Wildwood Manor House Wedding Venue
As a Southeast Michigan wedding photographer who’s photographed a lot of weddings, I finally had the opportunity to travel in 2025 for weddings and engagements. I traveled as far as Disney World (yep, saw the Mouse himself) and as close as Ohio and Indiana. While Ohio wasn’t too far from Southeast Michigan, I worked at an amazing wedding venue and I just have to tell you about it.
Hi, friend! I’m Catie Eovaldi and I’ve been photographing weddings for the past 3 years. Heading into my fourth year of wedding photography, I believe your wedding photos should truly showcase the emotions, the details, and you in your wedding day. Choosing a venue is really just the first step in wedding planning and bringing your vision to life, so it’s important to pick one that truly aligns with you.
This wedding venue is so incredibly unique and is rich in history for Toledo, Ohio that it would make the perfect spot for a wedding day. I mean, after all, Belle and Ian hosted their wedding day at the Manor House! Growing up in southern Michigan and northern Ohio, this couple chose this venue because it had sentimental history with them. They both told me they grew up walking through the Manor at Christmas time and it just naturally was the perfect venue for them. Belle and Ian are actually Michiganders, but Toledo is just over that Michigan/Ohio border so traveling for their family and friends wasn’t an issue! This might be something you want to consider if you live in Southeast Michigan, and I’d love to see if I have your wedding date available- you can connect with me here!
About the Wildwood Manor House
Wildwood Manor House is a manor-style wedding venue and actually functioned as a home a long time ago. This Georgian Colonial home is open for visitors year round and is 30,000 square feet (so definitely large enough to host your event). The estate grounds have been transformed in Wildwood Preserve Metropark with lots of park spaces for kids and adults to enjoy. Wildwood Manor House is a historical site that has been preserved since the 1970s. This venue often hosts events throughout the year, such as a Christmas light walk, Spooky Tea, and Christmas Tea. It’s also open for guided tours, which I highly recommend couples do before getting married there! It’s so much fun to learn about the history of the Stranahan family and their lives as they built and lived in the home.
The house itself feels very private as it is situated away from the public parking lot of the metro park. It sits down a short walking path, but there is space for a vehicle to pull up directly to the Manor House in case someone in your party has accessibility needs! If you opt to work with a transportation company for your day for some reason, they will be required to stay within the public parking lot! Wildwood Manor House allows different types of rentals for weddings. Couples are able to rent specific rooms, garden space, or even the entire house/property for events. If you’re having a Wildwood Manor House wedding, you can check my availability here!
If you decide to use Wildwood Manor House as your wedding venue (which you totally should), I would love to work here again with you! You can contact me here and we can chat all about your wedding vision- truly, I love dreaming about your wedding with you!
Ceremony & Reception Spaces at Wildwood Manor
Wildwood Manor House offers couples the opportunity to host both ceremony and reception on its property. Belle and Ian had their wedding ceremony right in front of the garden, off the side of the manor. Guests were facing the garden for the most gorgeous, lush green backdrop. Part of this ceremony space is completely shaded, and part is out in full sun. It really depends on your guest count! Smaller guest lists will be kept closer to the point of ceremony, which means shade. Larger guest lists will expand the seating into the open lawn which is full sun. An idea to combat this full sun is to provide parasols to guests! Belle and Ian’s wedding ceremony was shorter in length compared to others I’ve seen (like this Catholic Mass wedding), but no less beautiful.
In total disclosure Belle and Ian opted to add an even deeper sentimental touch to their day by hosting the reception at a family home. I absolutely love when couples add sentimental touches to their day! Not only is it the place Ian grew up, but now the space he celebrated marrying his best friend. It’s so swoon-worthy!I do know that Wildwood hosts receptions on their property, so this venue can handle hosting both! If you want to check my availability for your wedding day, contact me here.
I took a little time between moments of the day to chat with one of the venue staff and they provided a little more insight to hosting receptions at Wildwood! If you host your wedding reception at Wildwood Manor House, there are a couple different spaces that can be used. If you have a smaller, more intimate wedding oftentimes the inside of the manor can be used. With rooms like the study, garden patio, or dining room, an intimate reception can be held. Catering is brought into the venue and is a separate vendor from the venue (so it’s not all inclusive like some other venues). With a larger guest list, couples can utilize the garden patio and a tented reception space (which is typically right next to the patio). Wildwood doesn’t provide the tent, but they provide the information of who to contact for a tent! Receptions of up to 150 guests can be held at Wildwood Manor House. I’m including photos of Belle and Ian’s backyard reception as inspiration on how to decorate the tent at Wildwood since the tent design is practically the same! Tent floors can easily be rented to match this couple’s black and white checkered floor.
