Old Wide Awake

s extremely helpful in the process from start to finish. She was communicative throughout the process and if we ever had questions all we had to do was reach out. If you are looking for a venue that still has the low county feel and avoids most of the hustle and bustle of Charleston traffic, I would absolutely recommend this venue.

enough good things and I am not great with my words. 

storic home and beautifully landscaped grounds as the backdrop. Margaret was wonderful to work with from the start. She accommodated multiple site visits after booking and follow up locations to plan layouts and logistics with ease. Partnering with Cru as the owner/bar manager and preferred food service vendor added tremendous value; their communication (shoutout to Sabine and Reilly) and execution were seamless. The venue’s all-day access from 9 AM to 10 PM is a standout feature compared to many Charleston options that limit time or charge extra. While located about 30 minutes outside downtown, we easily accommodated guests with a downtown room block and shuttle service, and others enjoyed Airbnb stays in Seabrook and West Ashley. That way our guests could enjoy downtown Charleston as well. About 90% of our guest list traveled from out of town. Finally, the bridal suite is stunning and provided the perfect setting for getting ready and photos. This venue is truly a rare gem for couples seeking flexibility, beauty, and exceptional service.

re perfect setting. The historic home and beautifully kept grounds created an unforgettable backdrop and the photos are absolutely stunning! Getting ready there was an exceptional part of the day—the rooms were lovely and spacious enough to accommodate a large wedding party along with the hair and makeup team. Margaret was professional, responsive, and consistently supportive throughout the entire process. She worked seamlessly with our wedding planner and the vendors. From the ceremony to the farewell, the whole experience felt warm, joyful, and genuinely magical! The wedding was October 12, 2025, and our hearts are still overflowing with the memories, and our guests are still raving about the day—it truly left a lasting impression.

rty manager on the day of was a gem - she was amazing vibes and so helpful. All of our vendors worked together so easily here. The set up was perfect and our guests were amazed by the beauty of this venue. Thank you for our dream wedding Old Wide Awake, we will cherish this place forever!

by several times throughout the year to show my family the venue, and they were always so helpful and accommodating. I wish I could get married here a million more times!!

freshly mowed, while the Crepe Myrtle and other flowers were bursting with vibrant color. The downstairs, stone Speak-Easy-style bar added a unique ambiance to our wedding reception and the fountain surrounded by the spectacular pond left us feeling cool, despite the Charleston summer temperature. Inside OWA, each room is filled with the charm and character of bygone days. From the covered wrap-around porches to the Bridal Dressing Suite, there was attention to every detail. I cannot recommend this breathtaking gem enough.

on our wedding day. OWA let me come a few weeks before the wedding and do my bridal portraits on site for free and they let us use some of their heaters the day of, which we were extremely grateful for! Thank you a million times!

we stepped into the venue, we knew it was the one. The location was stunning, with breathtaking views and the perfect ambiance to make our day unforgettable. The attention to detail, the beautiful setting, and the seamless coordination of the staff all helped create the magical atmosphere we had envisioned. But what truly made everything come together was Margaret, our wedding planner. Her expertise, organization, and unwavering support throughout the entire process were invaluable. She was always available to answer questions, offer suggestions, and ensure everything was running smoothly—down to the tiniest details. Thanks to Margaret, we were able to relax and enjoy every moment of our special day without worrying about logistics or timing. Our wedding was everything we had dreamed of, and we can't recommend both the venue and Margaret enough. If you're looking for a flawless, stress-free wedding experience, this is the place to be, and Margaret is the person you want by your side!

seamless. As a wedding planner, I thoroughly enjoyed working at this venue for my clients wedding and would absolutely love to work there again. From the gorgeous getting ready rooms/balcony upstairs, to the updated catering area in the back, to the endless beautiful locations to take photos, to the built in bar under the house, this venue has it all! You won't be disappointed with this venue!

guests had nothing but wonderful things to say. Couldn't recommend a wedding day here more!

l in love. The venue manager, Margaret McKenzie was amazing. She was very responsive throughout the whole process and made sure to provide thorough details on what to expect. Being an out of town bride, i had no issues with OWA or any of the vendors they recommended. Highly recommend using this property for your wedding. Everything was perfect thanks to the beautiful grounds and their upkeep as well as all those involved in facilitating the day of events!

bout the place and thought it was the best time! The perfect venue for a small and intimate wedding! I highly recommend Old Wide Awake for your wedding venue!

argaret McKenzie is very easy to work with and great with communication. Simple process for booking. Would do the day over again to enjoy the porches even more!

y is absolutely beautiful and well maintained. We got married at the park and had our reception at the house and it was absolutely perfect. On top of that Margaret took over our wedding planning after we had issues with our original planner! She is so kind, organized, ready to jump in when needed and does a great job getting the crowd to listen and staying on time throughout the day! She made our day of dreams come true!

cuted to perfection. We cannot be more thankful for their hospitality and allowing us to use their venue!

t 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!

