The Poe family’s history with Hillbrook is one-of-a-kind and dates back to before Hillbrook was officially a member’s club. In the mid 1940s, Carol Poe’s father was friendly with the Johnston’s, who bought the mansion in 1946. Carol’s father was one of the original club members and Carol has many memories from visiting the club before her marriage. Carol married Don Poe in 1954 at Hillbrook, followed by their daughter’s marriage in 1985 and their grandson’s marriage in 2016. Three generations of Poe weddings at Hillbrook over seven decades.
1954: Carol and Don Poe
1985: Susan Poe (Don and Carol's daughter) and Steve Flowers
2016: Courtney and Brian Poe (Don and Carol’s grandson)
We were fortunate enough to speak with all three generations to discuss their respective weddings and reminisce about their family history and traditions at Hillbrook. We hope you enjoy hearing first-hand about their memories.
1954: Carol and Don Poe
1985: Susan Poe (Don and Carol's daughter) and Steve Flowers
2016: Courtney and Brian Poe (Don and Carol’s grandson)
We were fortunate enough to speak with all three generations to discuss their respective weddings and reminisce about their family history and traditions at Hillbrook. We hope you enjoy hearing first-hand about their memories.
Why did you choose The Club at Hillbrook for your wedding?
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
Our ceremony was at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, but our reception was at Hillbrook. At the time, people thought going to Hillbrook was a long way to go, but my family loved beautiful Hillbrook from the time we first belonged. The country setting made it possible to have bagpipers and dancers and the Scottish setting was fun and lively.
Weddings were usually simpler then and we entertained our guests with music, a buffet and drinks. The photography was in black and white except for some pictures taken on some 3D cameras. Even Don's Salvation Army Grandmother commented, “I didn't partake in the beverage but it was the most beautiful reception that I have ever been to.”
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
When I was a child, we used to go to Hillbrook for “Grandma Day” and special occasions —I always loved it. I also used to love to flip through my parents' wedding album to see how beautiful their wedding there was. When I was in high school and college, I worked at Hillbrook as a waitress and got to see many other lovely weddings there, too. Hillbrook was where I always dreamed of getting married. There was never any question.
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
A couple days after we got engaged (which was over Memorial Day/Blossom weekend in Chagrin Falls), Brian mentioned Hillbrook as a potential wedding venue. He told me about the family history and some family events he had celebrated there in the past, so we immediately knew it was a top contender. Hillbrook was the first venue we visited in July 2015, and it was the clear favorite by our family and us. We loved the lush, green, beautiful property; being tucked back in the woods; the beautiful and unique Tudor mansion... we loved everything about Hillbrook and the family history was the icing on the cake!
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
Our ceremony was at Fairmount Presbyterian Church, but our reception was at Hillbrook. At the time, people thought going to Hillbrook was a long way to go, but my family loved beautiful Hillbrook from the time we first belonged. The country setting made it possible to have bagpipers and dancers and the Scottish setting was fun and lively.
Weddings were usually simpler then and we entertained our guests with music, a buffet and drinks. The photography was in black and white except for some pictures taken on some 3D cameras. Even Don's Salvation Army Grandmother commented, “I didn't partake in the beverage but it was the most beautiful reception that I have ever been to.”
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
When I was a child, we used to go to Hillbrook for “Grandma Day” and special occasions —I always loved it. I also used to love to flip through my parents' wedding album to see how beautiful their wedding there was. When I was in high school and college, I worked at Hillbrook as a waitress and got to see many other lovely weddings there, too. Hillbrook was where I always dreamed of getting married. There was never any question.
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
A couple days after we got engaged (which was over Memorial Day/Blossom weekend in Chagrin Falls), Brian mentioned Hillbrook as a potential wedding venue. He told me about the family history and some family events he had celebrated there in the past, so we immediately knew it was a top contender. Hillbrook was the first venue we visited in July 2015, and it was the clear favorite by our family and us. We loved the lush, green, beautiful property; being tucked back in the woods; the beautiful and unique Tudor mansion... we loved everything about Hillbrook and the family history was the icing on the cake!
What was your favorite part about having your wedding at Hillbrook?
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
Hillbrook is the most beautiful place that I have ever been to for a wedding. At the time, it was relatively unknown and people were excited to be there. The food has always been exceptional, the service great and the club accommodating. It is easy to plan a party there.
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
Obviously, its beauty. There are so many lovely spots. We got married in the gazebo overlooking the falls – paradise!
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
Everything went smoothly on our wedding day, and we felt very well taken care of by the entire Hillbrook staff. From the bridal attendant while we were getting ready to the servers bringing the wedding party appetizers during cocktail hour to the four slices of wedding cake waiting for us in our room at the end of the night, it was perfect!
We loved Hillbrook for the grounds and the history behind it, and we are so glad we were able to capture that with some amazing pictures at various spots including in front of the mansion, by the teahouse, in the woods, and in the gazebo. We were excited to bring all of our guests to Hillbrook so that they could also enjoy the beautiful place that we fell in love with.
Finally, it was really fun to spend our wedding night at Hillbrook. We said goodbye to all of our guests and then retreated to our cozy suite. We plan to celebrate a future anniversary by staying again!
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
Hillbrook is the most beautiful place that I have ever been to for a wedding. At the time, it was relatively unknown and people were excited to be there. The food has always been exceptional, the service great and the club accommodating. It is easy to plan a party there.
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
Obviously, its beauty. There are so many lovely spots. We got married in the gazebo overlooking the falls – paradise!
