Orlando Wedding Venue

The Howey Mansion

ORLANDO, FL

Historic Mediterranean Revival Style Estate for Luxury Weddings in Orlando, FL

The Howey Mansion isn’t just a venue; it’s a legit piece of Florida history. Built by the town founder, William J. Howey, this restored stunner is officially listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It’s the real deal—oozing with “Old Florida” charm and Mediterranean style that makes for an unforgettable wedding backdrop.

The vibe here is pure “Prohibition-Era Cool.” It doesn’t feel like a wedding venue; it feels like a private estate party from the 1920s. Between the hidden basement speakeasy (yes, really!) and the antique winding staircase, it has a mysterious, cinematic quality that you just can’t manufacture.

Outside, the vibe shifts to “Old World Romance.” The courtyard is lush and intimate, surrounded by those warm stucco walls. It feels distinctively “Old Florida” but without the swampy vibes—more like a hidden villa in Spain.

If you want bright, white, and modern, this isn’t it. But if you want rich textures, dramatic shadows, and a venue with serious soul? This is your spot.

THE INFO

The Howey Mansion is a total gem hidden in the hills. It’s one of the few venues in Central Florida that offers true historic architecture with a Spanish Revival flair.
It’s not just a venue; it’s an experience. The courtyard ceremonies are breathtaking, and the historic details, like the original wood floors and antique furnishings, mean you don’t need to spend a fortune on decor to make it look high-end.

LOCATION

The Howey Mansion
1001 Citrus Ave
Howey-In-The-Hills, FL 34737

thehoweymansion.com
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Capacity between 150-200 guests
  • Spacious getting-ready suites
  • Get married on the historic terrace
  • Great rainy day backup for the ceremony available
  • In-house catering

WHY COUPLES LOVE THIS VENUE

Couples usually book Howey Mansion because they are tired of beige hotel carpets and conference center vibes. They love that it feels like a home (a very, very fancy home). It feels intimate and personal, like you are hosting the world’s best dinner party at your own private estate. You aren’t sharing the lobby with tourists in swimsuits; the whole place is yours.

Especially popular with:

  • The “Garden Party” Romantics – These couples are all about that open-air magic. They want the ceremony on the terrace and a reception in the courtyard, dancing under market lights. Our Take: It’s for the couple who wants “Timeless & Dreamy” rather than “Modern & Edgy.” It feels like an intimate European dinner party that just happens to be a wedding.
  • The “Anti-Ballroom” Black Tie – Upscale, but make it interesting. This couple wants the fancy Black Tie aesthetic, but they would rather elope than get married in a cookie-cutter hotel ballroom. They crave the “Old Florida” soul; the historic architecture, the drama of the mansion, and a setting that feels luxurious but authentic.
  • The “Experience” Chasers – It’s not just a wedding; it’s a story. This couple is obsessed with the flow of the night. They care less about centerpieces and more about the “Wow” factor. They are here for the basement speakeasy and the Prohibition Vault because they want their guests to leave saying, “I can’t believe we partied in a vault!” It’s all about creating a core memory for their friends.

What couples rave about:

Couples rave that The Howey Mansion feels genuinely special, a stunning historic estate where the architecture, ballroom, and fountain courtyard create a “wow” atmosphere without needing much extra décor, and the photo backdrops are beautiful everywhere you turn.

They also consistently praise the team for being responsive, organized, and calming throughout planning and on the wedding day.

A standout “signature” moment people love is the Prohibition Room for creating a speakeasy-style experience. Couples love having something exclusive and unexpected for guests to discover.

Images of Howey Mansion Weddings

A selection of beautiful images, taken by Rudy & Marta Photography during wedding ceremonies at the Howey Mansion.

From a Photographer’s Perspective

There are a million reasons we love shooting at Howey Mansion, but the biggest one is the character. It has that authentic, pre-prohibition style that you just can’t fake.

The natural light is a dream—it floods the rooms and reflects beautifully, creating soft, flattering portraits everywhere we turn. And the best part? It’s historic, but not “stuffy.” They’ve added AC and modern comforts, so you can enjoy the 1920s aesthetic with 2020s comfort.

The “Balcony” Perspective

One of our favorite tricks here is sending one shooter up to the second-floor balcony. It gives an epic bird’s-eye view of your entire wedding setup in the courtyard. It’s a massive, wide-angle shot that captures the scale of the venue and all your guests partying under the lights.

Photo Opportunities at The Howey Mansion

As Orlando wedding photographers who have worked at this venue multiple times, we can honestly say: it oozes “Old Florida.”

