Reviewing Jan Dickinson, Heritage London Foundation Estate Manager for Elsie Perrin Williams Estate & Grosvenor Lodge
Review is written by Staff @ The Ring and is based on • Interviews with this vendor
When you choose Elsie Perrin Williams Estate for your wedding day setting, you're indulging in the luxury of having a century-old mansion to yourself for the entire day. Well known to Londoners, this beautiful estate on the Northwest side is both beautiful and timeless - making it a perfect locale for a wedding day.
With a reputation for upscale weddings and a capacity for up to 150 guests, we visited Elsie Perrin Williams Estate to find out more. Let us explain...
Befriending the estate
Located on Windermere Road, close to the University of Western Ontario, Elsie Perrin Williams Estate rarely needs an introduction to Londoners. It was built in the early 1900s as a personal estate for Elsie Perrin Williams and is now used year-round for corporate meetings and private functions. With that said, the estate has always been called upon for weddings more than any other function. This is a good thing for both brides and the estate itself, as the costs of these weddings go towards supporting the Heritage London Foundation and its ongoing maintenance of Elsie Perrin.
The grounds are a sprawling 68 acres of forest and gardens that are regularly maintained. This incredible wedding locale makes you wish you were alive to see the everyday life in the 1900s and makes an incredible backdrop for wedding photos.
The mansion itself stands on the largest hill of the estate. Its wrought iron balconies, dark beamed ceilings, red clay tile roof and countless other details hint at a historical Spanish Mission style era. The rooms are sided with windows and multiple fireplaces, and the building even has various secret passage ways that were once used by service staff within the home.
For the last fourteen years, Elsie Perrin has been operated by Heritage London Foundation's Jan Dickinson. Jan, her Estate Assistant, and their tightly woven staff (most of which whom have worked on events for the Foundation for many years), come together to execute the many weddings that take place here. Elsie Perrin is home to more than 60 weddings each year, a number that is rising with the growing winter and alternate day (Fridays, Sundays, etc.) wedding trend.
Your Elsie Perrin wedding
Even though the estate is right inside of London, you'd never know it once you're there - the property feels secluded from regular London life. This is especially a bonus if you are considering an outdoor ceremony or reception. Able to accommodate indoor and outdoor weddings and an overall capacity of up to 150 guests, Elsie Perrin Williams Estate is for the bride and groom who want their wedding venue to perfectly combine history, nature and total elegance.
When you walk the grounds and through the building, it will feel to you like it was designed with only your wedding in mind. This property has an unmistakable sense of style that lends itself like no other to wedding themes such as traditional or romantic.
Facilities: Dance, dine & say 'I Do'
Elsie Perrin Williams Estate is most often used for full day weddings, since the mansion itself is yours for sixteen full hours when you opt to rent it. The property's gardens and long winding driveway make it perfect for outdoor ceremonies and tent receptions. Yet, should the unthinkable happen and it pours rain, you're covered with an equally beautiful indoor setting, only steps away. Or, if you want an outdoor wedding no-matter-what, large tent weddings are gorgeous when held at the estate.
Elsie Perrin Williams Estate has two main levels and rooms of various sizes, all dressed up to reflect the time period in which the estate was built. Jan told us it has undergone a recent interior renovation. Whether you're planning to dance, dine, or say ‘I Do', your wedding space options include...
Entire Ground Floor | When taking advantage of the entire ground floor, you're able to host a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception for up to 120 people.
The Foyer | This elegant entrance and main hallway of the mansion can be used for your gift table and guestbook, and to display pictures. The bride's breathtaking entrance takes place down the front staircase in The Foyer and through to The Great Hall. The staircase is another one of the many beautiful photo locations on the Estate.
Bride's Rooms | Aside from the spaces for your ceremony and reception, Elsie Perrin also hosts separate rooms for the groom and for the bride. Each side of the wedding party will have their own space in which to change, prepare or just relax away from the crowd. These two rooms are close to service passageways within the walls, so that if the bride needs to make her entrance without being seen on the way, she can.
The Dining Room | The Dining Room is an elegant space most often used as a serving area for beverages and a buffet set up.
Outdoor Weddings | The grounds can host up to 150 people for an outdoor gathering. There are several favourite locations for a big beautiful white tent to go.
Outdoor Patio | On the front left side of the house you'll find a magnificent brick patio. This patio can be used for cocktail hours, garden receptions or just as another inviting space for your guests to mingle.
Library | This is a wonderful room, brightened by natural light and accompanied by a beautiful working fireplace. The fireplace is available to make guests cozy as they share cocktails together while you have your photos taken somewhere in the building or out on the grounds. Or, in case of rain, take your photos in this room and take advantage of the elegant aesthetic that includes oriental carpets and century furnishings. This room is sometimes set up for buffets or food stations if requested.
The Great Hall | "This space is magnificent for wedding ceremonies and receptions," says Jan Dickinson. "It overlooks the grounds through its many windows, which wrap around the end of the room that is used for the 'altar'." It's used mostly for receptions of up to 80 people.
