Your wedding day. Without a doubt, it's one of the most significant events you will ever experience - when you and the love of your life officially seal the deal and get married. On this day, your friends and family will gather to celebrate the next step in your life. Photographers will be running around snapping photos, catering plates delicious food for guests to enjoy, and the DJ sets the mood for a night of fun and libation. You've worked extra hard to make everything look perfect and run smoothly. You have examined every moving part down to the tiniest detail. At the center of all your effort is your wedding venue in Florence, SC.
Your event space can mean the difference between an unforgettable event and an average occasion. Capturing your uniqueness as a couple is paramount to a memorable wedding. But, without the right venue location and staff, your unforgettable event can turn into a painfully average occasion. Fortunately, at Abney Hall, you won't ever have to worry about dingy reception spaces and crummy chow halls.
Constructed in Florence, SC, in 1962, Abney Hall is 15,000 square feet and sits on 500 acres of land, making it a large wedding venue unlike any other. Abney Hall was originally the home of Mrs. Josephine Abney, a Florence native who was a lifelong philanthropist. Mrs. Abney devoted much of her time and effort towards supporting charities, educational institutions, hospitals, and other noble efforts. Today, Abney Hall stands tall as a symbol of love, both in our community and for the couples who choose to get married here.
Abney Hall is an exclusive event experience unlike any other, surrounded by verdant forests and sparkling ponds. Our venue is a natural fit for several occasions, including:
The beginning of your life starts at Abney Hall. With our team by your side, we can create the fairy tale wedding you have dreamed about since childhood. Whether you have 100 guests or 1,000, our waterfront ceremony locations and French-inspired courtyard are perfect for your big day. Celebrate in luxurious style surrounded by shady magnolia trees, a private forest, large ponds, and the beauty of Mother Nature. While our venue location and aesthetic have been praised far and wide, so too have the practical aspects of Abney Hall. Looking for a relaxing, comfortable spot for your bridal party to get ready in? We offer an entire floor in the Abney Hall residence to get the bridal party ready. Want to make your groomsman feel extra-special too? We've got a private, plush house just feet from a sparkling pond that is a proper hangout spot for the guys in your group.
To make life easier on you, we also offer Abney Hall as your go-to spot for rehearsal dinners. Why book an expensive restaurant or travel to another location when unmatched beauty and convenience are right at your fingertips? Abney Hall is just the place for that very important dinner the night before your big day. We are also happy to host your bridal shower at Abney Hall. Our venue makes for one of Florence's most unique bridal shower settings, where your family and friends can gather to give gifts and be merry before you walk down the aisle.
With such a large, magnificent house and a vast property, Abney Hall also makes for an unforgettable location for your bridal portraits and other wedding-related photography needs. Don't take our word for it - book a tour and see for yourself why so many new brides and grooms choose Abney Hall as their wedding venue in Florence.
You've already found the person you want to spend the rest of your life beside. The next step? Finding the perfect wedding venue for your ceremony, reception, and celebration of your lifelong commitment to one another. Remember, the backdrop for photos, dancing, eating, and all other activities will be at your wedding venue. That's why we work so hard to set Abney Hall apart from our competitors - so you and your guests can focus on love and living your new life while we work with your vendors and photographers to make your magic night a reality.
Here are just a few reasons why guests choose Abney Hall as their wedding venue in Florence, SC, along with some helpful tips from our experienced wedding venue staff:
Choosing the appropriate-sied venue for your desired guest count is a critical decision. A venue's capacity affects the number of people you need to consider having at your ceremony and reception. As you're first starting out, we recommend having a guest count in mind as you're searching for the right venue. Try to stick with that number. You may fall in love with a particular venue, but if its max capacity can't accommodate your guest count, it may be time to cross them off your list.
Keep in mind that this is your big day. You shouldn't feel obligated to invite the college roommate you shared a dorm with for one semester. At the end of the day, your wedding venue should be one that can accommodate those closest to you. Abney Hall is equipped for both small and large weddings, consisting of 500 acres of forest, ponds, and lush natural beauty. Whether you want an intimate wedding with only your best friends or a grand ceremony with hundreds of people, we have the right amount of room to make you comfortable.
On your big day, you're likely to have friends and family traveling in from other parts of the state or country. These folks will need a place to stay during and even after your wedding. Accessibility and ease are important factors when it comes to choosing your wedding venue for both you and your guests.
