Skip to main content
Weddings

Pricing information

Reception
$1,500 starting price
Ceremony
$1,500 starting price
Bar service
$4 per person
Reception
$1,000 starting price
Ceremony
$1,000 starting price
Bar service
$4 per person
These prices are available for the months of Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov. These prices are available for the months of Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Dec.

Do you want more pricing details?

Attributes highlighted by couples

Unique aesthetic style
Quality catering
Guests comfort
Amenities

About

On WeddingWire since 2009

Rooted in rich history, the American Theater has become a true Charleston landmark in the years since it first opened in 1942. Ideally located in the heart of downtown Charleston on vibrant and bustling Upper King Street, this art deco-inspired venue provides a unique and versatile space for your one-of-a-kind event. The American Theater has played supporting roles in major motion pictures, one of which was the setting to Allie + Noah’s iconic first date in The Notebook! With an unmatched ambiance that is very much its own, plus a variety of distinctive venue options to consider, the theater provides the perfect backdrop for weddings, rehearsal dinners, after parties, private celebrations, and charitable and corporate events.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2,300 sqft grand ballroom with a 340 sqft main stage for award banquets, presentations or entertainment
  • A fully-equipped cinema with stadium seating, surround sound, AV equipment, DVD + LCD projectors and wireless microphones
  • A stylish lounge with screen and projector (not handicap accessible)
  • Vintage exterior marquee to publicize your event
  • A spacious main lobby, ideal for registration + welcome information
  • Wireless internet throughout
  • Handicap accessible
  • Preferred recommendations for local AV technicians for audio visual needs

HISTORY
Named in honor of our country's servicemen and women, the American Theater opened on September 19, 1942, as Downtown Charleston's premier movie house. Following the decline in theaters across the country, the American Theater eventually sat vacant for 20 years. But in 1997 when the vacant building had been all but forgotten, it was brought back to its former glory after being purchased and fully restored by the Patrick family. The restoration of the American Theater spearheaded the revitalization of Upper King Street, helping create what would become the bustling area of Downtown Charleston we all know today.

Every September 19th, PPHG celebrates the birthday of a building that keeps on giving. Leaving a profound legacy of preservation and restoration, the Patrick family sits at the helm of an effort in resurgence and development on Upper King Street, continuing to believe in the promise of a once-forgotten neighborhood.

CUISINE, BAR + SERVICE
Our Patrick Properties Hospitality Group in-house culinary team serves as the exclusive food and beverage provider across all five of our historic venues and works closely with you to design a thoughtful menu perfectly suited to your event. Sourcing the freshest seasonal ingredients from local producers is a cornerstone of our cuisine.

  • Chef-crafted menu tailored with your personal touch
  • Customizable selections to please every palate
  • Menu consultations and private tastings
  • In-house Pastry Chef
  • On-site commercial kitchen

Take a 360° Virtual Tour and enjoy an exclusive sneak peek today!

  • Woman-owned

Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$1,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$1,000

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,000

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Flatware
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$4

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Bartender(s)
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

1

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Historic Building

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Catering Services
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Cocktail Reception
Dessert
Family Style
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware

What transportation and access is available?

Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

March
April
May
June
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
July
August
December
illustration question

Any other questions?

Message vendor

Reviews of American Theater

4.9 out of 5 rating
4.9 out of 5 rating
7 Reviews
97% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
A
A B Sent on 12/16/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Show-stopping, unique, memorable - perfect venue for all occasions

After touring close to 50 venues across the US, Rachel Hopkins the Sales Manager we had worked with, made it an easy decision for us! We selected The William Aiken House (which was unknowingly my first ever pin on Pinterest for a wedding venue) for our ceremony/cocktail hour/dinner, American Theater for our dancing/after party and Parcel32 for our rehearsal dinner/welcome gathering. Rachel was easily the best we worked with throughout our venue search and is a genuinely kind hearted individual! We also worked with Becky Kearns, who was also an absolute joy work with! The two of them were very accommodating and easy to work with as they shaped the various options for the venues, catering, and other items. Throughout the planning process the two of them and PPHG were very professional and thoughtful with each step. We felt comfortable with them along the way and they made it easy to trust them in all ways. Abigail Roderick, Director of Events, was also fantastic in every way and we really enjoyed her flexibility in all areas of planning, and the tasting with her! We also worked with the amazing Rachel Starling for our rehearsal dinner and welcome party at Parcel32 which would highly recommend (please see our review)! The day of staff assigned to our events surpassed all expectations and we received much praise from our guest on how wonderful the service was. The catering and drinks were also a significant highlight from the affair. The feedback from guests on how it was “the best wedding food they have had” was so wonderful. We drool thinking back on each food item and drink, and are so happy PPHG upholds such a great standard for the catering. We also were so pleased in choosing to work with Jessica the Pastry Chef for our Cake. It was so elegant and received endless compliments, and tasted delicious too! And it goes without saying, the beautiful unique venues (and photos from them) were breathtaking!

To end, you would be making the best decision to work with PPHG. We are so happy and forever grateful for everything they did for us :) PPHG was wonderful to work with in every aspect! We would highly recommend anyone planning an event or wedding to work with them! They have the best venues in the United States, exquisite catering and genuinely thoughtful top notch staff.
T
Tyler R. Sent on 06/29/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing, Unique Reception Space

We decided to host our wedding reception here and while it was a bit of a gamble - it's hard to find a ton of other examples of receptions here - it paid off! With the help of the amazing PPHG staff, we were able to create the reception of our dreams. We leaned into the Art-Deco/Cinema/Vintage theme and utilized the entire unique space. This is just a really awesome historic venue that can offer a really memorable reception if you want something different!
Caitlin
Caitlin C. Sent on 07/03/2021
5 out of 5 rating

This venue was a blockbuster hit!

What a fun venue! We had the BEST DAY EVER, and The American Theater was such a unique and memorable venue for us and our guests. We leaned into the swanky, art deco look and feel of the venue - movie popcorn/candy/drink pairings in the lobby concession stand, posters of us in the movie poster boxes, we showed a quick wedding party intro film in the theater room, and the ballroom was perfect for our all-night dancing. Gosh, we had the best night ever with this team. Friends and family also told us it was the best food they've EVER experienced at a wedding. It was a 5-star experience with a great team, an amazingggg wedding cake, delicious food, and a unique memorable, historic location. We had ~100 guests which was a perfect fit for this spot!
illustration message bubble

Are you interested?

Message vendor

Awards

7

Map

illustration visit

Would you like to visit?

Request a visit

American Theater frequently asked questions

American Theater includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Flatware
  • Tables
American Theater includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Dessert
  • Server(s)
The bar service starting price at American Theater includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
The space offered by American Theater for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Historic Building
American Theater offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
American Theater offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
American Theater offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
American Theater offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Lighting
  • Tables
American Theater is recommended by 97% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in quality of service, 5 in professionalism, 4.9 in average response time, 4.8 in flexibility and 4.6 in value.

Other vendors in Charleston for your wedding

Wedding Venues