Our Story

Neil and Wendy Cox, owners of Wildwood, met in 1994 on a blind date and later married in 1997. They both wanted a large family and set out to create just that. They have 9 children- 6 boys and 3 girls. They both have a very serious work ethic which they have strived to instill in all their children. Neil works for Farmers Telephone Company and runs a very successful lawn service, NLS and Landscaping. Wendy owns and operates Beyond the Stars Early Intervention, which she was inspired to open with the birth of her youngest child, Eli, who was born with Down Syndrome. Neil and Wendy purchased Bethesda United Methodist Church after it had closed and moved it to their property that once was a dairy farm, owned and operated by Neil’s grandfather Dewey Cox. Neil had special ties to the church because that was where his grandparents, Dewey and Nancy Cox were members. Neil is the Troop Master for Trail Life Troop SC-3871 in Lake City, SC and his plans were just to use the church for their meetings and programs. But Neil and Wendy’s secretary, Kim Boyd, had another idea. She coaxed the couple into creating a wedding venue. Kim had always dreamed of running a wedding venue one day and naming it Wildwood. She said that when she was a child her mother and grandmother would sing to her the hymn “The Church in the Wildwood” to help her go to sleep. And with that, Wildwood was born. Neil and Wendy have created a unique and affordable venue offering packages and options that make wedding planning much less overwhelming for any bride. Schedule a tour to begin planning your special day.
*Disclaimer – This is a dry venue. The serving of alcohol is prohibited on the property.