The Spaces
palmetto bluff Wedding Venues
Every ceremony and reception space Montage lists at Palmetto Bluff, with guest counts and how I would photograph each one.
All Eleven Spaces
From the Montage wedding page. Their wedding team is at 843-706-6531.
| Space | Type | Guests | What It Is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset Chapel | Ceremony | Up to 185 | 1,750 square feet, arched windows facing east and west |
| May River Chapel | Ceremony | Up to 120 | 712 square feet overlooking the salt marsh |
| May River Lawn | Lawn | Up to 350 | An oak lined lawn on the river |
| Boat House Lawn | Lawn | Up to 300 | Under large oaks on the river |
| Sunrise Lawn | Lawn | Up to 400 | 10,000 square feet with two firepits |
| Village Green | Lawn And Tent | Up to 500 | 18,000 square feet beside the Wilson Mansion ruins |
| Moreland Green | Lawn | Up to 300 | A marsh lawn with a permanent stage |
| Moreland Landing | Pavilion | Up to 350 | 6,500 square feet with a stone fireplace and a tree house around an old oak |
| May River Golf Lawn | Lawn | Up to 100 | 3,000 square feet by the 18th fairway |
| Wilson Ballroom | Ballroom | Up to 500 | 6,696 square feet, divides into four sections |
| Oak Ballroom | Ballroom | Up to 175 | 1,800 square feet with a wraparound veranda |
The Chapels
Somerset Chapel has arched windows that face east and west, so a morning ceremony and an evening ceremony look completely different inside. In the evening, the west windows bring that low gold light straight down the aisle. The May River Chapel is smaller, up to 120, and sits over the salt marsh, which is lovely for portraits right outside the door.
The River Lawns
The May River Lawn and the Boat House Lawn are under big oaks right on the water. Those limbs make a huge soft shade, so even at noon your faces stay gentle. Montage describes the May River Lawn as a place to watch the tide at sunset, and that is exactly when I want you there for portraits.
The Big Celebrations
The Village Green holds up to 500 under a tent beside the Wilson Mansion ruins, and the Wilson Ballroom holds up to 500 inside. Moreland Landing, up to 350, has a stone fireplace and a tree house built around an old live oak, and the Sunrise Lawn has two firepits for after dark.
How I Would Plan It
- Keep a short portrait window in the late afternoon light, instead of pushing every couple portrait right after the ceremony.
- Plan the moves. The chapels, the lawns and Moreland are spread out, so give the timeline room to get between them.
- If your reception has alcohol and your guests are staying somewhere else, I would strongly consider organized transportation.
Sunset At Palmetto Bluff By Month
Sunset on the 15th of each month on the May River, rounded to five minutes and worked out from the sun's position. Daylight saving is included. The oaks take the direct light earlier than this, so I plan portraits to start about an hour ahead.
Venue Questions
How many guests can Palmetto Bluff hold?
Montage lists its wedding spaces from the May River Golf Lawn at up to 100 guests to the Wilson Ballroom and the Village Green at up to 500.
Which Palmetto Bluff chapel is bigger?
Somerset Chapel, at up to 185 guests and 1,750 square feet. The May River Chapel holds up to 120 and looks over the salt marsh.
Where is the tent site at Palmetto Bluff?
Montage lists the Village Green, 18,000 square feet beside the Wilson Mansion ruins, as its tent site for up to 500 guests.
Who do we call about a Palmetto Bluff wedding?
The Montage wedding team at 843-706-6531.
| Month | Sunset |
|---|---|
| January | 5:40 PM |
| February | 6:10 PM |
| March | 7:30 PM |
| April | 7:50 PM |
| May | 8:15 PM |
| June | 8:30 PM |
| July | 8:30 PM |
| August | 8:10 PM |
| September | 7:30 PM |
| October | 6:50 PM |
| November | 5:25 PM |
| December | 5:20 PM |
Your Date
Tell me which lawn or chapel you are looking at and I will tell you how I would photograph it.