About this vendor
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home is a Georgian Revival Mansion Museum with 24 rooms, 8 bedrooms, bathrooms and fireplaces. Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham and Mary Lincoln's oldest son, purchased the property and began building the mansion in 1903 and took residency in 1905 at the age of 62. The home with its grand staircase offers traditional elegance. The stunning architecture of the mansion is a site for your guests to see on your wedding day!
Set on a promontory, Hildene's formal gardens have breathtaking views of the valley. Through the formal gardens is the Overlook, a picturesque location for your nuptials to commence nestled in between the Taconic and Green Mountains.
The new facility, Lincoln Hall, is perfect for your reception for amazing dining and to dance the night away. With Lincoln Hall operational, Hildene now has the ability to off winter weddings for those Snow Brides. Ask about the potential for an intimate wedding when snow falls and the estate becomes a winter wonderland.
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
Settings
- Ballroom
- Estate
- Garden
- Historic Venue
- Mountain
- Museum
Venue Service Offerings
- Destination Weddings
- Destination Wedding Planning
- Planning
- Destination Wedding Planning
Awards and Affiliations
2012 'Best of Weddings'
Best of Weddings
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Reviews
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5
out of 5.024 reviews
Review photos
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The Best Wedding Venue Imaginable – 10/10 Doesn't Do It Justice!
Hildene was everything we could have imagined and more. The setting is absolutely stunning, and the wedding hall p...
rovided the perfect backdrop for what was truly a magical day. From start to finish, the entire team was incredibly responsive, detail-oriented, and professional. I genuinely don't think I've ever seen a wedding staff more organized.
The exclusive catering and florist arrangements made the entire planning process feel seamless. The preferred vendor list for transportation, photography, and other services made it feel like Hildene essentially provided us with our own personal wedding planning team. We were guided through every step of the process and always felt like we were in great hands.
The food was outstanding as well. The sea bass and filet entrees were exceptional, and the variety of appetizers during cocktail hour was a huge hit with our guests. Even the smallest details were thoughtfully considered. One example that really stood out was having a personal server dedicated to making sure we got to try every appetizer during cocktail hour. With how quickly your wedding day flies by, having someone looking out for those little moments made such a difference. It's that level of thoughtfulness that really sets Hildene apart.
One thing that really stood out was how adaptable and communicative the team was throughout the day. When the weather called for us to move cocktail hour indoors, the transition was handled seamlessly. The staff was always one step ahead, making sure everything ran smoothly without us ever having to worry about a thing.
The professionalism, responsiveness, organization, and attention to detail were truly second to none. Hildene doesn't just provide a beautiful venue; they create an entire wedding experience. We couldn't have imagined celebrating our wedding anywhere else.
101/10 experience. Hildene is truly a magic factory. We cannot recommend it enough!
If you're considering a wedding at Hildene, do it! The venue is stunning, but it's the staff that make this place so special. Carmine and his team go above and beyond. They take ca...
re of every detail to make sure you're having the best day!
Where do I even begin? We are still on a high from our wedding day, which took place about three weeks ago. Hildene was nothing short of spectacular. Not only were the incredible v...
iews, stunning gardens, and historic ambiance breathtaking, but the entire Hildene team was an absolute joy to work with.
For starters, we chose to tour venues around Manchester, and after touring Hildene, it was a no-brainer for us. The private, in-depth tour made us feel as though Theresa and her team were genuinely passionate about the property and their roles. Hildene provides ceremony chairs, reception chairs and tables, and a beautiful setting where you work directly with their florist and catering partners. They also provide day-of coordination. All of this is to say that choosing Hildene means so many decisions and details are already taken care of, which makes the planning process that much easier.
Next, I need to rave about the team: Theresa, Carmine, Anne, Nick/Pangaea (the caterer), Peggy/Lily of the Valley (the florist), and anyone else I may have missed. Theresa and the Hildene team made us feel as though we were the only wedding they had that entire year. They dedicated so much time and attention to us. We had MANY questions, especially since we ultimately decided not to work with a planner, and Theresa would spend so much time on the phone with us, patiently walking through every detail and answering all of our questions.
Nick and Peggy were also a joy to work with. We made many edits and they were patient throughout all of it. The food was incredible, the tasting was so much fun, and the florals were absolutely beautiful. Peggy is so talented!
