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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach'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 Myrtle Beach.
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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, 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 consultationReaching retirement age can be a very exciting time for new beginnings and, perhaps most importantly, to find somewhere relaxing to enjoy the golden years of life's journey. Unfortunately, this also raises a lot of questions like location, housing type, and much more. Many may relocate to a different city or state while others opt for a new country altogether for retirement. Perhaps a house or senior living community is the most typical, but ...
Reaching retirement age can be a very exciting time for new beginnings and, perhaps most importantly, to find somewhere relaxing to enjoy the golden years of life's journey. Unfortunately, this also raises a lot of questions like location, housing type, and much more. Many may relocate to a different city or state while others opt for a new country altogether for retirement. Perhaps a house or senior living community is the most typical, but some have lived out their later decades in hotels or resorts as a retirement home alternative.
One method of narrowing the search can simply start with the landscape and weather. For perhaps obvious reasons, beach towns are a top choice for many retirees. The Carolinas have proven to be a prime prospective area for retirement as peaceful beachside communities are plentiful, the cost of living is typically reasonable, and tax policies on property and social security funds are quite lax if they even exist at all.
Famous Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, with its many things to do and see, is often what first comes to mind in this region, but the Carolinas offer much more than that. Here are some of the best beachside towns for retirement across the Carolinas.
A beautiful street view in New Bern, North Carolina
The 300-year-old city of New Bern is nestled upon the Neuse River and has many claims to fame. It is the former capital of North Carolina, Pepsi has its origins there, and renowned author Nicholas Sparks has cited this city as an inspiration for his work.
This city plentiful in outdoor recreation is based on the riverfront and the Atlantic coast is just a quick drive away, yet beachfront prices are nowhere to be seen. Historic homes downtown and some gated communities could make for a cozy place to settle down for retirement, as New Bern is officially a Certified Retirement Community of North Carolina.
Related: 10 U.S. Cities That Are Great To Visit, But Not Good For Retirement
A view of a boardwalk in Carolina Beach, NC
Carolina Beach is a well-rounded package to consider for retirement as it provides the feeling of a relaxing escape along expanses of sandy beaches with great fishing while still having much-needed modern amenities for retirees including nearby Medicare hospitals.
After a day of fishing or lounging at the beach, residents of the range of housing types in the area from modest stilt houses to more lavish condominiums tend to hit the vibrant tiki bars for live music or enjoy the boardwalk at sunset.
A beach in Duck, one of the best towns on the Outer Banks, North Carolina
The town of Duck in North Carolina's Outer Banks, which is full of overlooked gems great for summer getaways, provides a coastal village atmosphere and has for some time been known as a wonderful place to settle down and retire in.
Although small and quiet with a population of around 758, there are ample shopping and dining options and outdoor activities with which to enjoy the easy-breezy beach days. Nature lovers can also enjoy the guided walks along the boardwalk exploring the flora and fauna.
Related: Golden Season Getaways: 10 Small Towns Perfect To Visit In The Fall In North Carolina
Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Emerald Isle is found in Carteret County—which has been deemed the best place to retire in North Carolina based on overall living conditions, activities, and cost of living, and the isle itself—was rated Best Beach by USA Today in 2018.
This town spans only 12 miles of white sand beaches that sea turtles call home along with the human population of around 4,000. Emerald Isle offers a dreamy beach escape for retirement that feels like a far-off island but still has easy-to-reach shopping centers for anything the residents could need.
Boats on Hilton Head Island dock
Hilton Head Island is yet another gorgeous option in South Carolina for those seeking serenity in their golden years. It has some of the best pristine beaches and golf courses one could hope for as well as a long list of events, nightlife, and cultural activity.
Healthcare is plentiful on the island along with the renowned Medical University of South Carolina just a short drive away in Charleston.
Splendid Surfside Beach in South Carolina at sunset
The nickname "Family Beach" gives a valid summary of what life is like at Surfside Beach. It offers the expected water sports and beachfront dining all with an inspiring Atlantic backdrop which serves as a more secluded location compared to famous Myrtle Beach, which is a convenient 15-minute drive away.
Residents here enjoy frequent community events like outdoor movies and concerts as well as the annual Surfside BBQ Festival.
