A Colorful Garden Wedding at Willowdale Estate
Jorina and Dylan’s Willowdale Estate wedding was a colorful, joy-filled summer day in Topsfield, Massachusetts, made even more unforgettable by record-breaking heat.
Willowdale Estate is a beautiful and historic venue and lush garden grounds as the backdrop for a summer wedding that leaned fully into vibrant, tropical florals.
It also happened to be the hottest day of the year in Boston so far, with record-breaking temperatures climbing well over 100 degrees. Their wedding day required flexibility, care, and constant attention to comfort, without ever losing its sense of ease or celebration.
We are so excited to share that this wedding has been selected for publication on Wedding Chicks this October! It is always an incredible honor to see our couples' celebrations featured, and we can't wait for more readers to be inspired by this beautiful day.
A Record-Breaking Summer Day at Willowdale Estate
There was no getting around it, this was an extreme heat wedding day in Massachusetts.
With temperatures surpassing 100 degrees, we adjusted the entire flow of the day to prioritize guest comfort and safety. Willowdale Estate’s ceremony space is fully outdoors, and the reception tent does not have air conditioning, which made the afternoon especially intense during peak sun.
Throughout the day, we moved intentionally through shade, shortened time in direct sun, and stayed responsive to how everyone was feeling. The venue team was incredibly attentive, and there was a shared understanding that care came first in every decision.
Bride and Groom Getting Ready
Jorina spent the morning getting ready surrounded by her closest people, wearing her hair in a soft updo that was essential for a 100-degree wedding day.
Her gown featured a classic basque waist silhouette with a hip-length veil, timeless, structured, and effortless in movement despite the heat.
Dylan got ready nearby in a classic black suit and bow tie.
A First Look in the Courtyard
We found shade for the first look right inside Willowdale’s courtyard, where the light filtered through the trees just enough to soften the intensity of the sun.
Even in the heat, the moment between Jorina and Dylan felt still. From there, we worked efficiently through portraits, always prioritizing shade and brief breaks as needed.
Portraits in Shade and Constant Adaptation
Family portraits and wedding party photos were moved into shaded areas, and we kept everything efficient and flexible throughout the afternoon.
Instead of pushing through the heat, we worked with it, rotating groups, taking breaks, and prioritizing comfort above all else.
Colorful Wedding Party and Tropical Florals
The wedding party brought so much visual energy to the day.
Bridesmaids wore a mix of pink, orange, green, and yellow dresses. Their bouquets were intentionally designed with variation in mind. Each bridesmaid carried a single flower type pulled from the bride’s larger floral story, creating a sense of cohesion without repetition.The florals throughout the day included pink and orange orchids, orange dahlias, pink ranunculus, green anthuriums, and green amaranthus.
The combination felt tropical in spirit, but still grounded in an editorial, garden-forward design that worked beautifully within the estate setting.
Ceremony in Peak Afternoon Heat
The ceremony took place during the hottest part of the day, with guests gathering outdoors in the estate’s courtyard ceremony space as the sun reached its peak intensity. To help everyone stay as comfortable as possible, guests were welcomed with paper and electric handheld fans, along with hydration stations stocked with water and Liquid IV placed throughout the property for constant access to electrolytes and refreshment.
With the ceremony fully outdoors and no air conditioning in Willowdale Estate’s tented reception space, the extreme heat naturally shaped the rhythm of the day and how we moved through each moment.
During cocktail hour and the reception, guests were able to move in and out of the historic estate as needed, stepping inside to cool off before returning to the celebration outside. This flow between indoor relief and outdoor gathering became an important part of the experience, allowing the day to continue comfortably even in record-breaking temperatures.
A Tropical Inspired Reception
The reception took place inside the tented space at Willowdale Estate, with guests flowing between the celebration and the interior of the historic mansion whenever they needed to cool down.
Sunset Portraits at the Estate
The heat still lingered, but the light had changed, warmer, softer, and golden. In front of the iconic façade, Jorina and Dylan had a moment to slow down together.
Dancing Through a Summer Night
By the time the dance floor fully opened, the energy was pure joy!
The white-and-wood checkered floor stayed full as guests danced, laughed, and moved through the remainder of the evening. Some stepped inside the estate to cool off between songs, others stayed out on the floor until the very end.
CREDITS
Venue: Willowdale Estate
Photography: Photos by Annalee
Videographer: Mars and the Moon Films
Florist: Viana Floral
Makeup Artist: Faces by Clara
Hair Stylist: Brittany Sade Hair + NMG Bridal and Hair
Officiant: Kezia Bacon Celebrant
Bridal Shop: The White Gown
Dress Designer: Watters
Veil: The White Gown
Bridal Shoes: Kailee P
Suit Shop: The Black Tux
Jewelry: Frank Darling, Greenwich Street Jewelers, + Leigh Jay and Co.
Invitations: With Joy
Seating Chart: Minted
Table Runners: West Elm
Lighting Designer: Ryan Designs
Transportation: Grace Limo and Shuttle