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 Saint George, 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 Saint George, 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 Saint George 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 Saint George'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 Saint George.
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 Saint George, 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 Saint George, 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 Saint George, 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 Saint George, 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 consultationST. GEORGE — Fenced off and covered in tarps while demolition work can be heard taking place from inside, the former homes of The Inn at St. George and the Bicycle Collective are set to be torn down by the city soon.Over five years after buying the property with an intent to one day see it redeveloped, Marc Mortensen, St. George assistant city manager, told S...
ST. GEORGE — Fenced off and covered in tarps while demolition work can be heard taking place from inside, the former homes of The Inn at St. George and the Bicycle Collective are set to be torn down by the city soon.
Over five years after buying the property with an intent to one day see it redeveloped, Marc Mortensen, St. George assistant city manager, told St. George News on Thursday that the city is now moving on that goal.
With demolition set around the end of February, crews are currently going through the old hotel to remove lead asbestos found inside it, as well as the former Bicycle Collective building.
The city will also be back-filling the hotel’s pool and the basement of the other building and covering them over with road base to help keep the dust down, Mortensen said.
Once this is done, the city will be reaching out to developers to see who is interested in developing the property that sits on St. George Boulevard next door to Ancestor Square.
“It’s obviously a prime piece of property in the heart of our downtown area and a great piece of property for development,” Mortensen said.
A mix of retail and a restaurant, or perhaps even a new hotel or some sort of housing could be built there, he said, and also mentioned the possibility for another mixed use development like Joule Plaza or City View, the latter of which is across the street..
The City of St. George bought The Inn at St. George in late 2016 for $1.6 million. Though the city owned the property, it was privately operated for about a year afterward.
Later, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the hotel was converted by the Switchpoint Community Resource Center into a quarantine shelter for homeless individuals who had contracted the coronavirus.
The hotel was originally called the TraveLodge Inn and opened sometime between 1961 and 1972, according to the Washington County Historical Society. It was also known as the Ancestor Inn and St. George Best Inn.
Around the time the city bought the hotel, it was also in the process of buying the neighbor building that once housed the St. George Bicycle Collective. The Collective has since relocated to 39 Bluff St. in St. George.
Before then, it served as the home of an Intermountain Healthcare thrift store that eventually transitioned into the Switchpoint Thrift Store in 2016 and changed locations. Long before that, the building was the site of the Trafalga restaurant which was also served as a Greyhound bus stop for a time.
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Small town hospitality and historic charm are hallmarks of St. George the county seat of Dorchester County. Originally known as George’s Station along the South Carolina Railroad, the Town of St. George was incorporated in January 1875.Before the construction of Interstates 26 and 95, St. George was a popular stop for tourists traveling to Florida by way of U.S. Highway 15. Today, the Town of St. George is easily accessible from the interstate.Dive deep into the town’s local history at ...
Small town hospitality and historic charm are hallmarks of St. George the county seat of Dorchester County. Originally known as George’s Station along the South Carolina Railroad, the Town of St. George was incorporated in January 1875.
Before the construction of Interstates 26 and 95, St. George was a popular stop for tourists traveling to Florida by way of U.S. Highway 15. Today, the Town of St. George is easily accessible from the interstate.
Dive deep into the town’s local history at The Heritage Museum, located in the former County Courthouse at 101 Ridge St. A nonprofit formed in 2014, the Dorchester County Archives & History Center is dedicated to preserving the past for future generations. The organization is working to digitize more than 100,000 documents for researchers. Plus, a detailed photo collection of the Lowcountry donated by Brandon Coffey is available to view at the museum. Visit Tuesday through Saturday; tickets are $5 each for adults.
Appleby’s Methodist Church is a one-story wooden Methodist church built between 1840 and 1850. Visit today to see how the church looked in the mid-1800s – an example of Greek Revival meeting house style – with two rows of pews thought to be the originals. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Feb. 14, 1978.
Indian Field Camp Ground is a rustic and simple Methodist campground still in use today. It was built in 1848 with 99 wooden cabins that form a circle around a large wooden tabernacle and preaching area. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 30, 1973.
