The Old Wide Awake Plantation is a wedding venue located in Hollywood, SC. Situated just off of Route 17, the property lies between Charleston and Savannah. This waterfront estate has undergone a number of renovations since it first opened its doors in 1991. Today, the extended patio and sheltered, two-tiered porch provide guests with a substantial amount of space to host outdoor events.
This mansion has been the host of many events since the early 90s. Overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway at the Stono River, this venue offers wide views of the calm waters. The ivy-covered walls provide a setting for photos of the wedding party. Guests can unwind with a game of golf at the nearby Stono Ferry Golf Course.
This estate caters to both small and large wedding and rehearsal events. The tall trees that line the entrance to the property create a natural setting for an intimate ceremony. The addition of outdoor market lights creates a suitable setting for late-evening alfresco parties, as the bright reflections bounce across the dark water. Sheltered space outdoors can be arranged to accommodate a variety of weather conditions. A large tent/gazebo can be assembled over the recently installed patio area to establish an outdoor space for dining and dancing. The mansion itself sits in the center of the property, surrounded by a porch that wraps around the entire exterior of the building. This 2,500-square-foot deck area can accommodate a variety of celebrations from cocktail hours to wedding toasts. The brick steps leading up to the main entrance are covered in dark green ivy, quite familiar around Charlestons most historic homes and properties, and can be bedecked with glowing lanterns in the evenings.
The Old Wide Awake wedding venue offers a separate wedding-planning service, where their experienced staff can assist in finding the right setup for your event. You and your partner will be given a tour of the property and encouraged to discuss your ideas. This allows the team to gain a genuine understanding of your individual style and your expectations for the day. Sound and lighting apparatus can be added to parties to ensure that every aspect of the event is experienced through high-quality equipment. The wedding planner can take care of the setup and breakdown of the event to make the process easier for you on the big day. Our venue does ask that you have a professional wedding planner. This venue also accommodates pet-owners, ensuring that no member of the family is left out.
OWA is the best wedding venue in the Charleston area hands down. They are extremely well priced and you get the use of the entire grounds and house for the whole day! It was perfect for us to get ready on the day of the wedding and not have to worry about logistics of getting ready some where else. Hair and makeup were done on site and it was so easy to be able to use the first floor for the guys and the second floor for the ladies. There are several gorgeous locations on the property to have the ceremony as well. By the pond or trees but we chose on the steps as we felt it was the best location for our time of year (October)! The staff at OWA is absolutely the best! They will help you with anything you need and Margaret is the amazing! Bonus if you are lucky enough to book her as your wedding planner too! Reviewed on 28-11-2023
Kyrsten Jaeger(other)5 out of 5 Rating
Choosing Old Wide Awake was one of the best decisions we made and I truly cannot think of a better and more perfect place for us to have had our special day. Not only is the venue absolutely stunning, it is also super affordable compared to a lot of other venues in Charleston. Our planner Margaret McKenzie made the wedding planning process a lot less stressful and the day was so seamless. She definitely knows what she is doing and I highly encourage anyone looking to go with this venue and have her as your planner. I promise you will not regret it! Reviewed on 28-06-2023
Olivia Pruden(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-12-2022 OWAP is an absolute dream venue. Itâs the most beautiful plantation home and gives the feel of a charming, elegant southern wedding. The beautiful ivy stairs and arches around the home along with the home itself, made the most beautiful backdrop. We also loved the fun atmosphere below the home where the bar was located. The grounds and house are well maintained and provide lots of space to get ready and party all night with your guests. Margaret McKenzie, the venue coordinator and also my wedding planner deserves more than 5 stars. She was beyond helpful and gave the best and most professional advice during our wedding planning process. She went above and beyond as a coordinator and also as a planner. She was very quick to communicate and was always one step ahead of the game which made the process so much easier and enjoyable. If you are looking to get married at OWAP I highly highly recommend Margaret to bring your wedding planner as well. I canât say enough great things about the beautiful property and the people who work there to maintain the property. Thank you OWAP and Margaret for making our wedding dreams come true!!! Reviewed on 03-01-2023
Grace Collins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-05-2022 My husband and I got married here in May after having to reschedule our wedding due to Covid. Booking this venue and choosing Margaret McKenzie as our planner was the best decision we ever made! Margaret felt like family from day one and we simply could not have done it without her. She guided us throughout the entire planning process, even making the date change as smooth a process as possible. On the day, she expertly orchestrated every moving part and I could totally relax knowing she had it all taken care of. There is no place better for a wedding and no better planner! We love you Margaret! Reviewed on 22-06-2022
Alan Hubble(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-12-2021 Our son, Brendan and now daughter-in-law, Katti were married at OWAP last December under the guidance of Margaret McKenzie as our wedding planner. As a wedding planner, Margaret is a \"maestro\" . She conducted and shepherded us through a detailed and compelling planning process and expertly coordinated all the moving parts the \"week of\" and \"day of\"; the wedding took on the dimensions of a world class symphony orchestra whose music was as fragrant and graceful as the setting of the Old Wide Awake Planation. She plans weddings held at OWAP as well as at other wedding venues around the Charleston area. I worked with all the vendors behind the scenes on behalf of the wedding party, learning that securing a place on Margaret's \"rolodex\" of vendors is a coveted goal as her planning and communication/connection skills are second to none in this global class wedding venue of Charleston.May I join the chorus of others who endorse her planning practices. Reviewed on 13-05-2022
