Majestic, centuries-old oak trees draped in Spanish moss; stately homes that have survived the Civil War, hurricanes and the devastating earthquake of 1886; romantic courtyard hideaways; crab cakes, she crab soup, shrimp and grits, and Pluff Mud!
This is Charleston, South Carolina where an estimated 4.21 million tourists visited last year and which more and more couples are choosing as a destination for their wedding, honeymoons or just a romantic getaway for two. It’s a perfect “sell” for a Home Based agent.
A destination wedding to Charleston affords the bride and groom many options, from exchanging vows on the beach, standing on the famed Charleston Battery or saying “I do” in a historical setting. Or, the bride and groom may opt to hold their ceremony in Charleston’s very own wedding chapel, Charleston Chapel for Weddings.
For those looking for something still a bit different from the norm, nearby Berkeley County offers the beautiful Cypress Gardens (where parts of the Mel Gibson movie “The Patriot” were filmed).
Charleston is a destination that not only invites couples to come and exchange their vows, but offers a romantic honeymoon setting, as well. In fact, it’s a great destination for any couple — including for clients celebrating a special anniversary.
Moreover, Charleston offers a wide selection of accommodations to choose from — all the way from AAA five-diamond properties to the more budget-conscious hotels.
For clients looking for luxury accommodations set in the middle of historical Charleston, Wentworth Mansion offers luxury with a personal, one-on-one touch. Built in 1886 by the Rogers family, Wentworth Mansion still retains its original elegance and beauty. From the moment you walk through the door, you are enveloped in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Rich mahogany is featured throughout the mansion as are the hand carved Italian fireplaces.
Some of the other beautiful features of Wentworth are original Tiffany stained glass windows that still beckon a welcome to visitors and the magnificent Austrian crystals that adorn the two magnificent chandeliers in the Grand Mansion Suite. (Can you guess which blond actress who’s Sweet Home is not Alabama, honeymooned here?) And, what could be more romantic than a huge Jacuzzi tub built for two (one room even has a fireplace in the bathroom).
Wentworth has grounds suitable for a small ceremony and its Circa 1886 (originally the stables) offers an excellent and tasty venue for a small reception. In addition, Nancy Russell, office manager for Charming Inns, can also perform the ceremony!
Kiawah Island, just a short 30-minute drive from Charleston, offers The Sanctuary, located right on the beach. The Sanctuary, also an AAA five-star rated property, has a nice variety of settings for weddings. Imagine your clients saying “I do” as the waves gently lap the shore and seagulls fly overhead.
Charleston isn’t just about weddings. In addition to the romantic settings of Wentworth Mansion and The Sanctuary, there are many other choices for romance in Charleston. Located in the historic district are the Kings Courtyard Inn, Market Pavilion, Embassy Suites, Victoria House Inn and Holiday Inn Historic District, just to name a few.
While staying at each of these properties, the visitor can park and not have to worry about driving around until they are ready to leave. Within walking distance are the much painted Rainbow Row and The Battery. Numerous historical homes are open to the public for tours and there is shopping galore. In fact, a visit to Charleston just wouldn’t be complete without strolling through The Market where vendors setup shop every day.
Waterfront Park offers a cool shaded walkway dotted with park benches, providing the perfect place to rest while watching dolphins frolic in the harbor. And did I mention the Pluff Mud? For those of you not familiar with the term, Pluff Mud is the mud found in the marshes that are so prominent in and around the Charleston area. It produces a particular smell that, to those who live in the area, is as much a part of home as anything can be. But to those who visit, the smell can be a little unpleasant. During the day, you can walk out on the pier for a better view of the harbor and at low tide see the Pluff Mud dotted with scurrying fiddler crabs.
Charleston has become famous for its many wonderful restaurants and offers a wide array of culinary choices that is sure to please any palate. From gourmet dishes to the Low Country favorite of shrimp and grits, clients will find something to delight their taste buds and meet their budget. For a romantic setting, what could be more romantic than having a chef serenading your clients as they dine?
At Robert’s of Charleston they can do just that. Established in 1976, Chef Robert has developed quite a reputation for himself as he has continued to delight and entertain patrons throughout the years. If Italian is your client’s choice, Bocci’s located on Church Street is just around the corner from the famed Market, as is Tommy Condon’s which serves Low Country cuisine. And what would a visit to Charleston be without enjoying a crab cake or two and one of the best crab cakes in Charleston is served at the Wentworth Grill located inside the Renaissance Hotel on Wentworth Street.
After dinner, the evening is not complete without a leisurely stroll back to Waterfront Park. The pier at the park offers old fashioned porch swings under the pavilions where you can just sit back and enjoy the fresh ocean air. Or, there are plenty of benches at the end of the pier where you can sit and snuggle as you watch the lights twinkle from Patriot’s Point across the harbor in Mt. Pleasant and just listen to soft sounds of water that is sure to lull clients into a complete state of relaxation. They can’t help but feel the stars above are twinkling just for them. How romantic!

Selling Tips

Visit the Web site for the Charleston Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) at www.charlestoncvb.com.
If you need assistance in planning a destination wedding, contact one of the many wedding planners who live in the area (many can be found on the CVB Web site). Make sure you are up front with the wedding planner regarding sharing any of the fees collected for the wedding planning, since you are both working with the couple. You can also find up-to-date information on the site for special romantic packages.
Advise your clients of the best and worst times to travel to Charleston. For example, both spring and fall are high seasons for travel to the Charleston area. The weather is great and the spring brings many special events such as The Charleston Food + Wine Festival, Piccolo Spoleto and the Southeastern Wildlife Expedition, to name a few. Summers can be very hot and humid and winters are mild.
Qualify your clients. Charleston is very affordable, but, at the luxury end of the spectrum, can also be very expensive. Without first qualifying your clients, you may present options out of their budget range or below their expectations.
Assist your client in planning different activities. Charleston offers a wide range of activities to include championship golf courses, kayaking, spas and historical tours, some of which may be located in North Charleston, Summerville, Berkeley County and other surrounding communities.
Many of the fine restaurants located in the Charleston area offer the option of making online dining reservations. You may want to advise your clients about this, or make the reservations for them.

Here are some additional Web sites to view for information:
www.charminginns.com
www.thesanctuary.com
www.co.berkeley.sc.us/departments/cgardens
www.charlestonlowcountry.com/Weddings/
www.charlestonchapel.com