Another of the area’s Methodist camps is Shady Grove, a place of worship created by former slaves in 1870. The campground consisted of rustic cabins – known as "tents – that have been passed down from generation to generation. Fire destroyed the original tents in the late 1950s. Even though they were replaced, many of those tents burned in two more fires. Much of the camp was rebuilt in the early 1990s. Families continue to gather each October for camp meeting of fellowship and worship.
There are also two additional Methodist campgrounds in the surrounding area, St. Paul and Cypress, making this part of the county a time capsule for long-standing religious traditions.
Don’t miss the historic Koger-Murray-Carroll-House, so named in honor of its past owners. Dating back to at least 1775, was once an important stagecoach stop between inland settlements and Charleston. The exact construction date remains unknown, but it's thought to be the oldest house in Dorchester County.
Located in the heart of St. George is the Klauber Building. Built in 1894, it was first a mercantile serving a community bustling with railroad commerce. Today, the building houses an area chamber of commerce, visitor center and town museum. It’s open each weekday.
The Klauber also hosts the weekly St. George Farmers Market. Stop by from 3-6 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 27 for local farm fresh produce, foods, art, culture and music.
Also situated in the center of St. George at 206 Parler Avenue is the Lourie Theatre, built in the 1920s to show silent movies. In the early 1980s, the theatre closed, and the building began to deteriorate. Several years later, a group of dedicated community members banded together to restore the theatre – now a vibrant performing arts center for the town.
Constructed in 1925, the Rosenwald School was a six-teacher school created by educator Booker T. Washington and the philanthropic president of Sears & Roebuck, Julius Rosenwald. The two men began a program to construction schools for African-American children. They completed 5,400 schools in states around the South. Thousands of children attended these schools between 1912 and the late 1950s when schools became integrated. In 2014, the school, located at 205 Ann Street, was given in trust to the Town of St. George and work began on the restoration and preservation of the building.
Before you start your journey exploring St. George stop by the Klauber Building at 225 Parler Avenue for tips and directions.
You’ll see many beautiful vintage homes driving around St. George, including the 1912 Badham House, pictured here.
A developer is requesting to change more than 360 acres of residential land to industrial land.ST. GEORGE, S.C. (WCSC) - Calling one place home all your life until a rezoning request sign pops up on your street. That is what happened to a group of people who live in St. George.One developer is requesting to change more than 360 acres of residential land to industrial land that would affect large properties off Highway 78 one mile east of St. George.Although Dorchester County’s plans do not say what exactly will be ...
A developer is requesting to change more than 360 acres of residential land to industrial land.
ST. GEORGE, S.C. (WCSC) - Calling one place home all your life until a rezoning request sign pops up on your street. That is what happened to a group of people who live in St. George.
One developer is requesting to change more than 360 acres of residential land to industrial land that would affect large properties off Highway 78 one mile east of St. George.
Although Dorchester County’s plans do not say what exactly will be built in this area, a number of residents who have spent their whole lives here say they want their land to be kept the way they’ve always known it to be.
Richard Myers was born on Sugar Hill Road in St. George and has lived here all his life.
“Everybody seems to know that something big is going to happen in this area except the people that live here,” Myers said.
He owns around 37 acres, which has the possibility of turning into industrial land.
“All of this that we’re standing on now used to be our farm, but as the years changed... the farm got smaller,” Myers said. “But we still got a farm, and we want to keep it that way. We don’t want a factory sitting in the middle of it or a warehouse.”
Another resident in the area, Barbara Felder, is the sixth generation in her family to live here. Her grandparents and aunt’s home is still on the land.
She was asked what her reaction was when she first saw the Dorchester County rezoning sign down the street.
“We were shocked,” Felder said. “There were no letters or no communication about the changes in our area.”
Felder says she worries about how this rezoning could affect pollution, their roads and access to emergency vehicles.
“We shouldn’t let the county nor the developer to come in our community and tell us what to do as taxpayers and for our future,” Felder said.
Myers says he has no intention of selling his land but knows his taxes will rise if he doesn’t.
“If they want your property, they’re going to get it because they’re going to run your taxes sky high until you say, ‘Enough,’” Myers said. “‘I got to sell it because I can’t pay the taxes.’”
Both of them say they want to be involved with the rezoning process.
“We are tired of explaining and they need to change and not think about the almighty dollar that’s coming into Dorchester County area,” Felder said.
Dorchester County did not respond for a comment because Monday was a holiday. This rezoning still has to go through three readings before it can be approved.