Tourists relaxing under a beach umbrella on Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms is a stunning beachfront suburb of Charleston with a population of around 4,000. It offers a retirement full of some of the best swimming and sailing around.
Despite the small population, shopping centers are plentiful, there are 10 hospitals, and some of its 27 golf courses have been rated in the top 40 of the entire country.
Related: These Are The 10 Best Islands To Retire In The World
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Retirees seeking a luxurious lifestyle on the coast could find a fitting home in Kiawah Island. The island provides a variety of upscale accommodations and lifestyle offerings to match it.
Kiawah Island particularly excels in keeping its residents active and offers a variety of activities including hiking and biking trails, top-notch golf, fitness centers, and yoga on the beach.
The island has already become a popular retirement destination and a lavish senior living community specifically to accommodate this is continuing to develop.
Small catamaran on the beach with Sullivan's Island lighthouse in the background
Sullivan's Island is another suburb of Charleston that is continuing to rise in popularity for retirement due to its quiet beachside lifestyle while still being mere minutes away from all that Charleston has to offer.
The average home price is quite high, but the reward is a truly quiet life of seclusion in a very small community. In contrast to other retirement destinations, no golf courses or fitness centers are to be found here.
Aside from some historical landmarks, there is nothing but upscale accommodations and dining along with a few nice places to get a drink.
The sunset over Cherry Grove Beach, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Renowned Myrtle Beach hardly needs an introduction as it is one of the most recognized names in the Carolinas. Aside from its endless options in dining, entertainment, arts, and culture, it also has a rather close proximity to Charleston which makes for some great road trips.
Although Myrtle Beach is a hot destination, its cost of living is 8% lower than the national average.
With all of these beautiful beach towns to retire to in the Carolinas, there is something for everyone—but they all include sandy beaches and surf.
From unsanitized cups to month-old sauce, South Carolina health inspectors found numerous violations at Myrtle Beach-area restaurants this week.The state releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Horry and Georgetown counties.Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in the last two weeks.The inspector found rodent chew marks and droppings at this restaurant, located inside th...
From unsanitized cups to month-old sauce, South Carolina health inspectors found numerous violations at Myrtle Beach-area restaurants this week.
The state releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments across Horry and Georgetown counties.
Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in the last two weeks.
The inspector found rodent chew marks and droppings at this restaurant, located inside the Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort. Some shelves had black mold on them and the handwashing sink in the server area had been removed. Clean plates were stored alongside an employee water bottle and keys. A required followup inspection has not yet been held. Read Webster’s full report.
The inspector observed moldy pepperoni stored in a cookline cooler. Paint peeled from the kitchen walls and ceiling. The dishwasher did not use any sanitizer and there was standing water underneath it. A required follow-up inspection was held on Oct. 12 and the restaurant got a B grade. Read Copacabana’s full report.
An inspector found a bucket of water sitting in the hand sink of this downtown Myrtle Beach location. The food warmer did not keep food cold and the inside of the door had duct tape on it. The required follow-up inspection was held on Oct. 12 and the restaurant got an A grade. Read Waffle House’s full report.
An inspector found month-old cream sauce in the walk-in cooler. Employees washed the cups, but did not sanitize them. Seafood soup did not cool down fast enough in the refrigerator. The required follow-up inspection was held on Oct. 11 and the restaurant got an A grade. Read La Ceiba’s full report.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — A new report from online lending marketplace LendingTree shows the cost to fly in and out of Myrtle Beach is seeing the 7th largest increase coast to coast, and while fewer passengers flew in and out of Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) in September, a spokesperson said they're still up from pre-pandemic levels.LendingTree analyzed the 100 largest airports, and MYR tied with Grand Rapi...
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — A new report from online lending marketplace LendingTree shows the cost to fly in and out of Myrtle Beach is seeing the 7th largest increase coast to coast, and while fewer passengers flew in and out of Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) in September, a spokesperson said they're still up from pre-pandemic levels.
LendingTree analyzed the 100 largest airports, and MYR tied with Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Colorado Springs, CO with a 15.8% price increase among domestic flights.
READ MORE: Victims speak at sentence hearing for Florence mass shooter, Fred Hopkins Jr.
MYR data shows this September, the airport saw 17,126 fewer passengers than September last year, and 7,835 fewer than two years ago.