The Mansion

Ideal for ceremonies, sparkler exit, and that epic post-ceremony “just married” moment with the estate behind you.

The Outdoors

The mansion’s grounds are a big part of the appeal: it’s a lush, historic estate setting with multiple distinct outdoor settings.

The Staircase

You’ll love it for first look and portraits because it creates a cinematic, old-world backdrop right inside the mansion.

The Basement

A hidden speakeasy-style room reached through a secret passage, featuring a bank-vault–style door and Prohibition-era lore.

A few insider tips…

  • Plan for mobility/access needs early. Because it’s a historic property, there are limitations like no elevators/ramps, so if you have VIPs with mobility concerns, ask what routes/areas are realistically usable for them ahead of time.
  • Consider on-property lodging as part of the experience (not just convenience). The venue has the Gardener’s Cottage and Carriage House and even a Mansion Estate rental that’s only available as an add-on the same day as your event – great for after-party vibes and next-morning photos.
  • If you’re courtyard-dinner people, lighting is everything. The venue already has that “under the stars” pitch; enhance it with candles/soft tabletop lighting so faces look good after sunset (not just the space).
  • howey mansion wedding

REAL WEDDINGS AT The Howey mansion

View some complete stories at this venue

PLANNING RESOURCES

Hosting a wedding here doesn’t just mean beautiful views; it also means convenience and comfort for your guests. One of the best things about this venue is how easy it is to create a full wedding weekend that’s as relaxing as it is memorable.

What’s nearby for your guests?

Your friends and family won’t be short of things to do during their stay:

  • Accommodation: the closest option is Mission Resort & Club, located just down the road.
  • Restaurants & Cafés: visit Mt. Dora – walkable historic downtown with lots of shops, cafés, galleries, and lake/boat-tour vibes; it’s the easiest “take guests here for an afternoon” vibe town.
  • Activities:
    Easy, local: Tavares (“America’s Seaplane City”) – watch seaplanes, take a seaplane tour, or just hang by the water/parks for sunset.
    Cute half-day nearby: Mission Resort + Club – golf resort with a spa day option, perfect for guests who want to “relax close to the venue.”
    Full day funday: Any of Orlando’s theme parks.
  • Travel Info: The Howey Mansion is in Howey-in-the-Hills, FL.
    Flying in: Closest major airport: Orlando International (MCO), roughly 55–60 minutes drive to Howey-in-the-Hills (depending on traffic).

Recommended Vendors

Planning a wedding means choosing vendors you can trust — ideally, ones who know the venue well and work seamlessly behind the scenes. Here are a few local legends we’ve worked with and wholeheartedly recommend:

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faq

QUESTIONS ABOUT
HOWEY MANSION Weddings

The “Unicorn” Months are November to February. This is the Holy Grail. If you dream of that European-style al fresco dinner under the market lights, these are the months to book.
The Vibe: Crisp air, zero humidity, and you can wear a suit without regretting your life choices.
Photographer Note: The sun sets early (around 5:30 PM in winter). If you want sunny portraits, a First Look, or an early ceremony is a must!

The Mansion only works with exclusive catering partner Arthur’s Catering to ensure the service matches the vibe. Trust us: This is a good thing. You want a team that knows the venue’s quirky logistics inside and out.

Generally, yes! However, because this is a historic property, any drone operator must be FAA Part 107 Certified and carry full liability insurance (which, by the way, we do!). We always get final clearance from the venue coordinator on the day of to ensure we aren’t buzzing over guests during quiet moments.

Since it is a historic estate, parking is limited. The venue usually requires or highly recommends Valet Service. It keeps the arrival experience smooth and prevents your guests from walking a mile in their heels.

Usually, yes! They typically offer a 1-hour rehearsal slot, but it is subject to the event calendar. Pro Tip: If you can’t get in the day before, we can easily run through the logistics on the wedding day before the ceremony begins.

Yes! A sparkler exit down the front walkway looks epic against the mansion backdrop. Just no open flames inside the house (obviously—we want to keep this historic gem standing!).

Finally, check out more information on other venues and our wedding experience.

READY TO MEET YOUR

ORLANDO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

Let’s See if We Vibe!

We believe your photographers should feel like friends, not just vendors. After all, you’ll be spending your entire day with us!
Click below and fill out the form, tell us your story (don’t hold back on the geeky details), and let’s see if we’re the perfect match for your big day.

Can’t wait to hear from you!

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