On the day of the wedding, Theresa stuck by my side and handled everything with SUCH calmness and grace. She never seemed stressed or overwhelmed, which, in turn, helped us feel calm, too. She had everything under control! She even helped me bustle my dress!
Our wedding day was a dream come true. We wanted a mountain and garden setting in Vermont, and the Hildene team brought that vision to life. All of our guests told my parents that Hildene was the most unique and stunning venue they had ever seen.
Choosing Hildene as our venue was one of the best decisions we made throughout the entire wedding planning process. We cannot thank the entire Hildene team enough for helping make our wedding day so incredibly special.
Kudos to the entire Hildene team!
Our experience at The Hildene was absolutely perfect—it’s truly an incredible place for a wedding. This classic venue is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Vermont, offering stun...
ning mountain views and beautifully manicured gardens that create a breathtaking backdrop for your special day. The staff, led by the amazing Carmine, went above and beyond on everything—from the early stages of planning all the way through to the big day. Their support, attention to detail, and genuine care made the entire process seamless. The Hildene blends timeless elegance with serene charm, making it an unforgettable setting to say “I do.”
The staff at Hildene is absolutely incredible. Any couple would be lucky to trust Carmine with their wedding day. The whole team, including the catering team and florists, Nick and...
Peggy, were unbelievable. Our guests were so impressed with the hospitality and the beauty of the venue. Our wedding was perfect. All stress was taken out. We didn’t feel rushed at all, everything went smoothly and every request was handled quickly. We enjoyed every second of our wedding.
From the time of our tasting through the entire planning process, everything was taken care of. We didn’t hear one complaint about food. Multiple guests said it was the best food they’ve ever had at a wedding. Presentation was incredible, as were appetizers, the bar, staff, etc. Staff was there when you needed them but weren’t in the way. The service was impeccable and everybody was beyond personable and friendly. Couldn’t have asked for a better team!!!
As a vendor (wedding photographer) working here on multiple occasions, I am absolutely delighted to share my experience with the stunning Hildene. The gardens are breathtaking, and...
the beautiful natural light is a photographer's dream, ensuring that every picture captures the beauty of the place.
Excitingly, they are currently building a brand-new event space that promises to only enhance all future events. This addition will undoubtedly elevate the already exceptional experience for all guests and clients.
The team at Hildene is impeccable. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to creating memorable experiences make it an absolute joy to work there. It's clear that they take pride in the property and go above and beyond to maintain its beauty and charm. I can't even imagine the work that goes into maintaining the gardens but it is worth every single minute. Every season is a new visual adventure.
If you're looking for a venue that combines natural elegance with top-notch service, Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home should be at the top of your list. The serene gardens and the brand new event space are sure to provide the perfect setting for any occasion.
Hildene is a stunning venue! Everything - from the mansion, to the gardens, to the views - was special. Carmine and his team are great to work with!
Choosing Hildene as our wedding venue was the easiest decision of our wedding planning process. The natural beauty of the property paired with the top notch team at Hildene is trul...
y the perfect combination. Carmine and his team were extremely helpful throughout the process and could not have made our lives easier. We opted to not hire a wedding planner and I am so thankful we trusted Carmine and his team for the day of execution. Every single one of our guests commented on how well run our wedding was, and we could not have been happier with how smooth the entire day went. We cannot recommend this BEAUTIFUL venue and wonderful team of folks at Hildene more!!
Thank you Carmine, Sheila, Julie and the entire Hildene team for making our wedding the best day of our lives! We love you!
It’s unbelievable here, the location is amazing with a mixture of hotels of every budget. The event staff Sheila and Carmine are great they have seen everything and have an extensi...
ve recommended vendor list that makes everything easier.
The Hildene was spectacular. Couldn't ask for a better venue. It was beautiful - Sheila, Carmine and staff were super flexible and easy going. Everything worked out really well and...
they do a great job working with the other vendors and managing the day!
