On a cold January day, they held their ceremony in the West Room overlooking the So many people loved the outside parts of the venue that many people milled about outside, enjoyed the view and the ocean breeze. Theres also a small rehearsal fee, if you elect to have one. A great option for us and our wedding! 14. You get the Newport look and feel without the insane price. ve to use the UConn liquor catering. 274 reviews of The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark "Grand opening and as you would expect some operational flaws. Harlakenden sat on a bluff overlooking the Connecticut River. 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. Lockwood Matthews. Overall, I'd highly recommend this wedding venue to other couples! (Although you do have to bring in all your own vendors, which can add up). The venue is absolutely beautiful - three stone fireplaces (one for each room! . Branford House Wedding. The Branford House wedding venue can accommodate up to 200 guests. Branford House has both indoor and outdoor event spaces where you can host your wedding celebrations. A notice of cancellation must be received by the Branford House Manager in writing no later than 12 months before the date . But there were also lots of smiles, like during the funny speeches delivered by Thomass family that made everyone laugh wholeheartedly. it's very "busy" and authentic in itself. We We got married outside on the back lawn of the Branford House at the Uconn Avery Point campus, with our reception to follow inside. It was also difficult to setup two bars on site for a smaller guest count. A picturesque cocktail hour and reception meal . Modeled after the famous Newport mansions, it was named after Plant's hometown of Branford, Conn. if it rains, a good caterer will know what to do. The staff actually did some decorating for us ahead of time which was very nice of them. The people on hand were very friendly. Katherine was great to work with from start to finish. A Branford House wedding by the sea, complete with a live painter, live music, and fireworks made this mansion wedding an experience to remember. 70 Likes, 4 Comments - Wedding Photography & Film (@garyflomphotography) on Instagram: "Winter wonderland wedding at the Olde Mill Inn / Grain House. East Haven Ready for Winter Storm North Branford Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited New Police Facility . The Avery Point Lighthouse Society Site ( AveryPointLight.Com) has pictures of the restoration of the Lighthouse. was wonderful to work with and answered all of my questions promptly. 37 reviews of The Crate Escape "I'm not that picky, but my dog is. During prime wedding season (i.e. I wouldn't let that stop you from having your wedding here but my advice is to make sure to pay extra for the champagne or else your guests will have empty glasses for the dinner toasts. We went with David Alan Hospitality Group, and they 100% nailed it. They also have a longer rental period than most venues I researched (10 hours: 2 for setup, 1 for breakdown, 7 hours of celebration). LOL. Rooms were clean but bathrooms could be a bit more upscale as the price of a night stay . The Grand Ballroom and East and West Wing rooms can accommodate up to 200 guests. The elegant manor offers plenty of room for you and some of your loved ones to stay, directly at the manor and in their Cottage House, set back in its own world so this becomes your home away from home for your full wedding weekend! Apart from all the glitter, the day was a roller coaster of emotions filled with happy tears, especially for Bridgets dad (watching their father daughter dance photos brings it all to mind again). The property originally included Shennecossett Golf Course about a mile away (interesting tidbit: Shennecossett Yacht Club is right next door to Branford House and also hosts weddings). This venue is especially perfect for the more intimate guest counts, ranging from 25 75, which weve all come to love this past year! And like Inn at Mystics Haley Mansion at one time, Branford House is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. people were still dancing at 12:30am! When we got engaged, I knew we needed to get married there! This is such a stunning site for a wedding. Please complete a request for wedding information or call (845) 256-2053 to discuss . the architecture and detail of this mansion are breathtaking! decided to go for a winter wonderland wedding and, even if it was freezing cold outside (think arctic cold, to get a feel of . Overall, 10/10 would do again! It was gorgeous and so many of our guests commented on what an amazing venue it was. If you're looking for something new to read this winter, 13 local authors have put out a variety of books to keep you entertained throughout the frosty season. Acclaimed African-American painted John W. Hardrick painted this life-size portrait of Wilson native Dr. Joseph H. Ward circa 1932. What youll see here is a real example of how the mansion wedding venue idea can play out. One of our favorite Connecticut wedding venues is the Branford House in Groton. dirty wedding limericks; wedding venues bearsden glasgow; ffxiv wedding tutorial The mansion has rules for them, too, as well as a kitchen for them to use. The house itself is relatively inexpensive but they do require you to contract UConn Bar for alcohol which can drive up the price a bit. The photos were exceptional; there were so many photo opportunities that it hard to narrow down our options to favorites. The only complaint we have about the facility is the bathrooms - they are okay and certainly functional but not terribly nice. We had our wedding at the Branford House 9/21/13 and it was terrific! Contact Branford House Mansion in Groton, with weddings starting at $4,884 for 50 guests. Would we have chosen to use them? Brian + Manu Branford House Groton CT Wedding DJ, Uplighting & Photobooth Brian and Manu had multiple weddings starting with a large one in India. The Branford House Mansion comfortable accommodates for parties of no more than 200 guests. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 23, 1984. Parking can be a bit tight. In addition to many of images youve already seen throughout this post, here are some more of my favorite photos from Kristin and Robs beautiful Branford House wedding. A winter wedding is always beloved by us, so we wanted to highlight this special one from The Branford House Mansion in Groton, Connecticut. As youll see in the linked floor plan, the L-shaped Main Room is about 1000 square feet. 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. But don't let that deter you - this place is amazing otherwise! We chose the Branford House because if it rained, we'd still have a stunning facility. Just outside the West Room is another smaller, brick patio. Ready to start the conversation about your own wedding at Branford House? The Branford Mansion's official Web Site is averypoint.uconn.edu/branford . despite negative feedback, Katherine the manager, did return my calls and was extremely helpful with suggestions that other brides have done. I think they do over 20 weddings there a year! As couples and their wedding party draw nearer, its architectural brick beauty becomes clearer. Cocktail hour, speeches and first dance all on the long patio, dinner seated all in the main central room with the two story fireplace, dancing in the side room next to the outdoor bar and a quieter room to keep couches, dessert/coffee to escape all the adventures. One of the coolest venues with the most unique personality by far is this one! After missing out on St. Patrick's Day celebrations two years in a row due to COVID concerns, Tommy Sullivan's made a week out of the holiday in 2022, with whiskey promotions, bagpipe . Basically you are getting the space and need to bring in everything else. I've been working as a professional wedding photographer for 5 years now, and this was my first OceanCliff wedding! They do an excellent job, but they have a preset selection for beer and wine, and you need to pay extra if you want to add any additional beers and wines. One of our favorite parts about helping brides prepare for winter weddings is helping keep them warm and stylish! Winter in Connecticut is as cold as it is beautiful! Events can also be held in the garden venue, adjacent to the bluestone patio with oceanside views.Services OfferedThe Branford House Mansion provides a personal event planner to ensure that the wedding is a stress-free experience for couples. Ladybug Designs Wedding and Event Florals, History Around the Corner: UConn-Avery Point campus turns half a century old,, Outdoor/indoor, waterfront historic mansion, three lighthouses on view, As its owned by the State of Connecticut, Branford Houses staff are generally UConn employees, One of the better mansion wedding venues in the state, it offers year-round weddings, with outdoor covered and outdoor open-air ceremony options, The property is suitable for small and big weddings, with a maximum of about 500 people (thats not a typo; Bethany Lagenbach, Branford Houses event space manager, let me know that theyve hosted that many guests for an all-outdoor wedding in the past), If youre open to an outdoor dance floor (the venue has two sizable, paved patios), then 200 guests can fit inside for a Branford House wedding reception, Reasonably speaking, a little under 200 guests can be seated inside the mansions first floor for a Branford House wedding reception (its a good idea to speak with your, Choose your own caterer, subject to the venues rules, This includes a tasting for the two of you to check things out before you decide on food, Current policy dictates that youre locked into UConns Department of Dining Services for your bar/alcohol service, Since Branford House is on Connecticut state property, the public is technically allowed to be on the wedding venue grounds (but not in the mansion), Regarding overnight accommodations, there are several hotels in Groton, Connecticut that would probably require some Uber rides (and dont forget nearby, Branford House isnt technically in Mystic, its located in Groton (downtown Mystic is 15 minutes away, Stonington Borough is 20 minutes away), Lovers of small-band live music will love Branford House; this wedding venue is conducive to musicians and even has a piano on hand, Despite how glamorous your Branford House wedding can be, its actually an. It is not a banquet hall or standard wedding mill, you have to get your own catering/florist/planner etc. With the assistance of the events coordinator, every couples' nuptials will be planned according to their liking, style, and preference. Branford house wedding photos. This one is partially covered, making it a great location to exchange vows for more intimate weddings. Imagine a magical experience, enhanced by a unique ceremony and reception on the beautiful grounds of WoodWinds. So when it came time for him to be away from mom and dad for a long weekend, it was no surprise that he chose The Crate Escape. They put the bottles behind the bar and didnt tell us. Jonathan Edwards is best known for its lush vineyard overlooking the idyllic Sperry Tent. So, when Kristin and Rob reached out to me based on my own JPs, Marie Tyler Wileys, recommendation, it was awesome! The beauty of such a large space, and one so unique, is that you can tailor it to your needs. 