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 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 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 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 near 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 near Sumter, 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 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 near 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 near 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 consultationSUMTER, S.C. (WIS) - A Sumter County substitute teacher was recently jailed after deputies say she made inappropriate comments to a minor.41-year-old Nicole Crumb was arrested on May 28 and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor as well as contributing to the delinquency of a minor.She was booked into the Sumter County Detention Center and has since been released on a $22,500 bond.Crumb was a substitute teacher through a third-party agency known as Kelly Education, which employs substitutes to work in the place of r...
SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) - A Sumter County substitute teacher was recently jailed after deputies say she made inappropriate comments to a minor.
41-year-old Nicole Crumb was arrested on May 28 and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor as well as contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
She was booked into the Sumter County Detention Center and has since been released on a $22,500 bond.
Crumb was a substitute teacher through a third-party agency known as Kelly Education, which employs substitutes to work in the place of regular employees for teachers, paraprofessionals, clerical employees, custodians and food service workers.
She started assignments in the Sumter School District in February of 2023, with her last known assignment in March of this year.
The school district said she is no longer an active substitute teacher, and they have requested to remove her from all assignments.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said Crumb was her daughter’s teacher at Hillcrest Middle School.
“As a mom, it’s disgusting,” she said. “As a mom, it’s scary. As a person, something has to be wrong with her.”
The woman said she had to have some difficult conversations with her daughter after she saw her teacher’s mugshot.
“Talk to your kids, make your kids aware that conversations like that between children and adults is not inappropriate,” she said. “Speak to them every day. Let them know that it’s OK to come and talk to you. Make sure there’s a line of communication between you and your child for your child to come and talk to you because it seems to be getting to be more of a common occurrence nowadays.”
She added that in today’s world, those conversations are necessary.
WIS asked the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office if investigators have any reason to believe that Crumb was doing anything inappropriate while in her role as a substitute.
The Sheriff’s Office said they cannot rule anything out, as the investigation is ongoing.
The incident report includes some disturbing details.
It alleges that Crumb has sent inappropriate messages to a teenaged boy and asked him some explicit questions.
“They’re being preyed on, it’s scary,” the Hillcrest parent said.
The teen told his parents, according to the report, that Crumb “texts all the kids,” implying that she communicates regularly with several of his classmates.
The victim also stated that Crumb’s home is known to be a “party place.”
“Don’t give anyone leeway to get to your kids because it happens and it’s happening more,” the anonymous parent said.
The Sheriff’s Office would not say whether there are more victims, citing the ongoing investigation.
Kelly Education said in a statement, “The safety and well-being of the students we serve is our top priority. The substitute teacher has been removed from all assignments. We intend to fully cooperate with the authorities in their investigation.”
This is a developing story. Stay with WIS News 10 for more details.
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Check your tickets.Someone recently bought a record-breaking game, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said Tuesday in a news release.The person who bought a Palmetto Cash 5 ticket in Sumter won a $1,132,000 grand prize, which is the largest-ever rolling jackpot for a South Carolina lottery game, according to the release.Now a search is underway for the winner.What turned out to be the seven-figure winning Palmetto Cash 5 ...
Check your tickets.
Someone recently bought a record-breaking game, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said Tuesday in a news release.
The person who bought a Palmetto Cash 5 ticket in Sumter won a $1,132,000 grand prize, which is the largest-ever rolling jackpot for a South Carolina lottery game, according to the release.
Now a search is underway for the winner.
What turned out to be the seven-figure winning Palmetto Cash 5 ticket was sold at the Kwik Mart gas station/convenience store at 2350 Peach Orchard Road in Sumter, officials said.
The winning numbers from Monday’s drawing were 4, 7, 10, 20 and 30.
The Palmetto Cash 5 ticket matched all five numbers drawn to win the game’s top prize, officials said.
The winner has 180 days to claim the six-figure prize, according to lottery officials.
The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.
“Sign the back of your ticket and put it in a safe location until you’re ready to come forward to claim the prize,” lottery officials said.
For complete information on claiming prizes, go to sceducationlottery.com.
The jackpot rolled 44 times before Monday’s win, according to the release.
The odds of winning $1,132,000 playing Palmetto Cash 5 are 850,668-to-1, officials said.
The Kwik Mart will receive a commission for selling the winning ticket when it is turned into lottery officials.
The Palmetto Cash 5 jackpot for Tuesday night’s drawing is reset at $100,000.
It costs $2 to purchase a Palmetto Cash 5 ticket, and drawings are held on a daily basis at 6:59 p.m., officials said.
Sumter’s Pocotaligo River had the highest PFAS levels among 22 U.S. waterways tested in a nationwide study, raising public health concerns.SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A recent study by the Waterkeeper Alliance has revealed alarming levels of PFAS contamination in the Pocotaligo River in Sumter, finding it is the most contaminated among 22 waterways tested across 19 states.&ldqu...
