Pine Lakes Country Club Wedding Photography
Kayla & Austin at Myrtle Beach's historic "Granddaddy"
Some venues feel new no matter how many weddings they host. Pine Lakes Country Club feels the opposite, in the best way. The clubhouse has been watching over the Grand Strand since 1927, and when you walk up the brick path toward those white columns, you can feel that history settle around the day. As a Myrtle Beach wedding photographer, I love working here because the setting already has a sense of occasion. My job is to keep up with the people inside it.
This page walks through what makes Pine Lakes special, how Kayla and Austin used it, and a few practical notes I share with couples who book the club.
About Pine Lakes Country Club
Pine Lakes opened in 1927 as Ocean Forest Country Club and took the Pine Lakes name in 1946. Locals call it “The Granddaddy” because it was the first golf course in Myrtle Beach. The antebellum-style clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the club is also known as the birthplace of Sports Illustrated and home of the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame.
The club sits at 5603 Granddaddy Drive, less than half a mile from the ocean, yet the grounds feel tucked away. Mature oaks, clipped lawns and brick walks frame the building, and the courtyard gives you a choice between an outdoor ceremony and an indoor one. The club can host gatherings of more than 300 guests, so it works for big families and for couples who want room to breathe.
For photos, the facade is the headline. It is symmetrical, bright and clean, so it reads beautifully in both wide shots and tighter portraits. Inside, tall windows, drapery and chandeliers give soft, flattering light for getting ready and for the first dance.
Kayla & Austin's Pine Lakes Wedding
Kayla and Austin leaned into the classic side of Pine Lakes. Their palette was black, white and gold, from the invitation suite to the gold hair comb tucked into Kayla’s braided updo. Her mom helped zip her gown on the checkered floor near the windows, and that quiet moment, with daylight falling across the dress, is still one of my favorite frames from the morning.
Before the ceremony, Kayla found her mom in the garden for a long hug, and Austin had a few minutes with his own mother on the brick walk. They asked guests for an unplugged ceremony, with a gold-lettered sign at the entrance, so every face in the rows of gold chairs was turned toward them instead of a phone screen. The ceremony itself happened on the lawn under the oaks, with the clubhouse just out of frame.
Afterward we spent our portrait time out front. A breeze picked up Kayla’s cathedral veil and carried it across the grass, and Austin did a great job of standing still while it did its thing. We finished with the full facade behind them, which is the shot I recommend every Pine Lakes couple make time for.
Back inside the clubhouse, the room glowed with warm light for their first dance. They cut the cake beside a champagne tower, and the night ended with a grand exit through a tunnel of guests at the front doors, finished with a dip and a kiss.
Photo Tips for Pine Lakes Couples
- Book the facade portraits on the schedule. The front of the clubhouse is the signature backdrop. Give it 15 to 20 minutes so we can do wide, mid and close frames without rushing.
- Use the brick walk for your entrance or first look. It leads the eye straight to the columns and frames your full outfit from head to toe.
- Get ready by the windows. The interior light is soft and even, which keeps skin tones warm and natural, and it photographs beautifully against white gowns.
- Plan for the breeze. Being close to the ocean means wind. A long veil looks stunning, but bring a few bobby pins and someone who can help fluff it.
- Have a weather plan for the ceremony. The courtyard and indoor spaces mean you have options. Decide the call time with your coordinator so I can scout both spots in advance.
- Ask guests to unplug. Kayla and Austin’s sign made a real difference: clear aisles and happy faces in every ceremony photo.
Pine Lakes Wedding FAQ
Where is Pine Lakes Country Club?
Pine Lakes Country Club is at 5603 Granddaddy Drive in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, less than half a mile from the ocean.
Can you have an outdoor ceremony at Pine Lakes?
Yes. The club offers both outdoor and indoor ceremony options, including the courtyard and the lawns around the historic clubhouse, so there is a backup if the weather changes.
How many guests can Pine Lakes host?
The club can host events of more than 300 guests. Your venue coordinator can confirm the right space for your guest count.
What are the best photo spots at Pine Lakes?
The white-columned front facade, the brick walkways, the oak-lined lawns and the window-lit interior rooms are my favorites. Each gives a different look without leaving the property.
How do we receive our wedding photos?
Every couple receives their edited images in a private online gallery that is easy to share with family and download from.
Planning a Pine Lakes wedding? I would love to hear about it. Take a look at more of my wedding photography, browse other Myrtle Beach wedding venues I photograph, or get in touch to check your date.
Together, let’s craft a narrative that is timeless, impactful, and beautifully refined. Let’s create something truly special.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 kristina barron.