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. Tara & Eric were married out on the grass in front of The Branford House in Groton CT as a light rain came down. MAGAZINES Weddings on the Shoreline. The house is so elegant and beautiful it needed little decoration. I knew from the first moment I saw the Branford House from the Block Island Ferry that I wanted to have my wedding there. Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings! This historic venue is so beautiful, so affordable, and so easy to dress up. One thing to stress here is this: the Branford House backyard is huge. Call . Once the temperatures drop below 60 degrees, an extra layer (or two) may be in order to knock down the chill. I have no idea what the room closest to the office is, as I just attended a wedding there- so looking AT branford house, from the driveway, the room all the way to the left was where the candy buffet and food was, the middle room had the tables and the last room was for the ceremony and then for the DJ and Dancing. And dayne, a pianist having performed at hundreds of events at the branford house previously, finally had the opportunity to sit and play for his wife. The amphitheater at Harkness Park is one of couples' favorites places to take wedding pictures in Connecticut. Just click below to head to my contact page and drop me a line. A beautiful venue that many people do not know about we would absolutely recommend! A winter wedding at The Branford House at Avery Point UCONN in Groton CT where the Winters get married? The only thing provided is chairs and tables. We loved the intricacy of the interior and the wood work. It has stunning views We held our September wedding at the Branford House, and everything worked out beautifully. The bar is limited by their distributor, and we werent able to customize as much as we would have liked (their spirit selection and beer selection were great, but their wine selection sucked). Sticking out into Eastern Point Bay (right next to Long Island Sound) is the regal Branford House. Though there are ceremony options outdoors, in the event of a normally brisk day, youll want something to warm your bones. Keep everyone in good spirits by offering fleece blankets as they arrive at the venue . For larger wedding events, a tent on the lawn provides a beautiful outdoor venue with great water views. It flowed perfectly and the venue was the perfect size for our 135 person wedding. See more ideas about branford, house, wedding. we got our $$ worth by having a caterer who didn't rip us off and having the mansion until 12:30am. 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. Shooting Bridget and Thomas's weddingin the gothic Branford House Mansion was a lot of fun. This regal house was built in the nineteenth century in the style of the famous Newport mansions. Get cozy and read on to some of Connecticuts greatest Winter wedding venues! Also, if you decide that you wish to use the lawn (say you want to do a big tent on the grounds) there is another charge for that. 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! It is smaller inside than it appears outside, so it's not great for a wedding larger than 125ish (I had 100). Outside vendors are welcome at the Branford House, allowing you to choose the flowers, caterer, and music that best fit your vision for the day. This is a nice area for a few couples portraits on your wedding day. The Branford House was absolutely beautiful and we were able to get ready on site, making it a very smooth day. With panoramic ocean views, impressive stonework, amazing fireplaces and hand-carved wooden walls and ceilings, this majestic mansion has an old world charm to it that perfectly complemented their wedding. Plus it was really inexpensive to rent! Big thanks to Catering by Christine, Flowers from the Farm - Schulze Farm and Mike Orzell as the second photographer for all their great work! By clicking 'Send', I agree to WeddingWires Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. My family and guests were raving about the venue as well which makes me feel like I pulled off the best wedding most of my guests have ever been to! Guest can select the caterer, music, color scheme, and more to ensure the event is a reflection of their personality and taste. The Branford House is SPECTACULARLY BEAUTIFUL. The Branford House is VERY beautiful and has an amazing location. The house, the lawn, the water view, the wrap around patio - everything at the Branford House is picturesque. This venue is amazing. . Definitely recommend! The staff is very knowledgeable and was very helpful. I would not recommend requesting a custom cocktail as they do not follow your recipe. The most amazing wedding venue! The architectural details really shine and cannot be found at typical wedding venues. Due Everyone kept saying how beautiful our location was. The Blanford House was a complete 2016 renovation of the old Oakland Elementary school that was originally built in 1926. The patio works well for a cocktail hour and the photo-ops are amazing. Ballroom, Beach, Waterfront, Estate, Garden, Historic Venue, Tented, Food & Catering, Rentals & Equipment, Tents. Katherine was great to work with. they loved the separate rooms, another waste of stress i had. Ashley and Dylan celebrated their beautiful wedding day at the gorgeous