Ryan Betcher, the airport's spokesperson, said the most recent month doesn't show the whole picture, though, because those were historic and unprecedented years.
“Even the FAA, as we’re working through different documents, cautioned us about using 2021 and 2022 as a baseline year. It’s going to take a little while to kind of stabilize and I think 2023 is probably the first real baseline year post-pandemic that we can really start using," he said, adding that they were able to use 2021 and 2022 as leverage to attract airlines to Myrtle Beach.
TRENDING: Conway couple invites community to see their 'killer' Halloween décor
We always knew and expected that this was going to normalize, as the rest of the country kind of came back and rebounded. I think we’re fully into that recovery period now. It’s a good thing though that our market has been able to retain almost all or a significant portion of the air service that we attracted in 2021 and 2022.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
In comparison to before the pandemic, this September saw 102,087 more passengers than September 2019, which Betcher said is a better example of the increase in people moving to the region, flying during the fall and winter. He said that's why they built the parking expansion, which is set to come online within the next couple of weeks.
Editor’s note: What Myrtle Beach people, places or things make you nostalgic? Tell us more about this story or other notable stories that our journalists should know about our community. Email us at online@thesunnews.com.In the last week, 75 Sun News readers nominated their favorite closed restaurants from Little River to Garden City and everywhere in between.In our form, readers shared their memories of...
Editor’s note: What Myrtle Beach people, places or things make you nostalgic? Tell us more about this story or other notable stories that our journalists should know about our community. Email us at online@thesunnews.com.
In the last week, 75 Sun News readers nominated their favorite closed restaurants from Little River to Garden City and everywhere in between.
In our form, readers shared their memories of kind staff, unforgettable flavors and irreplaceable atmospheres at 55 Grand Strand eateries.
Four restaurants rose to the top, with multiple reader nominations each. Now it’s your turn to vote for the most missed restaurant in the Myrtle Beach area. Reader submissions were lightly edited for clarity.
While they didn’t make it into the top four, each of these eateries received two nominations from Sun News readers.
Black Thai
Address: 710 Main St., Myrtle Beach
Readers enjoyed nights with friends over panang curry and drunken noodles at Black Thai. A recently departed favorite, Black Thai in downtown Myrtle Beach closed this August after 16 years in business.
Reader Alex wrote that, in addition to weekly Tuesday dinners, “every birthday for myself and my group of friends was spent here.” Tiffany of Forestbrook worked at Black Thai and fondly remembers the crispy chili chicken and her fellow employees.
Santa Fe Station
Address: 1101 Highway 17 N., North Myrtle Beach
The train car in the center of the building and a model train chugging on an overhead track made Santa Fe Station’s atmosphere unforgettable. So were the hush puppies and honey butter, said our readers.
The North Myrtle Beach restaurant was located where the Mellow Mushroom is now. In 2008, local restaurateur Ed Cribb bought the business, turning it into a steakhouse and renovating the one-of-a-kind building, according to Sun News reporting.
K&W Cafeteria
Addresses: four locations in the Myrtle Beach area
Sun News readers feasted on chicken pan pie and egg custard at K&W Cafeteria, which at its height had four locations in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and North Myrtle Beach. Starting in 2017, the area cafeterias gradually closed, according to The Sun News.
The low prices and kind employees stood out to our readers. Penny from Surfside Beach remembered, “At breakfast time, the wonderful lady that worked there had the best way of calling out ‘WAFFles!!’” Reader Susan loved “the little lady that called out ‘I need a shor stack.’”
You can still taste that beloved roast beef – 11 K&W Cafeterias are still open in North Carolina and Virginia, with one in Wilmington.
J. Edwards
Address: 2300 S. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach
For almost 40 years, owner J. Edward Fleming owned the Myrtle Beach steakhouse, which Sun News readers remember for their prime ribs. Located on South Kings Highway by the Myrtle Beach Airport, the restaurant closed in 2011 following Fleming’s passing, according to Sun News reporting at the time.
Nan went to the restaurant yearly for two decades while on vacation and remembered “meeting the owner who so graciously came to every table.” The Ohio resident described the atmosphere as “old-school” and “very classy,” while reader Les of Socastee recalled the “private gazebos for that special function with a loved one.”
You have until Oct. 25 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time to vote for your favorite. Please note this poll is just for fun and isn’t scientific.