Venues & Event Spaces near Howey-in-the-Hills, FL

“IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BOOKING THIS VENUE FOR A WEDDING PLEASE READ THIS!

I'm a award winning Wedding Photographer based out of the Miami area, I have been shooting for over 9 years.

I just finished working a wedding at this venue, and I'm a person who never leaves a negative review for something because it's a Buisness and it can hurt them, but I have to be honest & transparent.

This review is to reflect my experience at the Howe Mansion.

This venue is gorgeous, has beautiful spots for photos and for ceremony. These are the only Positives I have about the venue.

Now the venue manager "Fran" is literally the worst Manager of a Venue I've seen in my wedding photography career.

She's rude, condescending towards vendors, the planner & the bride. This woman SHOULD NOT be apart of this venue, and honestly I don't know how with other countless negative reviews that have been left she is still working for the Howey Mansion.

I arrived to the venue early to scout and she open the door and told me to come back in 3 hours as a vendor I'm not allowed to go in to the Howey Mansion until 3 hours before the wedding starts.

Wedding photographers like myself capture days from early in the day, especially when the bride is getting ready at the actual venue, not a hotel.

She literally would not allow me to take my gear (my bag with camera & lenses) upstairs for photography because she said it can damage the floor of the property which has been standing for over 100 years. The planner had to get involved and explain that none of my gear would hurt the venue in any way.

She gave me a hard time for arriving to the venue a few hours early to try to get a head start on doing getting ready photos for the couple that she paid for. She almost didn't allow it to happen, and after myself, several bridesmaids and eventually the bride and the planner got involved I was finally allowed to do my job. She was difficult with the planner and the dj as well.

Do your research and look at the negative reviews of this venue. They are literally all about her.

I would not recommend this venue at all, and honestly I would not photograph at this place ever again as long as Fran is involved.

If you're looking for a wedding venue, stay away as long as Fran is involved with this venue.

Fran if you read this -- You are the sole reason why this venue is getting negative reviews. Please do better.

If the owner is reading this - Why haven't you gotten rid of Fran? She has been the worst wedding manager I have ever been in contact with in my career. You are in a hospitality/service based business, she needs to treat vendors with value & respect.

REVISION: I was contacted by the owner of the venue Brad in which he apologized for the experience we had with Fran, and let me know there would be some changes in the future. He welcomed me to come out again when these changes happen.

My change in stars is to reflect him making it right. Thank you for reaching out and making this right Brad.”

“The Snickers restaurant that beats all restaurants within 60 miles for the very best Saturday night meal. I have enjoyed Saturday night dinners there for over a year. There are 2 restaurants on the property so be sure it is Snickers you are at. The dinner is buffet style with servers regularly checking on you with a smile. They serve Prime Rib, Alaskan King Crab Legs, vegetables, soup, salads and a 15 foot bar of Sushi and Sashimi which are both fish or vegetable, baked salmon, raw clams and oysters. The desert bar is 10 foot long and besides the many cakes, pies, bread putting there is ice cream with chocolate sauce. The restaurant has many soft drinks and a bar which your server will get you the harder drinks and wine. If you take my advice you will come back many many times. There hours are 5 PM to 9 PM.”

“What a great place to do a photo shoot! This property is on 80 acres. The mansion is amazing. There are 3 special bedrooms upstairs. Shoot in the Playboy, Prince, or Marilyn Monroe rooms. Check it out on YouTube.”

“Man if you're having an event, this is the place. The staff is way above mice. The maintenance man was OFF THE CHAIN. very friendly, and made my visit do easy. Keep that guy.”

“What a beautiful location. The grounds and building were exquisite, at least for central Florida. I attended a small luncheon hosted in the wine room. The food was very good, possibly the best catered food I've had in recent memory. I am thankful for the experience.”

“Go to this place on Mondays for bowling league and ordered the nacho avalanche and it was actually the best I've had at this place in a long time. Carrie Ann is the best in the kitchen”

“To say I was presently surprised would be an understatement. Very clean and the staff was wonderful. It was my Granddaughters birthday party and the music, lights and games were great.”

“I was here about a month ago with my daughter. We had hot wings & fries. The food was so hot & good. The server was exceptionally nice & the cook gave us extra wings & fries. It was a very pleasant family atmosphere.”