Caitlin Reidel(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-10-2021 This wedding venue was stunning! It embodies the southern charm of Charleston while also being in a quiet location! Margaret McKenzie manages the site and was wonderful to work with! She made the venue available to us at all times during the planning stage and even let us bury a bottle of bourbon on the property as a southern tradition for no rain on your wedding day! (It definitely held back some rain on our big day) As a bonus to the venue, We actually hired Margaret as our wedding planner since she made booking the venue such an easy process. She helped us pull off a wedding in less than 6 months while everyone was also rebooking COVID weddings at the same time. She offered great vendor suggestions and managed our vendors excellently on our wedding day. On our wedding day, the venue was immaculate! The bridal suite was a great area for the bridal party to get ready in while letting the guys run wild downstairs! The grounds keeper also executed the ceremony perfectly by making sure no cars entered down the long driveway during our ceremony. Needless to say this venue made our day special and we will always cherish the help Margaret gave us to execute/create a perfect wedding! I would highly recommend the venue and Margaret to anyone looking to plan a wedding in Charleston! (Some of the photos attached of our wedding were taking by Sharon Albright) Reviewed on 31-01-2022
Christen Evangelou(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-10-2021 Our wedding at Old Wide Awake this past fall was absolutely beautiful! From the very beginning Margaret McKenzie (venue coordinator) was incredibly responsive and made me feel comfortable when inquiring about the venue. After booking a date, I decided to hire Margaret as my wedding planner as well and that made all the difference! She knows the venue inside and out, as well as so many vendors in the Charleston area. She made wedding planning so much easier. And all her suggestions paid off because on the day of the wedding everything fell into place perfectly and was just amazing. You cannot go wrong with this venue! I am still receiving compliments from guests about how gorgeous everything was. And your pictures will turn out gorgeous, there are so many photo opportunities all over the grounds. The venue is also unique in that you get it for the entire day! I have only the best things to say about Old Wide Awake, Margaret, and the rest of the team. They have beautiful weddings down to a science. Reviewed on 14-01-2022
Kat Palmisano(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-10-2021 We have been working closely with Margaret at Olde Wide Awake for years! As a small bakery in Charleston, we get asked to do wedding cakes pretty frequently - and Margaret has always made the process so smooth and easy for us. She facilitates conversations with the couples, and makes sure we are aware in the beginning of all their wants and needs, and making sure our needs are met as well. The process couldnât be easier. Many couples donât realize how important vendor relationships are, being âbehind the scenes,â but it does make the day efficient and enjoyable for everyone involved in putting the wedding day together. Weâre very happy to provide desserts for Olde Wide Awake - always a pleasure! Reviewed on 30-10-2021
Rachel Mesko(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-09-2021 Old Wide Awake Plantation is Charleston wedding venue perfection. The house was a perfect getting-ready location and served as a stunning backdrop for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. The grounds were meticulously maintained with fresh flowers planted the day before our wedding. Margaret was easy to work with and day-of venue POCs were available to support throughout wedding day. Our guests were blown away by the wow-factor of OWA paired with the venue's ability to create an intimate setting for festivities. Zero regrets! Reviewed on 14-10-2021
Courtney Vetzel(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-04-2021 The most perfect venue for our special day! It was the first venue I toured. I didnât need to see any others after that! I knew it was the one! The tree-lined drive leading up to the historic house with its beautiful stairway is breathtaking. I even used minimal decor and florals to let the grounds speak for itself. Our guests raved over how stunning it was. It truly was the perfect place for our fairytale wedding. And Margaret McKenzie with Old Wide Awake was a phenomenal wedding planner and ensured my day flowed perfectly. 10/10 would recommend her for your special day as well! Reviewed on 23-04-2021
Lisa Harle(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-02-2021 My daughter fell in love with OWA on our first visit and we were not disappointed! We decided on the venue approximately a year before the wedding, then extended the date another 5 months (Covid). From our first meeting through the event date, Margaret was so helpful and patient. She was pleasant and timely in her responses, offering advice and recommendations along the way. On the wedding day, John went over and above to ensure we had everything we needed and he assisted our family and coordinator with anything we asked.The venue itself is stunning. It is clean and well cared-for. It offers the rustic elegance that just makes everyone comfortable. Photography opportunities are plentiful within the beautiful rooms, the expansive porches and the lovely grounds. We very carefully planned every detail of our event, but Mother Nature offered up the coldest, wettest day of the season. The versatility of the venue allowed us to quickly pivot and relocate the ceremony from the front steps to the porch. (I highly recommend placing a tent on rain hold regardless of the season!) We tented the travertine patio, extending 15 feet beyond the end to allow distancing between dining tables. The set-up was lovely and easily accommodated our guests (approx. 120). The terrible weather prohibited full use of the property. We planned a cigar bar on the dock, a lounge setting near the arbor, and many other details that had to be relocated. The ample space under the house and on the porch allowed us to do this quickly and easily. I feared my daughter and son-in-law would be disappointed, but they both say they wouldn't change a thing. Despite the cold and rain, the vast majority of our guests stayed until the end of the reception. Our ceremony was at 4:30 and we all had a blast until 10 PM. I cannot say enough to convey how pleased we are with Old Wide Awake, the staff, and our experience. The entire event exceeded our expectations and I would highly recommend this venue. Reviewed on 21-02-2021
Stephanie Collett(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-11-2020 My daughter truly had a fairy tale wedding in November at Old Wide Awake. On the day we visited the venue as a potential site for her wedding, we knew right away it was the perfect spot. The location is beautiful, with spacious grounds and a lovely historic home, restrooms and a terrace level bar (all of which are included in your venue fee.) As wonderful as the venue is, Margaret McKenzie, the venue manager, takes the experience to the next level. During the tour, we were thrilled to learn (in her understated way) that Margaret is an experienced wedding planner. She was truly a delight to work with. Every vendor we spoke to told us how much they enjoy working with Margaret. We had several elderly grandparents attending and Margaret made sure they were able to enjoy everything safely. She graciously and unerringly guided my daughter when she had questions. Her planning is meticulous but unobtrusive. Our guests told me over and over again what a wonderful time they had. But most importantly, she helped my daughter and her new husband have the wedding of their dreams. When the fountain came on as my son in law kissed his new bride, it was magical and just the kind of detail Margaret makes happen! Reviewed on 12-12-2020
