Proposals and weddings: venues, capacities and planning basics
Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes offers oceanfront indoor and outdoor event spaces ranging from intimate rooms like the Tides Room to large ballrooms such as the Atlantic Ballroom (largest capacity listed up to 1,665 theater-style). The resort provides on-site wedding planning support, multiple on-property restaurants for receptions and catering, and oceanfront ceremony options including a Pool Deck and Oceanfront Courtyard.
In this guide
Venue options and capacities
The resort lists a wide range of indoor and outdoor event spaces across roughly 45,000 sq ft of meeting space and 11 meeting rooms. Capacities vary from intimate ballrooms to very large oceanfront ballrooms.
Key indoor venues and their capacities are published by the property and used for both ceremonies and receptions.
- Atlantic Ballroom Venue — up to 1,665 guests (theater), 1,600 reception, 1,200 banquet; 15,030 sq ft
- Oleander Ballroom Venue — about 5,332 sq ft; capacity examples include 575 reception and 450 banquet
- Tides Room / Tides 1 & 2 — Tides Room 1,210 sq ft with reception up to 100; Tides 1 & 2 combined noted as 2,449 sq ft for breakout use
- Pool Deck and Oceanfront Courtyard — outdoor options with variable capacities depending on setup and season
| Venue | Typical Max Reception |
|---|---|
| Atlantic Ballroom | 1,600 |
| Oleander Ballroom | 575 |
| Tides Room | 100 |
Ceremony locations and logistics
Outdoor ceremony choices include the Oceanfront Courtyard and the Pool Deck, which let you exchange vows with views of the ocean. The Pool Deck capacity is listed as 'varies' and will depend on layout, season and any municipal rules for beachfront use.
The resort provides event planning staff and Marriott Certified Wedding Planners to advise on setup, timing and vendor coordination. If you want a beachfront ceremony, discuss tide, public access and any permit needs with your planner early in your process.
- Ask the Wedding Specialist about ceremony start times, noise restrictions, and contingency plans for rain.
- Outdoor ceremonies are seasonal; verify availability and any rental requirements for chairs, arches, or power.
- The resort publishes a wedding minimum on its microsite (listed as $10,000++); confirm current minimums with the hotel wedding team.
| Location | Notes |
|---|---|
| Oceanfront Courtyard | Oceanfront ceremony option; discuss weather/alternate indoor space |
| Pool Deck | Poolside ceremonies with ocean breeze; capacity varies by setup |
| Atlantic Ballroom | Large indoor backup for receptions or ceremonies |
Receptions, catering and on-site dining
The resort operates several on-property dining outlets that can be used for reception food and beverage: Ocean's on 82nd (breakfast and dinner service), Ocean Blu Restaurant and Lounge (light fare and cocktails, poolside options), The Cove (seasonal poolside American fare), and Rooted Grounds Coffee Company (coffee shop).
Event catering and plated/buffet options are coordinated through the resort's events team; the Marriott-certified planners can help with menu selection, wine lists and service staff coordination.
- Ocean's on 82nd — breakfast and dinner service; public restaurant that also supports event menus
- Ocean Blu Restaurant and Lounge / Ocean Blu (poolside) — casual poolside options and seafood-focused dishes
- The Cove — seasonal poolside American fare under a timber pergola; good for casual receptions or late-afternoon events
- Confirm food, beverage, service charges and any outside-caterer policies with your Wedding Specialist
| On-site Outlet | Typical Use for Weddings |
|---|---|
| Ocean's on 82nd | Formal plated dinners, breakfast buffets |
| Ocean Blu Restaurant and Lounge | Cocktail receptions, casual plated or buffet |
| The Cove | Seasonal poolside lunch/receptions |
Guest rooms, blocks and room types
The resort has 405 guest rooms including 8 suites and offers a range of room types suitable for wedding guests and families. When booking a room block, coordinate rates, release dates and any rooming-list deadlines with the hotel events team.
Available room types include options with ocean views and balconies; pick room types that match guest expectations (view vs. no view, balcony needs, accessibility).
- Room, Partial Ocean View (302 sq. ft. / Partial Ocean View / 5 Guests; beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
- Room, Resort View (302 sq. ft. / Resort View / 5 Guests; beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
- Room, Balcony, Oceanfront (302 sq. ft. / Oceanfront / 5 Guests; beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds)
- Room, Resort View (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) (; beds: 2 Queen Beds) — ask about accessible room inventory when reserving
| Room Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Room, Balcony, Oceanfront | Oceanfront views; available with King or 2 Queen Beds |
| Room, Partial Ocean View | Partial ocean sightlines; King or 2 Queen Beds |
| Room, Resort View | Resort-facing views; accessible option available |
Planning timeline and on-site support
Marriott Certified Wedding Planners and an on-property Wedding Specialist handle menu planning, vendor coordination, table setups and timelines. The resort also notes that wedding bookings typically reference a published minimum (the microsite lists $10,000++), so confirm that figure and contract details in writing.
Hibiscus Spa and the 24-hour fitness center are available for pre-wedding services and guest wellness; spa guests receive pool and fitness-center access during Hibiscus Spa operating hours the day of treatment.
- Contact the Wedding Specialist early to reserve large venues like the Atlantic Ballroom or outdoor dates during peak season.
- Plan vendor arrival times and load-in/load-out with the events team; large ballrooms support substantial production setups.
- Use the spa for rehearsal-day hair, massages and tween treatments for younger wedding-party members (Tween Spa menu available for ages 12 and under).
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wedding Specialist / Planner | On-property certified planners; phone contact listed on the resort microsite |
| Hibiscus Spa | Open daily 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; spa guests get pool/fitness access during treatment day |
| Event setup | Atlantic Ballroom supports large productions; coordinate AV and staging in advance |
Practical tips, costs and local considerations
Confirm fees that affect guests and logistics: published parking fees are available (self-parking and valet amounts vary by source and may differ between the wedding microsite and other listings), and the property does not provide an airport shuttle. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and the minimum age to check in is 21 for the registering guest.
Weather is a factor for oceanfront ceremonies—Myrtle Beach has a humid subtropical climate with peak season in summer and hurricane season from June 1–November 30. Discuss rain plans and any municipal permit needs with your planner.
- Confirm current parking rates and whether any parking is included in your wedding contract or resort fee.
- No on-site airport shuttle; Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is listed at about 9.6 miles away—arrange taxis or rideshares in advance.
- Pool hours and access: pools are published as available typically from 7:00 AM–11:00 PM; spa hours are daily 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
| Item | What to ask the hotel |
|---|---|
| Wedding minimum | Confirm current minimum and what it includes (food, beverage, rooms, taxes, service) |
| Parking | Confirm daily self-park vs valet fees and any group parking arrangements |
| Backup space | Reserve Atlantic Ballroom or indoor space for rain plans |