Located in Florence, SC, Abney Hall is situated in a memorable, natural setting, giving your wedding a private vibe in the midst of Mother Nature. While we pride ourselves on having a secluded wedding event space, our venue is within an easy driving distance of hotels and vacation rentals.
When you contact us for a tour, make sure to speak with our experienced venue manager about nearby hotels and shuttle service options. We understand that your guest's comfort and convenience are important, and we're happy to work with you to figure out the best way to get your guests to Abney Hall.
At Abney Hall, our staff has earned its reputation as one of the industry's most friendly, accessible teams. We will provide you with a purpose-minded point of contact that can help answer questions relating to timelines, preferred vendors, and every aspect of your wedding. When you tour our wedding venue in Florence, SC, for the first time, we want you to feel like you have all the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision.
At Abney Hall, our goal is to be your first resource when it comes to setting up and coordinating the details of your wedding day.
When it comes to your wedding's decor, you probably already have a few ideas in mind. We love it when our brides and grooms have a vision in mind because one of our greatest joys is turning that vision into a reality. At Abney Hall, our team is available to help you and your decorator fit, accent, and accommodate your fairy-tale wedding - whatever that may be.
Are you looking to dress up your wedding with decorations galore? Just want to add a few accents that tie into your preferred color palette? Abney Hall is versatile and ready to help however we are able.
If you're thinking about bringing in your own greenery, lighting, floral pieces, and more, we recommend discussing your vision with us on your initial tour of our event space. That way, we can get a head start on making your big day exactly how you envision it.
10 years from now, when you and your spouse are celebrating your anniversary, you will pull out photographs from your wedding and will reminisce about the unforgettable time you spent at Abney Hall. Your wedding photos will be with you forever, and as such, we work closely with you and your photographer to suggest extra-special photo op spots that you can only find on Abney Hall grounds.
From the grand staircase and French-inspired courtyard to our manicured gardens and lovely pond, there is no shortage of photo-op locations for your photographer to choose from. As one of the most popular wedding venues in Florence, SC, we have worked with dozens of photographers over the years.
Our experience has allowed us to cultivate a list of preferred photographers - all of whom have the talent to take your pictures to the next level in a setting they're familiar with. We encourage you to check out our gallery to get a sense of the scope of our wedding venue and gain inspiration from other happy couples.
The gallery on our website is extensive but be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages as well. We keep our social pages updated with recent wedding photographs, giving you an incredible resource that you can use for your own photography purposes.
Abney Hall is known across the United States for our stunning weddings, but we also play host to some of the largest corporate events in South Carolina. Why choose a bland, lifeless meeting space when you can enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature coupled with a professional atmosphere? If you have an important team-building event or corporate conference that you have to coordinate, look no further than Abney Hall.
The epitome of class and style, our corporate event space is large, lavish, and chock-full of onsite amenities for you and your co-workers to enjoy. If your team needs a morale boost, don't bring them to the local Olive Garden for a cheap lunch. Treat them to a refreshing experience in our main dining room, where we can work with you to incorporate your catering options with the goals of your event.
When the hard work is done, and your team needs a breather, what better way to relax than with a quick dip in our pool? To burn off a little steam, head over to our brand-new tennis court - the perfect place to get some exercise in an ultra-private setting while you enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Don't forget to bring your fishing poles for a couple of hours of fishing. There's even an opportunity to go hunting if you wish.
If you're ready to learn more about Abney Hall as your wedding venue, don't hesitate to reach out. We would love to hear more about your plans, your vision, and your needs. We know that planning a wedding isn't easy. It takes time, attention to detail, and a whole lot of patience. Our goal is to help provide you with all the info you need to learn more about our venue. Once you decide on a date, we'll work closely with you and your vendors to craft a wedding experience that you will treasure for the rest of your life.
Our available dates for your big day are going quick, especially during peak seasons like spring and fall. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Contact us today for a FREE initial consultationORANGEBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The South Florence Bruins beat the Westside Rams 42-41 to win the Class AAAA South Carolina High School Football State Championship Friday night at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.The Rams came up just short of winning back-to-back state titles after beating South Florence last year to win Westside’s first football state championship since 1969.Westside started the game strong when future Gamecock quarterback Cutter Woods launched a 38-yard pass to Chamarryus Bomar for the f...
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The South Florence Bruins beat the Westside Rams 42-41 to win the Class AAAA South Carolina High School Football State Championship Friday night at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.