Katherine Urbelis(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-10-2020 Old Wide Awake Plantation was a beautiful venue to host our wedding! Margaret, the Venue Manager was flexible and great to work with too. I wish she would've been available on my wedding date to hire her as my planner because she was so great. She was responsive and helpful, especially during the Covid craziness. We really enjoyed the venue and so did all of our guests! Reviewed on 08-12-2020
Anna Collett(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-11-2020 As soon as we drove through the gates at Old Wide Awake Plantation, I knew it was the one for us! The grounds are beautiful, and it was so nice to be able to get ready at the venue. I could not be happier that we had Margaret directing our big day last weekend at Old Wide Awake! Planning a wedding is no small task, especially while balancing school and living in a different state, but with Margaret on your side anything is possible. I knew since the minute we met Margaret that we needed her as our wedding planner, and I am so very happy with that choice. Her name is well-respected among every vendor that we chose, and for a good reason. She kept us organized and made sure we had an all-together lovely experience throughout the planning process. She steered me in the right direction when I needed guidance, and I loved her elegant taste and eye for detail. On our big day, I was able to relax and not worry about anything because I had complete trust in her! Not only is she organized and efficient, but she cares about her couples and genuinely wants them to have the best day of their lives, which thanks to her we did! Reviewed on 10-11-2020
Brenda Gibson(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 17-10-2020 Dream Wedding during the 2020 Pandemic!My daughter's original wedding date was in May 2020 but was postponed due to COVID. We switched to Old Wide Awake at the last minute and we are SO thankful we did! Margaret is a joy to work with - very responsive and informative which made things much easier on the mother of the bride. It was so nice to be able to arrive at the venue at 9:00 am and the \"getting ready\" rooms were perfect, complete with a porch for brunch and lounging before the ceremony. The venue is unique and very spacious so allowed for all COVID safeguards during the ceremony and reception. After 2 years of planning a wedding during a pandemic, I'm so thankful to have found Old Wide Awake as my daughter FINALLY had her dream wedding and happy ending! As a local, I have been to most of the venues in Charleston and I cannot praise Old Wide Awake enough! Reviewed on 29-10-2020
Patton Bradshaw(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-10-2020 Old Wide Plantation made our wedding day perfect! Very beautiful area and the staff was so helpful and polite which made my day less stressful! Mrs. Margaret was amazing! And the pictures came out gorgeous! So glad we went with this venue! Reviewed on 24-10-2020
Jaime DiMoff(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-09-2020 Old Wide Awake Plantation was an absolute dream venue to get married at for our intimate destination wedding. Margaret was SO wonderful to work with and constantly went above and beyond for my wedding always willing to help us along the way (especially during the tough decision to postpone). She was booked for our wedding weekend so we weren't able to hire her as our planner but if she is available book her now!!! She is truly SO helpful and is as sweet as they come. The venue was absolutely gorgeous and exceeded my destination wedding dreams. I visited 3 times before the wedding and every time it looked stunning and I knew I had chosen the right place. The day of the wedding was truly better than my wildest dreams and everything looked breathtaking. The plantation house has a beautiful getting ready area upstairs, a stunning staircase filled with greenery, a beautiful dance floor, a fountain, and SO many beautiful spots for photos (as a wedding photographer myself I appreciated this, my photos are gorgeous!) It was just perfect and I wouldn't have wanted to get married anywhere else. It's very private and it was wonderful having the getting ready, ceremony and reception all in one place!If you are looking for a stunning Charleston venue with so much character & beauty- you've found it in OWA. The staff was amazing to work with and we had the best experience. Brides- you won't regret choosing OWA! We plan to visit again on our 1 year anniversary trip and we can hardly wait to go back and be reminded of the the sweet memories we made from 9/27/20! Reviewed on 21-10-2020
Kellie Dawson(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-10-2020 Wow! What an amazing venue. Margaret was the easiest person to work with and the owner was very friendly. We had our original venue cancel a month out and Margaret and my wedding planner were able to pull it all together in a couple weeks. The venue is so beautiful and gives you the ideal Southern Plantation wedding day. I just watched the wedding video and it was so magical! Reviewed on 21-10-2020
Abby Broughton(other)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-06-2020 Old Wide Awake Plantation is an absolutely incredible venue. My couple was forced to reschedule their wedding venue approximately 3 weeks prior to their wedding, and Margaret absolutely saved the day!!! She was extremely flexible and accommodating, professional, had great suggestions, and was quick to reply in our super sped up planning. One thing that I love about the space is that there are so many different layout options for ceremony, cocktail hour, and the reception. Having the large kitchen was perfect for all of us vendors to prep and hide our belongings in, and the multiple restrooms on different levels of the house were wonderful. The greenery on the steps and bottom level walls is just DREAMY. This is truly a special, unique property, and I cannot wait to be back!! Reviewed on 18-09-2020
Mary Caba(parent)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-08-2020 My daughter and her fiance were married at OWA on August 28, 2020. They were supposed to get married May 8th and then June 19th. It is no small task to hang onto a wedding venue and the myriad of vendors during a pandemic, especially a destination wedding such as this. We visited this and other venues in March of 2019. The only thing visiting other venues did was confirm that OWA was the perfect place for their wedding. It is a gorgeous setting, providing all of the beauty the South has to offer - proud old trees graced with Spanish moss, lush lawns and greenery, a pond with a fountain and a majestic house that will be yours and only yours for the entire wedding day. You will also get Margaret McKenzie, an extraordinary wedding planner. Margaret took the time to get to know this lovely couple, gave them \"homework\ Reviewed on 10-09-2020
