Cator Woolford Gardens — Local services in Decatur

I originally gave Cator Woolford 4 stars, but I've dropped it down to 3 since.

We originally wanted to book this venue for a weekday evening wedding reception, and (based on the sales pamphlet and a venue tour), we thought we understood the restrictions and how we would need to adjust to make our plans work. After 1 week of waiting to receive a contract, we were told our dates were unavailable due to scheduled maintenance despite a month's worth of communication prior confirming our date was available.

Our planner worked with them and tried to see if there was any way we could get our dates, since we loved the gardens and the design of the atrium, and it already fit the visual look we were going for, and then they delivered a contract. Contrary to their sales pamphlet's promised 3 hour event, and the tour's advice that events start "after 6", our contract offered a 2.5 hour event which was not allowed to start any sooner than 6:30. Even if we'd contracted for an extra hour, which we had originally planned to do, that would still have only been 3.5 hours, and barely enough time for the vendors to load out if everything went smoothly.

I'd have loved to have a reception at this venue, truly, but they simply cannot deliver on what their sales pamphlet promises for a weekday event, unless you're willing to work with an incredibly tight schedule and pay extra to make sure you have enough time for your vendors to strike and load out. If we'd gotten these details in the venue site tour, or in any of our emails (including when we asked for a 6 pm event start time which they did not reject), we simply wouldn't have wasted our, or our planner's, time trying to negotiate for this to be the venue for our reception.

We're lucky we had a backup venue already in mind, and have already signed a contract with them, because this has been an overall deeply disappointing experience and I'd honestly advise no one book an event on a weekday unless you need your event to last less than two hours. I understand that there are limitations on certain things, but those were not communicated during the multiple opportunities where a 6 pm event start was mentioned or at any point until the contract that came after so...

I called to book a tour for my wedding and the woman on the other end of the phone was not very pleasant. She informed me that the number listed on their website, was not for Cator but for the Frazer Center in general. and that all inquiries for Cator are handled via the website and there’s no phone number. All correspondence is to be conducted via email for tour booking. Fine. I went to the website, scheduled a tour for today at noon. The appointment was later canceled and rescheduled for Friday. No notice was given, no cancellation reason. Simply an automated email indicating the appointment had been cancelled and rescheduled. Who does that?? I am not available Friday so I went to site again to try to pick a different day. & i saw that my appointment for today at noon was open and available for booking again. Not sure if they are holding the spot open for someone? But i selected the same day and time since it was AVAILABLE. The appointment was again cancelled. I think the venue is beautiful from what i see online. But the communication has been terrible. Not to mention cancelling someone’s reservation only to still have it listed as available on the website is very disturbing. Again I never received any type of phone call or email to explain why the appointment was canceled and to CONFIRM a new day. Instead i was given a day and time that did not work and no one has...

Cator Woolford Gardens is pure magic for bridal portraits. I recently photographed a bridal session here, and the gardens could not have been a more perfect backdrop. The historic architecture, winding staircases, and lush greenery all create a romantic, timeless atmosphere that makes every image feel like a piece of art.

From a photographer’s perspective, the soft natural light filtering through the trees is incredible. The gardens offer a variety of textures and backdrops—classic stonework, dreamy florals, and quiet pathways—that make a bridal session feel both elegant and intimate.

For brides wanting a setting that’s refined yet organic, Cator Woolford Gardens is truly one of Atlanta’s most stunning venues. It’s a space that elevates portraits into something extraordinary.

— Morgan...