Venues We Love: The Willows at Villanova
This is the first in our blog series featuring venues we love. There’s no better place to start than The Willows at Villanova.
The Willows is an elegant wedding venue set within Willows Park Preserve, on Philadelphia's the Main Line in Villanova, PA. The venue sits high on a hill overlooking the grounds.
At the center of the venue is a stunning Spanish Revival mansion dating back to 1910, built by Charles Barton Keen. Ironically enough it was built for the bride of a distillery owner, so it’s had weddings connected to it since it’s creation.
GETTING READY
Is there a better backdrop than the solarium for getting ready? Its Italian marble terrazzo floor and glass doors couldn’t be more photogenic. Or what about their classic wood paneled library?
PORTRAITS
If you’re looking for a venue with a lot to use without having to go far, The Willows is exactly that. At the front of the mansion tucked away behind the ceremony space is a stunning path leading through tall trees. Coming down from there you can make use of the stone staircases, leading down toward the ceremony space where at each angle you’ll find a vignette to use. Turn around and you have the mansion as a backdrop.
If you make your way around the mansion, there’s a small path surrounded by beds of flowers and plants. This path leads you to the back patio where you get the view of the entire park and the willow trees which the venue is named after.
CEREMONY
A Spanish style stone courtyard overlooked by a forest. Not something you’d expect in eastern Pennsylvania. A perfect backdrop for your ceremony, and what’s more fun than exiting your ceremony and heading straight into a mansion? If the weather isn’t cooperating the solarium or reception tent are perfect backup options.
COCKTAIL HOUR
When you imagine your cocktail hour what do you think about? A beautiful patio at sunset with a view of a lake and mountains? This is exactly what you’re getting at The Willows. You can enjoy cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres from Peachtree Catering with your guests while taking in the view. You can also making use of the gorgeous interior of the mansion.
RECEPTION
Just a few steps away from the cocktail patio is the receptions space. It’s a blank slate to decorate and be as creative as you want to create a space that fits your specific style and vision.
If you’re getting married at The Willows, we’d love to capture your day! Connect with us at the link below
Contact us!
You an also clink below to reach out to The Willows:
Please don’t forget to checkout all of the vendors that helped make the weddings featured possible:
Photos: 1, 4, 9, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24, 29, 32, 33, 35, 37
Catering: Peachtree Catering | @peachtreecatering
Video: By The Gatewoods | @bythegatewoods
Florals: Violet Florals | @violet_florals
Makeup: Beauty by Jacs | @beautybyjacs
Hair: Wildcraft Weddings | @wildcraftweddings
Music: Stylus DJ Entertainment | @stylusdjentertainment
Gowns: Ava Laurenne Bride - Bridal Closet - My Sewing Studio Alterations | @avalaurennebride, @bridalclosetmd, @mysewingstudioalterations
Napkins: Something Vintage | @smthingvintage
Rentals: Lilac & Lace Co | @lilacandlaceco
Guest Book: After The Tone Co | @afterthetone.co
Invitation Design: Vibrant Vision Co | @vibrant.visionsco
Invitation Printing: Truly Engaging | @truly.engaging
Save the Dates: Sappho Printing Co | @sapphoprintingco
Jewelry: GLDN Jewelry - Olive Ave Jewelry - Nelson Coleman Jewelers | @itsgldn, @oliveavejewelry, @nelsoncoleman_jewelers
Photos: 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 32, 36, 38
Catering: Peachtree Catering | @peachtreecatering
Hair: 11 AM Salon | @11amsalon
Makeup: KAI Labs | @kailabsllc
Florist: Risher Van Horn | @rishervanhorn
Band: Shot of Southern | @shotofsouthern
Dress: The Bridal Suite Boutique | @bridalsuiteboutique
Photos: 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 27, 28, 29, 31, 35
Catering: Peachtree Catering | @peachtreecatering
Makeup: Shimmer and Spice | @shimmerandspice
Hair: Top Knots by Aimee | @topknotsbyaimee
Florist: Flowers by Loriann | @flowersbyloriann