INFORMATION PACKET

INFORMATION PACKET

Black circular decorative design with a floral pattern in the center and geometric patterns around the edge.

Built For Big Moments

Welcome to The Grand at 81 Mary — Charleston’s premier event venue operated by Duvall Catering & Events. Just steps from King Street, this restored 1850s Gothic Revival train station offers 11,000 square feet of versatile event space that blends historic charm and modern elegance with exposed brick, wooden beams, rosette windows, and sparkling chandeliers.

Once home to the Charleston Bagging & Manufacturing Company, Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Charleston School of Law, it now begins its next chapter as a destination for unforgettable celebrations.

As Charleston’s oldest full-service caterer, Duvall provides exceptional cuisine, bar service, floral, rentals, and décor to make every detail seamless. The Grand accommodates up to 500 seated guests or 1,000 for receptions, with venue rental including china, gold flatware, glassware, chiavari chairs, tables, and private suites.

Hosting Your Event At The Grand at 81 Mary

To ensure a seamless and high-caliber experience, our curated event packages provide a comprehensive foundation for your celebration. Most clients choose to lean into our full-service capabilities—including custom culinary menus, premium bar service, floral design, and refined rentals—to create a cohesive, all-encompassing guest experience from start to finish.

The Grand Spaces

The Grand accommodates 400-500 guests for seated events and up to 1,000 guests for cocktail receptions, making it the ideal setting for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate receptions, galas, & more.

Notable features include abundant natural light, soaring ceilings with exposed wood beams, grand chandeliers, audio/visual capabilities, and elegantly appointed wedding party suites.

The Grand Spaces

The Grand accommodates 400-500 guests for seated events and up to 1,000 guests for cocktail receptions, making it the ideal setting for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate receptions, galas, & more. Notable features include abundant natural light, soaring ceilings with exposed wood beams, grand chandeliers, audio/visual capabilities, and elegantly appointed wedding party suites.

  • Discover the elegance of The Grand, where our Cocktail Lobby offers a sophisticated setting for intimate cocktail hours and networking events. Perfect for gatherings before the main occasion, this area can comfortably accommodate up to 400 guests in a cocktail-style arrangement, ensuring a refined and memorable experience.

  • The Grand Ballroom offers a versatile space ideal for seated dinners for up to 500 guests. Ideal for weddings receptions, corporate events or galas. This space is designed for maximum audience engagement. With configurable ambient lighting and full audio/visual capabilities, it adapts to various event needs.

  • Step outside the venue and discover a serene veranda space, where guests can enjoy a refreshing breath of fresh air. This charming area is nestled under a beautiful canopy of trees, creating a natural retreat. The gentle rustling of leaves overhead adds to the soothing ambiance, making it a perfect spot to relax and unwind. Whether seeking a moment of tranquility or a pleasant conversation in the open air, this patio provides an inviting escape from the hustle and bustle inside.

  • The Cypress Room is every one’s dream realized—an elegant space designed for unforgettable getting-ready moments. Complete with built-in makeup vanities, a private bar area, a full-length mirror, and a “something blue” bathroom, the suite combines comfort and charm. Charleston-inspired wallpaper and sparkling chandeliers add the finishing touch, creating a setting as beautiful as those who fill it.

  • The Cooper Room offers a stylish and relaxed environment perfect for unwinding before the celebration begins. Featuring comfortable seating, a personal bar area, and refined décor, it’s the ideal space to gather, prepare, and toast to the day ahead. Balancing comfort with sophistication, the suite ensures every guest feels part of the moment in true Grand fashion.

Bar Packages

  • $37.00 per person for four hours, each additional hour +$5 per person

    Wine

    2023 Riff Pinot Grigio, Ora Italy
    2023 Bermier Chardonnay Loire Valley, France
    2023 Poppy Pinot Noir, Monterey County, California
    2023 Pavette Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

    Platinum Wines—Available upon request for Additional Charge

    Domestic & Local Beers—Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Westbrook White Thai, Holy City Overly Friendly IPA

    Sodas—Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite

    Garnish—Lemons, Limes, Oranges

  • $56.00 per person for four hours; each additional hour +$5 per hour

    Spirits—Tito’s Vodka, Chivas Regal Blended Scotch, Crown Royal Whiskey, Tanqueray Gin, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Bacardí Rum, Espolón Blanco Tequila

    Wine

    Riff - Pinot Grigio, Ora, Italy
    Bernier - Chardonnay, Loire Valley, France
    Poppy - Pinot Noir, Monterey County, California
    Pavette - Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

    Domestic & Local Beers—Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Westbrook White Thai, Holy City Overly Friendly IPA

    Sodas, Mixers, Juices— Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Club Soda, Tonic, Ginger Beer, Grenadine, Vermouth

    Cranberry, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Orange Juice, Sour Mix, Lime Juice

    Garnish—Lemons, Limes, Olives, Oranges

  • Starting at $66.00 per person for four hours, each additional hour +$5 per person

    Spirits—Grey Goose Vodka, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Hendricks Gin, Mount Gay Rum, Glenlivet Scotch, Casamigos Blanco Tequila

    Wine

    Long Meadow Ranch - Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, California
    Isabelle et Denis Pommier - Petit Chablis Hauterivien Chardonnay, Burgundy, France
    Flâneur - Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR
    Timeplace - Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

    Domestic & Local Beers—Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Westbrook White Thai, Holy City Overly Friendly IPA

    Sodas, Mixers, Juices—Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Club Soda, Tonic, Ginger Beer, Grenadine, Vermouth

    Cranberry, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Orange Juice, Sour Mix, Lime Juice

    Garnish—Lemons, Limes, Olives, Oranges

    Ice—Premium rocks

  • Sparkling Options

    Coste Petrai Prosecco Veneto, Italy

    Singular bottle Sparkling Toast for Client @ $30.00

    Sparkling Toast For All Guests @ $4.00 per person

    Sparkling Added to the Full Bar @ $4.00 per person

    Champagne Flutes (Setups) @ $1.00 per person

    Champagne upgrade by bottle ~ ask for pricing

    Wine Service-

    Wine service @ $7.00 per person, and additional wine needed. Additional service staff will be required.