My 3 Favorite Things About Wildwood Manor House
Historical Preservation
Wildwood Manor House is incredibly preserved. Each room appears frozen in time and perfectly untouched. Couples do have the ability to rent the entire home for their wedding day, but I have a few specific rooms that are my favorites. The room Belle used for getting ready was located upstairs. It had beautiful natural light, and yellow-beige walls. It perfectly fit her crew of five bridesmaids, grandma, mom, and mother-in-law for all of them to get ready together. Right outside of Belle’s getting ready room was an alcove looking out over the front of the property. It was the perfect spot for grandma and mom to pin her veil into place while fluffing that train out.
The Patio Space
The garden patio was a space we used for Belle and Ian to have a first touch. A first touch is a great alternative to a first look. If the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony is important to you, a first touch still gives you a way to take a private moment with your partner if that’s something you desire. It’s kind of the best of both worlds! This is the perfect space to say private vows, read each other a letter, or just take a breath together. Belle and Ian wanted to keep this tradition, but they did want to say some private vows and words before walking down the aisle. We guided both of them into place (carefully so they couldn’t see one another) and gave them space for a private moment while capturing it at a distance. Capturing such a private moment from a distance is important to me as a photographer. I have the gear to get close up photos, but at a distance from you so I’m not hearing what is being said and respecting your space! If you want to work with a photographer that respects your space and privacy, Hi! Hello! I’m your girl- just contact me and we can chat!
Outdoor Gardens
I also really enjoyed the outdoor spaces at Wildwood Manor House. The gardens are immaculately kept and easy to move around in. Guests were seated towards the garden during the ceremony, which was the perfect backdrop for Belle and Ian. Later after the ceremony, we went back outside the manor to finish up their couple portraits! When you book your wedding with Wildwood Manor House, I believe they include usage of the grounds for photography in their costs! With the summer season, the blooms were perfectly in season and the hedges a lush, deep green. You can check my availability for your Wildwood Manor House wedding here.
Wildwood Manor Wedding Cost
I was shocked when I research the cost for this wedding venue. A venue of this caliber in Michigan is significantly more expensive. For a three day full house rental plus back patio, Wildwood Manor House costs $2,200. That rate is for out of county couples. This cost does not include catering, tent rental, or table rental. That may seem like a downside, but Wildwood Manor House lists their preferred vendor right on their website for table, chair, & tent rentals. From my understanding, they exclusively work with a tent rental company for this.
Single rooms or levels of the house can be rented as well for a lower cost, all under $1,000. This affordable wedding venue is the perfect space, at least for a ceremony or micro-wedding! Your big costs from having a wedding at this venue will most likely include table and tent rentals and catering.
Wedding Venue Details
- Location: set back on a short walking trail through Wildwood Preserve Metro Park in Toledo Ohio
- Address: 5100 W. Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43615
- Website: metroparkstoledo.com
- Phone: 419.407.9700
- Capacity: 150 guests
- Style/Vibe: Historic Manor with Outdoor Garden
- Cost: $2,200 for three day full house and garden rental, under $1,000 for singular day and room rentals
Meet Your Wildwood Manor Wedding Photographer
About Catie Eovaldi
Hi Friend! I’m Catie, and I have been photographing couples and fellow sentimental souls professionally since early 2023. Unprofessionally, I’ve been a hobbyist for almost 14 years.
Photography was, initially, a creative outlet for me as I navigated life changes- the loss of my dad, loss of my grandma, an out of state move, etc. In that time I discovered my passion for preserving authentic, meaningful moments, big and small. I dove into my photography full-time and have never looked back.
Being rooted in connection and sentiment, I provide couples with professional photos, they treasure for the rest of their life. My couples also count on me to serve them as a friend. So, let’s connect! You deserve to have your story preserved in photos forever.
Services I Offer For Wildwood Manor
My most popular packages for couples getting married at this venue and similar ones are my Full Day and Partial Day packages. With Toledo being so close to the Michigan/Ohio border, I do not charge travel fees for this area!
Full Day Package
This package provides a comprehensive look at all the moments of your wedding day. From getting ready with your closest friends to reading your vows to everyone dancing to ‘Pink Pony Club’ on the open dance floor.
Partial Day Package
This package will provide a highlight of your wedding day featuring the main events such as your ceremony, cocktail hour, and beginning of your reception. This package is perfect for micro weddings!
For a full detailed list of what’s included in each of these packages and to check my availability, connect with me here!
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer, whether it be for your southeast Michigan, destination, or Toledo Ohio wedding, I’d love to connect! Toledo is only 2 hours from my home area and is within my range for free travel since I’m within driving distance of home!
