Hillbrook Country Club is one of the most beautiful venues I have seen (the photos will speak for themselves, and there are more on their website). It is full of classic charm and elegance, but still fit a variety of visions and styles. That is what makes it so unique. And what makes it even more amazing is how wonderful the owners, managers and staff are to work with. So for those reasons alone, we had to feature them in a venue interview!

How would you describe the venues atmosphere?

When you drive up to Hillbrook, you are taken out of northeast ohio… The Club gives off a very romantic “fairy tale” or magical vibe. With the winding vines and lush greenery, you can’t help but feel calm.

What sets your venue apart from others in the Cleveland/Northeast Ohio area?

We take pride in being as inclusive as possible for our couples. This means no surprises. I want every couple and family to know exactly what they are getting from Day 1. Booking a wedding venue is the first and usually one of the largest decisions you’re going to make so you will want to be as informed as possible.

We also have one of the best rain back up plans in the area, you’re still outside, you still get the view but you get a built in covered terrace to still capture the beauty of the property. We offer a lot of flexibility in making a rain call as well to best accommodate both the couple and their florist for set up.

On top of this, you get the club as early as you want the day of your wedding to begin getting ready with your bridal party. Your time frame for the wedding doesn’t start til guests arrive so no need to stress over timing day of!

What are a few mistakes couples sometimes make when booking a venue?

Not asking enough questions. There are a lot of elements that come into play when trying to plan a wedding, some of which can cause frustration and stress… unnecessarily. Sometimes asking the silly questions can take a load off your shoulders rather than just assuming the answer is no. Even if it is no, there is almost always an alternative that can be figured out.

Assuming that they can change the menu however they would like. While we are always open to tailoring a menu to meet your needs, some items just don’t hold up for mass production. So if our menu isn’t what you’re looking for, ask first, so we can make sure we can accommodate what you want without leaving you disappointed.

Keep your venues straight. You’re likely looking at multiple in a day, all with different rules and requirements, take good notes and make sure you have all your facts straight. I have many clients who come back and say well “you don’t do this or you have to end at this time” when in reality, this is not at all true.

Listen to the details that the venue representative is giving you. Insisting that this person said this or that from when they had their wedding here 10 years ago isn’t going to change current policies. Everything given to you at the time of your meeting will be the most accurate information.

What are some of your favorite things about your venue that couples should be sure to notice?

The unique character that each room holds. The house is 100 years old, some of the rooms even have wood work that was brought overseas, reassembled here and then built around.

The beautiful grounds and stone walls. There is so much detail in everything surrounding the club, from the original stone walls, the teahouse, the growing, twisting and winding vines up the stairways and climbing hydrangeas. Its just spectacular.

Photo by Jason Thomas Crocker Photography

What is the one thing a couple should splurge on when booking with you (something they should NOT miss out on)?

The food. Our chefs are amazing at what they do and spending a little money on a higher package or upgraded display can go a long way!

If you had a client who had endless funds what unique ideas and products/services would you offer them through your venue (a fun extra or unique element)?

We work with a lot of really amazing vendors who have done some pretty spectacular things with the space so I would suggest taking advantage of our relationships with these vendors to together make a unique and beautiful wedding.

What is something you wish all of your clients knew, or a certain thing you wish all of your clients would do to make working with them easier?

Figure out who the main point of contact is going to be. Is it the bride, the groom or is it the mother because everyone calling and asking the same questions over and over again gets frustrating and confusing!

Be okay with email. While you may like phone calls better, and sometimes necessary, we often are having very similar conversations with other brides and having everything in email to reference back to or print for a file is a HUGE help. Not only for us, but that also means you can reference back to it.

How would you describe your favorite client?

Oh gosh, my favorite client is the bride who is so excited for her wedding day because of the person she is marrying. Where I can feel the love the moment you walk through the door. The beautiful venue at that point is just the bonus.

I want to have fun with you during the planning and be as equally excited for your day as you are because I feel like you’re my friend, not because I’m just ready to be done with you. It sounds so cheesy but I have a small hand in the largest day of a bride’s life and it’s only fair that the person handling that day can share the same joy as if they were invited to it. So be nice to your vendors, it goes a long way.

If you are looking for a venue in the Northeast Ohio area, definitely put Hillbrook on the list to set up a meeting with. And if you have any questions or want help, please reach out to us!