We offer a list of suggested vendors for those who don’t know where to start but ultimately our guests are free to choose whichever caterer, DJ, florists, photographers, etc. that they would like. Our couples have the venue for the day, making us the perfect place for those looking to have their ceremony, pictures, and reception all in one spot. With our wooden cross back chairs and farm tables, we have stuck to our rustic roots to create an aesthetic that is easily dressed up with a few simple touches. Your only limit is your imagination and your Pinterest board so start exploring and seeing if we might be the right fit for your wedding day.
Amenities & Facility
In the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, we firmly believe the couple should be focused on more important things than renting tables. That’s why our venue rental includes all the basic amenities and a couple extras, too! Poplar Hill Estate will provide enough tables and chairs to accommodate parties up to 200 guests (50 for micro-weddings). We also have easily accessible indoor restrooms, which we continually keep clean and orderly the full day of your event. There is ample, convenient on-site parking. As an added benefit, we happily invite the wedding party to use our Carriage House, which includes two sitting rooms, a private bath, and a full kitchen. Additionally, we welcome the wedding party to use the Man Cave, located in the basement of the barn which has a sitting space, restroom, and patio.
The Ceremony
Your big day can go by so quickly, so don’t waste unnecessary travel time. You can have your ceremony and reception all in one place! Our scenic grounds and barn lend themselves wonderfully to ceremonies. Whether you choose indoors or outdoors, the Poplar Hill Estate staff will provide the chair setup and take down, as well as a decorative arbor for an alter that you are more than welcome to decorate to add your own special touch to, on your big day.
Photography
One of the most important things when planning a wedding is deciding how and where to remember it. Photographs are integral to remembering this pivotal day, and many couples will waste precious hours traveling to photogenic destinations. When choosing Poplar Hill Estate, there is no need to struggle with this decision or leave the grounds. Our striking landscape is a photographer’s playground! We have it all from wooded areas and fields to gardens and vintage architecture. We encourage you to send your photographer to meet with us prior to the wedding, as there are too many photo opportunities to observe on your big day. In the spirit of sharing the love rooted in the grounds here at Poplar Hill Estate, we happily offer our picturesque grounds for engagement photos to all couples, booked with us or not.
The Party
Our venue comfortably accommodates parities up to 200 guests (50 for micro-weddings). Our tents provide ample space to enjoy your reception, whether it be passed hors d’oeuvres and a sit-down dinner, family or buffet style, or even food trucks. Our lofts allow for versatile and unique options for entertainment to fit your individual needs. Our centrally located wet bar is open at three sides allowing for quick access to bartenders and beverage requests. We have very few rules here but no BYOB is a big one we will mention a few times. We have a separate prep space area for catering use. There is a designated DJ loft allowing the DJ to overlook the dance floor and provide more space for your celebration and dancing and a lower loft if they would rather party on your level. We also have plenty of space to accommodate live music without interfering with the dance floor. As a permanent fixture of our barn, we have decorative lighting for added ambiance to set the mood, and of course there is the ever-important dance floor!
Our History
Nestled in the valley of historic East Aurora, Poplar Hill Estate is a Georgian Colonial estate built in the 1900s. In the late 1920s, the east and west wings were added. The existing barn (the original succumbed to a fire) and carriage house were also built at this time. The farm’s name is based on the hundreds of poplar trees that dotted the property, including three behemoths that towered over 200 feet tall with trunks 20 feet around, and could be seen for miles.
In the spring of 1962, a prominent area orthodontist Dr. Dominic “Bucky” Colarusso, and his wife Geraldine (Hill), purchased the property and raised their family of nine children. The acquisition was a result of Bucky’s desire to be a gentleman farmer and his true passion, horses! Bucky and Gerry were noted for their hospitality and played host to countless family members and friends. The farm was always a hub, truly needing a revolving door. It is estimated that the kitchen table had seen Gerry serve more than 100,000 meals!
In 2001, their son Philip and his wife Beth (Norton), bought the farm to raise their family of four. Phil’s business, Luminated Landscapes, remodeled the barn as a showroom for his landscape lighting design and products. It is with an ironic twist of fate that stars aligned, allowing an East Aurora barn to become a home for a lighting business, as the name Aurora, by definition, literally means lighting phenomena. In 2017, the cosmic cooperation continued and once again the barn was renovated, this time as a wedding venue, to recapture the heritage and history of love, family and community. In the multigenerational tradition of an open door and open hearts Phil and Beth personally invite budding families to choose Poplar Hill Estate to host their special day.