Sumter’s Pocotaligo River had the highest PFAS levels among 22 U.S. waterways tested in a nationwide study, raising public health concerns.
SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A recent study by the Waterkeeper Alliance has revealed alarming levels of PFAS contamination in the Pocotaligo River in Sumter, finding it is the most contaminated among 22 waterways tested across 19 states.
“It was the worst, by far, on total PFAS. It was the most contaminated site out of all, I believe. It was out of 22 that was studied,” said Erin Donmoyer, Black-Sampit Riverkeeper.
The findings are based on samples collected in September 2022. Donmoyer suspects a nearby wastewater treatment facility may be a significant contributor to the contamination.
“It’s suspected that one or more of the industrial pre-treatment users is probably the larger source of PFAS coming into the system so if the wastewater treatment plant issues limits PFAS for their treatment users then that can be a solution to the problem,” she said.
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic substances that do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. Long-term exposure to certain PFAS has been linked to health risks, including cancer and liver damage.
Some residents are concerned but not yet deterred.
“I’ve been fishing at the river for about 30 years, and I guess it is a little bit concerning to hear this stuff. We’ve had some mercury poison warnings over the years, but I’m not sure what this is,” said Sumter resident Julien Weinberg, who declined to appear on camera. While he still plans to swim in the river, he says he may reconsider fishing there.
Health officials note that PFAS absorption through the skin is considered low, but ingesting contaminated water or fish may pose risks. Swimming remains safe, but caution is advised when consuming fish caught in the Pocotaligo.
Donmoyer hopes the study will lead to increased awareness and action.
“Advocating around this issue is where everyone can find their power," Donmoyer said. "Let your local reps know, let the state reps know that this is something you’re concerned about and it matters. You want to feel safe going to your river or in your local landing and catching fish. It should be safe to do so and a right we all have, and industry should not be put above community safety.”
Home sales rose 300% in Sumter County, while Habitat for Humanity continues building homes for low-income families as June marks Homeownership Month.SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A recent report from Rocket.com shows a notable increase in home sales in Sumter County. Four homes sold or were pending in May 2025, a 300% increase month over month.Of those four homes, 50% were sold under asking price, 25% sold at asking, and 25% over askin...
Home sales rose 300% in Sumter County, while Habitat for Humanity continues building homes for low-income families as June marks Homeownership Month.
SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A recent report from Rocket.com shows a notable increase in home sales in Sumter County. Four homes sold or were pending in May 2025, a 300% increase month over month.
Of those four homes, 50% were sold under asking price, 25% sold at asking, and 25% over asking.
As June marks National Homeownership Month, Habitat for Humanity in Sumter is continuing its mission to help local families achieve the dream of homeownership.
Michelle Davis and Gerald Jennings are two of those homeowners who were able to unlock the doors to their forever homes through Habitat for Humanity.
“In 2011 is when I moved with Sumter Habitat for Humanity and I’ve been there 14 years,” said Davis.
“I became a homeowner in June of 2013,” Jennings said.
The road to homeownership wasn’t easy for either of them.
“So, I was interning and working at the Red Cross, and, in the meantime, I was going through my divorce, so I was going through my phase of what am I going to do now," Jennings said. "I am a single mother with three children, so I moved into a low-income apartment."
Encouragement from friends and a bit of faith made the process possible.
“He was like maybe you should apply for a home with Habitat for I was like well my credit isn’t that great, and I was trying to work and get things together I was at a loss, and I was apprehensive,” Jennings added.
Davis had a similar experience navigating the process.
“I worked at Santee Wateree at that time and I first when I applied, I didn’t get in because I was making too much money – but I got on the waiting list and they selected me the second time I was so happy – we put the nails in and all that stuff it was a good opportunity to finish up your house,” Davis said.
Over the past 37 years, Habitat for Humanity of Sumter has built more than 120 homes for low-income families. Three homes were completed in the past year alone, and another three are currently under construction.
Theresa White, executive director of Sumter Habitat for Humanity, said the organization looks for committed and responsible applicants.
“With this comes great responsibility; you might be paying $600 a month for rent does not mean you can afford homeownership, so we pull a credit report. How you’ve paid your debts in the past,” White said.
According to White, preparation is key.
“You're not going to be able to make $100,000 and probably and qualify for our program, so qualifications for income is based on the number of people ... who are going to be living in the home," she said. "It's 50 to 80% of our area immediate income; that’s the first thing we look at: if their income is too high or too low, they are not going to qualify. So, they meet that requirement. The next thing is, can they afford homeownership?” she said.
Both Davis and Jennings say they are forever grateful for the opportunity Habitat gave them.
“For everyone that is out there, [it is] a second chance to start over and start new, make some solid foundations, and grow and be able to be vital and give back to an opportunity given to you,” Davis said.
“I think it sinked in for me when I went to the lawyer’s office and I got things that I finally had my own place; we are home, and we are going to make it, and no one is going to take that from me,” Jennings said.
White says the goal is to speed up their home-building process with more volunteers.