Willowdale Estate Wedding

Willowdale Estate weddings take place just north of Boston in Topsfield, MA. It was built in 1901, and was a summer home for Bradley Palmer. Willowdale is tucked away in a forest of lush tree in Topsfield MA. This setting is perfect for a summer wedding late in the afternoon in their beautiful courtyard. After the wedding their guest enjoyed cocktail hour as they wander the grounds at Willowdale and enjoy the gardens on the estate.  The newly weds kick their wedding reception off when they are introduced under a Sperry sailcloth tent.

Open up a page from a storybook and what you will find is the Willowdale Estate wedding venue. The estate home is decorated in exposed stone, lavish trees and greenery, and has countless nooks and crannies to take great, intimate photos in. From the rich history of the whole place to the grandeur of the estate, you will not only impress your guests, but make a beautiful memory that the stones of the estate will echo about forever.

The History of Willowdale Estate Weddings

Willowdale Estate sits on 720-acre state forest, among the pristine Ipswich River. This craftsman and Tudor revival stone mansion was commissioned in 1901-1902 by Bradley Palmer. He had spent a lot of his time deciding where to build a summer home and settled in Topsfield, a popular town with plenty of land to exercise his horses. 

The architect was Charles Kimball Cummings and practiced architecture in Boston from 1897 to 1947. He was well known for his house designs and specialized in homes of the affluent and wealthy people of that era. He drew inspiration for the mansion from the mansions and castles of Aberdeen in Scotland and incorporated motifs from the Medieval period into the arts and crafts style. It led to the mansion resembling something out of a fairytale and hinting at an aesthetic of something outside of the United States.

In an article for Architectural Review in 1904, Cummings described the layout of the building as “a rather unusual arrangement, the master’s house, the quarters for a farmer or caretaker, and the stable, all being joined together under one roof. This was done with a view to economy of construction and management; and especially during the winter months this grouping together of quarters, which more often appear as separate buildings, has been found convenient and agreeable.”

The north wing of the house was mainly used for domestic functions with a dining room, guest rooms, a study, and a master suite above the entrance so you can look out at the Ipswich River. The southern wing had the carriage house and stable. 

The exterior of the mansion is made from fieldstone from the surrounding farms with a red-slate roof. For the interior, Cummings used primarily cherry and oak, finished with wax so that the interior maintained a natural look. The interior decoration then took a number of years to complete, though it was functionally done by 1904. 

The estate opened in 2007 after a long renovation that brought the beauty and wonder of the mansion and grounds back to life. The owner, Briar Forsythe took a team of planners, event coordinators, and a highly renowned catering team that is determined to go out and help you craft the wedding of your dreams with great hospitality and a personalized service. 

In 2017, Briar and her team founded Bramble Hospitality, which includes the Briar Barn Inn which is located in Roweley, Massachusetts to provide more hospitality options to the people in and from the greater Boston region

Willdowdale Estate Wedding Packages

Willowdale Estate weddings are offered year-round, and it comes with a full-service approach. It includes catering, service, and equipment for each wedding. They offer both a ceremony and a reception.

There are two wedding seasons at Willowdale: May to October in the outdoor tent for parties between 125-240 guests and November-April inside the estate for parties between 80-125 guests. 

Tent Season:

May-October

140-240 Guests

Friday: 

• Site Rental: $8,000

• Ceremony: $1,500

• Catering Minimum: $20,160

Saturday: Site 

• Site Rental: $10,000

• Ceremony: $1,500

• Catering Minimum: $24,480

Sunday: 

• Site Rental: $7,000

• Ceremony: $1,500

• Catering Minimum: $20,160

Mansion Season:

November-April

80-125 Guests

Saturday: 

• Site Rental: $6,000

• Ceremony: $1,250

• Catering Minimum: $13,400

Friday or Sunday: 

• Site Rental: $4,000

• Ceremony: $1,250

• Catering Minimum: $9,920

Bar Packages a Willowdale Estate weddings:

• Full Hosted Bar: $48-$60 per person

• Beer and Wine Hosted Bar: $41-$51 per person

• Hosted Cocktail Hour Bar: $23-$36 per person

• Consumption Bar: $20 per person

• Cash Bar Setup Cost: $10 per person

Food

Willowdale Estate weddings partners with local venders such as:

• Alprilla Farm - Essex

• Cedar Rock Garden - Gloucester

• Ipswich Maritime Products - Ipswich

• Halibut Jack - Gloucester

• Northcoast Seafood - Boston

Beverages

The team at Willowdale is flexible and willing to help you plan specific drinks for your wedding. Whether it’s a small event with soft drinks or a grand event with an open bar, the Planning Team will help you figure it all out. 

They offer: 

• Non-Alcoholic Drink Stations

• Coffee and Tea Service

• Cash Bar

• Consumption Based Hosted Bar

• Beer and Wine Hosted Bar

• Full Hosted Bar

Alcoholic Distributors

• United Liquors

• Horizon Beverage

• OZ Wine Company

• Craft Brewers Guild

• Seaboard Products Co.

• Merrimack Valley Distributing Company

Sample Wedding Menu:

The catering is restaurant-style and is prepared on-site by the culinary team for Willowdale Estate. They use only wholesome ingredients that are locally sourced whenever able. If your guests have any dietary needs or allergies, the team is happy to help coordinate a menu that will fit that, as well as work with custom menu requests.

Below is a sample wedding menu:

Upon Arrival Beverage: This is served as guests arrive for the ceremony.

• Cucumber Mint Iced Water

Signature Drink: This is served as guests enter cocktail hour.

• Moscow Mule

Passed Hors D'oeuvres 

• Buttermilk Fried Chicken with honey-orange glaze, bibb lettuce

• Sausage Stuffed Date with piquillo pepper

• Maine Crab Rangoon

• Watermelon with spicy whipped feta and mint

• Mini Cubano with french bread, pork, ham, chipotle sauce and pickles

Salad

• Willowdale Simple Greens with alprilla farm seasonal vegetables with cucumber and red wine vinaigrette

Entrees 

• Cod with roasted cherry tomatoes, wilted spinach, and basil rice

• Beer au Poivre and Potato Purée with asparagus and black pepper cream

Coffee and Tea

• Coffee and hot water with an assortment of Harney and Sons tea served with cream, milk, and sweeteners.

Dessert

• Chocolate chip cookies with pecans

Photography at Willowdale Estate

Having your a Willowdale Estate wedding gives you so many amazing spots for photography. From the misty setting with the trees to the cobblestone mansion itself, there are enough spots to get creative. The overall setting in the Bradley Palmer park adds to the magic of it all. There are perfect spaces down by the stream for first-look photos. 

Inside the mansion also adds to the grandeur of it all. It holds intricate fireplaces, curious rooms, and even spots that nobody would think to take a photo at. The rooms inside the mansion are great for getting ready photos and photographs of the wedding party. The dark wood contrasted with the white of a bride’s wedding dress.

The Willowdale Estate is a great wedding venue to host your wedding. The staff are hardworking and diligent and will strive to do all they can for your big day. To top it all off, the catering team will also not stop until you have a perfect menu that satisfies all craving. That, paired with the ambiance of all the different rooms and spots on the estate, make it a wonderful spot to say “I do.” 

Address and Hours of Willowdale Estate

Address: 24 Asbury St, Topsfield, MA 01983

Hours of business:

Sunday: 9AM–3PM

Monday: 9AM–5PM

Tuesday: 9AM–5PM

Wednesday: 9AM–5PM

Thursday: 9AM–5PM

Friday: 9AM–3PM

Saturday: 9AM–3PM

More Wedding Venues North of Boston