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 near Orangeburg, 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 Greenwood 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 Greenwood 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 Orangeburg'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 near Orangeburg.
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 near Orangeburg, SC, along with some helpful tips from our experienced wedding venue staff:
Choosing the appropriate-sized 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 near Orangeburg, 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 near Orangeburg, 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 near Orangeburg, 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 consultationSANTEE, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina could be getting its first and only casino in the small town of Santee in Orangeburg County.Santee Development Corporation’s impact study shows it could bring an economic boom to the small, underdeveloped community.Santee Development Corporation estimates the development of the casino and resort to bring over 4 million annual visitors from in and out of state. Mega donor Wallace Cheves plans to fund the project off of I-95.Right now, abandoned buildings that used to be a part of...
SANTEE, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina could be getting its first and only casino in the small town of Santee in Orangeburg County.
Santee Development Corporation’s impact study shows it could bring an economic boom to the small, underdeveloped community.
Santee Development Corporation estimates the development of the casino and resort to bring over 4 million annual visitors from in and out of state. Mega donor Wallace Cheves plans to fund the project off of I-95.
Right now, abandoned buildings that used to be a part of the Santee Outlet Mall in Orangeburg County are where the development would go. They have been sitting for more than a decade.
A recent economic development study shows that the investment in the Santee area would support the underdeveloped Orangeburg community. The study found it would generate over $75 million in annual tax revenue according to Santee Development Corporation. The same study says it would create a total of 4,618 jobs in the state annually.
College of Charleston Professor of Economics Frank Hefner says with a town that small he thinks they’d need to bring in others from outside the community for some of those jobs.
“In that community of that size, where are the people going to come from? And that again could change the dynamics of the community, but that’s true for every community. Growth changes things in a community and that’s going to happen. To a large extent, that corridor has been left behind on economic growth for quite some time and so they need it,” Hefner said.
“In addition to the $1 billion construction cost, independent economic projections estimate an $8 billion impact on South Carolina’s economy within the first 10 years, creating thousands of good-paying jobs, driving tourism and expanding business opportunities for local communities,” Cheves said in a statement.
The Santee Development Corporation said not a dime of public money would be used. There are not any state or county incentives and it would all be privately funded.
In order to make this happen, the group is working with legislators to get a bill passed to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws. Representative Chris Murphy is the lead sponsor. It aims to establish the ‘South Carolina Gaming Commission’ to award casino licenses in certain counties.
If you want to take a closer look at that bill, click here.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - If a newly filed legislation is passed, South Carolinians will not have to leave the state to visit a casino.If the bill becomes a law, a $1 billion dollar casino project could move forward in Orangeburg county.The location for the proposed development would sit at the former Santee outlet shopping center which closed more than 10 years ago and is abandoned just off the I-95 corridor.The bill is called the I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act, which would allow three counties within th...
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - If a newly filed legislation is passed, South Carolinians will not have to leave the state to visit a casino.
If the bill becomes a law, a $1 billion dollar casino project could move forward in Orangeburg county.
The location for the proposed development would sit at the former Santee outlet shopping center which closed more than 10 years ago and is abandoned just off the I-95 corridor.
The bill is called the I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act, which would allow three counties within the Palmetto state, Orangeburg, Dillion, and Marlboro the ability to build casino resorts.
“I think that if we had more of an economic boost in Santee, the pay would go up, people would be happier and more areas would get the funding that they need,” said Nikole Willis one homeowner who lives by the proposed development site.
The site used to be home to thousands of shoppers looking for bargains.
The site could be home to millions testing their luck at another form of legal gambling to be approved in South Carolina.
“It could really, really be a game-changer,” said house representative Chris Murphy.
Murphy is the lead sponsor of the I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act. Hargues the corridor needs an economic boost, hence the chosen location for the project.
“You would draw a lot of people that right now, that don’t have economic opportunities, don’t have job opportunities in their own counties, but it would be a cental point for them”, said Murphy “have all the confidence in the world that this would be a game changer for this area”.
Murphy said Orangeburg County is considered a tier four county meaning it lacks economic opportunity, a reason some homeowners argue this development could benefit the area.
WIS spoke with several travelers and homeowners near the development to hear what they had to say about the bill and the proposed project.
Nikole Willis said she just recently traveled to North Carolina for a casino trip, and said despite her approval of the project, many of her own neighbors are against it.
“I know there are a lot of people that are against it because its growth and its development but we are never going to grow if we don’t accept these new things”, said Willis.
A spokesperson with the Santee Development Corporation said the casino and resort could bring in nearly 5,000 jobs and a $75 million-dollar annual tax revenue. They expect over four million annual visitors including travelers from out of state.
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Copyright 2025 WIS. All rights reserved.
Authorities charged a music teacher at Lockett Elementary with assault after allegedly dragging a student by his feet and arm, captured on video.ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A music teacher at Lockett Elementary School in Orangeburg County is facing charges after deputies say she dragged a 5-year-old student down a hallway by his feet and arm, authorities said.According to the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Department, the incident occurred on April 9 and...
Authorities charged a music teacher at Lockett Elementary with assault after allegedly dragging a student by his feet and arm, captured on video.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A music teacher at Lockett Elementary School in Orangeburg County is facing charges after deputies say she dragged a 5-year-old student down a hallway by his feet and arm, authorities said.