Kristen Gillie(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-09-2019 Such a dream!! Originally, this venue was not our first choice, but by the end of our day, we could not have imagined getting married anywhere else. As one of the most affordable venues in Charleston, we believe you also get the most bang for your buck. Highly recommend!! Reviewed on 05-11-2019
Kaitlyn Bush(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-06-2019 I could not have imagined a more perfect place to have our wedding than at Old Wide Awake Plantation. The venue is so versatile and overwhelmingly gorgeous ! They had added some additions, such as the gate, before our wedding day and it was even more beautiful than we could ever imagined! Our wedding was at the end of June and the grounds were perfect! Margaret Mckenzie was also so great and easy to work with! We also hired her as our wedding planner and she did an outstanding job! I highly recommend Old Wide Awake and Margaret to anyone considering their wedding in Charleston! Reviewed on 13-07-2019
Danica OâMalley(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-05-2019 Old Wide Awake Plantation was truly a DREAM venue for us! We had an outdoor wedding in the month of May and everything could not have been more perfect. From the ceremony on the river under the grand oak, to the reception under the stars up at the beautiful white house, this venue is the definition of southern charm. The venue manager and staff are very professional and made everything seamless and perfect. Thank you Old Wide Awake for the best day of our lives! Reviewed on 09-06-2019
Jackie Razzaghy(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-05-2019 We got married at this beautiful venue this spring- the house and grounds were immaculate and a peaceful oasis for our day. Bridal suite was the perfect getting ready space for my 5 bridesmaids, MOB, MOG, and flower girl. Porches and travertine dance floors were perfect spaces for our cocktail hour and reception. Venue was very flexible with booking and scheduling visits throughout our planning process Reviewed on 15-05-2019
Elizabeth Pease(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-04-2019 From the moment I found Old Wide Awake online, I was in love. Then I fell even more in love when we visited for the first time and met with Margaret. We had a specific vision and this venue was truly the only venue in Charleston that gave us everything we wanted. We did our first look and some bridal party pictures up at the park by the venue which was gorgeous. We had our ceremony by the pond under the new arbor. We had yard games and an oyster roast which were all able to take place in the yard. The boys used the fire pit for cigar hour and some people even used the dock on the other side of the pond. We loved that there were so many areas to use. Margaret was extremely responsive and helpful. I would recommend this venue to everyone! It is gorgeous and a beautiful setting. Reviewed on 11-05-2019
Lindsey Taylor(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-04-2019 We decided to go with Old Wide Awake Plantation for our wedding venue because it had everything we were looking for for our charming low-country wedding! The house is absolutely beautiful and dripping with southern charm with its wrap-around porches, green vines and palm trees, and 200 year old history. The house was so great for all of the wedding party and family to get ready at in the morning, and it has antique but cozy furniture so you feel instantly at home. They do a great job with upkeep as they continually re-paint it, landscape it, spray for bugs, and are always trying to add cute new additions (new pretty iron gate, new pergola, etc.) The huge covered front porch as well as the covered downstairs bar area is great if you want a cocktail hour but are anxiety-ridden about the weather like me, because if it rains you don't have to rent a tent for cocktail hour- your guests will be covered and they get to explore the historic home! We had a tented reception on the travertine stone in between the house and the pond and it was beautiful. It was so great to have everything close together but with gorgeous views of the pond and house, and again not having to worry about the weather (muddy/soggy grass for guests to step in like at other venues) because of the wonderful travertine floor and brick paving everywhere. Our guests would not stop talking about how cool the place was and how they wanted to get married here! We also used the campfire pit and dock on the other side of the pond for a little cigar bar area for the men- which all the guys loved! This venue has so many great areas to decorate and utilize for your wedding, you can really make your wedding unique and your guests will love exploring all around the house. We got married down at Wide Awake Park because we really wanted to get married under the giant oak tree dripping in Spanish moss with beautiful water views. Definitely check out the Wide Awake Park down the road- you need to rent the space separate from this venue but it will sell you on getting married here! We also liked the fact that this venue is 30 minutes outside of downtown Charleston- we just got shuttles for our guests and we never had to worry about loud city noises interrupting our ceremony or random strangers watching or crashing our wedding. It's so private and secluded that it felt like a beautiful backyard wedding. We had Margaret McKenzie, who works for Old Wide Awake, be our wedding planner and she was AMAZING!!! I could not rave about her and her assistant Kira enough, they always answered any questions I had, endured a million phone calls and meetings with me so I could perfect everything, helped me with all of the vendors, and made our wedding day run so smoothly that I was so relaxed all day because we were ahead of schedule the whole time (usually unheard of for weddings!). Margaret is like family to us now! Our wedding was absolutely perfect, I would pick Old Wide Awake Plantation a million times over! <3 Reviewed on 29-04-2019
Abbey Giurgevich(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 30-03-2019 The minute I walked onto the venue I knew this would be where I would get married. The White House was stunning with itâs two wrap around porches, and the concrete patio next to the house made for a beautiful outdoor reception site. We were able to get ready at the venue and the two upstairs bedrooms easily fit eight girls. Sipping mimosas on the upstairs balcony in the sunshine was a perfect way to relax before the ceremony. Margaret was very friendly and responsive via email as far as booking the venue. She answered all my questions very promptly. Both the house grounds and the park about a quarter mile away are gorgeous places for bridal photos. The park was right by the river and has many Spanish Oaks for fantastic romantic photos. Reviewed on 14-04-2019
