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Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
4.6 ★★★★★ 170 Google reviews · Garden wedding venue in Columbia, South Carolina
1818 family residence & onetime governor's mansion open for tours of interior & surrounding gardens.
Plan your tour
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (803) 252-7742
- Website historiccolumbia.org — most venues book tours right on their site
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10:30–11:30 AM, 3–4 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30–11:30 AM, 3–4 PM |
| Friday | 10:30–11:30 AM, 3–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30–11:30 AM, 3–4 PM |
| Sunday | 1:30–2:30 PM, 3–4 PM |
The setting
“Make sure to check out the greenhouse, it’s one of the most beautiful structures in Columbia!”
“I once lived in Columbia historic district where my home was only around 10 minutes walk to those historic buildings such as the Hampton Mansion.”
“I once lived in Columbia historic district where my home was only around 10 minutes walk to those historic buildings such as the Hampton Mansion.”
Amenities couples mention
“Make sure to check out the greenhouse, it’s one of the most beautiful structures in Columbia!”
“The fountain and the arch ways give a beautiful view.”
“The grounds are plentiful, and the main lawn is preset with tent anchors.”
“The memorial pavilion to the right is really cool.”
What couples say again and again
“Absolutely beautiful plantation home and gardens, my daughters love learning about our rich history, and love all the beautiful dresses the ladies of the homes used to wear.”
From the reviews
What I love abt Columbia is its true old school charm with some of their buildings. This place has beautiful gardens to stroll through, take a picnic or just sit and enjoy the scenery. I went for a festival and it was the perfect backdrop for the event.
The Hampton-Preston Garden is one of the best places for a lunch stroll in Columbia. It’s full of beautiful vegetation and has a host of different paths that are excellent if you have young children. Make sure to check out the greenhouse, it’s one of the most beautiful structures in Columbia!
This is a dream wedding and event location. The grounds are plentiful, and the main lawn is preset with tent anchors. You should definitely stop by and see their new greenhouse. It comes with a catering kitchen that has its own separate entrance/exit.
We loved our tour guide, Duke. He was very enthusiastic about the history and the architecture. We booked the 10:30am tour, and we were the only ones there. It was essentially a private tour. Our time in the mansion was about 60 minutes. Duke told us about the families that built and lived in it.
Getting married at Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens comes up for weddings — confirmed on their own site. Two things make the tour worth it. First, see the garden at the time of day and season you'd actually get married — a garden that glows at golden hour in June can look very different at noon in March, so ask what's in bloom for your date and walk the path your guests take from parking to ceremony to reception. Second, bring your real questions: the rain plan (where does the ceremony move, and does it hold everyone?), shade and bugs for a summer afternoon, the catering and bar policy, the music curfew, and exactly what's included — tables, chairs, setup, and teardown are where quotes quietly diverge. Popular garden dates book 12–18 months out, so if the tour feels right, ask what's open in your season before you leave.
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