To take a closer look at the official rezoning plan from the county, click here.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
ST. GEORGE — Despite pushback from several residents, Dorchester County council has rezoned over 270 acres of land to industrial.The original plan was to rezone two parcels of land: 272 acres along Pecan Tree Road and Highway 78, and 88 acres along Pecan Tree Road and Sugar Hill Lane. The planning commission decided against the smaller section, considering how close it was to the Sugar Hill community.Before the vote, the land was zoned as agricultural residential, meant for both building homes and farming in rural portion...
ST. GEORGE — Despite pushback from several residents, Dorchester County council has rezoned over 270 acres of land to industrial.
The original plan was to rezone two parcels of land: 272 acres along Pecan Tree Road and Highway 78, and 88 acres along Pecan Tree Road and Sugar Hill Lane. The planning commission decided against the smaller section, considering how close it was to the Sugar Hill community.
Before the vote, the land was zoned as agricultural residential, meant for both building homes and farming in rural portions of the county. This zoning requires the density to not exceed one principal dwelling per acre of land, and should have its own sanitation through an on-site disposal system or sewer connection.
With an industrial rezoning, the land will allow for warehousing, distribution, as well as manufacturing. The county is still undecided on what specifically will be done with this parcel of land, but county council vice chairman David Chinnis said there are developers looking to buy the property.
Chinnis added that rezoning the parcel to industrial — to be a part of Winding Woods Commerce Park — had been the plan since it was purchased by an LLC in 2006.
Numerous St. George residents had spoken at county council and planning commissions meetings voicing their concerns over the rezoning.
Betty Collins, a pastor at New Hope AME Church, specified how residents worry about the noise any new industry may bring, and the county hasn’t shared any information with residents regarding how they will protect the community from potential nuisances.
“In (Dorchester County’s) ordinance it says for industry and manufacturing, you are allowed 90 decibels as your standard, when the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health says nothing over 80. Anything over 80 then damages your hearing or causes hearing loss,” Collins said.
St. George resident Barbara Felder spoke as well. Her message was very clear: “No to rezoning.”
“Our family was here before any of you were ever born,” Felder said. “We are speaking for our ancestors who built this community, and now it’s our job to sing for our future generation. ... No to erasing our history of Sugar Hill Road of over 120 years. ... No to heavy industry, just flat out no.”
County Councilwoman Harriet Holman reassured those who had concerns about the rezoning that the council is taking the comments to heart.
“To the people that came in to speak tonight about this particular parcel, we did hear everything you said,” Holman said. “...I know you all are concerned, but the county does have your best interests at heart.”
Employer: Armando’s Mexican Restaurant LLCInvestigation site: 5792 Memorial Blvd. Saint George, South Carolina 29477Investigation findings: Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division found that the employer allowed some employees to work off-the-clock without compensation, a violation of the Fa...
Employer: Armando’s Mexican Restaurant LLC
Investigation site: 5792 Memorial Blvd. Saint George, South Carolina 29477
Investigation findings: Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division found that the employer allowed some employees to work off-the-clock without compensation, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees performed work when they reported to work before their scheduled shift time or stayed after their shift ended. In addition, Armando’s paid a fixed salary to some employees, failing to pay an overtime premium for all hours over 40 in a workweek. Investigators also determined the employer failed to keep complete and accurate records of the number of hours worked by employees.
Back Wages and Liquidated Damages Recovered: $38,610 for 17 workers and an equal amount in liquidated damages.
Quote: “Restaurant workers are some of the community’s lowest-paid workers. When employers fail to pay these workers all of their legally earned wages, workers and their families find it harder to make ends meet. Illegally withholding wages also give employers an unfair advantage over their law-abiding competitors,” said Wage and Hour District Director Jamie Benefiel in Columbia, South Carolina. “The Wage and Hour Division is able to provide resources to both employers and employees to help understand their responsibilities and rights under the law.”
Background: Employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. The division also offers numerous online resources for employers, such as a fact sheet on Fair Labor Standards Act wage laws overtime requirements. Workers who feel they may not be getting the wages they earned may contact a Wage and Hour Division representative in their state through a list and interactive online map on the agency’s website. Workers and employers alike can help ensure hours worked and pay are accurate by downloading the department’s Android Timesheet App for free.