Christine
My husband and I got married this past July at Hildene and it was the best decision we have ever made! Hildene is one of the most beautiful wedding venues - the gardens and views a...
re breathtaking and the Hildene event staff are amazing!! From the first conversation to our wedding day - Carmine and Sheila were outstanding! They answered all of our questions and made us feel like the king and queen on our wedding day! Both Carmine and Sheila are so friendly, warm and welcoming and made us feel like family. I was a little worried about the logistics and the tent, but the entire Hildene team was on it 100 percent and worked with our coordinator to bring our wedding vision to life! After the wedding, our guests are still raving about what a beautiful venue Hildene is - is really is a special place!!If you are questioning booking Hildene for your wedding - dont - just book now!
I am anxious to express my appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Hildene for making my daughter Ashley’s wedding in July a monumental and memorable triumph. Specifically, Carm...
ine Cole (Director of Wedding and Private Functions) and his assistant Sheila Burks, were the architects of an event that managed to exceed even our lofty expectations; no mean feat, given that we have spent our Summers in Manchester all our lives, were well aware of Hildene’s reputation for excellence in staging weddings, and had formed a conception for how the day would unfold that was vivid and richly detailed. Observing and experiencing the process by which Carmine and Sheila brought Ashley’s vision to fruition would literally have to have been seen to be believed.
The professionalism and efficiency that Carmen and Sheila demonstrated throughout, moreover, never came at the expense of their considerable patience and charm. No one planning the most important day of her life could do better than Hildene.
I seriously miss them both after the year of working with them, because besides their first rate attention to detail ,they are so much fun to be with. I can’t say enough about the beauty of Hildene and the beauty of being able to work with Carmine and Sheila.
Could not recommend Hildene more! Carmine and Shiela are fantastic to work with. Also, the team at Pangea and Lily of the Valley are amazing as well. The venue is absolutely beauti...
ful. We truly had the most amazing wedding and people could not stop raving about it!
It’s obvious to everyone that Hildene is a gorgeous and immaculately maintained property. However, what truly makes Hildene the perfect place for a wedding is its private functions...
team of Carmine Cole and Sheila Burks. Carmine and Sheila are wedding planning veterans that made the planning process a breeze. They are incredibly detail-oriented, responsive, and personable, which made my husband and I feel confident every step of the way, from the day we signed our wedding contract until the last song played at our reception. Hildene’s exclusive vendor relationships with Pangaea Fine Dining and Lily of the Valley Florist took a lot of stress out of the vendor selection process, and we couldn’t have been happier with our food and our flowers. Hildene’s list of recommended vendors was also incredibly helpful, and it made many of our other important selections seem nearly effortless. My husband and I could go on forever singing Hildene’s praises, but all you need to know is that if you choose Hildene for your wedding, you’re in great hands and you won’t regret it!
Our wedding at Hildene was magical. From beginning to end, we felt supported by the staff. We initially worked with Nicole and about a month before the wedding date were introduced...
to Sheila and Carmine, two of the most hard working, accommodating people I have ever met. They offered so much reassurance and guidance and pulled off what was a flawless wedding day. The Hildene grounds are breathtaking and a remarkable place to bring guests to showcase the breathtaking beauty of Southern VT. Throughout the day we had guests approaching us in awe saying over and over “this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been”. Still 2 weeks later, we are getting feedback that “that was the most beautiful wedding we have ever been to”. Hildene as a location was exquisite, but moreover, Sheila, Carmine and their staff were a dream team that made the day so positive, easy, and special. I cannot give them enough stars.
Hildene was the most beautiful location to have our wedding. I had been going to Hildene ever since I was little and thought of it as a perfect wedding location after we got engage...
d. Everyone was wowed by the charm of the house and the breathtaking views during our ceremony. Our wedding photo scenery was just amazing. And Nicole was so wonderful throughout the process. She answered so many of our questions and helped ensure we stayed on track leading up to and on the day. Her recommendations for hair and makeup (Make Me Fabulous), tent decor (from Rain or Shine), food and drink recommendations (from Pangaea), florist (Peggy at the Lily of the Valley), ceremony and cocktail hour music (Dorset Trio), and helping us bring our vision together for the big day were all spot on. We couldn't have done it without her. She was amazing. Thank you for everything you did to make our big day so special, Nicole!