According to the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Department, the incident occurred on April 9 and was captured on school surveillance video. An arrest warrant states that a witness reported the child became upset when another student received a treat. The child reportedly began tearing up the music room and hitting the teacher.
Deputies say the teacher, identified as Cadra Salley, allegedly responded by carrying the student by his feet and dragging him by the arm down the hallway to the principal's office. Salley has been charged with assault and third-degree battery.
The Orangeburg County School District confirmed Salley is no longer employed by the district.
In a statement to WLTX, the district said:
“As your questions pertain to a specific incident for which an investigation is currently underway, Orangeburg County School District will not respond at this time. We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure that all matters are handled thoroughly and appropriately. Please know that the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority, and we remain committed to maintaining safe, supportive, and orderly learning environments across all schools in the district.”
Sherry East, president of the South Carolina Education Association and a longtime teacher, said safety in the classroom is becoming an increasing concern across the state.
"Unfortunately, yes ... we receive too many calls of children that are putting their hands on teachers. The number one concern that our members have right now is discipline in the classroom," East said.
According to Orangeburg County School District policy, when a teacher is assaulted or threatened, staff are required to notify supervisors, involve law enforcement if needed, file written complaints, and take disciplinary action when appropriate.
East explained that in some situations, teachers are trained to use a “clear the classroom” method, removing other students from the room to de-escalate situations involving distressed or aggressive children.
“If a child starts being aggressive or displaying any of these behaviors, the teacher's job is to clear the room to make sure everyone's safe, so they clear the classroom, and then we call for help, and then somebody has to come in and calm down this child that has, you know, become disruptive or aggressive, you know, so hopefully no one gets hurt,” East said.
News 19 reached out to Salley’s lawyer but did not receive a response before publication.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - Thousands of people have been posting on social media to save a restaurant in Orangeburg County.The Dairy-O restaurant has been in Orangeburg for more than 75 years. It’s one of the few locally-owned fast food restaurants left in the county.Community members made ...
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - Thousands of people have been posting on social media to save a restaurant in Orangeburg County.
The Dairy-O restaurant has been in Orangeburg for more than 75 years. It’s one of the few locally-owned fast food restaurants left in the county.
Community members made a social media campaign to save the restaurant after its owner, Tommy Robinson, said the restaurant could be lost due to plans to build a new courthouse right next door.
Robinson’s restaurant could be bought through eminent domain laws, so construction of the courthouse will be in compliance with state regulations for driveway spacing and easements around public buildings.
“They’d made an offer a couple years back,” said Robinson. “I didn’t take the offer. About four months ago, I had a letter of possible eminent domain come in.”
If that happens — the county can purchase the land from the owner at fair market value, but the owner would not get money for the business.
County officials said they originally hoped the courthouse being closer would bring more people to the Dairy-O and added they are now trying to find a solution so this institution can stay.
“At the end of the day, we’re just trying to work this out,” said Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young. “We’ve been in contact with the business owner and council and we’re trying to see if we can come up with a solution. Don’t need any backlash, we’re just trying to do what’s right for the citizens.”
Michael Butler, the mayor of Orangeburg, said the city’s zoning board could issue a variance that would make recommendations for repositioning current plans for the new courthouse.
So far, the mayor says the city has not gotten involved.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2025 WIS. All rights reserved.
A major housing project between Santee and Vance was scaled down after planning hurdles and shifting demand for single-family homes.ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A new housing project is set to transform a 221-acre stretch of land off Old Number Six Highway, located between Santee and Vance, into a residential development. The development will bring 600 new homes to the area.BRD Land and Investment submitted plans to the county's Planning and Zoning Commis...
A major housing project between Santee and Vance was scaled down after planning hurdles and shifting demand for single-family homes.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A new housing project is set to transform a 221-acre stretch of land off Old Number Six Highway, located between Santee and Vance, into a residential development. The development will bring 600 new homes to the area.
BRD Land and Investment submitted plans to the county's Planning and Zoning Commission for the project. In 2023, the company had proposed building 700 homes, including around 100 townhomes. However, the county has approved a slightly reduced number of homes, following adjustments by the developer and challenges during the planning process.
Preston McClun, with the county's Zoning and Planning Office, explained that the developer found more interest in single-family homes rather than townhouses and other reasons.
"I believe that they saw more interest for the single-family residential houses and not townhouses, and they also ran into an eagle’s nest back up the property that they had to lose a couple of lots for," McClun said.
Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young said that the county is poised for continued growth, and housing development is necessary to accommodate future needs.
“Charleston, Summerville, Dorchester, and all those areas have seen explosions and growth to the point that the price going in the land is, and the availability of it, is in short supply. " Young said. "At the end of the day, Orangeburg County has 1,100 square miles and a lot of rural territory that's undeveloped, so the developers have seen that if they come to Orangeburg County, they can find the right price point for the land as well as the land to do development.”
McClun explained that before a subdivision can be approved, it must meet all county ordinances, zoning requirements, and engineering and permitting standards.
“So, the only time a subdivision is approved by the counties is if it meets all minimum standards of county ordinances, including the zoning ordinance and the subdivision land regulations," McClun said. "If the developer is able to show that they meet all engineering requirements, permitting requirements, and the property is suitable for it, like zoning allows for it, they will have their subdivision approved.”
News 19 also reached out to the developer for comment but did not hear back before our deadline.