hear Our Story
Heyward Manor is... so much more than a wedding venue… It’s our home.
Established in 2019, Heyward Manor was designed and built by brothers Don and Jake Black on their 650-acre family-owned tree farm – Charlie’s Creek Nursery – in Iva, South Carolina.
Although the venue was not completed, officially opened or even named until November of that year, the family hosted their first wedding on April 13, 2019. The bride was Don’s daughter who grew up on the farm and always dreamed of getting married on her family’s land.
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A few months prior to the wedding, the bride’s grandfather was diagnosed with leukemia. Her family was devastated as his health quickly declined, but he held on in hopes to see his granddaughter married. Her wedding day finally arrived, and her grandfather put on quite the show. To everyone there, including the bride, he seemed to be feeling much better. In fact, he danced the night away and even cut in during the father/daughter dance. It was priceless.
Two weeks later, the bride’s grandfather passed away.
His name was Heyward Black, and I was the bride. After returning from our honeymoon, we found out that my papa had been hospitalized only days after my wedding but wouldn’t let anyone tell us while we were gone. Thankfully, we were able to say goodbye.
As construction on the venue was completed a few months later, it came time to name the venue. Nothing seemed to fit a first…and then it clicked. We chose the name Heyward Manor after my grandfather, to honor him and to cherish those precious memories with him at the venue’s first wedding.
We often tell people that Heyward Manor is more than just a wedding venue. It’s where I, along with my siblings and cousins, grew up and it is a place filled with warmth and love. It’s our home. To us, family is everything, and we consider all our sweet couples to be new members of our family. That’s how our grandfather would have wanted it.
In 1982, my father, uncle and grandfather first bought and developed our land, pouring love, sweat and tears into the tree farm that surrounds the venue today. We truly believe that you can feel that love in this place when you are here. So, we invite you to come visit for yourself, and we look forward to welcoming you into our family. It’s the stuff of fairy tales, and we dream of creating magic and making yours come true.
With much love, Tori Beth Goforth & The Black Family.
Our Family
Heyward Manor is located less than an hour from Greenville, South Carolina. Situated among a tree farm, green meadows, landscaped gardens and a natural lake, a beautiful white cathedral-like barn invites guests to explore what’s beyond its handcrafted wooden doors. With three large windows at the front; glass, French doors lining both sides; and a breathtaking display of windows at the back; Heyward Manor is a photographer’s dream with unlimited natural light. When the sun goes down, delicate chandeliers light up the inner whitewashed walls, outlined by natural cedar beams.
Two covered areas, decorated with string lights, lie on both sides of the barn, allowing guests to enjoy the South Carolina countryside rain or shine. Heyward Manor’s patio features soft, grey pavers and offers couples the ideal space for a cocktail hour, unconventional dance floor or even an intimate wedding overlooking the lake. A small path, lit with string lights, leads to a new, circular hydrangea garden and a smaller lakeside meadow, featuring a picturesque rope swing. Behind the venue lies a larger meadow that includes a stunning wheat field in the summer and lasts through early fall.
A dreamy bridal suite is located on the second floor of the venue, with a small balcony overlooking the entire Manor. Jeweled chandeliers, one-of-a kind mirrors, granite countertops, antique furniture, a private restroom and white fur and gold accents adorn the special space where brides will spend time with their friends and family before they say, “I do.”
Grooms are offered an elegant “man-cave” located in the back of the venue, complete with its own restroom, an antique couch, leather accent pieces and an original, Colorado elk hide.
Whether looking for a rustic wedding or a Black-Tie affair, Heyward Manor can make all your dreams come true. The simplicity of the white walls, cedar beams and natural landscape can be customized to each unique taste, while also enjoying all the modern conveniences including heating and air, built-in speakers, four restrooms, a hidden kitchen with separate access and much more.
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