A few Elsie facts
• Space for ceremonies and receptions, inside and out
• Opportunity for an outdoor reception with the indoors as a backup in case of rain
• An outdoor patio that can be used for a cocktail hour or a full Sunday garden style wedding with food stations and servers to distribute swanky martini-glassed drinks
• A wonderful long, winding driveway perfect for a grand entrance on horse & carriage
• Fantastic photo location opportunities
• A working fireplace for winter weddings
• List of recommended vendors such as officiants are available
• Seclusion from the rest of the city
• Tons of free parking (can easily park 100 cars)
• Ability to have your guests leave their cars overnight without the threat of being towed
• Yearly bridal open house.
• Private break-out/dressing rooms for the bride & groom
• Hidden passages that can be used as alternate entrances and exits (so the groom doesn't see his bride before the ceremony!)
Elsie Perrin gives you the opportunity to sign your names to a variety of romantic affairs. Adding to The Ring's favourite wedding ideas, having a Sunday afternoon cocktail-style wedding or even a sunset wedding is entirely possible at this locale. Food stations can be set up in various locations on the outdoor brick patio. Guests can mingle on the patio and surrounding grounds after experiencing your outdoor wedding ceremony.
Details, details, details
• If you are looking to book a Saturday wedding, the staff at Elsie Perrin Williams Estate asks that you call 12 months ahead to book your wedding date. However, you may call them anytime to check for a desired opening.
• Talk to the staff about off-season pricing for winter weddings.
• If you want a winter wedding, note that they are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
• The Estate has worked with a variety of wedding budgets - from $1000 to $1300.
• A deposit of half of the rental rate is required to reserve your date at Elsie Perrin Williams Estate.
• The balance is due six months prior to your wedding.
• Rates are calculated on a half-day (5 hours) basis, allowing time for set-up and clean-up.
• You can pay with your debit card, VISA, MasterCard or cheque prior to the function.
In other words...
"Thank you for your help and support with our wedding on May 19th. The day was beautiful and everything went perfectly. We absolutely love Elsie Perrin and hope to be able to attend or host another event there sometime in the future." - Mari & Shaun, May 19 2007
"I wanted to write a thank you to all the wonderful staff at Elsie Perrin Williams Estate. My wedding was wonderful and it is true as you say even if it rains, everything can still be perfect. I knew I fell in love with the estate the moment I stepped foot inside, the same when I mey my husband. I knew it was exactly what I wanted. Thank you." - Krista & James, June 3 2006
When you choose Elsie Perrin Williams Estate for your wedding day setting, you're indulging in the luxury of having a century-old mansion to yourself for the entire day. Well known to Londoners, this beautiful estate on the Northwest side is both beautiful and timeless - making it a perfect locale for a wedding day.
With a reputation for upscale weddings and a capacity for up to 150 guests, we visited Elsie Perrin Williams Estate to find out more. Let us explain...
Befriending the estate
Located on Windermere Road, close to the University of Western Ontario, Elsie Perrin Williams Estate rarely needs an introduction to Londoners. It was built in the early 1900s as a personal estate for Elsie Perrin Williams and is now used year-round for corporate meetings and private functions. With that said, the estate has always been called upon for weddings more than any other function. This is a good thing for both brides and the estate itself, as the costs of these weddings go towards supporting the Heritage London Foundation and its ongoing maintenance of Elsie Perrin.
The grounds are a sprawling 68 acres of forest and gardens that are regularly maintained. This incredible wedding locale makes you wish you were alive to see the everyday life in the 1900s and makes an incredible backdrop for wedding photos.
The mansion itself stands on the largest hill of the estate. Its wrought iron balconies, dark beamed ceilings, red clay tile roof and countless other details hint at a historical Spanish Mission style era. The rooms are sided with windows and multiple fireplaces, and the building even has various secret passage ways that were once used by service staff within the home.
For the last fourteen years, Elsie Perrin has been operated by Heritage London Foundation's Jan Dickinson. Jan, her Estate Assistant, and their tightly woven staff (most of which whom have worked on events for the Foundation for many years), come together to execute the many weddings that take place here. Elsie Perrin is home to more than 60 weddings each year, a number that is rising with the growing winter and alternate day (Fridays, Sundays, etc.) wedding trend.
Your Elsie Perrin wedding
Even though the estate is right inside of London, you'd never know it once you're there - the property feels secluded from regular London life. This is especially a bonus if you are considering an outdoor ceremony or reception. Able to accommodate indoor and outdoor weddings and an overall capacity of up to 150 guests, Elsie Perrin Williams Estate is for the bride and groom who want their wedding venue to perfectly combine history, nature and total elegance.
When you walk the grounds and through the building, it will feel to you like it was designed with only your wedding in mind. This property has an unmistakable sense of style that lends itself like no other to wedding themes such as traditional or romantic.
