Our wedding experience at the Hawkesdene estate was nothing short of magical and a perfect 3-day stay. There is genuine heart in this place and the team there goes above and beyond to make your experience wonderful. We felt tremendously supported throughout the entire process. Jami and Elizabeth, the venue coordinators, are experts at what they do. From the beginning, all communication was prompt, thoughtful, clear, and made you feel important. As we got closer to the wedding, we were speaking to Jami on an immediate text basis, which was such a luxury before we arrived. Once we arrived, we were treated and taken care of like guests, not having to lift a finger and truly able to sit back and relax. Their team was proactive and never looked to us to act, which alleviated all stress and when everything came together like we envisioned, it was magical. The staff took care setting up all décor, including things we brought ourselves. The estate constantly felt clean because staff promptly grabbed dirty plates, cups, and trash without inhibiting the guest experience. The staff works together like a well-oiled machine and it is clear that they are happy to be there and therefore are authentically friendly to you and your guests. Some examples were when the kitchen staff made special plates for some who missed lunch, the housekeeping staff scheduled turn-down service around newborn naps, and a member of the staff made a special trip on the Kubota for one of our parents. It felt like they genuinely cared about making our wedding special. These strong relationships within the team also reflect their strong relationships with local vendors, which meant arranging florals, a photographer, wedding cake, and entertainment so seamless. I highly recommend using their preferred vendors, especially their pastry chef, Deborah, who made a stunning wedding cake for us on-site. There is a reason why this place is booked out a year and a half in advance and has such an excellent reputation. For instance, we didn’t get to try any of the food before we booked and we have very high standards, but they assured us to just read their reviews…well…they were right. THE FOOD! Guests were constantly coming up to us saying “this is the best (insert any food) I’ve had in my life”. We had their Southern Comfort and Barbeque themed dinners and it was some of the best comfort food (they know cheese and potatoes) and smoked meats we have had. Beyond that, breakfasts and lunches were excellent and felt fresh, thoughtful, and everything was from scratch. The food was catered to our guests including all dietary restrictions and preferences and it never felt like they were the exception, but rather that the menu was thoughtfully curated to include them. Even simple things like explicit labels detailing the dietary considerations (GF, Vegan, Lactose-free), made it clear for our guests what they could eat and that they were being taken care of. We had a friend’s birthday while we were there and the chef even prepared their favorite dessert for them! None of this is to overstate the natural beauty that exists within and around the Hawkesdene estate. There was plenty of space and the pavilion, wedding site, and main house all served as wonderful places where our guests could cultivate genuine connections. Hawkesdene was decked out with beautiful landscaping, even late into the fall season, making the grounds lovely to walk around. The overlook on the property is well worth the hike and the views are stunning. Cottages were well appointed and EVERYONE talked about how comfortable the beds were. Guests told us that our wedding felt like a vacation. Even though we chose them for all their amenities of available décor, accommodations, and staff, they offered so much more to us than we initially anticipated. Not for a price, but out of the genuine care and love of what they do. A month out from our special day, and we are still finding ourselves reliving the wonderful experience in our heads.

Cannot recommend Hawkesdene enough!!! The staff, the service, the planning, the guidance, the privacy, the cottage setup, all 10/10. Our entire wedding weekend was seamless and no detail was missed by the staff. I was beyond impressed when I walked into each of the events that we had planned and my expectations were exceeded every time. I felt like a guest at my own wedding. Would 1000% do another family event here

There are no exact words I can use to describe this venue.
I don't know what was more breath taking, the food? The views? The professionalism and kindness of the staff? The attention to detail?
If you are looking for a reunion style wedding, look nowhere else but Hawkesdene. Working with Rob & Jami was easy, and they treat you like you're their #1 priority.

I had guests of all ages and from all regions and not a single person could find something to complain about. The food was AMAZING! Even so much that I had guests asking for recipes.
Like all weddings, things went wrong, and timelines were skewed but under Jami's direction, it felt like everything went according to plan.

I left some things up to the discretion of the staff and I would do it the same way all over again. You feel like it's your own paradise while still having someone anticipating your needs. The bridal suite is incredible as is the "Bride & Groom" cabin.

Thank you so much to the Hawkesdene team.