Beauty With Purpose: Cator Woolford Gardens Named Best Wedding Venue by Decaturish

Photo Credit: Taryn Shultz Photos

Beauty With Purpose: Cator Woolford Gardens Named Best Wedding Venue

Cator Woolford Gardens was recently named Best Wedding Venue in Decaturish’s Readers’ Choice awards—an honor that reflects not only the beauty of the Gardens, but the community that has gathered here for decades.

For many neighbors, the Gardens are a familiar presence—a place to walk, celebrate, or pause among the trees. Couples often discover Cator Woolford Gardens while searching for a wedding venue that feels both special and grounded. What many learn along the way is that this landscape carries a deeper purpose alongside its beauty.

A Wedding Venue Rooted in Community

Originally developed as a private estate in the 1920s, Cator Woolford Gardens became part of the Frazer Center campus in the early 1950s. From that point forward, the land was stewarded with a clear intention: to support a community where people of all abilities could learn, work, and grow together.

That purpose continues today. When couples choose to celebrate their wedding at Cator Woolford Gardens, their event directly supports the mission of the Frazer Center. Revenue from weddings and events helps sustain inclusive early education, meaningful employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, and community programs rooted in dignity and belonging.

Each celebration contributes to something lasting—classrooms where children learn side by side, programs where adults build skills and confidence, and a campus designed to welcome people of all abilities.

Why Couples Choose Cator Woolford Gardens

Couples often describe Cator Woolford Gardens as a “hidden gem”—a place that feels peaceful, tucked away, and thoughtfully maintained. The Italian-style gardens, accessible pathways, and flexible gathering spaces offer a setting that feels both elegant and welcoming. These qualities, paired with a clear sense of purpose, are what draw many couples here.

In addition to the outdoor Gardens, the Frazer campus includes other event spaces that reflect the same values. The light-filled atrium offers a bright, modern setting for gatherings, while the historic Cator Woolford house is being prepared to host smaller events, continuing the tradition of using this place to support inclusion and community connection.

Gratitude for a Shared Honor

Being named Decaturish Best Wedding Venue is a meaningful acknowledgment—not just of the Gardens themselves, but of the couples, neighbors, vendors, and community members who help sustain this place year after year.

We’re grateful to Decaturish and to everyone who has celebrated, supported, and cared for Cator Woolford Gardens. Your gatherings make it possible for this space to continue serving a purpose beyond any single event.

To learn more about hosting a wedding or event at Cator Woolford Gardens, explore our spaces and discover how beauty and purpose come together here.