Planning a Wedding at Willowdale Estate: A Massachusetts Wedding Photographer’s Guide
This Massachusetts wedding venue has everything. It’s filled with old-world charm, has multiple stunning settings, and makes for easy planning. Willowdale Estate is a place you won’t want to miss. Think cobblestone buildings, first dances under strong lights, and planning that’s so simple that the hardest thing you’ll have to do is choose colors! As a Massachusetts wedding photographer, that’s the kind of experience I love for my couples, so Willowdale Estate is always at the top of my list of recommendations for venues. I’ve shot here so many times that I’ve learned all the ins and outs you need to know about planning your wedding at this gorgeous venue!
Willowdale Estate: A Massachusetts Wedding Venue That You’ll Fall in Love With
Willowdale Estate is a Massachusetts wedding venue that balances elegance with ease. It’s expansive without feeling overwhelming, and structured without feeling rigid, which, honestly, is a rare combination. This Massachusetts wedding venue has it all: beautiful grounds, patios, indoor and outdoor options (which are a 1920s mansion and 720 acres of woodlands), breathtaking architecture, unique, spacious getting-ready rooms… I could go on forever! It’s one of those venues where you can walk in and immediately picture your day unfolding without feeling like you have to force anything. It’s a space that makes planning a wedding feel like a breeze, because you know they’ve already thought of everything for you.
The Estate can hold up to 125 guests inside during mansion season (November through April) and 240 guests outside during tent season (May through October). No matter which one you go for, the given area feels like the perfect amount of space; never too empty and never too crowded. It naturally creates room for connection, conversation, and presence, and if you’re here, I know you probably love that just as much as I do.
As a Massachusetts wedding photographer, it’s incredibly important to me that your wedding feels supported from the start. Willowdale Estate’s all-inclusive options, including catering, bar service, coordination, and on-site staff, remove so much unnecessary stress so that you’re not having to juggle a million moving pieces. Instead, you’re actually able to enjoy planning your day!
Should You Choose Tent Season or Mansion Season at Willowdale Estate? | Spring and Summer vs Fall and Winter Weddings
Willowdale Estate is beautiful year-round, but each season offers a very different experience. I’ve photographed weddings here in every season, and the best choice always comes down to how you want your day to feel!
Tent Season at Willowdale Estate (May through October)
Spring and summer weddings take place outdoors under a tent in the garden courtyard, and believe me when I say that there’s something special about it. Being surrounded by lush gardens while under the tent just creates the best of both worlds, giving you the outside air while still being weather-controlled.
During this season, you can also choose to hold your ceremony on the patio with the cobblestone mansion as your backdrop, and this is an option that I swoon over every time! It creates a whimsical, spring vibe that feels romantic and effortlessly elegant.
Mansion Season at Willowdale Estate (November through April)
Take this as your sign: don’t overlook winter weddings at Willowdale Estate! Ceremonies inside the mansion create such a cozy, romantic, warm feel. And when it’s paired with a deep, wintery color palette? I’m in love.
Receptions inside the mansion bring stunning architecture and soft lighting, and if you want that ballroom feel without it being overly stuffy, that’s exactly what it brings!
One underused combo that I do love at Willowdale Estate is an indoor ceremony/outdoor reception in the spring or summertime. It gives you the best of both worlds and use of the whole venue, since every corner is beautiful!
FAQs About a Willowdale Estate Wedding
There are a few questions my couples ask all the time about planning a wedding here, so I’ve compiled them here in case you have the same ones!
What Does a Timeline Flow Look Like at Willowdale Estate?
Typically, if you’re holding your ceremony and reception in the same spot, after the ceremony, there will be a cocktail hour held inside the mansion while the space is being flipped. The flow is so natural here, so don’t worry about awkward hiccups or guests feeling confused about what to do next!
Is the Lighting Good for Photos at Willowdale Estate?
Yes! No matter the ceremony and reception spot you choose, there is always fantastic lighting for me to work with as your Massachusetts wedding photographer.
What are the Getting-Ready Logistics at Willowdale Estate?
Willowdale Estate has spacious getting-ready rooms on site, perfect for your whole bridal party. There’s even a clawfoot bathtub that I never pass up for pictures!
What Does a Rain Plan Look Like at Willowdale Estate During Tent Season?
If it happens to rain and you’re planning for an outdoor ceremony, you can either choose to say “I do” underneath the tent (don’t worry, it has flaps that go down to the ground!) or move your ceremony inside the mansion.
Do Guests Like Willowdale Estate?
At every single wedding I’ve shot at this Massachusetts wedding venue, I’ve heard guests rave about how much they love it. And for good reason!
Ashley Olafsson | Massachusetts Wedding Photographer
If you’re the type of couple who wants your wedding to feel elegant and charming while being easy to plan, Willowdale Estate could be your perfect match. And if you want photos to match that style, that’s exactly what I do.
I focus on capturing moments that feel real, honest, and true-to-life. My role is to guide when needed, step back when appropriate, and create space for my couples to fully live their day. If you’re looking for a Massachusetts wedding photographer who values presence just as much as beautiful images, you can inquire about booking me here!
Xoxo,
Ashley
Client love: “Booking with Ashley was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding day. There aren’t enough words to describe how amazing Ashley is at her job, as well as a person. My husband and I were so nervous to take engagement photos since we had never taken professional photos before, and we could not have felt more comfortable and natural during our session. Best of all, within 24 hours, we received a sneak peak and we were absolutely blown away. The day of our wedding couldn’t have gone any better, and so much of that was thanks to Ashley. She is such a professional and clearly loves what she does. Our wedding photos are stunning thanks to her, and I would ask Ashley to be our photographer a million times over.”
Find more wedding inspiration on my Pinterest and from more blog posts:
A Boston Wedding Photographer’s Guide to Planning a Wedding at Garage B
An Intentional California Destination Wedding Told Through Documentary Style Wedding Photography