The Rams came up just short of winning back-to-back state titles after beating South Florence last year to win Westside’s first football state championship since 1969.
Westside started the game strong when future Gamecock quarterback Cutter Woods launched a 38-yard pass to Chamarryus Bomar for the first score of the game. Bomar scored four receiving touchdowns on the night and had an interception while Woods threw for six touchdowns in total.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Rams had a 21-7 lead. But South Florence came back and when the second half came around both of these teams’ offenses were unstoppable. Every time Westside would score, South Florence would answer.
South Florence even scored two touchdowns in the second half on fourth down plays. When the Bruins finally got a stop, they took their first lead of the game.
Tre Leonard scored a four-yard rushing touchdown for South Florence with just over two minutes remaining to give them a 42-35 lead.
But Westside had a two-minute drive to win last year’s state championship and had plans of doing it again.
Quarterback Woods threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Bomar sending the Westside crowd into a frenzy. The Rams were still down 42-41 with just under two minutes left in the game. Westside Head Coach Brian Lane had a decision to make; go for a two-point conversion to take the lead or go for an extra point to tie it up.
Lane decided to go for two by running the ‘Philly Special’ trick play but it did not succeed. That left Westside still trailing by one point with only 1:56 remaining. Westside got a stop and got the ball back at their own 1-yardline with :39 seconds left and no timeouts but couldn’t make anything happen.
South Florence held on to win in a rematch of last year’s state championship 42-41. After the game, Coach Lane spoke about his decision to go for two.
“I never second guess myself, baby, you go for it. It’s there. The plays are there we just have to execute. It’s always execution. And the play was there but at the end of the day we have to execute it,” Lane said. “You hate it for these young men. They played hard, we fought hard all year. Tough loss here at the end.”
Lane stood by his decision and his team by embracing several players after the heartbreaking ending.
Westside ends its season with its first loss while coming up just one-point short of winning back-to-back state championships.
Copyright 2024 WHNS. All rights reserved.
ORANGEBURG – Westside suffered a heartbreaking defeat Friday night in the Class AAAA high school football state championship game.The Rams went for a two-point conversion for the lead with 1:52 remaining. But a trick play, a reverse to a wide receiver for a throw to the end zone, was intercepted. South Florence held on and beat defending champ Westside, 42-41, at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium....
ORANGEBURG – Westside suffered a heartbreaking defeat Friday night in the Class AAAA high school football state championship game.
The Rams went for a two-point conversion for the lead with 1:52 remaining. But a trick play, a reverse to a wide receiver for a throw to the end zone, was intercepted. South Florence held on and beat defending champ Westside, 42-41, at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
Westside (13-1) had its 27-game win streak snapped by South Florence (12-3) in a rematch of last year’s title game.
Rams quarterback Cutter Woods passed for 384 yards and six touchdowns. Chamarryus Bomar had four catches for 213 yards and four TDs. Armoni Weaver had three catches for 101 yards and a TD.
Westside got a 50-yard touchdown pass from Cutter Woods to Chamarryus Bomar. The Rams went for two on a trick play, but a pass by Jameson Wilson was intercepted in the end zone.
South Florence got a 6-yard touchdown run by Tre Leonard. On the drive, Messiah Jackson threw a 41-yard pass to Jayden Sellers and on third-and-8 from the 23, Jackson scrambled for 17 yards.
South Florence went for a fourth-and-5 at the Westside 31-yard line and Messiah Jones threw a touchdown pass to Jayden Sellers down the left sideline. Sellers, the South Carolina signee, has three TD catches.
After converting a first down on a pass to Armoni Weaver, Cutter Woods fired one deep and Chamarryus Bomar ran under it for a 74-yard touchdown. … Woods has completed eight passes of 11 attempts for 334 yards and five touchdowns.
South Florence ties it on a 22-yard pass from Messiah Jackson to Jayden Sellers after the Bruins had a penalty on the same play on the previous snap. Bruins have run 53 plays. Westside has run 14.
Cutter Woods threw a 74-yard touchdown to Armoni Weaver, who was wide-open and even turned around at the goal line to see if anybody was close. Nobody was. … Woods is 6-of-9 for 258 yards and four TDs.
Jayden Sellers took the second-half kickoff 40 yards into Westside territory and quarterback Messiah Jackson scored on a 1-yard run. Jackson has also thrown for two TDs.
