With keeping our guest list to right around 100 people we were able to work with the space, having the guests eat in the center ballroom, dancing in the West Room and Food Service Stations in the East Room. Credit: Justin and Mary. We loved the venue the first time we visited. One of our favorite Connecticut wedding venues is the Branford House in Groton. Victoria and Jack had less than this, but it felt like a perfect party energy. This venue is amazing. As normal you will enjoy cocktail hour in the tasting room, overlooking the dinner scene hugged by actual walls of real wine barrels. we got our $$ worth by having a caterer who didn't rip us off and having the mansion until 12:30am. It was somewhat pricey to rent, but it was worth every penny. We had a wonderful winter wedding here and walking down the staircase to get married in front of the main fireplace was like something out of a fairytale. I could not be happier with the venue! We ended up using the bridal suite for many pictures, which came out so well. It can truly not be beat! They were troopers and made it through the 15-minute ceremony - AND THEN IT STOPPED RAINING. Required fields are marked *. To keep things even more interesting, she chose to swap looks from ceremony to reception, and first wear a removable tulle skirt that she later took off for the fun reception, revealing a flattering body-hugging dress. If a waterfront wedding day complete with a mansion is one of your goals, you really cant go wrong here. @oldemillinn @grainhouserestaurant" So beware- if you pay for a champagne toast they may change the plan and not tell you. This flexibility allowed us to have exactly the wedding we wanted. One of my favorite moments in the reception was the removal and toss of the garter, with the groom looking utterly confident and the bridewell, slightly embarrassed. Gorgeous DIY Wedding at The Branford House | Connecticut Wedding Photographers February 1, 2019 Katherine Loiselle We first met Kelsey and her mom at the Mohegan Sun Bridal Expo last winter (we'll be back again this February, so stop by and say hi at our booth!!!!) Bridget and Thomas, a radiant and very chic couple, decided to go for a winter wonderland wedding and, even if it was freezing cold outside (think Arctic cold, to get a feel of it), they did not really seem to mind. If you havent gauged through this list by now, Connecticut offers some of the best estates and manors for your winter wedding venues! Alex and liane had a brisk winter day as the setting for their long awaited wedding. we took the advice of a bride and did candles EVERYWHERE. In my opinion, the best thing about Branford House is that they let you hire the caterer of your choice - a huge cost savings! Blog . The Branford House wedding era began in 2001 when UConn renovated the mansion and started renting it out as an event space. Try for off season for a cheaper price. One of our favorite Connecticut wedding venues is the Branford House in Groton. As the weeks have rolled by and the renovations take place, we've grown confident that The Lake House is going to be one of the most premiere . nly receive the location, tables, and cheap chairs. Ready to start the conversation about your own wedding at Branford House? Only complaint is that the event manager is not very responsive to emails/phone calls, but otherwise the space is great. The venue is so beautiful it is nice to be able to use as much of the space as possible which we felt like we were able to do. This gave us plenty of time for our first look, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing all at the Branford House. The Warner House at 265 Pine Orchard . One last item of note, if you are going to have your wedding at the Branford House, make sure you get a good photographer. Despite breaking down the outside bar, they were easy to work with before the wedding day and I really didn't have any issues organizing the bar services. The beauty of such a large space, and one so unique, is that you can tailor it to your needs. Its easy to want to stay cozy in any of these rooms, especially once you see the bathtubs some of them boast. It poured on our wedding day, but guests loved the venue and we received so many compliments on how gorgeous it was. It seemed to work fine for us as we used one room for the dance floor and band and the other two for our tables. The Branford House is an absolutely stunning venue. Sign up to get my free wedding planning tips and ideas: Named One of The Top 20 Wedding Photographers in New York, One of the top 30 rising stars in wedding photography, Top 10 Bride & Groom Photos of the Year, Top 5 Wedding Photographer in The World, Winter 2012 Contest, Ranked 2nd Best Wedding Photographer In The World, Summer 2011. Our brides and grooms enjoy complimentary overnight accommodations at Mohonk Mountain House in a Victorian Room, changing rooms for the bridal party, and valet parking for all your wedding guests. Only downside was, we paid for a champagne toast, and it was never delivered. Imagine a magical experience, enhanced by a unique ceremony and reception on the beautiful grounds of WoodWinds. When we got engaged, I knew we needed to get married there! The guests loved it and most importantly so did we!! I liked that the couple followed this fun wedding tradition giving their guests one more reason to smile and joke. TAGS. Tables and chairs are provided for celebrations with up to 200 guests, while the piano is free to be used by a professional pianist. Another industrial wedding venue favorite! Katherine was very easy to work with--she was responsive and helpful and very accommodating. I liked this idea because we could customize the wedding to fit our style and didn't have to stick with only certain approved/favored vendors. These areas of the mansion are reminiscent of the old-school stylings of Lion Rock Farm in the opposite corner of the state. The Branford House was absolutely beautiful and we were able to get ready on site, making it a very smooth day. ). If youre interested in viewing our selection and renting a gorgeous fur stole for your wedding, click here for more information! The mansions second floor contains an art gallery and small seating area. The venue and venue coordinator are amazing! A picturesque cocktail