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
Everything went smoothly on our wedding day, and we felt very well taken care of by the entire Hillbrook staff. From the bridal attendant while we were getting ready to the servers bringing the wedding party appetizers during cocktail hour to the four slices of wedding cake waiting for us in our room at the end of the night, it was perfect!
We loved Hillbrook for the grounds and the history behind it, and we are so glad we were able to capture that with some amazing pictures at various spots including in front of the mansion, by the teahouse, in the woods, and in the gazebo. We were excited to bring all of our guests to Hillbrook so that they could also enjoy the beautiful place that we fell in love with.
Finally, it was really fun to spend our wedding night at Hillbrook. We said goodbye to all of our guests and then retreated to our cozy suite. We plan to celebrate a future anniversary by staying again!
What is your favorite wedding memory?
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
We loved it all. It was wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends. It was nice to have both the Thetas and the SAEs there to serenade us.
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
Walking across the field with my parents down to the gazebo then walking up the stairs of the gazebo to my husband.
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
The entire day was amazing, but one of my favorite moments was the first look (which also included our dog, Palmer). We were so excited to see each other, for Brian to finally see the wedding dress, and we felt much more at ease after seeing each other.
We will also never forget the epic downpour that occurred right after we finished taking pictures in the back yard/during cocktail hour... everyone was dry and under the covered porch just watching the rain. We were so thankful that the rain held out all day until then.
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
We loved it all. It was wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends. It was nice to have both the Thetas and the SAEs there to serenade us.
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
Walking across the field with my parents down to the gazebo then walking up the stairs of the gazebo to my husband.
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
The entire day was amazing, but one of my favorite moments was the first look (which also included our dog, Palmer). We were so excited to see each other, for Brian to finally see the wedding dress, and we felt much more at ease after seeing each other.
We will also never forget the epic downpour that occurred right after we finished taking pictures in the back yard/during cocktail hour... everyone was dry and under the covered porch just watching the rain. We were so thankful that the rain held out all day until then.
What were your Processional/Recessional/First Dance songs?
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
We didn’t have a set music program but we did had bagpipers.
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
Processional: Clair de Lune
Recessional: Bagpiper playing “Scotland the Brave”
First Dance: Can’t remember!
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
Processional: Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bridesmaids)
Bach Canon in D, Pachelbel (Bride)
Recessional: Mendelssohn Wedding March, Mendelssohn
First Dance: "Brand New" by Ben Rector
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
We didn’t have a set music program but we did had bagpipers.
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
Processional: Clair de Lune
Recessional: Bagpiper playing “Scotland the Brave”
First Dance: Can’t remember!
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
Processional: Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bridesmaids)
Bach Canon in D, Pachelbel (Bride)
Recessional: Mendelssohn Wedding March, Mendelssohn
First Dance: "Brand New" by Ben Rector
Bagpipers on lawn
Anything you else want to tell us?
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
Hillbrook set the tune for a life of happiness and good health. We are
blessed to have a wonderful family. We wish all future Hillbrook couples the same.
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
On the day my husband proposed to me, we went to Hillbrook to ask my father if we had his approval since he was playing tennis there. My husband asked him in the middle of Dad’s serve, at which point, my father dropped the ball and his racquet and said, ”you’re serious aren’t you?” So in the end, Hillbrook ended up being where my father gave permission to my husband and where we celebrated on our wedding day.
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
While our wedding day was always going to be a special day in our lives, our own family history at the club truly added to the whole day. It was fantastic to feel that we were immediately a part of something bigger - that we were walking in the some of the same places and experiencing some of the same things that our relatives had before us. Hillbrook has always been extremely meaningful to our family, and we feel lucky to now understand that a little bit better, as we became part of the Hillbrook tradition!
1954 Carol and Don Poe:
Hillbrook set the tune for a life of happiness and good health. We are
blessed to have a wonderful family. We wish all future Hillbrook couples the same.
1985 Susan Poe and Steve Flowers:
On the day my husband proposed to me, we went to Hillbrook to ask my father if we had his approval since he was playing tennis there. My husband asked him in the middle of Dad’s serve, at which point, my father dropped the ball and his racquet and said, ”you’re serious aren’t you?” So in the end, Hillbrook ended up being where my father gave permission to my husband and where we celebrated on our wedding day.
2016 Courtney and Brian Poe:
While our wedding day was always going to be a special day in our lives, our own family history at the club truly added to the whole day. It was fantastic to feel that we were immediately a part of something bigger - that we were walking in the some of the same places and experiencing some of the same things that our relatives had before us. Hillbrook has always been extremely meaningful to our family, and we feel lucky to now understand that a little bit better, as we became part of the Hillbrook tradition!
Fun Facts about Courtney and Brian’s wedding:
- We knew we wanted to include our dog, Palmer, in our wedding, so we took pictures with her during our first look. This was one of our favorite parts as well, and the photos turned out perfect.
- Signature drink: Moscow Mules, which is one of our favorites. We also gave guests copper mugs for the favor and tied the escort tags to the mugs.
- For the reception tables, instead of table #s, we used names of places that we have been together with a picture of us there i.e. "Chagrin Falls", "Las Vegas", "Napa" etc.
- For our guest book, we put out postcards of places that we were going to go on our honeymoon. People were able to pick their favorite postcard from the five places we were headed on the honeymoon (Nice, France; Lugarno, Switzerland; Cinque Terre, Italy; Florence, Italy; Venice, Italy). It was awesome to read some of the great notes that people wrote us on the postcards!
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Brian, Courtney, Carol and Don Poe
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