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Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
4.6 ★★★★★ 170 Google reviews · Greenhouse 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 +1 803-252-7742
- 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!”
“is anchored by a historically informed multi-use glasshouse, which serves several roles including the center of Historic Columbia’s horticultural operations, an interpretive greenhouse, and a space for educational, prog…” — the venue's website
Amenities, with proof
“The fountain and the arch ways give a beautiful view.”
What couples say again and again
“Even more than the Mills House across Blanding St, a house with which it is often confused, this house features the most beautiful gardens that are a must visit.”
Why it's listed — and what we can confirm
- Glass / botanical setting — “Botanical garden”
- Hosts weddings or events — “Weddings”
- Elopements & small weddings — “Photoshoots and Elopements”
From the reviews
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.
I've visited and officiated ceremonies at this location several times. Lovely garden if you love outdoor space. Excellent location for special edition photos, weddings, and elopements.
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.
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 glass house at the time of day and season you'd actually get married — the light pouring through the panes at golden hour is the whole reason to book one, but a greenhouse at noon in July feels very different from one at dusk in October, so ask about temperature and shade for your date and walk the path your guests take from parking to ceremony to reception. Second, bring the questions that only matter for a glass venue: is it heated and air-conditioned (the single most important question), what months do they actually book, is there shade cloth or diffusing glass for midday glare, what's the humidity like in summer, are candles or open flame allowed near the plants, and exactly what's included — tables, chairs, setup, and teardown are where quotes quietly diverge. Glass venues are intimate and popular dates book 12–18 months out, so if the tour feels right, ask what's open in your season before you leave.