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 Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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 Sumter 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 Sumter'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 Sumter.
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 Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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 Sumter, 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 consultationCOLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Rodney Ellis, 71, of Sumter, was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in defrauding a local non-profit organization.Evidence presented to the Court showed that while serving as the Financial Officer for Sumter Behavioral Health Services (SBHS), a 501c3 non-profit, Ellis defrauded the non-profit out of more than $800,000 over eight years. His scheme was to divert funds from SBHS banking accounts to his own personal banking accounts.United State...
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Rodney Ellis, 71, of Sumter, was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in defrauding a local non-profit organization.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that while serving as the Financial Officer for Sumter Behavioral Health Services (SBHS), a 501c3 non-profit, Ellis defrauded the non-profit out of more than $800,000 over eight years. His scheme was to divert funds from SBHS banking accounts to his own personal banking accounts.
United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Ellis to 33 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Ellis was also ordered to pay restitution to SBHS in the amount of $812,259.07. There is no parole in the federal system.
“By stealing from an organization that serves those suffering from substance abuse, Ellis took from those he should have been protecting,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “This case shows that financial crimes are not victimless, and often do the most harm to those who need help the most. This office will continue to aggressively prosecute fraud, and we appreciate the efforts of all state and federal agencies involved in this case.”
“Ellis used his position of power to take advantage of a system designed to help those with substance abuse challenges,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Columbia Special Agent in Charge, Susan Ferensic. “Our work is not finished. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to dismantle the schemes that hurt health organizations and we will hold the perpetrators accountable.”
“I am grateful to the United States Attorney’s Office for their efforts in bringing Rodney Ellis to justice,” said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis “Ellis betrayed the trust of not only members of the Sumter Behavioral Health office, but the citizens of Sumter County. We hope the message is clear that anyone who betrays the trust of their employer by taking funds will be held responsible and all efforts will be utilized to bring them to justice.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Sumter County Sherriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower prosecuted the case.
Contact
Derek Shoemake, Public Information Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, derek.shoemake@usdoj.gov, (843) 813-0982
At just eight years old, Lane Russell is now a published author. With help from his grandma, he wrote about his time visiting the USS Yorktown.SUMTER, S.C. — Writing a book is no easy feat, but for one third-grader in Sumter, it was a way to share his passion for the military with his family and friends.At just 8 years old, Lane Russell can call himself a published author.It all started with a trip to the USS Yorktown ...
At just eight years old, Lane Russell is now a published author. With help from his grandma, he wrote about his time visiting the USS Yorktown.
SUMTER, S.C. — Writing a book is no easy feat, but for one third-grader in Sumter, it was a way to share his passion for the military with his family and friends.
At just 8 years old, Lane Russell can call himself a published author.
It all started with a trip to the USS Yorktown near Charleston.
"They were like one of my favorite ships so I was like, 'Wow, it was big!" Russell exclaimed. "I just couldn't say a word."
His grandparents surprised him with the trip and took a lot of pictures while they were there.
"My grandma said, 'Hey, you want to make a book?' and I said, 'Yes, please," he explained.
His grandmother Marialaina Davis says she gave him a tape recorder and then transcribed what he said. She said at first, the idea was to make a journal.
"I think just looking at the pictures, the pictures were just so beautiful," Davis shared. "And I said, 'You got to put this in a book.' And then when he got the recorder and went picture by picture, noting everything that he did and everything he remembered, I had to have a book."
"I was amazed!" Russell remembers. "The first time I saw it, it wasn’t really the book. It was just like little papers. So I read it whole and I was like ‘This is actually pretty good."
Now that book is sold on Amazon and is in his school’s library. He’s even getting ready for book signings to show it off.
"I’ve sold my book like a lot of times. People have been like buying it every day," Russell told me. "It feels amazing. I'm just glad that people like it."
And Russell’s grandma, who is calls GaGa, is beaming with pride.
"Yeah, you don't see that much patriotism in a little guy, especially his age, eight years old," she smiled.
Russell says that while he hasn’t seen any money in royalties yet, he plans to donate it all to charity.
A boy from Sumter suffered a stroke during a typical day at school. Now, his family wants others to learn from this situation.COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Friday afternoon, a 13-year-old Furman Middle School student sat in his hospital bed asking for chicken nuggets and Gatorade - just 11 days after a stroke.On Feb. 6, Daniel went to school like any normal day. He said he wasn't feeling well, and went to the front office of ...
A boy from Sumter suffered a stroke during a typical day at school. Now, his family wants others to learn from this situation.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — On Friday afternoon, a 13-year-old Furman Middle School student sat in his hospital bed asking for chicken nuggets and Gatorade - just 11 days after a stroke.
On Feb. 6, Daniel went to school like any normal day. He said he wasn't feeling well, and went to the front office of Furman Middle School to call his mom. At this point, his speech was slurred and he couldn't talk on the phone.
The staff in the front office asked his mother, Jennifer Lynch, to come to pick him up. Jennifer said that when she arrived she had to help her son to the car because he was weak and limp on his right side.