South Florence recovered an onsides kick with 26 seconds left but couldn’t do anything with it. The Bruins tried one pass and it was blown up by Rams defensive back Chamarryus Bomar, who nearly stole the ball as he was making the tackle.
South Florence running back Tre Leonard has 12 carries for 132 yards. Westside quarterback Cutter Woods is 5-for-7 for 184 yards and three touchdowns.
South Florence went on a nine-play, 54-yard drive to get back within a touchdown just before halftime. Messiah Jackson finished it with a 2-yard run up the middle on first-and-goal.
Cutter Woods threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Chamarryus Bomar after he made an interception in the end zone. Armoni Weaver of the Rams saved a touchdown before that when he ran down a ball-carrier on a 52-yard run. Woods is 4-for-5 for 188 yards and three TDs.
It took Westside one play to regain the lead. Cutter Woods threw a 74-yard pass to Dreson Evans on the first snap after South Florence had made it 7-7. Woods is 3-for-4 for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
South Florence got an 18-yard pass from Messiah Jackson to Jayden Sellers, a South Carolina commit who weaved his way toward the middle after a screen pass.
Westside’s defense stopped South Florence on fourth-and-2 from the Rams’ 49-yard line. Sharode Richardson ran for 15 yards on the first play and on the second, Cutter Woods threw a 38-yard TD to Chamarryus Bomar in the right corner of the end zone.
Westside 38, South Florence 35: This game should live up to the excitement of last year’s thriller. South Florence has plenty of incentive after being knocked from the throne by Westside. But the Rams have been nothing short of dominant all season and are motivated to finish the job of going back-to-back.
Most towns formed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries began as circles in their designs to form their original boundaries.Buy NowBuy NowBuy NowAn alleyway across from the Historic Laurens Courthouse in the public square Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.Buy...
Most towns formed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries began as circles in their designs to form their original boundaries.
An alleyway across from the Historic Laurens Courthouse in the public square Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.
Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn steps outside the City Hall located on the public square of town Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.
Sheila McDaniel, picking up arrangements from the florist, questions Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn about a new town requirement for landlords Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. McDaniel, who owns property in town, has lived in the circle town of Laurens for 39 years.
Inside the former dental offices of Dr. R. P. McGowan, vintage wallpaper peels from the space that has been undisturbed for decades, located in the Capitol Theatre in Laurens, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.
Inside the former dental offices of Dr. R. P. McGowan, vintage wallpaper remains and the courthouse can be seen from the window in Laurens, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The offices that reside in the Capitol Theatre have remained mostly undisturbed for decades.
Palmetto Street in Laurens on Nov. 26, 2024. A Laurens town legend places the birthplace of the town at the bottom of Palmetto Street after its founders threw an empty peach brandy bottle up the hill to mark the spot of the town courthouse.
A granite marker still stands Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Laurens, as one of the original markers planted to form the boundaries of the town.
The ruins of a cotton mill in Laurens, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.
An emergency service vehicle for Laurens County drives towards the center of town Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Laurens past Watts Street.
City of Florence Planning Director Jerry Dudley and City Manager Clint Moore look over a 1924 map from the Sanborn Map Company, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Vines grow over an old cotton gin building located adjacent to railroad lines in Florence, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Antique pumps remain dotted along a former train platform at the old Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot in Florence, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.
Historic homes on the McLeod Health campus Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Florence are placed near the former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Depot, one of the three railroads that ran through the town.
A Sanborn map, dated 1924, shows the circles that made up the town of Florence, Friday Nov. 8, 2024. The corner of Front Street (now named Baroody Street) and Dargan Street is in the middle, marking the junction of the railroad lines.
A delivery truck waits for a green light at the intersection of Dargan Street and Baroody Street, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Florence. Baroody Street, formerly named Front Street, is the center of the city of Florence and was a former junction of the railroads that helped found the town.
Hardy Graham, with his dog Phoebe, walk through the intersection of Dargan Street and West N.B. Baroody Street, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Florence. Baroody Street, formerly named Front Street, is the center of the city of Florence and was a former junction of the railroads that helped found the town.
A M King, a leading integrated Design-Build firm with offices in Charlotte, NC, Greenville, SC and Chicago, IL, has completed design and commenced construction on its fourth major project for Cheney Brothers, Inc. (CBI). The 386,047-sf refrigerator/freezer distribution facility in Florence, SC will include 45 loading docks, a Cheney Express and the largest culinary kitchen the company has developed to date.A M King, Cheney Brothers, Inc...