*Cost includes caterer providing all alcohol, glassware (stemmed wine glasses and non-alcoholic glasses), cocktail napkins, & ice.

**Cost includes caterer providing all alcohol, glassware (stemmed wine glass, rocks glass, and non-alcoholic glasses), bar fruit (lemons and limes), cocktail napkins, ice & additional mixers.

Please add 22% Production Fee, 11% Sales Tax and food & beverage tax. Bartender fees apply.

Wine Selection is Subject to Change.

The above pricing is based on a four hour event; for every hour thereafter please add $5.00 per person.

Any items not listed in the above packages may be added on through Duvall at a per item price and may be discussed with your account executive.

RENTAL RATES

  • Duvall Catering & Events is the exclusive caterer for The Grand at 81 Mary. As part of our full-service experience, Duvall Catering & Events would be responsible for providing and managing all aspects of food and beverage within the venue.

  • At minimum, we do require that you have a partial or full licensed event planner, and we are happy to provide a list of recommended planners and coordinators. *Corporate events may be subject to exceptions.

  • Because each event design is different, a dance floor is not included in the venue rental, but we can rent one that fits your design and budget.

  • For your convenience, Duvall Catering & Events will arrange for all additional equipment rentals within the venue (i.e. linens, tables, chairs, etc.)

  • Duvall Catering & Events is the exclusive provider of your floral and decor, including lighting, draping, and additional decor elements. We will connect you to our in-house floral and decor department and they will bring your vision to life!

  • We do not have guest count minimums. However, you will be required to meet a food and beverage minimum based on your event date.

  • Yes, we host private tastings at our main office. Tastings are complimentary for up to four guests if you have booked our services and paid an initial payment. If you would like to schedule a tasting prior to securing our services, we require payment for the tasting based on the items chosen for the tasting menu, which averages $65.00 per person. We schedule tastings during the week of off-peak season months.

  • The production fee is based on the food and beverage subtotal, and covers a portion of the administrative, insurance, materials, and operational costs associated with event execution.

  • Security is required and managed by The Grand at 81 Mary. The total number of guards required will be based on your event details. The fee for security will be a line item in your Duvall Catering & Events contract. Holiday rates may apply.

  • The full seated capacity at The Grand at 81 Mary is 500 guests (not including dance floor or stage); standing capacity is 1,000 guests.

  • (50) 60" Round Dining Tables, (500) Gold Chiavari Chairs, (20) 6' Rectangular Banquet Tables, (20) 8' Rectangular Banquet Tables, (20) Tall Cocktail Tables, Elegant Gold flatware, Glassware, and Modern White China.

  • Venue pricing is based on a 5-hour rental of the space. Venue access begins three (3) hours prior to the event start time.

    If you wish to access the suites or begin setup earlier, entry can be arranged starting at 9:00 a.m. and will be subject to additional staffing fees.

  • The Grand at 81 Mary is located in the heart of downtown Charleston just minutes from historic King Street, which provides our guests convenient access to multiple hotel properties within walking distance to the venue. From large national chains, boutique hotels, and AirBnB options, reach out to us for a list of nearby accommodations!

  • Duvall Catering & Events has a strong team of knowledgeable managers and staff who will be onsite throughout your event from start to finish. Our team will arrive approximately two hours prior to the event to execute setup and will be there after the event concludes to complete the breakdown and cleanup of the venue. Depending on your guest count and meal selection, you will have an event manager, along with an industry standard number of servers, bartenders, and culinary professionals.

  • We do require a $1,000 damage deposit which is a line-item charge in your contract. This is to ensure the venue is left in the same condition it was prior to your event. This damage deposit is refundable, and a refund will be issued by the 15th day of the month following your event assuming there was no damage. You will be notified if damages have occurred, and we will bill you for any repairs over and above the damage fee.

  • To secure your date, a signed contract, rental agreement and a non-refundable initial payment are required. The initial payment is the equivalent of the venue rental rate or 20% of your full contract, whichever is higher. Half of the remaining balance is due 60 days prior to your event. The final outstanding balance is due 10 days prior to your event if paying by check or ACH link, and 7 days if paying by credit card. Duvall Events provides services when we have been fully paid in advance or when a direct bill account has been approved in writing. A 3% processing fee will be applied towards all credit card payments.

FAQS

Logo for The Grand at 81 Mary, featuring a circular decorative design on the left and text on the right reading 'THE GRAND AT 81 MARY'.

THEGRANDCHS.COM | 81 MARY ST | CHARLESTON, SC 29403
INFO@DUVALLEVENTS.COM | 843.763.9222