The Willows is an elegant venue in a scenic park on Philadelphia’s Main Line.

The European-style mansion is set in Willows Park Preserve, a 49-acre public park in Villanova with a magnificent landscape of hills, trails, trees and ponds.

Emily Wren Photo- this photo and lead photo above. Home page photo credits: Du Soleil Photographie,  Emily Wren Photo, Emily Kirsten Photography,, Katie Jean Photography
Table outside.
Du Soleil Photographie
introduction

The Willows sits high on a hill overlooking the breathtaking grounds of Willows Park Preserve in the heart of the Main Line in Villanova, PA. The venue offers an irresistible combination of quiet elegance and unsurpassed beauty. This historic mansion, a beautiful example of Spanish Revival style architecture, was built in 1910. The venue's capacity is 150 with outdoor dining in a white tent and exclusive use of the mansion and surrounding patios, courtyards, stone walls and landscaped grounds.


The setting

The grounds of The Willows Park Preserve contain many of the original plantings from the early 1900s, a vibrant reminder of the rich history of that time. The property features hundreds of mature willows, oaks, maples, and sycamores, close to 50 species of trees to view as well as a prized Redwood-Dawn which is approximately 100’ tall and 70 years old.

Bride and groom outside in the snow.
Megan Harris Photography
The mansion

The Willows Mansion serves as the gathering point for your event. Situated at the end of a long, winding driveway, the three-story mansion overlooks a sweeping panorama of tall trees, flowering plants, and a picturesque pond. The exterior features a red-tiled roof, smooth plastered walls, wrought iron balconies and a Spanish-style courtyard. Inside the Mansion there is a gracious foyer, dining room, a paneled library. The solarium, with Italian marble terrazzo floor and glass doors, opens onto a curved terrace with a view of the idyllic and serene setting.

DuSoleil Photographie
Historical photo of The Willows Park Preserve.
the history

Designed by renowned Philadelphia architect Charles Barton Keen for the bride of a wealthy distillery owner, the mansion was built in 1910 and originally called Rose Garland. Radnor Township renamed the property in homage to the beautiful willow trees encircling its pond.  In 2018, concern for the preservation of this open space led to the establishment of the Willows Park Preserve as a self-sustaining community hub offering dynamic year-round programming for all ages.

A portion of the proceeds from events held here go directly towards the maintenance and preservation of this precious parcel of land, home to the many who come to walk, fish, bird watch, photograph, paint, sled and enjoy the quiet serenity and restorative powers of nature.

Is there a more beautiful spot to host a wedding? I don't think so!