The Space
David Harden bought this property and filed the paperwork to open Back to Nature Garden Center on March 15, 2018, starting out as a plant and retail business before any of it was built around events. The garden center began hosting its own events in late 2021, then opened up as a rental venue for outside couples in 2022, so the event side of the business grew directly out of the garden center rather than being the original plan.
The property has kept adding pieces since then: primitive camping opened across the 3 acres of forest in 2023, a bistro serving Southern homemade food with a gourmet twist opened in September 2024, and in 2025 the first cottage in what the property calls its faerie forest opened with a licensed massage therapist on site, along with a new multi-tier entrance fountain installed that December. A bell tower went up at the edge of the forest in 2026.
Capacity & Layout
The Forest Venue itself can host up to 120 guests, built around a 12-by-12 gazebo, an in-ground fire pit, a charcoal grill, and a wedding arch that are already part of the setting rather than rented in for the day. Having the arch and gazebo in place means the ceremony structure is already built into the landscape.
Beyond the Forest Venue, the property also offers a Pavilion Venue for medium to large gatherings, a Bistro Venue for a more dining-focused event, and an indoor event room for smaller groups. That range means a couple can match the room to the actual guest count and the kind of day they want, whether that is a full outdoor forest ceremony or a smaller indoor gathering.
Amenities
A three-bedroom, two-bath guest house sits on the property for overnight stays, running about $150 on weekdays and $200 on weekends plus tax, so the wedding party or visiting family can stay on site instead of driving in the morning of. Primitive camping is also available across the 3 acres of forest for guests who want to make more of a weekend out of it.
A petting zoo with goats, pigs, chickens, and ducks is part of the property, which is a real detail for a couple planning a relaxed, family-friendly day rather than a formal ballroom affair. The venue also offers payment plans at no extra cost, and the on-site bistro means food does not have to come from an outside caterer if a couple wants to keep everything on the property.
Location & Getting There
The property sits on Kissingbower Road in the Augusta area, near Summerville, and it is a venue where we have already worked a wedding. The business has been BBB Accredited with an A+ rating since March 16, 2021, which is a reasonable data point for a couple weighing a newer venue against more established options.
Sound on this property has to work around a county ordinance requiring lower volumes between 11pm and 7am, so we plan the reception’s louder stretch to land well before that cutoff rather than up against it. The Forest Venue is an open-air setting along a creek with trees rather than walls, which changes how sound travels compared to an enclosed hall, so we run a system built for outdoor coverage and keep an eye on the curfew as the night winds down.
Why Couples Book Dow Oak Here
You only get one reception at this venue, so it should be run by a team that already knows how to make a room like it work:
- We have actually performed at this venue, so we plan for its sound, layout, and flow instead of guessing on your night
- One team for your DJ and MC, photo booth, and custom lighting, on a single plan and one contract
- Backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team
- An online planning portal plus a planning call before the day
- More than 3,000 five-star reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and just $400 reserves your date
Wedding DJ FAQ
Have you performed at this venue before?
Yes. Every venue in our directory is one we have actually worked, so we already know how to set up, light, and run the room for a wedding, from ceremony sound to the last dance.
How much is a wedding DJ?
Your price depends on your date, your area, and add-ons like a photo booth, uplighting, or ceremony sound. Pick your date on our pricing page and you will see your exact price, and just $400 reserves your date.
Do you provide lighting and a photo booth too?
Yes. One team handles your DJ and MC, color-matched uplighting, and a modern photo booth on a single plan.
What happens if our DJ has an emergency?
We always have trained backup DJs scheduled and on call, with your full plan shared across our team, so someone can step in seamlessly.
How do we book you?
Check your date using the form on this page. We confirm availability, send your pricing, and a $400 retainer reserves your date.
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Fill out the form and a real member of our team reaches out, usually the same day. No call center, no pressure.
- Backup DJs & photo booths on call 24/7
- Just $400 reserves your date
- Free setup and teardown, every time
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