How One Venue Offers Seven Different Ceremony Backdrops on Twenty Acres
Planning a wedding means making dozens of decisions, but one choice shapes everything else: where you'll stand when you say "I do." At Willowbrook in Bridgeville, Delaware, we've seen couples struggle with this. They love outdoor ceremonies but worry about rain. They want natural beauty but need backup options. They dream of variety but don't want to visit multiple venues. That's why we created seven distinct ceremony spaces across our 20 acre property, each with its own character, all included in a single booking.
Seven Ceremony Spaces That Actually Look Different From Each Other
Walk into most venues, and they'll show you "the ceremony spot." Maybe it's nice. Maybe it's exactly what you pictured. But what if it's not? What if the light hits differently than you expected, or the scale feels wrong for your guest count, or you simply change your mind as your wedding vision evolves?
We built variety into our property from the start. Seven locations mean seven distinct looks, moods, and atmospheres for your ceremony.
Willowbrook Walk In The Park: Classic Charm In a Serene Park Setting
Enter through handcrafted black iron doors into a serene, beautifully landscaped ceremony space, where manicured greenery, seasonal blooms, and graceful trees create a serene romantic atmosphere. Elegant White columns accent the space evoking a classic charm that compliments the surrounding natural scenery. Couples can customize the layout with an optional circular seating arrangement, creating a sense of intimacy and inclusion as loved ones gather to celebrate.
Willowbrook Woods: Stone Walls and Forest Canopy
An aged stone wall rises from the ground, surrounded by mature trees that create a natural ceiling. This isn't manicured landscaping. It's a genuine forest, with dappled sunlight filtering through leaves and the kind of quiet you only find deep in the woods. Couples who choose this spot often describe wanting something grounded or intimate. The stone wall gives photographers a focal point, and the trees create depth in every shot.
Willowbrook Pond: Reflections and Seasonal Color
Water changes everything. Our pond sits surrounded by gardens that shift with the seasons, so a spring ceremony looks entirely different from a fall one. The water itself acts like a second sky, reflecting clouds, sunset colors, and the people gathered around it. On calm days, the surface turns glassy. Even a slight breeze creates movement that shows up beautifully in photos and video. If you've ever looked at a ceremony photo and thought, "That's pretty, but it looks like every other outdoor wedding," this space will change your mind.
Willowbrook Courtyard: Bistro Lights for Evening Magic
Some couples want an outdoor feel without full sun exposure. The Courtyard delivers that. It's a large patio space strung with bistro lights that come alive after dark. Evening ceremonies here have a warmth that's hard to replicate, the kind of glow that makes everyone look good and feel relaxed. Because it's paved and defined, this space works beautifully for couples who want an outdoor atmosphere with a more structured setup.
Willowbrook Pavilion: Open Air With a Roof Overhead
Here's what makes the Pavilion special: it feels outdoors without the weather risk. Open sides let breeze and natural light through, but the roof means rain won't force a last minute scramble. This is also a versatile space because it can be used for ceremony or reception.
Willowbrook Waterfall: Intimate and Intentional
Not every couple wants 200 people watching them exchange vows. The Waterfall location was designed for smaller gatherings, the kind where every guest matters personally. The gentle sound of moving water creates natural white noise, so your ceremony feels private even though you're outdoors. Micro weddings and elopements thrive here, 50 guests or less.
Willowbrook Hall: Climate Controlled Comfort
Sometimes "outdoor" just isn't the move. Winter weddings, unpredictable forecasts, or simply preferring air conditioning, there are plenty of good reasons to choose our indoor hall. It seats 250 comfortably and looks nothing like a generic event space. The climate control means your guests stay comfortable, your makeup stays intact, and you don't spend the ceremony wondering if the wind will pick up.
Every location comes with 250 white padded chairs, so your guests sit comfortably regardless of which backdrop you select.
Two Weather Backups Included, No Extra Charge
Let's talk about the rain question, because it's the first thing most couples ask. We don't make you choose between outdoor dreams and weather security. Both Willowbrook Hall and the Pavilion serve as covered backup spaces, and both are included automatically. No upcharge, no negotiation, no stress. Our team watches the forecast as your date approaches and helps you make the call if conditions look questionable. You're never locked into a decision weeks in advance.
Twenty Acres Means Real Photo Variety
After the ceremony, you'll want portraits. Most venues give you one or two decent spots, and then you're driving to parks or scenic overlooks. Our 20 acres eliminates that need. Wooded paths, open meadows, cultivated gardens, pond edges, and a section we call the back forty that offers wide open horizons. Your photographer will have more options than time to use them. If a spot feels distant, our staff drives you there by golf cart so you're not hiking across fields in formal wear.
The Only Wedding That Day
We host one event daily, which changes everything about how your day flows. Every ceremony space belongs to you. Your timeline doesn't work around another couple's schedule. Setup happens at whatever pace your vendors need. Our staff gives you undivided attention because there's literally no one else to help. This isn't an upsell or premium tier. It's how we operate, every single time.
What Your Venue Fee Actually Covers
Beyond the seven ceremony locations and chairs, your booking includes the reception essentials: 30 round tables, 10-6 ft rectangle tables,farmhouse style tables for head seating or displays, high cocktail tables, and 250 black chiavari chairs with cushions. We also provide cake and dessert tables, bar setups with linens, and your choice of three dance floor colors. Lighting throughout the venue dims to whatever mood you're creating, and our restrooms meet full accessibility standards.
You'll handle linens and place settings through a rental company. Most of our couples use Barton's Grand Rental. For catering and bar service, we maintain a preferred vendor list of providers who know our space well, but you're welcome to propose alternatives. Beyond food and beverage, vendor selection is entirely yours.
Conclusion:
Fifty guests or 250, your cost stays the same. We've hosted intimate gatherings that felt intentional and grand celebrations that filled every corner. The space adapts to your needs, not the other way around.
Having seven ceremony options on one property means you're never settling. Woods or water, covered or open sky, intimate or expansive, the backdrop that matches your vision is already here.
Want to see these spaces in person? Schedule a tour or visit an upcoming open house. For 2026 and 2027 availability, or to receive our pricing guide, contact willowbrookofdelaware@gmail.com or call 302.228.0787.
FAQs
How do we choose between seven ceremony locations?
Most couples visit during a tour or open house to see each space. Some know instantly which one resonates. Others narrow it down to two or three and make the final call once they've chosen their wedding aesthetic and color palette. All seven stay available to you throughout planning.
What happens if rain threatens our outdoor ceremony?
You have two covered backup spaces included: Willowbrook Hall (seats 250) and the Pavilion. Both work beautifully for ceremonies, and there's no extra fee to move indoors. We monitor weather patterns leading up to your date and discuss contingency plans as needed, but you're never forced to decide days in advance.
Can our photographer access the entire 20 acres?
Yes. Every part of the property stays open during your event: gardens, forest paths, pond areas, meadows, and the back forty. We provide golf cart transport to distant locations so you're not walking long distances between portrait spots.
Is there a minimum number of guests required?
No minimums. Your venue fee stays consistent whether you bring 50 guests or 250. We've hosted everything from intimate micro weddings to full scale celebrations, and the space works equally well for both.