Facilities: Dance, dine & say 'I Do'
Elsie Perrin Williams Estate is most often used for full day weddings, since the mansion itself is yours for sixteen full hours when you opt to rent it. The property's gardens and long winding driveway make it perfect for outdoor ceremonies and tent receptions. Yet, should the unthinkable happen and it pours rain, you're covered with an equally beautiful indoor setting, only steps away. Or, if you want an outdoor wedding no-matter-what, large tent weddings are gorgeous when held at the estate.
Elsie Perrin Williams Estate has two main levels and rooms of various sizes, all dressed up to reflect the time period in which the estate was built. Jan told us it has undergone a recent interior renovation. Whether you're planning to dance, dine, or say ‘I Do', your wedding space options include...
Entire Ground Floor | When taking advantage of the entire ground floor, you're able to host a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre reception for up to 120 people.
The Foyer | This elegant entrance and main hallway of the mansion can be used for your gift table and guestbook, and to display pictures. The bride's breathtaking entrance takes place down the front staircase in The Foyer and through to The Great Hall. The staircase is another one of the many beautiful photo locations on the Estate.
Bride's Rooms | Aside from the spaces for your ceremony and reception, Elsie Perrin also hosts separate rooms for the groom and for the bride. Each side of the wedding party will have their own space in which to change, prepare or just relax away from the crowd. These two rooms are close to service passageways within the walls, so that if the bride needs to make her entrance without being seen on the way, she can.
The Dining Room | The Dining Room is an elegant space most often used as a serving area for beverages and a buffet set up.
Outdoor Weddings | The grounds can host up to 150 people for an outdoor gathering. There are several favourite locations for a big beautiful white tent to go.
Outdoor Patio | On the front left side of the house you'll find a magnificent brick patio. This patio can be used for cocktail hours, garden receptions or just as another inviting space for your guests to mingle.
Library | This is a wonderful room, brightened by natural light and accompanied by a beautiful working fireplace. The fireplace is available to make guests cozy as they share cocktails together while you have your photos taken somewhere in the building or out on the grounds. Or, in case of rain, take your photos in this room and take advantage of the elegant aesthetic that includes oriental carpets and century furnishings. This room is sometimes set up for buffets or food stations if requested.
The Great Hall | "This space is magnificent for wedding ceremonies and receptions," says Jan Dickinson. "It overlooks the grounds through its many windows, which wrap around the end of the room that is used for the 'altar'." It's used mostly for receptions of up to 80 people.
A few Elsie facts
• Space for ceremonies and receptions, inside and out
• Opportunity for an outdoor reception with the indoors as a backup in case of rain
• An outdoor patio that can be used for a cocktail hour or a full Sunday garden style wedding with food stations and servers to distribute swanky martini-glassed drinks
• A wonderful long, winding driveway perfect for a grand entrance on horse & carriage
• Fantastic photo location opportunities
• A working fireplace for winter weddings
• List of recommended vendors such as officiants are available
• Seclusion from the rest of the city
• Tons of free parking (can easily park 100 cars)
• Ability to have your guests leave their cars overnight without the threat of being towed
• Yearly bridal open house.
• Private break-out/dressing rooms for the bride & groom
• Hidden passages that can be used as alternate entrances and exits (so the groom doesn't see his bride before the ceremony!)
Elsie Perrin gives you the opportunity to sign your names to a variety of romantic affairs. Adding to The Ring's favourite wedding ideas, having a Sunday afternoon cocktail-style wedding or even a sunset wedding is entirely possible at this locale. Food stations can be set up in various locations on the outdoor brick patio. Guests can mingle on the patio and surrounding grounds after experiencing your outdoor wedding ceremony.
Details, details, details
• If you are looking to book a Saturday wedding, the staff at Elsie Perrin Williams Estate asks that you call 12 months ahead to book your wedding date. However, you may call them anytime to check for a desired opening.
• Talk to the staff about off-season pricing for winter weddings.
• If you want a winter wedding, note that they are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
• The Estate has worked with a variety of wedding budgets - from $1000 to $1300.
• A deposit of half of the rental rate is required to reserve your date at Elsie Perrin Williams Estate.
• The balance is due six months prior to your wedding.
• Rates are calculated on a half-day (5 hours) basis, allowing time for set-up and clean-up.
• You can pay with your debit card, VISA, MasterCard or cheque prior to the function.
In other words...
"Thank you for your help and support with our wedding on May 19th. The day was beautiful and everything went perfectly. We absolutely love Elsie Perrin and hope to be able to attend or host another event there sometime in the future." - Mari & Shaun, May 19 2007
"I wanted to write a thank you to all the wonderful staff at Elsie Perrin Williams Estate. My wedding was wonderful and it is true as you say even if it rains, everything can still be perfect. I knew I fell in love with the estate the moment I stepped foot inside, the same when I mey my husband. I knew it was exactly what I wanted. Thank you." - Krista & James, June 3 2006
