Events
Weddings & Events
Often considered “Greenville’s Most Romantic House,” it is perfectly natural that the Kilgore-Lewis House has become a favorite wedding spot for many local couples over the years.
Not only is the house aesthetically beautiful with spacious rooms and outdoor areas for guests, but tradition holds that the house began as a wedding gift itself! In the mid-19th century, weddings were most often held in the bride’s parents’ home. In 1855, soon after Josiah Kilgore’s daughter, Mary Keziah and John Wycliffe Stokes were married (probably in the front parlor of this house), Kilgore deeded the house to the young couple for “five dollars, love and affection.”
NOT JUST FOR WEDDINGS
The Kilgore-Lewis House is ideal for many other types of occasions as well. Consider renting the house for your next:
- business meeting or retreat
- corporate or private party
- anniversary party
- silent auction
- debutante party
- family reunion
- birthday party
- baby shower
- picnic
…and more!
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Event Policies & Information
The following policies are in effect for all events hosted at the Kilgore-Lewis House:
- CLEANING: Our staff will clean the KLH before your event. We expect all litter and trash be removed from the grounds and secured in the provided trash receptacles.
- Because we often have events the day preceding your event and, on the day following it, rentals and deliveries can only be made on the day of the event unless prior arrangements have been made with the GCGC.
- All personal and/or rental items and decorations must be removed from the house, grounds and garden areas upon completion of the event. Items left longer than 3 days will be discarded.
WEDDING DIRECTORS & EVENT PLANNERS:
We suggest that your event planner or director of your wedding visit the KLH well before the event.
CATERERS:
- Professional caterers are suggested. First-time caterers at the KLH should preview kitchen facilities several weeks in advance of the event.
- Food may be warmed in the kitchen, but cooking is not permitted.
- For weddings, including rental of the house, food may be served from the dining room or outside. Guests may move freely throughout the first floor as they eat, but food and beverages are not allowed upstairs.
- All serving equipment, trash bags, paper towels, dishes, glassware, flatware, and all supplies needed to prepare and serve food must be supplied by the caterer or renter and removed at the end of the event.
CATERER & FLORIST SET UP:
Each hour the house is open you will be charged the hourly charge that is applicable to your event.
ALCOHOL:
If you serve alcoholic beverages, you must have a licensed professional bartender. The bartender should start closing at least one hour before your guests are to leave. The bartender is responsible for leaving the bar area tidy. All garbage should be bagged and taken to the dumpster. Ice chests (coolers) with beverages must be left outdoors on the porch.
FURNITURE AND DECORATIVE ITEMS:
Furniture and decorative items in the House and on the grounds cannot be moved by anyone but KLH personnel.
All musical instruments are for decorative purposes only and not to be used for events.
FIREWORKS, CONFETTI, ETC.:
Fireworks, sparklers, confetti, rice, artificial flower petals and/or birdseed may not be used. Bubbles or genuine flower petals are allowed outside the House.
CANDLES:
Only battery-operated candles are allowed in the House.
No open flame candles are permitted in the House or on the grounds because of the danger of fire.
SMOKING:
Smoking is not permitted in the House. For the safety of your guests, no type of open flame is permitted in the House or on the grounds. If you will have smokers as guests, you must provide ashtrays for them outside.
RESTROOM FACILITIES:
Outdoor events larger than 50 guests, will require rental of portable sanitation facilities.
Here are two suggestions. Each has several options for units and trailers.
- Royal Flush Toilet Rental: 864-238-8800
- Bragg Waste Services, Inc.: 864-599-0350
DANCING:
Since all floors are covered with rugs, dancing is not permitted in the House.
FIRE MARSHAL RESTRICTIONS:
The Fire Marshal limits the house to 200 occupants.
If you rent a tent, your rental company is responsible for making sure that it complies with regulations set by the Greenville Fire Marshal. On your behalf, the rental company should contact the Greenville Fire Marshal: James Clement 864-467-8013, [email protected] for the tent permit. This tent permitting process requires a minimum of 2 weeks prior to your event.
EVENT PROTECTOR PLAN
All wedding or non-wedding events must provide proof of coverage of insurance.
SEATED DINNERS:
Tables and chairs are available for up to 50 seated guests in the House.
Outside, there is space for a seated dinner for 200 +. The renter will need to provide and set up all outdoor tables and chairs.
HOSTESSES:
A Kilgore-Lewis Hostess will be on-site throughout your event to unlock doors, adjust the heating or air conditioning, etc. Although not a server for your event, the Hostess will help you and your caterer “find your way around” the KLH and make every effort to help you have an enjoyable event. Directions from the hostess should be followed by the renter and guests. Failure to follow these policies may result in loss of the security deposit.
If you have further questions, please contact us.
House phone: 864-232-3020
E-mail: [email protected]
Event coordinator: Robin Smith 864-414-3628 [email protected]
Kilgore Lewis House and Gardens Event Pricing
560 North Academy Street
Greenville, SC 29601
House Wedding/Reception
- 50 or less including wedding
- Inside the house-$300.00 per hour • Minimum 2 hours
- Set up and rehearsal time is an additional $200 per hour
Wedding on the grounds:
- Larger than 50-Lower Garden/Outside on premises
- $300.00 per hour for a minimum of 4 hours
- Food/Beverage is catered outside
- Rental of portable outdoor restrooms is required
Non-Wedding Events:
- $200.00 per hour
- Minimum of 2 hours
Photography:
- If you are having your wedding at the KLH, your indoor pictures must be taken when the house is not open to the public. There will be a charge of $100.00 for 2 hours and $25.00 for each additional hour.
- For brides who are having their weddings elsewhere and want to be photographed in the beautiful setting of the KLH, the charge will be $300.00 for 2 hours and $75.00 for each additional hour.
- Professional non-wedding photography is $100 per hour indoors or $75 for outdoor photography shoots.
Contact: Robin Smith
Telephone C: 864-414-3628
Email: [email protected]
Effective August 2024