Testimonials

“Working with Margaret and the OWA was the best decision I made for our wedding! The venue is absolutely stunning and Margaret was so easy to work with and so kind. I truly couldn’t recommend this venue enough. I want to relive our wedding day over again and again!”

“Old Wide Awake was everything we dreamed of and more. From the moment we toured the venue, we completely fell in love with it. We knew right away it was where we wanted to get married, and it exceeded every expectation on our wedding day. Margaret is truly one of the sweetest and most wonderful people you’ll ever meet. She was there every step of the way, always happy to answer my many questions and offer guidance whenever I needed it. She made the entire planning process so much less stressful, and she will forever hold a special place in our hearts. The venue itself is absolutely breathtaking. While the ceremony and reception spaces are outdoors, having the beautiful historic house to get ready in (with much-appreciated air conditioning!) was perfect. The house is stunning, and the outdoor spaces are just as incredible. Everything was so green, lush, and full of natural beauty. We received countless compliments from our guests, who were all in awe of how gorgeous the venue was. One of the things we loved most was the location. It may be a little farther out than some other venues, but that’s part of what makes it so special. The drive is absolutely worth it. Once you arrive, it feels like you’ve escaped into your own private, peaceful world, making the entire day feel even more magical. If we could do our wedding day all over again, we would choose Old Wide Awake every single time. If you’re considering booking this venue, let this be your sign… do it! You won’t regret it. It truly is the most beautiful place to celebrate one of the best days of your life.”

“This was a dream venue from start to finish. The venue coordinator, Margaret, was so easy to work with. She helped me every step of the way with the planning and details and was very responsive when I needed her. The beauty of the location is unmatched. It’s on a quiet piece of property right outside of Charleston and has an old southern charm that is unique and special. I would choose Old Wide Awake again and again!!”

“My husband and I got married here on October 18, 2025 and to say it was a dream would be an understatement!!!!! Everything from start to finish was such a smooth process. Our property 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!”

“Old Wide Awake is the kind of venue that instantly takes your breath away–especially the first time you see it in person. As the mother of the bride, I couldn’t have imagined a more 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.”

“Ms. McKenzie and the whole team at Old Wide Awake were exceptional in hosting our wedding day. From start to finish, they were professional, caring, and great communicators. I came 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!!”

“Our September wedding at Old Wide Awake exceeded our expectations!!! The property offers multiple distinct spaces for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing, with the historic 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.”

“If we could give Margaret Mackenzie 10 stars, we would. From the very beginning, Margaret felt less like a wedding planner and more like a fairy godmother who somehow made every single dream we had not only possible, but even more beautiful than we imagined. Planning a wedding at Old Wide Awake already comes with the advantage of one of the most stunning venues in Charleston — but having Margaret as both our planner and the venue’s event manager was absolutely invaluable. Her knowledge of the property, her deep experience planning weddings there, and her incredible vendor relationships made the entire process feel seamless. She knew every detail, every possibility, every logistical consideration, and every person needed to bring our vision to life. And to say we had ideas would be an understatement. We came to Margaret with so many concepts that pushed beyond the “standard” wedding setup at the venue, including one particularly ambitious vision: a single 140-person dinner table running down the iconic Avenue of Oaks. Instead of hesitation or limitations, Margaret’s response was always: “Yep, let’s do it.” Her “say yes” attitude made the entire experience feel exciting, collaborative, and creative. She never made us feel like our ideas were too complicated or too unconventional — she embraced them wholeheartedly and then worked tirelessly behind the scenes to actually make them happen. What truly sets Margaret apart is that she goes far beyond logistics and timelines. Her calm, friendly demeanor and genuine excitement for our wedding carried us through every stressful moment of planning. You could feel how much she cared, and that energy made all the difference. She celebrated alongside us, reassured us when we needed it, and somehow made the entire process feel joyful instead of overwhelming. By the time our September 2025 wedding arrived, everything felt effortless — and that’s entirely because Margaret had thought through every detail with such care and expertise. Our wedding was beyond anything we could have imagined, and so much of that magic came from her. We truly cannot say enough wonderful things about Margaret Mackenzie. If you are planning a wedding in Charleston, especially at Old Wide Awake, hiring her is one of the best decisions you could possibly make. We would recommend her 10,000 times over without hesitation.

“Had an amazing wedding experience. Super helpful staff with good communication. Great pricing for how beautiful the venue is tucked away outside of Charleston!”

“I truly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect wedding venue than Old Wide Awake. The property is absolutely stunning and captures that timeless Charleston charm. My wedding felt like it belonged in a classic Southern story — elegant, romantic, and full of historical beauty. Margaret and the entire Old Wide Awake team were phenomenal. They went above and beyond to make sure I felt special every step of the way. Their balance of professionalism and warmth was unmatched. They were incredibly accommodating while making me feel like the absolute center of attention on my big day. They even allowed me to bring my goats to be part of the celebration, which meant the world to me and made the day feel uniquely ours. If you’re looking for a breathtaking location and a team that genuinely cares, look no further. I’m forever grateful to Old Wide Awake for helping bring our wedding dreams to life.”

“We got married at Old Wide Awake on 9.21.24 and it could not have been a better venue for our special day. Margaret is wonderful to work with. She is professional, quick to respond, caring and compassionate. She put us at ease throughout the whole planning process. Every single guest was in awe of the venue. It is the perfect tucked away hidden gem and made the perfect back drop for our southern garden party wedding. We cannot recommend Old Wide Awake enough!!”