Julia Herro(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-03-2018 We got married there going on a year ago.... I know it's been way too long for me not to write a review- but life gets busy once done wedding planning! ;) From the moment we pulled up to the property and meet Margaret I was in love. As she walked us through the house and gave a little history on the property it made us both feel connected to this beautiful gem! After saying yes to our wedding venue we were sent over a list of vendors that were within out budget- not above as I was worried about but within out budget and people Margaret trusted. After working through out list some worked out off the bat and when others didn't she asked why so that she had as much knowledge to keep in her back pocket and provided us with a few more... now for me this was AMAZING as I work through list and love being able to give feedback and know its going to actually be put to use. All while planning our wedding I lost my job so that was more stress added onto planning a wedding. Knowing that we had her in out corner really helped take my stress level down! Day of our wedding: I was able to relax while getting ready in such a beautiful house with my soon to be sister-in-laws, best friends, mother and soon-to-be mother in-law. Margaret and her assistant took care of everything and let me know that they would only let me know if there was an emergency- which was perfect as I wanted to soak up this day fully! Trusting in her guidance to get the tent was one of the smartest decision we made as she knows what she is talking about! She made sure that everything was on time and running smoothly. We could not imagine our big day taking place anywhere else but here. We felt it reflected Charleston and who we are as a couple all while being able to an amazing first impression of our beautiful city to all our friends and family from out of town. Please make sure you take time to visit this plantation and Margaret before you make any decisions. I can tell you that you both will be in love with the plantation property and her! Margaret thank you so much for making my biggest day the best version it could have been! Reviewed on 11-03-2019
Angelia Harmon(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 13-10-2018 I cannot say enough about Old Wide Awake Plantation and the staff there. Margaret is a dream to work with. I even came by on an off day, and one of the gentlemen working on the grounds (John, I believe?) stopped what he was doing and allowed me to show my MOHs the inside of the house. Margaret was very responsive to all emails and made sure we were fully equipped with any info we needed to make sure our big day was perfect. The venue is absolutely gorgeous and very accommodating. Reviewed on 29-10-2018
Kristen Shaffer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 06-10-2018 We got married there 2 weeks ago and it was the most perfect, beautiful, romantic place that I've ever been! Having the house for the entire day makes setting up SO much easier than if you are only permitted to get in a couple hours before the wedding. We got there early, set up and then were even able to shower and get ready which was amazing. The contact person you'll initially work with is Margaret and she is PHENOMENAL! She treats every bride like they are her own daughter and that your wedding is the only one she has, even though she's a wedding planner herself and has many other brides she juggles. My family had a few specific requests and she made each one happen, all of which were above and beyond. The house inside is magical and timeless and outside is gorgeous and a classic southern home. I would recommend OWA to any bride, it's truly an amazing place!!!! Reviewed on 23-10-2018
Kelly F(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-06-2018 After and exhaustive search, we found Old Wide Awake and instantly knew it had to be the reception venue for our wedding. It was so charming and beautiful, but it also had some of the amenities we were looking for - including air conditioning inside, plenty of time to spend the day there getting ready, sufficient bathrooms for our guests, etc. Margaret McKenzie is the best in the business. She was professional and friendly, and put us at ease throughout the entire process. Old Wide Awake was the perfect venue for us, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts. Reviewed on 15-09-2018
Katy Cameron(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-06-2018 Old Wide Plantation was the PERFECT venue for our June wedding. Margaret McKenize is absolutely fantastic! She was always very responsive to my numerous questions and genuinely cared about making our day the best ever (and it was!) The day of the wedding was a little hectic but Margaret kept me at ease and assured me everything was going to be perfect. It was so nice being able to use the house all day- my bridesmaids and I really enjoyed getting ready in the beautiful room! If you are looking for a beautiful Charleston plantation venue, I highly recommend Old Awake Plantation. I PROMISE you will not regret it!!!!!! Reviewed on 28-06-2018
Mim Havers(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 27-07-2019 We visited 10 other venues before discovering Old Wide Awake, which is in a class all of it's own. This venue, unlike any others we looked into, provided an entire experience. Beginning the day in the beautifully decorated historic home and spending the afternoon out on the lush grounds before the festivities began was the most perfect way to spend our moments before marriage. Much like our decision to go with Old Wide Awake, deciding to hire Margaret McKenzie as our planner was without a doubt one of the best wedding decisions we made. She poured her heart and soul into helping us plan the most phenomenal night. Margaret provided us with a list of recommended vendors (who were absolutely fabulous) and accompanied us on vendor visits (including a few last minute meets!) to offer guidance. She was a crucial support system for me when I was lost with the planning process or flustered with which way to go on a decision. Margaretâs professionalism and eye for beauty and detail ensured that our entire event (day and night) ran smoothly. Everything felt so natural, seamless and perfect. Her exceptional service is unmatched and her fair pricing fit well with our fixed budget. I'm disappointed that we won't be having another party of this scale as I would love nothing more than to be back at OWA and working with Margaret again. I'm truly envious of brides that are still in the midst of planning their Old Wide Awake wedding with her! Reviewed on 27-04-2018
Emily Goad(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-11-2017 This venue is so beautiful! It was perfect for our outdoor ceremony and reception. Margaret is also amazing! She was our wedding coordinator and she made sure everything went off without a hitch! Reviewed on 14-03-2018
Julie B(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-12-2017 We got married here on 12/9/17 and Old Wide Awake is truly breathtaking.! We fell in love with the venue when we first toured it and got a chance to tour it a second time after booking our date during the Wedding Revolution tour and knew then we had made the right decision! The pictures donât do it any justice. The house is beautiful in and out! It was a pleasure working with you Margaret. Thank you for everything! Reviewed on 22-12-2017