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!

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 can’t 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!!!

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!

s 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.

ith! 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)

ortable 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.

- with the oaks, moss, lake, and fountain, not to mention the beautiful house with multiple porches, we knew we had found our perfect venue. We quickly got our date set on the calendar as venues black book up quickly (especially coming off a Covid year). Our wedding finally arrived last weekend, and everything about the venue was absolutely perfect. We loved it, our guests were in awe of the venue in all the same ways we were when we initially chose OWA. My wife and I were incredibly pleased with the entire ordeal - including having the rehearsal on-site the nite before. Working with Margaret only added to the magic as she is genuinely excited and happy for all the couples who pick OWA for their wedding venue. We cannot say thank you enough!

ays 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 couldn’t be easier. Many couples don’t realize how important vendor relationships are, being “behind the scenes,” but it does make the day efficient and enjoyable for everyone involved in putting the wedding day together. We’re very happy to provide desserts for Olde Wide Awake - always a pleasure!

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!

he 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!

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.

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!

y 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!

. 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!

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!

ictures came out gorgeous! So glad we went with this venue!

eyond 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!

lanner 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!

utely 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!!

d 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", and based on her knowledge and expertise, gave them a very thorough selection of recommended vendors for every component of their wedding. She has earned the respect of her vendors and they were all familiar with everything OWA has to offer; a plus when you are planning long distance and truly a life-saver when you are dealing with the heartbreak of postponements. Margaret stayed in close communication with our family and with the vendors. What great peace of mind during such stressful times! Additional but subtle safety measures were put into place by the venue and by our talented and capable vendors for all involved during this active pandemic. The wedding day was seamless and perfect (if it wasn't, we have no idea)! There were no uncomfortable and annoying lulls and in spite of the hot weather, our guests stayed for the entire celebration; no one wanted to leave. The key to a successful wedding is to surround yourself with great people. At this time in history, bridal couples are faced with unprecedented challenges. Having this wedding at Old Wide Awake Plantation with Margaret McKenzie graciously but firmly leading the way provided everyone with the only emotion a wedding should - great joy. We are all in agreement that we would do this all over again and wouldn't change a thing - well maybe the temperature.

h grew up in the little town of Dillon, SC right on the North Carolina border, but we have called Charleston home for 10 years and wanted to be wed here. After looking high and low, I stumbled upon Old Wide Awake on Pinterest of all places. I called right away, scared we would miss a spring Saturday as the weekends were quickly booking. We didn’t necessarily care what the date of the wedding would be, just that it was on a Saturday in the cooler months. We almost picked March 28, 2020, my grandmother’s birthday but our photographer was already booked that day…this will be important later. So, we settled with March 21, 2020…God always knows best! As if the venue isn’t perfect enough with its old southern charm, its natural vegetation, grand oaks lining the driveway with Spanish moss, perfectly manicured lawn and fresh seasonal flowers, Margaret McKenzie was the most magical part of OWA. Margaret McKenzie is the event planner at OWA, however, for an additional charge she will step in as wedding planner…DO IT!!! She is worth every single penny! From the start she was very organized and met with us concerning our vision and we started from there. She made a list of approved vendors who met our price range and our taste, and we made the contact with each vendor. She stepped in when our caterer stopped responding to our emails and texts and the situation was fixed and the caterer was then on his best behavior. She met us at our rental company to pick out linens and made sure we had the correct seating, tables and chairs for our ceremony and reception. She coordinated everything. She spoke with my vendors to make sure everyone was on track and were where they needed to be. She sent them all a timeline the week of the wedding and asked that no one contact the bride or groom the week of the wedding. Well of course we had a few to do so and she fixed the problem. She stepped in the day of our wedding when our portable commode trailer did not show and had them upgrade us at no additional cost. Most importantly…our rehearsal dinner location cancelled on us two days before our rehearsal dinner. Before my fiancé could even tell me, she had called our rental company to have it arranged for our tent, chairs, linens and tables to be delivered to the venue the day before our wedding. She notified our rehearsal caterer and said the venue had been changed and they would give us a cost cut on our meals as they had cancelled their venue the last minute. She had everything set up so that we could have our rehearsal dinner at OWA. When I tell you, she is worth every penny, I mean it! I loved getting to know her on a personal level. She was hands down the best money spent on our wedding and we are forever grateful to her. Back to the importance of our wedding date. Had we waited until March 28, 2020 to be married we would have had to postpone. The COVID-19 pandemic shut all venues down the week after we were wed. When I tell you God is good!!! Book the venue and book the planner…you will not regret it!

venues in Charleston, we believe you also get the most bang for your buck. Highly recommend!!