Plan your Charleston, South Carolina wedding around the current license process and your confirmed ceremony arrangements. Here is where to start, followed by the photography decisions we can plan together.
Details reviewed October 30, 2026. Confirm current arrangements directly with the linked office or venue for your date.
Start with Charleston County Probate Court
Charleston County offers an online marriage license application. Its instructions require an application, payment and signed supporting documents. Prepare the required identification and documents before starting, and follow the current upload instructions.
Allow for processing as well as the waiting period
The county lists a $70 nonrefundable fee plus a card transaction fee. South Carolina requires a 24 hour wait after filing, but the county says the emailed license follows within two business days of a completed submission. Do not plan around an automatic next-day turnaround.
Official planning information
Use the office’s current checklist for your circumstances and confirm the ceremony arrangements separately.
Confirm the ceremony and return the paperwork
Arrange an authorized officiant and a South Carolina ceremony location separately. The county provides instructions for returning the signed copies after the ceremony. Confirm your license, officiant and any location permission before setting the final photography schedule.
Make the elopement easy to move through
For a Charleston elopement, I would keep the ceremony and portrait route close together and leave time for guests to arrive. A public square, garden or private venue can have its own event and photography requirements; confirm the exact space before choosing it.
Share your guest count and the family photographs you want. We can discuss a short route, weather arrangements and how much of the celebration you want covered.
Wedding photography and next steps
Tell us your date, venue or ceremony location, guest count and the parts of the day you want photographed. We’re based in Wilmington, North Carolina; we’ll confirm destination availability and travel with your quote.
The photographs in this guide are examples from our work. We’ll plan your locations and access for your own wedding.
Let’s talk about your wedding.
Share your plans. We’ll reply with availability and a coverage option for your day.
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