ray moore(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 02-04-2018 From This Day Forward Wedding Services had the distinct honor to be floral designer, day of coordinator and officiant for the Mallory DeWitt/Hunter Ginn wedding that took place at Old Wide Awake Plantation. What an absolutely beautiful venue for a wedding and reception! The plantation house is lovely and has magnificent wrap around porches. The tree lined drive makes for beautiful isle way lending itself to a rather dramatic entry of the bride and wedding party. The patio area adjacent to the house is the perfect space for the reception to dance the night away under the stars. The venue is full of Southern charm and has all the amenities for the perfect outdoor wedding/reception. The staff, Margaret, Dennis, John and Rob are extremely accommodating and want to make certain that bride and groom have the wedding of their dreams! We can not thank them enough for working with us to ensure Mallory and Hunter's day was perfect! We HIGHLY recommend this venue to any bride seeking a traditionally southern style wedding! You won't be disappointed! It is beautiful! Reviewed on 20-11-2017
Carter Ann Coyle(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-10-2017 I just can't say enough about Old Wide Awake Plantation. Margaret McKenzie and her assistant, Kira, elevated our wedding as a \"Welcome to Charleston\" experience for our whole family!!! We were married there on October 28, 2017. My husband noticed OWA mentioned in a Reese Witherspoon article years ago! We joked about getting married there. Except, I could never stop looking up pictures and dreaming of getting married there!! When we visited, we both immediately knew it was everything we'd imagined.My only concern from the beginning was that the location is a bit far out from proper Charleston. That was easily solved with booking a guest bus from the hotels, making the party safer for everyone anyway.Plus, it's more fun to have a private location to yourself, and not have to share the property with other weddings.My bridesmaids, mothers, sisters, etc. all spent the morning and afternoon with me getting ready at OWA, having lunch and drinking coffee and mimosas. It was exactly what I pictured.All in all, I can't recommend Old Wide Awake enough!!! Book OWA and rest easy: your wedding WILL be incredible!PS The pricing is very reasonable. If you can AT ALL afford to add Margaret McKenzie as your full wedding planner.... just trust me. You NEED her. Reviewed on 15-11-2017
Kelley Bovit(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-04-2017 We got married at Old Wide Awake on 4/15/17 and it was everything we have ever dreamed of - it was PERFECT! We also rented out Old Wide Awake Park and had both the ceremony and the cocktail hour there. The beautiful tree covered in Spanish Moss was the perfect ceremony location, as it was a little cooler by the water - and then the guests were shaded from the tree as well. They watched dolphins and boats go by as they waited for the ceremony to begin.Margaret is a MUST if you do get married at Old Wide Awake Plantation -- she will ensure every detail is perfect before the wedding even begins, and then ensure it is all executed day of. She is a professional, and truly an expert at both Old Wide Awake Park and Old Wide Awake Plantation! Reviewed on 30-04-2017
Katie Brandon(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-06-2016 This was the perfect place to host our wedding reception on June 11, 2016! In the search for our venue, I found this to be the best choice for a several reasons:1. It's a gorgeous plantation house with wrap around porches, a large patio, a neat bar area, and a quaint bridal suite at a reasonable price.2. The rental lasted all day (most places make you pay a ridiculous price for only a few hours of the venue).3. They were the most flexible (you can have any food/drink/cake/music/rental/photographer/etc. vendor you want--which is hard to find in Charleston).4. Their day of coordinator, Margaret McKenzie, was a HUGE help with planning and executing our vision on our big day (definitely worth the cost--see below).Margaret and I communicated frequently throughout the engagement and met up a few times to discuss my progress. After our first meeting, she put together a list of suggested vendors based on the vision I had. She was always responsive and answered all of my questions in a timely manner throughout the whole process. She would often check in on me for updates on who my vendors were, what my vision/layout was, and day-of timeline ideas. Closer to June 11, she helped me solidify my timeline and included all of the special moments, and even the times that my vendors were supposed to arrive. The day of, Margaret and her assistant set up all of the decorations we brought while my party ate breakfast, relaxed, and started hair and makeup. Throughout the day she handed out tips and was the first point of contact for any vendor/guest questions. The best part about Margaret's services was that we didn't have to lift a finger the entire day! Everything was taken care of so that my family, friends, and I were all able to just relax and enjoy the day! And with the combination of me being so organized and on top of things throughout the engagement and for the day of, and Margaret's understanding of my vision and her professionalism and experience, my day was absolutely perfect. NOTHING went wrong all day! The only minor thing was that we got off schedule by 15-30 minutes (no big deal). She asked all of my vendors if they would be willing to stick around for extra time at no extra charge (and they all said yes)! And at the end of the evening, she had all of our decorations neatly organized for my mom and sister to put in the car (which I heard only took about 15 minutes)!For the most important day of our life, I could not have trusted it with better people. Thank you so much for all you did for us and for making a supposed-to-be-stressful day, totally stress free! Reviewed on 25-10-2016
Cheryl Harrison(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 25-12-2017 I can't say enough great things about Old Wide Awake and Margaret McKenzie!!! My daughters wedding was Oct 15, 2016 approximately 1 week after Hurricane Matthew decided to make landfall near Charleston, SC. Margaret worked valiently to make all my daughters dreams come true for her special day from getting electricity back to the house and park, cleaning up the grounds and working with all our venders. We are so grateful to Margaret and her entire team. Old Wide Awake was the perfect backdrop for my daughters vision of Southern Elegance. Reviewed on 25-10-2016