A M King, a leading integrated Design-Build firm with offices in Charlotte, NC, Greenville, SC and Chicago, IL, has completed design and commenced construction on its fourth major project for Cheney Brothers, Inc. (CBI). The 386,047-sf refrigerator/freezer distribution facility in Florence, SC will include 45 loading docks, a Cheney Express and the largest culinary kitchen the company has developed to date.
A M King, Cheney Brothers, Inc. and Florence County Economic Development Partnership hosted an official groundbreaking event on December 4, 2024. The day’s festivities included a shovel ceremony, a visit from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, and site tours.
“This new distribution center in Florence will allow Cheney Brothers to enhance our customer service and obtain a higher level of customer satisfaction,” said Byron Russell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cheney Brothers. “The support we have received from the State of South Carolina and the local communities has been tremendous.”
A M King Business Unit Leader David Sawicki noted, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Cheney Brothers to develop a facility of this magnitude and complexity. Our history of successful projects for CBI, along with our depth and breadth of food industry expertise, makes this an ideal venture.”
A M King’s scope of work includes 100,963 sf of dry storage and a 36,098-sf dry dock; a 90,095-sf freezer; 60,683 sf of cooler with separate rooms and temperatures for dairy/meat, flour and produce, and a 31,533-sf cooler dock; 30,424 sf of office spaces; a 7,142-sf Cheney Express; and a 3,364-sf test kitchen.
Cheney Brothers’ Florence Facility
Cheney Brothers, Inc., based in Riviera Beach, FL, was founded in 1925. In 2016, the company purchased Pate Dawson Co., thereby acquiring distribution and processing facilities in Statesville, NC and Greensboro, NC. The Florence facility, located on nearly 50 acres in the Pee Dee Commerce City East Industrial Park — across I-95 from Buc-ee’s — will be the company’s first in South Carolina. The new distribution center will provide means for the broadline distributor to significantly expand its reach in the region.
Warren Newell, CBI’s Director of Development, said, “I have worked with dozens of Design-Build and construction firms over the years, and I can honestly say that A M King is one of the finest. There is no doubt they will design and construct a first-class distribution center for us in Florence, which will strengthen our ability to serve Southeast Atlantic coastal customers.”
A M King’s History Serving Cheney Brothers
A M King has completed two major expansions at Cheney Brothers’ Statesville facility, bringing the total square footage to 342,126. The projects included additional cold storage and dry warehouse space, a 2,000-sf commercial culinary center, cutting-edge penthouse refrigeration system, 37 new dock positions and a new receiving office. The complexity of these projects was heightened by the fact that all work was performed in an operational distribution center.
Our Design-Build team also transformed a vacant shell building in Greensboro into a state-of-the-art food processing facility for CBI affiliate Southern Foods. A M King won five prestigious industry awards for the Statesville facility and Southern Foods facility projects from organizations including ABC Carolinas, Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA) and Engineering News-Record.
About A M King
A M King is an integrated Design-Build firm based in Charlotte, NC with offices in Greenville, SC and Chicago, IL. An employee-owned company, A M King consistently and successfully delivers quality projects throughout the United States. With an experienced team committed to protecting clients’ assets, the firm provides property consulting, design, construction, and facility services in key market sectors including food processing, food distribution, industrial manufacturing, and corporate properties.
About Cheney Brothers, Inc.
Cheney Brothers, Inc. is a broadline food distributor that delivers more than 16,000 different products throughout the Southeast region of United States and in more than 100 countries. Cheney Brothers employs more than 3,800 individuals and reports annual revenues exceeding $3.2 billion.
About Florence County Economic Development Partnership
Florence County Economic Development Partnership serves as the public-private entity that works to recruit new business and industry to Florence County, South Carolina, while also helping existing industries grow and expand.
“We’re thrilled to witness Cheney Brothers break ground on their state-of-the-art distribution center, strategically sited to serve the Carolinas market,” said Florence County Economic Development Partnership Chair Joe W.” Rocky” Pearce. “We look forward to a fruitful partnership and the realization of their $66+ million investment.”
“We are immensely grateful for Cheney Brothers’ trust and investment in Florence County,” added Florence County Council Chairman William Schofield. “We are confident that their presence will reflect the success of the thriving companies already here, creating jobs and making a lasting impact on our community. This partnership marks an exciting chapter in our journey toward growth and prosperity.”