The best North of Boston tented, mansion Venue

Willowdale Estate   •  Topsfield, MA

Sarah and Jordan met 6 years ago and then reconnected after living two years in separate states. They decided to go for the chance at a long distance relationship. The rest is history. In Sarah’s words, “As people who initially fell in love while pursuing our individual goals, we are passionate about balance! Balance for us = pushing each other to try things outside our comfort zone, while also appreciating the importance of indulging in the comfort of our couch. They are both highly driven yet appreciate their time together. When I first talked with Sarah and Jordan we met at a coffee shop. After a shared cup of coffee, we knew it was a fit.

NORTH OF BOSTON

Willowdale Estate is nestled in a large state forest in Topsfield, MA. The venue prides itself on providing crafted experiences, impeccable hospitality and timelessly elegant ambiance. Having worked multiple weddings I can say this place truly delivers. The grounds are ideal for ANY season. For those winter couples, this is your spot. Sarah and Jordan had a lovely June wedding. They got ready in the great house, did portraits all around the property followed by ceremony in the courtyard and reception under the sailcloth tent. They told me they wanted a romantic and beautiful, fun yet vibrant wedding. That’s just what they got.

THE CEREMONY

The courtyard in the back of the mansion is THE spot to hold the ceremony. Most often it is completely shielding that harsh sunlight that so often can ruin the mid day/early evening photo quality of ceremonies. The mansion also lends its unique and hard to find character as the most romantic backdrop. This was top on the couple’s list and they got it.

Guests enter through the front of the property and are led through the property out to the back. After the ceremony they are welcomed with drinks and apps and led into the cocktail hour space, a beautiful wooden and glass room where guests take in the beauty of French windows, detailed woodwork, oversized skylights and cozy fireplaces.

Sarah & Jordan’s priorities were to be together as much as possible. So they did all their portraits prior to the ceremony and then were able to attend their cocktail hour.

THE PARTY

Sarah and Jordan were able to mingle with their guests for cocktail hour as well as enjoy a moment or two alone in the couples suite upstairs before the reception started. The reception was under the venue’s sailcloth tent. Sarah wanted whimsical and fun, vibrant colors. She used Rococo Floral Co. out of Sommerville who always, always deliver. The table top design and candle dinner just truly set the mood. After a brief rain storm the night was clear and the food and drinks were flowing. The couple did things a little differently with a round of the “Hokey Pokey” to start off the night on the dance floor, a family favorite at all the holiday parties. The day was authentic and exactly what Sarah and Jordan wanted.

THE BOTTOM LINE

This wedding was a low key happy day. Sarah and Jordan were just so present and trusting in all their vendors that they were able to stay in the moment of what they were doing and who they were with. The vendor team was strong and Willowdale, as always delivers excellent service. The venue was the talk of the guests. As a Photographer I often overhear conversations through out the party. The guests were mostly coming up from Boston and all I heard was how stunning the space was and “how did they find this place”. The goal when any couple sets out on planning their wedding is to leave a mark on their guests so that they enjoy their time and their hard work of planning and designing is greatly noticed and appreciated.

ADVICE FROM A VENDOR…

As with any venue it can feel overwhelming to try and m make your vision stand out and personalize a large gathering to showcase you and your story as a couple. It can also feel like a full time job to coordinate design, planning, and logistics of a wedding even with a venue coordinator. My advice? Get an experienced wedding planner who is experienced in working tented mansion venues. A Wedding Planner is worth their weight in gold and should never be given a second thought to hire. Some great New England planners who specialize in tented weddings are Nicole Mower Events, Whim Events and Stephanie King Events. Giants of the Wedding Industry who will guide you through the whole wedding journey.

X Cory