I'll be honest with you, when we first we got engaged, Hildene was not on our radar of places to get married. But within minutes of walking on the ground, we were convinced that Hi...
ldene was the only venue for us. Nicole Brock and her team could not have made the process easier for us. They organized a flawless, perfect, and beyond amazing event for us. We loved that Nicole and her team understood our vision and were willing to work with us and our budget to make it happen. One of the most refreshing things about Nicole was she always knew it was the bride and grooms thoughts that mattered - she always made sure we were happy with the direction things were going in. Hildene, when we got married, had exclusive contracts with rental company, florist and caterer - all of whom were amazing and made this decision even easier. Beyond this - the grounds of Hildene are spectacular and the day of staff could not have been better. All of our guests were blown away by the venue and the experience.
I was married in the fall in Hildene and could not have imagined a more picturesque setting for my wedding. While I initially did not want a tented wedding, the moment I drove up t...
he long driveway at Hildene and saw the gorgeous historic mansion, manicured gardens, and sweeping views of the VT countryside, I could not imagine having my wedding anywhere else. The beauty of the site is coupled with a rich sense of history and the amazing facilities Hildene offers, including a fully air conditioned and heated tent, bridal suite, golf carts, real bathroom (not always easy to get in a tent!), and more, which all made my wedding day incredibly easy, seamless, and worry-free. Nicole, the on-site coordinator, could not be nicer or more helpful. She really has a passion for what she does, and she is more than happy to help turn your wedding dreams into a reality. She also has an amazing arsenal of wedding resources and vendors in the area, which was really helpful for us as we were from out of town. People are still talking about how beautiful our wedding was, and it was 100% due to the incredible setting at Hildene.
I can't say enough about Hildene and Nicole, the Wedding and Private Functions Director. My husband and I were married there in September '16 and it was a day beyond our wildest d...
reams. The venue itself is breath taking but the level of service we received from Nicole and her team was really the star. Planning a wedding is so stressful and we truly couldn't have done it without Nicole. She answered any and all questions promptly (via phone or email), seamlessly coordinated with outside vendors, and gave thoughtful advice when we asked. She was the 'wizard behind the curtain' who made our wedding dreams come true. You can tell how deeply Nicole cares about each couple and we truly valued her friendship and support.
The venue itself was perfect. It was important to us to have an the ceremony outside and the reception at the same location and the views from the ceremony site overlooking the valley are unparalleled. Our guests were blown away at the natural beauty of the grounds.
One important thing to note is that Hildene only works with one caterer and one florist. Some may be initially hesitant about the perceived limitations of this arrangement, but Pangaea and Lily of the Valley Florist were incredible. Because HIldene works with these vendors regularly they have an incredibly rapport. Everything from tastings to day of logistics were so smooth and easy. The food was incredible (well beyond standard wedding food) and the flowers were stunning.
We are so grateful to Nicole and the staff of Hildene, Pangaea, and Lily of the Valley. You delivered a perfect wedding and we are forever thankful.
I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful place to get married. The venue is breathtaking. We got so many compliments from all our friends and family. Would highly recommend it ou...
r wedding pictures look amazing with the Hildene as our backdrop.
My husband and I got married at Hildene and we absolutely loved it! Sheila, the wedding planner, is wonderful to work with. She is so considerate, creative, and incredibly organi...
zed. She really made the whole wedding planning process run smoothly. The site is absolutely beautiful and our guests keep talking about how much they loved it!
I grew up a few miles down the road and getting married at the Hildene was always a dream. It was everything I imagined and more.
Hildene was the perfect venue for my daughter's wedding. We plan to use Hildene again for our 2nd daughter when she gets married. I highly recommend Hildene for your special day!
Almost 2 years later, people are still raving that our wedding was the best wedding they have ever attended. Everything about the Hildene was perfect! Shelia Burks is an amazing tr...
emendous help. She is efficient, loving and ties it all together in a beautiful venue. There's a list of approved vendors, you must use, b/c nothing is included except for the venue. It was worth every penny just to work with Sheila, though! We were married at the point, overlooking the valley. We had out cocktail hour in the gardens and dinner and dancing was on the patio. We did not use the large tent, and were fortunate to have perfect weather. The gardens are gorgeous, the house is open for guests to tour, there's a shuttle from parking to the door.
Contact
1005 Hildene Road, Manchester, VT
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home