The Ivy Place

A private outdoor venue located on 33 acres, The Ivy Place is a wedding space located in Lancaster, South Carolina. Built in the 1850s, the house, rustic barn, and garden-covered grounds provide a peaceful backdrop for a wedding ceremony, reception, bridal shower, engagement party, or rehearsal dinner. The gardens around the property were sculpted by a master gardener and garden designer, who also happens to be one of the owners of the property.

Facilities and Capacity

While all ceremonies and receptions are located outdoors, there is a large, beautifully decorated garden tent situated on the grounds. Many couples find having their reception inside the tent doesn’t take away from the feeling of being outdoors, as high sides, cathedral windows, and built-in decorations provide an extension to the possible festivities outside. With the capacity to fit 300 people, both the tent and the outdoor areas are flexible and available for couples to decorate as they see fit.

Services Offered

The Ivy Place welcomes outside vendors for florals, decorating, catering, and other wedding-day needs. They can provide a bridal suite on the day of the wedding, as well as assist in event planning before and on the event day. Couples can also reserve the 1920s cottage on the night of their wedding, and the many fields, ponds, gardens, and old barns provide unique spaces for wedding party photos and portraits.

Some of the other items they keep in their inventory for wedding use include:

• Arbors
• Lawn games
• Cocktail tables
• Farm Tables

History

The house was built in 1850 by Adam Ivy, who used a gold dust dowry from his second wife to commission the building, as was family tradition. In 1888, the house was sold and then used as a retirement retreat in the early 1920s for Dr. James D. Nisbet and his wife. They renovated the house, constructed the barn, and ran a working dairy farm until the late 1950s. Used as a rental home after the owners passed away, the property was finally bought by Terry and Genie Graham in 1978. Genie was actually a descendent of Dr. Jim Nisbet, and Terry immigrated to the United States from Ireland, as Adam Ivy’s parents did. After holding weddings for both their daughters on the property, Terry and Genie recognized they wanted to share their special location with others, and opened The Ivy House for weddings and events.