weston love nature so much, I found a cozy private area of bamboo forest all around so no one could see them. That didn’t stop the bridesmaids from peeking, but it made it all the more special having them to witness and create happy memories for the couple.
The Ceremony Island
One of the most memorable features of Lake House at Bulow is the private ceremony island tucked away beyond the wooden bridge. Guests make their way across the water, leaving the main house behind and entering a quiet pocket of Lowcountry landscape surrounded by towering trees, native greenery, and the peaceful sounds of nature.
The island creates a natural sense of anticipation as everyone gathers before the ceremony begins. There’s no need for an elaborate backdrop—the lake, the trees, and the changing light throughout the day create a setting that feels effortless and completely connected to Johns Island.
For Sierra and Weston, that walk across the bridge became one of the defining moments of their wedding day. As Sierra made her way toward Weston, every guest had a front-row view of the landscape and the emotion of the moment. It was a reminder that the most impactful wedding spaces aren’t always the most decorated—they’re the ones that create room for people to feel present with one another.
Portrait Locations Around the Property
There are so many wonderful portrait locations around the property and inside the house! You’ll find the below list of features around the property available. My favorites? The bridge and the bamboo forest.
- Lakeside dock
- Bridge
- Pine forest
- Oak trees
- Open lawns
- Water reflections
- Sunset
Reception at Lake House at Bulow
The dance floor is a wood planked dock that hovers above the lake. There isn’t much lighting so you’ll have to bring your own or ask your music entertainment if they supply it.
- Indoor/outdoor flexibility
- Cocktail hour on the lawn
- Reception overlooking the lake
- Dancing under café lights
- Fire pits if they used them
- Guests staying on property
My favorite part of Sierra and Weston’s wedding day was their reception! The Abbey Elmore Band brought the best energy to the dance floor, for getting everyone out on a chilly night could be somewhat of a challenge at times! Silver sparklers and fun heart-shaped glasses passed through the crowd adding an extra element to reception-dance photos.
Is Lake House at Bulow Right for Your Wedding?
If you’re envisioning a wedding surrounded by nature, where the focus is on spending time with the people you love rather than rushing through a packed timeline, Lake House at Bulow is one of the most unique wedding venues on Johns Island.
Its private lake, wooded ceremony island, overnight accommodations, and relaxed weekend atmosphere make it ideal for couples who want their wedding to feel personal from beginning to end.
As a Charleston wedding photographer, those are the celebrations I love documenting most. Not because they’re perfectly styled, but because they create space for real moments to unfold naturally.
If you’re planning a Lake House at Bulow wedding, I’d love to help tell that story in a way that feels honest, artful, and unmistakably yours.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hi, I’m Taylor Czerwinski – a Charleston-based wedding photographer servicing destinations in South Carolina and beyond. Color, presence, and intentional details that tell your story make my heart flutter.
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