Kristen Robbins(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 04-09-2016 Old Wide Awake plantation is the PERFECT wedding venue for Charleston in every way. If you are looking for a plantation outside downtown that is beautiful, charming, near the water, and within your budget-- look no further. This venue is amazing. I first found OWA online while researching venues and I was immediately struck by the beautiful photos. When I visited Charleston to view all the venues I had found online, I was disappointed because online photos were not matching the real thing. Not true with OWA!! I knew from the moment we pulled up in the drive that was where I wanted to get married. Something about the pond with the running fountain and the wide southern porches won me over. After touring the plantation and visiting the park down by the water, we worked directly with OWA's coordinator, Margaret McKenzie to book our wedding date. And let me say a little something about Margaret- I don't even know how girls get married at OWA without booking her services as well. She helped me plan my wedding down to the very last detail- I owe her so much! She is a wonderful lady and so very sweet- you will end up loving her as a person, much less as a coordinator! Both my ceremony and reception were held at OWA, with the ceremony happening out on the lawn in front of the pond. We had a big band out on the patio with a tent to provide shade. Our initial guest number invited was 200 people, but since almost every guest was coming from out of town our final count was around 140-150. During the reception I had so many guests telling me how the setting was so beautiful and how much fun they were having. I loved seeing all our pictures of guests either out in the lawn playing corn-hole, or sitting on the porch overlooking the party, or at a cocktail table underneath the house by the built in bar, or dancing the night away. Old Wide Awake will forever be a special place to my husband and I, we loved it! Reviewed on 11-10-2016
Holly Stuart(wedding party)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 28-11-2017 What a wonderful, wonderful wedding we had for my daughter and her husband last Saturday at Old Wide Awake Plantation. OWA is a quintessential plantation that has been lovingly restored. The wrap around porches and travertine patio, the ivy draped staircase and sweet pond, the tree framed driveway and pub like barâŠall add up to a very special wedding location. But the real magic starts when you add the amazing talents and kindness of Margaret McKenzie. From the moment we started the wedding processâŠalmost 13 months priorâŠuntil the day after our wedding, Margaret made everything click. She was there through the planning process with the caterer, florist, band, rentals, photographer and transportation. She helped in the design process, making suggestions that enhanced our vision. The week before my daughterâs wedding she distributed a timeline and set up schedule to all of our vendors. When the bride, bridesmaids, MOB and MOG arrived Saturday morning she greeted us with confidence and warmth. As the MOB, I didnât lift a finger on wedding day. Margaret took care of everything. She was our \"most valuable playerâ. I would highly encourage anyone to engage Margaretâs services when booking the OWA. Honestly, looking back I wouldnât change a moment. Thank you OWA and Margaret Mckenzie! Reviewed on 01-10-2016
a member (groom)5 out of 5 Rating
Was an excellent venue! Extremely private and intimate. We had a small ceremony and reception for our close friends and family and it was brilliant. My wife and I along with our wedding party were able to use the house all morning and early afternoon to set up and get ready, which took a lot of pressure away from us. Margaret was always friendly and very helpful in all aspects, even turning the water fountain on in the background of our ceremony site, when it was time to \"kiss the bride\"We had a great time and would highly recommend using this venue for large and small weddings, the size of the venue could accommodate both. Thanks again!Rob and Jessi Drayton Reviewed on 02-06-2016
HRosalyn Niehrah(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-04-2016 We are newly weds and Old Wide Awake was just the perfect backdrop for our wedding! All of our guests are still raving about how beautiful everything was! Reviewed on 28-04-2016
Kim Seay(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-04-2015 This is a spectacular venue. I was really drawn in with the availability of the house/land for the entire day and evening. It was fantastic to have everything in one location. The grounds are so beautiful and accommodating. I'm really glad we used this space on our wedding day. Reviewed on 19-04-2016
Jen Rucker(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 15-05-2015 Magical. That's the best word I can find to describe our entire wedding experience at Old Wide Awake. It's a day we'll cherish forever, in part because the venue was so beautiful and our guest were in awe of the grounds. And also in large part because Margaret McKenzie is incredible. She went over and above for us from the moment we first reached out to her, and my husband and I will be forever grateful for her role in making our special day so perfect. Almost a year later, we routinely have friends and family make a point to tell us how it was one of the best, if not the best, wedding they've ever been to. Thank you Old Wide Awake and THANK YOU Margaret! Reviewed on 28-01-2016
Amanda Hughes(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 11-04-2015 This venue was everything we wanted and more! Our wedding turned out perfectly thanks to Margaret. She was so helpful with everything and was truly worth every penny. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Reviewed on 23-11-2015
Sarah Hart(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-09-2015 My husband and I live in Charlotte, but since we got engaged in Charleston, we decided it would be a great idea to get married in this wonderful city. We looked at several different venues, but Old Wide Awake Plantation was hands down the best place for us. It's a beautiful plantation house with all of the southern charm you could ask for. It's also one of the only places that allows you to have outside catering and bar services as well as the entire venue for the day. Margaret is amazing and was a huge help making sure everything ran smoothly. I highly recommend you hire her as your coordinator since she knows the house inside and out and will help you select your vendors. She also makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world on one of the the one of the most important and special days of your life. I can't say enough great things about how perfect our wedding was and we want to thank Old Wide Awake Plantation and Margaret for everything! Reviewed on 22-11-2015
Melanie Rushing(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 31-10-2015 This venue was perfect! We had the entire house to our wedding party the whole day, the venue is absolutely gorgeous, and Margaret McKenzie (she runs the venue) was fantastic. We loved the flexibility of choosing all of our vendors, and we also loved the exclusive feeling of being outside of town. Not to mention the grounds and house were impeccable. I would highly recommend this venue!!! Reviewed on 02-11-2015
Robyn Reatha Pitman(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 24-07-2015 I loved this venue. There's plenty of space and we were able to move our reception under the porch easily when it started to rain and there was still room to continue dancing. We did have to be done by 10 making an evening wedding feel rushed and then manager began moving our stuff out on the porch because we weren't moving fast enough getting everything out. Reviewed on 27-07-2015