hour and reception meal can be held on the stone patio and adjacent grass, perfect for those who have envisioned a waterfront mansion wedding. We couldnt have asked for a more perfect day!! The Branford House Mansion is a stunning building that captivates attention from afar. T: (860)552.2054, The White Dress by the Shore 2023 All Rights Reserved. This venue is absolutely beautiful, and the ocean-side views are amazing is you are so lucky to have the weather cooperate for you to have your wedding outdoors on the law After tons of research I stumbled upon this hidden gem in CT! The state bought it for about $50,000; it cost $3 million to build. With her blonde wavy tresses, channeling a breathtaking beaded lace dress, Bridget seemed to have just stepped out of a black and white movie. I went to a wedding there years ago and it absolutely blew my mind. n vendors. This was extremely frustrating given that I had left strict instruction with the manager to keep it open and it was still 60 degrees outside. Branford House has both indoor and outdoor event spaces where you can host your wedding celebrations. contact me for any advice. Excludes weddings.) My family is still talking about how gorgeous this place is. Cathy and Dan's winter wedding took place on a sunny but brisk day in mid December. Check out my gear. The Branford House. The only downside is you much use UConn catering for the bar. had all the best things: a thoughtful + sweet getting ready time, a quintessential, new england church service + a historical venue with ocean views. we took the suggestion of the bar underneath the Portico/stone patio and the dancing in the room right next to it. Beautiful place to get married with wonderful staff. This new venue captured our attentions immediately when we heard the words "19 acres and a private lake.". Winter Wedding at The Branford House Mansion | Liane & Alex. Parking is plentiful. While summer is just around the corner, in our industry we are already working six months ahead! Rachel is an experienced and passionate Connecticut wedding photographer, who especially loves an elegant beach wedding. Mark Clifton: Always Prepared to Help, Scout's Honor. The space itself has stunning ocean views, making for a perfect seaside wedding aesthetic in Connecticut. Their tearful ceremony took place on the Branford House lawn overlooking the water with the breathtaking mansion in the background. A winter wedding is always beloved by us, so we wanted to highlight this special one from The Branford House Mansion in Groton, Connecticut. The venue is absolutely beautiful and we ended up with a late-summer afternoon wedding on the lawn as the sun set and sail boats quietly coasted in the water. In the end, our wedding day was very representative of us because of what this venue had to offer. The inside is so gorgeous that you can go really light on decor and it will still looks amazi We got married in off season and the venue was PERFECT! USE VENDORS WHO HAVE WORKED THE MANSION SEVERAL TIMES! Below is a list of some great and best waterfront wedding venues in CT. 1. If you have a wedding larger than 100, I would recommend renting the tent out on the lawn. At first she was very quick to return my calls, but after all my money had been paid, it seemed as though I was no longer important and many calls and emails were not returned quickly, if at all. Off. . However, when we arrived at the venue, the manager introduced us to a new staff member who - while very kind - did not know where certain things were in the building when our vendors did have questions. Ill respond with answers to your questions and well go from there. However, the Branford House is incredibly difficult to work with, and the complaints I have are not unique to me; I've seen other brides complain of Branford House's inflexibility, and it's something that I would encourage any bride to seriously consider before booking. Shooting Bridget and Thomas's wedding in the gothic Branford House Mansion was a lot of fun. The Branford House wedding venue can accommodate up to 200 guests. When we first saw the Branford House we fell in love with its beautiful views of the ocean, lovely stonework and amazing ornate wood filled rooms. The staff is helpful and responds quickly, and the location is perfect. post brides helped us so much using school buses (christine cooper) for guest transportation from the Mystic marriott to the mansion. Even with all the people, your occasion will be stress-free with the attention of the trustworthy . Amanda was dressed in a timeless gown from White Dress by the Shore + her day was draped in exquisite florals from one of . Realistically, this venue can really only comfortably accommodate weddings up to 100 people, any more than this and it's tight and challenging. On the other hand, every single other person had to travel from across the country. I was not disappointed having heard so many great things about this Newport mansion wedding venue. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A tent can also be set up on the grass, offering shelter from the weather while still allowing you to enjoy the stunning waterfront views. This was the perfect venue for a wedding! Overall, I'd highly recommend this wedding venue to other couples! There is very little flexibility or understanding on any front. Plus, you can bring your own vendors/caterer in, which very few other sites in the area allow. But at the end of the day, I would have booked a different venue for a higher price if it meant getting more responsive and flexible service. The only reason I give this place four stars instead of 5 is because the bathrooms are hideous (think public school bathroom) and the venue manager, Katherine, can be pretty tough to get in a hold of. We had a wonderful winter wedding here and walking down the staircase to get married in front of the main fireplace was like something out of a fairytale. The Warehouse at FTC is particularly hearty in size, granting the opportunity for gatherings large and small. Tucked back in the woods a bit, this venue sits beside you guessed it the Silvermine River, offering a tranquil escape from your day-to-day. Classic Wedding Inspiration: An Iconic, Monochromatic Look, Tips and Tricks: Hosting a Home Wedding in Connecticut.