She took him home and let him sleep before sending him to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter. Since then, Lynch says the past week has been unnerving for her family.
"We didn't expect a 13-year-old to ever go through this," she said.
Doctors said he suffered a five-centimeter aneurysm which caused him to have what is called a hemorrhagic stroke, something most adults do not survive.
Daniel's grandparents Rhonda and Charles Ahtonen said they want this situation to be a learning experience for others.
"We hope that some other parent or grandparent won't have to go through what we went through," Charles said. "That's all we're trying to do is help that next kid that comes into the office and is having difficulty so they know exactly what they need to do."
We reached out to the Sumter School District to see if employees are trained to deal with these situations.
They sent back this statement that said:
"MERT teams are available at our schools to assist with medical emergencies that are common in children. Since this was so unique, additional training will take place next week to help ensure school staff is able to identify signs and symptoms of a stroke."
Daniel is slowly improving, cracking jokes and asking for donuts - even after a lengthy surgery to put a filter on his artery to prevent the blood clot from moving any further.
His right arm is not moving but he can move his right leg now, and his family is hoping that, with more physical therapy, he'll have regular use of these limbs again.
Once he is ready, Daniel's family said he will be transferred to a rehab center in Charlotte.
It's important to recognize the signs of a stroke. Fortunately, there is a common mnemonic device to help remember some of the most common symptoms: FAST
F: Facial Drooping
A: Arm Weakness
S: Speech Difficulty
T: Time to call 911
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Sumter County School District students have lost class time because the district’s bus system failed to get them to school on time.In February, district staff reported the bus system is costing students class time at all levels of learning and arriving late to pick them up. The district used snapshot data of a single day earlier in the month.The data shows 59 percent of the school buses to the district’s middle schools that day were late. Almost one-third of the high school buses were late, wh...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Sumter County School District students have lost class time because the district’s bus system failed to get them to school on time.
In February, district staff reported the bus system is costing students class time at all levels of learning and arriving late to pick them up. The district used snapshot data of a single day earlier in the month.
The data shows 59 percent of the school buses to the district’s middle schools that day were late. Almost one-third of the high school buses were late, while 13 percent of the elementary school buses failed to make it on time.
Some buses arrived in excess of one hour late to school.
District leaders largely attribute this to a bus driver shortage.
The district reported it is 40 drivers short as of Wednesday. It currently has 62 drivers and 19 substitutes.
The largely-new board reacted with some surprise and dismay at the news. Chair Ralph Canty Sr. said the board will be creating a committee to address the issue in response.
RELATED STORY: Sumter Co. School Board undergoes significant turnover after election
“We understand [parent’s] anxiety, we are working diligently to fix the problem,” he said.
It’s unclear how long or how severe the late arrivals have been, but parent Kellie Haley said the issue has been persisting for her two high school students for months.
She said it’s impacted her daughter’s grades in her first-period class.
“It sucks because it’s not her fault,” she said.
Superintendent Dr. William Wright Jr. said additional funding for the district would help it better compete with other districts on recruitment and retention of bus drivers.
“Not only are not competitive when you talk about industries and different things in the area. We’re not even competitive with our neighboring school districts in some cases, which includes bus driving,” he said.
Despite this, he said the number of bus drivers has risen since the start of the school year.
The district is actively hiring bus drivers.
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The knife was found and confiscated before he had the chance to directly threaten any students or teachers, officials said.SUMTER, S.C. — Authorities are clarifying earlier details and sharing new ones regarding a Sumter County 7-year-old who is accused of bringing a knife to school with the intent of stabbing other students and teach...
The knife was found and confiscated before he had the chance to directly threaten any students or teachers, officials said.
SUMTER, S.C. — Authorities are clarifying earlier details and sharing new ones regarding a Sumter County 7-year-old who is accused of bringing a knife to school with the intent of stabbing other students and teachers.
The Sumter County Sheriff's Office said that they now believe the Cherryvale Elementary School student never directly threatened any student or teacher with the 7-inch knife he brought with him. Instead, authorities say a teacher noticed the knife as he opened his backpack. The sheriff's office added that the teacher then contacted the school resource officer who then confiscated the knife.
It was during an interview with the school resource officer and a principal that the student announced that he intended to stab the teacher and students - particularly a child who had been "picking" on him.
The sheriff's office also detailed the future legal process for the child since he is too young to be charged criminally. The office said a child under the age of 11, also can't be detained by law enforcement without an order from a family court.
"The Sheriff's Office does not impose or enforce discipline of children and questions about any disciplinary actions should be addressed to the Sumter School District," the sheriff's office said in its statement.
The sheriff's office is investigating, however, if there was any negligence in the child getting the knife in the first place. In this case, the child's parents could face charges.
The incident will also be referred to the S.C. Department of Social Services after the sheriff's office investigation ends.
“We will do everything within our power to protect our children from harm," Sheriff Anthony Dennis said in a statement. "At the same time, we support school and DSS officials as they work to balance discipline and compassion with all children."
So far in the investigation, the sheriff's office has said it hasn't received any information about "warning signs" regarding the child that were noticed by faculty or staff that would have prompted action.