Emilee Barnette(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 20-06-2015 Old Wide Awake Plantation was the absolute perfect wedding venue. The house has been beautifully restored and the grounds are wonderful. We looked at many, many venues in Charleston & as soon as we arrived here, we had that WOW moment and knew it was the one. It was so nice to have the house for the entire day. We had so much fun getting ready in the bridal suite & it was nice to use the formal dining room for our cake cutting. \r\rWe wouldn't of had the perfect day if it wasn't for Margaret - she is exceptional. She made sure every little detail was perfect & we didn't have to worry about a thing. I will cherish the plantation & Margaret for the rest of my life. We truly had a perfect, fairytale like wedding! Reviewed on 01-07-2015
joe muskovich(parent)5 out of 5 Rating
Absolutely beautiful venue for a wedding. Arriving at The Old Wide Awake was a âWOW MOMEMTâ. We had cocktails on the veranda and reception under a tent next to the main building. It was wonderful\rMargaret McKenzie was our wedding planner and helped make this the wonderful day that it was. \rMargaret was amazing. Our daughter was having a destination wedding in Charleston. We are in Chicago. We decided that we needed someone familiar with the local vendors.\rWe met Margaret when we decided on The Old Wide Awake. Throughout the entire planning process she was always there offering advice and being our local rep.\rOn the wedding weekend she seemed to be everywhere. Any number of times when I tried to do something, she would stop me and say 'You go enjoy your guests, this is my job.' \rShe coordinated the buses, talked with the vendors and oversaw the entire process. Margaret made sure that everything was done right. \rMargaret, we cannot thank you enough. \r Reviewed on 10-10-2014
Kari Castle(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 07-09-2013 Old Wide Awake Plantation was the perfect venue for our wedding. I also hired Margaret McKenzie for my day of services and that was the best money spent! She kept me sane!! Old Wide Awake is such a beautiful place to have a wedding and I am so glad we chose them for our venue. Reviewed on 23-09-2013
Kara Scott(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 29-06-2013 The most perfect Charleston plantation location! Beautiful location, quiet and secluded area of Charleston, grounds in wonderful condition, very helpful/friendly staff, and plenty of parking! It is nice to find a place you can pick your own caterer and bartender. Saves you tons of money!! The wedding coordinator there, Margaret...the best part of this whole venue! She was AMAZING...couldn't have had my wedding go so smoothly without her!! Priceless!! Reviewed on 01-08-2013
Melati Crook(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 01-06-2013 Old Wide Awake is q gorgeous and incredibly warm and inviting venue. It has several different areas for staging and guest preferences and can host a large party. We have 105 guests and had a seated dinner on the porch (13 tables), a cocktail hour downstairs in the \"man cave\" - which has a giant built-in bar and also utilized the upstairs spending the day getting ready and getting mimosas. \r\rThe best part of Old Wide Awake, IMO, was Margaret McKenzie. She is the manager of the property and also offers out her services for the day-of coordination. I am an out-of-town bride and will say HANDS DOWN this was THE BEST money I spent over the wedding planning period. She was direct, collaborative, supportive of my vision...etc. For a living I work on major campaigns and launches so I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to these things - I could not have asked for a better partner!!! \r6/1/13 Wedding Reviewed on 18-06-2013
Ashley Brown(bride)3 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 05-04-2013 I had my wedding at the gorgeous venue. I highly recommend the place if you are ok with dealing with poor customer service. The ltd. wedding coordinator showed up late to every scheduled meeting (Margaret Mackenzie). The owers are extremely rude. They let their dogs run free while we were setting up the day of our wedding and almost knocked our cake over. The owner didn't even apologize. Reviewed on 03-05-2013
Heather Reyes(bride)4 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-06-2012 We used Old Wide Awake Plantation for our Reception and it turned out absolutely beautiful!!! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting for the price we paid. Since we signed our contract (Fall 2011) they have added a coordinator and I think that has solved the problem of communication and responsiveness. They were very accommodating by allowing us to start setting-up Friday and finish cleaning up Sunday. I would most certainly recommend this plantation for your wedding venue. We used Wide Awake Park (at the end of the road) for our ceremony and with the Stono River in the background it was breathtaking.\r** For value rating: since we booked it they have increased their pricing by A LOT Reviewed on 15-07-2012
Kristi Kratzer(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 19-05-2012 Old Wide Awake has to be one of Charleston's best kept secrets. It's a stunning location tucked away on a little dirt road. We wanted the feel of a backyard, country wedding and as soon as we saw Old Wide Awake, we knew it was the place! The house is gorgeous and you have full use of it for the day. The grounds are beautiful with a lovely pond and plenty of yard space. All of our guests raved about how beautiful the plantation was. Margaret was our day-of wedding coordinator and she was FANTASTIC. She met with us before the wedding to get our vision for the day and how our day was supposed to go and then she made it all happen. Not a single thing went wrong and I know it's because Margaret had it all under control. Old Wide Awake is so beautiful that we barely had to decorate. I highly recommend it! Reviewed on 15-06-2012
Allie Mansy(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 21-04-2012 Words can't express what a perfect day my husband and I had. Our reception at Old Wide Awake in Hollywood SC will be talked about for years to come. Margaret the event coordinator was amazing. She took my vision and turned it into a reality. Every detail was taken care of and my guests felt right at home. If you want elegant with southern charm Old Wide Awake is the place to have your wedding and Margaret is the lady you want running the show. Reviewed on 06-05-2012
Meghan O'Neil(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 03-09-2011 I couldn't have asked for a better venue. The wrapped around porch was great for people to sit and eat. The downstairs bar was really one of a kind! My only issue was that there was a wedding the day after mine and owners didn't clear it with me about a tent being set-up. Other than that - the owners were easy to work with it. I give the service 4 stars because of the tent being set-up without me knowing. Reviewed on 19-09-2011
Jennifer Poston(bride)5 out of 5 Rating Wedding Date 09-10-2010 This is a beautiful old house that was absolutely perfect for my outdoor wedding. The ceremony and reception were both there making it easy for everyone and the location was perfect for both. There are two bedrooms upstairs and we used those to get ready, one for the gals and one for the guys. The location is just wonderful. There is a pond on the grounds and we got married next to it. I received so many compliments on the location. It is far out there in hollywood, but it is so worth it. I would absolutely recommend the venue to anyone. Reviewed on 26-10-2010