What locals are saying
Old Wide Awake Plantation is a 25-year-old institution on Charleston's wedding circuit — a historic Hollywood property whose oak-lined drive, Spanish moss, wraparound porches, and lakeside views do most of the heavy lifting before a single vow is spoken. The venue's singular asset is coordinator Margaret McKenzie, who doubles as wedding planner for many couples and earns nearly unanimous praise for running airtight days without visible seams; the all-day buy-out model and full use of the house distinguish it from more transactional venues. The friction that surfaces is logistical: occasional communication lag during early inquiry, reported maintenance hiccups with facilities during events, and the need to budget separately for a tent if you want a proper dance floor.
