July 16, 2025

Rainy wedding day? We’ve got you covered at Willowdale Estate

Tent season (May-October) at Willowdale Estate is a beautiful time for an outdoor wedding, and rainy New England weekends never stop the celebration from being magical and memorable. Learn how Willowdale Estate makes rainy wedding days stress-free and stunning, no matter the weather!

Willowdale Estate is a 1902 historic arts and crafts style mansion located in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Our property is a private estate, which means couples get exclusive use of the house, tent, and grounds. This allows us to create a seamless transition from outdoors to indoors or under tent in case of inclement weather. Our rain plan provides beautiful mansion spaces, covered outdoor areas, with easy access between the two.

Where is my ceremony if it rains? 

Ceremonies will be moved under our Sperry sailcloth tent with the garden courtyard as your backdrop. If your guest count is 125 or under, you have the option to have an indoor ceremony in our glass conservatory. 

When do we need to make the call?

Deciding on the rain plan will be made day-of with your wedding coordinator. Timing will depend on equipment and décor setup. 

Where can I take photos?

Everywhere! The house lends itself as a beautiful option for portraits and group photos with wood details, elaborate stone fire places, and stained glass windows. Spaces include 3 hospitality suites, the library, the parlor and north wing stairs, the dining room, the foyer, the great room, and the conservatory. If you're looking for some rain-kissed romance, couples can opt for outdoor photos with the front of house, garden courtyard, pergola, or the Ipswich river foot bridge. We have a limited supply of clear umbrellas for our couples and wedding parties.

How do we get to the tent?

The dining room exits to a paved walkway and covered marquee that leads to the tent.

What are the tent amenities?

Our Sperry sailcloth tent has optional side panels, perimeter and pole lighting, heating, and fans. The tent sits on a poured concrete slab, so guests don't need to worry about wet grass or muddy grounds. Additional add-ons are available including lighting upgrades, a dance floor, and tablescape enhancements.

 

FEATURED IMAGE: LENA MIRISOLA PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOS: DAN AGUIRRE PHOTOGRAPHY, ANNMARIE SWIFT PHOTOGRAPHY, BAILEY Q PHOTOGRAPHY, ARIUS PHOTOGRAPHY, BROOK WHICHER PHOTOGRAPHY, DAMPOLO PHOTOGRAPHY, NATALIE COLAPIETRO PHOTOGRAPHY, ERICA FERRONE PHOTOGRAPHY, LINDSEY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY, GABRIELLE SHOOTS PHOTOGRAPHY, LENA MIRISOLA PHOTOGRAPHY, ZEV FISHER PHOTOGRAPHY, MATCH MADE STUDIOS, RACHEL SHEK PHTOGRAPHY, SHANNON CRONIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Wedding venue under a tent with rows of chairs and greenery.
Six women in loungewear, wearing sunglasses, posing in a vintage bathroom.
Bride and groom sitting together, sharing an intimate moment by stained glass windows.
Wedding venue with floral arch and rows of chairs in a wooden-paneled room.
Bride and groom walking hand-in-hand under a canopy.
Bride and groom kiss under floral arch at a wedding ceremony.
Wedding party in formal attire, standing together and smiling indoors.
Couple embracing, facing a rainbow over a grassy field with trees.
Wedding party with bridesmaids in blue dresses, groomsmen in dark suits, and a couple in the center.
Couple under umbrella in the rain at night, elegantly dressed.
Stone cottage with ivy and autumn leaves, a person stands in the doorway.
Couple kissing under umbrella, bride in red boots, garden setting.
Bride and man in dark suit in a wooden hallway, bride holding bouquet.
Couple in wedding attire standing in a stone doorway.
Wedding party under clear umbrellas, surrounded by autumn trees.
Bride and groom smiling in front of fireplace in elegant room.
Couple in wedding attire under clear umbrellas, smiling in a decorated garden setting.
Bride and groom kissing under a stone archway with green doors.
Elegant wedding tent with round tables, white linens, and floral centerpieces.
Bride and groom hold hands under floral arch during outdoor wedding ceremony.
Bride and groom walk hand-in-hand under an umbrella, near a stone building.
Bride in white dress holding flowers, standing in stone archway.
Bride and groom stand by a fireplace, surrounded by floral decorations.
Bride and groom seated in a wooden alcove, sharing a tender moment.
Couple exchanging vows under floral arch at outdoor wedding ceremony.
Bride and groom smile under an umbrella by a vintage car and stone building.
Bride and groom dancing under string lights, surrounded by guests.
Nighttime garden party under a tent with string lights and guests mingling.
Wedding ceremony under a decorated tent with guests seated.
Group of women in colorful dresses sitting in a warmly lit room, smiling and talking.
Wedding tent with guests, surrounded by fall foliage and potted plants.
Bride in a white dress holding flowers, sitting by a window in a floral-themed room.
Outdoor wedding setup under tent with chairs and floral decorations.
Bride and groom smiling in front of a wooden door.
Elegant outdoor tent with string lights and banquet tables.
White event tent on a paved area, surrounded by greenery.
Bride and groom smiling with their dog, indoors, bouquet nearby.
Bride and groom holding hands under a tent, surrounded by their wedding party.
Wedding reception tent with round tables, white linens, and string lights.
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