Guest Areas at the Bridge

Open reception space wedding venue near Spartanburg South Carolina

The Venue at Ballenger Bridge is full of natural beauty with Guest areas that really complement the space.

1. The Bridge

The bridge was built by Morgan Graham around 2010 in the style of a historic wooden covered bridge. It spans the Middle Tyger River on three steel beams, it is anchored into the riverbank with concrete footings. The frame and siding are all rough hewn lumber, which really lends to the historical aspect of the bridge. Couples with larger weddings love the bridge for cocktail hour, while smaller weddings and other events use it for dinner. It makes a very elegant space for farmhouse style dining.

Part of the historical charm and integrity of the bridge is it thick wooden floorboards. Because the floor is wood, it has been wet and dried, it has flexed and flattened, and it is a bit uneven. For safety reasons we have covered the floor with rubberized floor tiles that locked together and create a continuous surface. As you walking around on the bridge you may find that the boards underneath the tiles move a little bit. It is only because some of the boards are warped and don’t lay flat across the beams. We recommend not wearing stiletto heels in the bridge.

Bride and groom sit in front of a covered bridge near Greenville South Carolina wedding venue

2. The Octagon

Morgan built the Octagon at about the same time he built the bridge. It is a very unique and elegant open air space, and in the heat of summer it stays 5 to 10° cooler under the roof. With close to 2500 ft.² under cover, there is ample space for 125 people to dine, dance, and celebrate. We prefer that all of the barware be plastic because the floor is concrete, and people like to take their dress shoes off to dance. We also have clear sides that we can put on the octagon in the event of inclement weather. There are also propane heaters available if it gets too cold.

Bride standing in front of reception space near Greenville South Carolina wedding venue

3. The River

Bubbling along the edge of the venue is the Middle Tyger River. The River adds a peaceful and serene soundtrack to cocktail hour in the bridge. The path along the river connects the venue space to the cabin at the back of the property. Take a stroll along the river, there’s so many places to take photos in the shade. There’s always a slight breeze to keep it a little cooler in the hot South Carolina summer. Guests are welcome to wander the Riverwalk, but we ask that you not go any further then the wooden deck to give the guest staying in the cabin their privacy. Also, the wooden deck is absolutely not safe to walk on. Please don’t play on or around that deck and please keep your children off of it.

Engaged a couple walking along the river Walk near Greenville South Carolina wedding venue

4. The Restrooms

At the venue, we have ample restroom space for 125 guests. The restroom building has two changing suites for the wedding party, and five powder rooms for all of the guests. It is climate controlled. We are on a septic system and we ask that you only don’t flush paper towels, feminine products, or anything else that doesn’t belong in Septic system. And as tempting as it is for guys to use the outdoors, we ask that you use the facilities for all of your business.