About

The Place You've
Been Waiting For

Welcome to Donovan Manor, where your celebration becomes something truly unforgettable. A place where every detail feels effortless and every moment feels meaningful.

Rooted in a legacy of heartfelt hospitality, Donovan Manor is a luxury wedding and events venue in NC just 12 miles from downtown Raleigh. Set on a private estate, each celebration is thoughtfully crafted with elegance and care. This is where timeless beauty meets genuine connection—and where your most meaningful moments stand apart.

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Founder's Story

Built on Legacy. Rooted In Love.

Jill Donovan is the visionary behind Donovan Manor and the founder of the Donovan Hospitality family of brands. Her journey in hospitality began at Meredith College in Raleigh, where she launched Jill’s Beach, a luxury tanning studio built on a simple idea: every guest should feel welcomed, confident, and cared for the moment they walk through the door. From the start, Jill focused on creating spaces that foster connection and community—a philosophy that continues to define her work today.

Together with her late husband, Chef TJ Donovan, Jill co-founded Donovan’s Dish, a catering company born from their shared love of food and the joy of bringing people together. TJ’s exceptional culinary talent paired seamlessly with Jill’s passion for hospitality, growing the company into one of the region’s most respected culinary teams. His legacy lives on through Donovan’s Dish and throughout Donovan Manor, where thoughtful touches honor the passion he brought to every gathering.

During the COVID pandemic, Jill once again stepped up to serve her community by launching Dish to Door, delivering fresh, chef-prepared meals to busy families across the Triangle. What began as a response to a moment of need quickly became a trusted resource for delicious, made-from-scratch food without the work.

After years of catering celebrations across the region, Jill dreamed of creating a place of her own—one designed for life’s most meaningful moments. When she first stepped onto the land that would become Donovan Manor, she knew it was something special. Today, as a mother of three daughters and a dedicated entrepreneur, Jill pours her heart into every detail, ensuring the Manor is a place where people feel truly cared for and every celebration is unforgettable.

“The second I set foot on the property, I knew it was the one.”

Jill Donovan Owner & Founder
Donovan Manor monogram mark

At Donovan Manor, our venue team is dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for every client celebrating at our Raleigh-area wedding and events venue. As a local, family-owned and female-owned estate, our team brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to hospitality and a deep understanding of what makes North Carolina weddings truly unforgettable.

Donovan Manor monogram mark

Meet Your Venue Team

Our team comes from a variety of event industry backgrounds—including rentals, bridal boutiques, event production, and venue management—giving couples the benefit of experienced guidance throughout the planning process. From managing the 15-acre estate to coordinating the many details behind the scenes, the Donovan Manor team works together to ensure every wedding day unfolds seamlessly. With a shared commitment to service, organization, and care, they help make Donovan Manor one of the most memorable estate wedding venues in the Southeast.

Jill Donovan

Owner and Founder

Jill Donovan is the visionary behind Donovan Manor and the founder of the Donovan Hospitality family of brands. Raised in a close-knit New York Italian family that relocated to Raleigh when she was 13, Jill grew up surrounded by the traditions of gathering, food, and celebrating together. Feore Hall, the estate’s central event space, is named in honor of her maiden name, a tribute to the family roots that first inspired her love of hosting.

Throughout her career, Jill has focused on creating spaces where people feel welcomed, celebrated, and connected. That vision ultimately led to the creation of Donovan Manor, a place designed for meaningful gatherings and unforgettable celebrations. As a mother of three daughters who are often visiting the estate, family remains at the heart of her vision for Donovan Manor and the meaningful experiences created there.

Letty DeLallo is the Venue Manager at Donovan Manor and has been part of the estate’s story since its earliest days in 2023. After meeting Jill Donovan at a dinner party and discovering a shared vision for thoughtful, elevated hospitality, Letty joined the project before the first shovel touched the ground and became instrumental in bringing the estate to life. She played a key role throughout the building process, helping shape everything from the Main House dressing suites to the development of Feore Hall and the 15-acre property, ensuring each space was intentionally designed for unforgettable celebrations.

Today, Letty leads the venue team while welcoming couples to experience Donovan Manor firsthand. She works closely with trusted vendor partners, introduces new offerings and experiences on the estate, and oversees the details that allow each celebration to unfold with the beauty and seamless hospitality that define Donovan Manor. In recognition of her leadership and impact within the wedding industry, Letty was named Event Professional of the Year in 2026.

Chelsea Head joined the Donovan Manor team before the estate’s grand opening and played a key role in bringing the business to life, helping shape both operations and the client experience from the very beginning. She was instrumental in managing early client relationships and building the team structure that allows for a high level of thoughtful, seamless hospitality.

Through her dedication and leadership, Chelsea grew into the role of Operations Manager, where she oversees the bar team, day-to-day property management, and the behind-the-scenes logistics that keep the property operating effortlessly. With a strong background in event execution, she has managed hundreds of weddings and remains closely involved, leading the event team and ensuring every detail is carried out with care and precision.

Shannan Weller brings a warm, knowledgeable presence to the Donovan Manor team as a Sales Representative, with a background in bridal boutiques and extensive experience helping clients navigate meaningful decisions with confidence. She guides couples through the sales process and works closely with events on the property, ensuring every detail needed for a successful celebration is clearly understood.

Catherine Blazer began at Donovan Manor on the opening event team, bringing a background in textiles and event production along with hands-on experience working weddings as an event host. Today, as Manor Concierge and Client Relations Manager, she guides clients through the planning process and helps ensure every Donovan Manor event runs seamlessly.

Zoe Bonwell joined the Donovan Manor team full-time in 2025 and quickly became an essential part of the client experience, bringing a background in case management and exceptional organization to the role. As Manor Concierge and Client Relations Manager, she guides clients through the planning process while ensuring every Donovan Manor event runs smoothly with care and attention to detail.

Leah Mrozek serves as the Marketing Coordinator for Donovan Manor, bringing a blend of venue experience, creative marketing, and an artistic eye for detail. She leads print and digital marketing for Donovan Manor while also supporting Donovan’s Dish and Dish to Door, ensuring each brand is presented with consistency, creativity, and care.

“Beyond the beauty of the venue, the staff at Donovan Manor made our experience unforgettable.”

Sarah A. September 2025, Bride

Meet Your Catering Team

At Donovan’s Dish, hospitality starts with intention. Our team is dedicated to creating seamless event experiences, combining thoughtful planning, clear systems, and careful attention to detail so every celebration runs smoothly.

At the heart of it all is a passion for exceptional food. Each menu is crafted with creativity and purpose, blending elevated flavors with refined presentation to give every event its own unique character.

Together, the Donovan’s Dish team brings a people-first approach to catering—pairing inspired cuisine with attentive service to create gatherings that feel effortless, memorable, and truly special.

Our incredible catering is made possible by the passion and talent of our kitchen team. To view the full Donovan’s Dish staff visit our website.

Visit Donovansdish.com

Spencer Carter

Culinary Director

Ashley Valdes

Senior Event & Wedding Partner

Emma Anderson

Client Relations Manager

Amanda Dayer-Heisler

Client Relations Manager
Event Day

Meet Your Event Team

Facility Team

Our facilities team is often the first to welcome guests onto the property, setting the tone with attentive parking assistance and a warm, professional smile. From opening doors to ensuring tables are perfectly placed, they prepare each space with care so every celebration begins and ends with ease and precision.

Bar Team

Our bar team at Donovan Manor brings a polished, professional presence to every celebration, delivering service that feels both refined and welcoming. From signature cocktails to a seamless guest experience, they ensure every detail behind the bar is handled with care.