Brandford House in Groton, CT. g room got hot fast with only twenty people, but that being said, everyone said it was one of the most beautiful weddings they'd been to. Bethany & Bailey were fabulous to work with! Ashley and Dylan's story was held at the incredible Branford House in Groton, CT. Additionally, we received rental of the house for the whole day, and were allowed to bring in any vendors we wished. The only drawback is that you have to use UConn Bar for alcohol and bar services, which can be expensive. the LI Sound and the backdrop of the stunning mansion. I've gone back 3x in 4 weeks. Features included panoramic views of Fishers Island and Long Island Sound, its two-story fireplace, a winding staircase of imported Italian marble, and paneled walls carved by Italian and German . Seeing it on the night of the wedding was amazing - it was filled with candles and even though it Everything worked out great! It is a historic venue so you need to keep that in mind when booking as other br My husband and I got married at Branford House in April of 2022. But the showstopper was their floral covered arch by Sayles Livingston and petal-lined aisle where Eric would see his bride for the first time! 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. These spaces can comfortably accommodate up to 200 people and are ideal for a formal seated meal or buffet. The mansions second floor contains an art gallery and small seating area. If you want to feel like royalty, this place will do just that. So, whats the relationship between Branford House and the University of Connecticut? On the Marc curates the incredible menu for your guests, whether it be 250 for a sit-down or up to 650 for a casual celebration. What a perfect mid September day for a Branford House wedding! 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. Off. Realistically, this venue can really only comfortably accommodate weddings up to 100 people, any more than this and it's tight and challenging. In the end, our wedding day was very representative of us because of what this venue had to offer. Branford House. Staff is very under developed from lack of training I expect. Although they provided excellent service, it did add on quite a bit to our budget. m for the bridal party to get dressed in, and the fireplaces are stunning. Branford House. 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. (sorry ladies) I got over the not so cute bathroom quickly when friends said, you tinkle and leave. Surrounded by her charming bridesmaids in floral robes, the bride-to-be was the image of Old Hollywood perfection. Rachel is an experienced and passionate Connecticut wedding photographer, who especially loves an elegant beach wedding. BRANFORD While some saw the enormous stone house as a historic treasure in the center of Pine Orchard, others said they were happy to see it torn down. Below is a list of some great and best waterfront wedding venues in CT. 1. My guests left happy and all had an opportunity to get plenty of drinks. i'm sorry but it's a castle.. built in 1901 with gigantic marble fireplaces and wood walls carved by Italian artisans. Lord Thompson Manor is no exception as it provides its couples with multiple locations for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and dancing as the evening wears on. Branford House has both indoor and outdoor event spaces where you can host your wedding celebrations. on the patio and lawn. We had a pizza truck out front (Branford was great about flexibility and letting us use our own caterers to create our vision and feel for the night) and Cloud Nine salad bar and bar. However, the place is very self serve. It is a beautiful mansion on the UConn Avery Point Campus. Clinton, CT 06413, P: (860)669.4596 The schoolhouse now features lodging and dining areas while the auditorium now serves as your wedding and reception area. Mortons architect wife, Nellie, designed the mansion, which was actually named after Branford, Connecticut. While planning your wedding, here are some Branford House financial factors to consider: Despite how glamorous your Branford House wedding can be, it's actually an affordable CT wedding venue. Major General Israel Putnam, who chose the site that is now the park as the winter encampment for his men during the winter of 1778/1779, during the American Revolutionary War. The three of us had a small world moment when I told Kristin and Rob that Marie married my wife and me. Would highly recommend this venue! Picking our wedding venue took my husband and I over six months. Hotels near Branford House include Hilton Garden Inn Mystic/Groton, Hilton Mystic, Holiday Inn Express Mystic-Groton, Mystic Marriott, and Inn at Mystic. And Dayne, a pianist having performed at hundreds of events at the Branford House previously, finally had the opportunity to sit and play for his wife. WoodWinds is an esteemed wedding venue located in Branford, CT. A much sought-after location, this luxurious estate presents couples with an elegant setting for their special day. cancelling our concerns on the separate rooms, which was NOT A PROBLEM. 1084 Shennecossett Rd, Groton, Connecticut 6340. visit their website. Beautiful place to get married with wonderful staff. Available for Rent. d it but only for the couple who wants to and has the time to find separate catering etc because nothing is really included in the price besides table and chairs. This was the perfect venue for a wedding! We hired shuttles (DATTCO) from the hotel (Hampton Inn Groton) we and a majority of our guests were staying at and it worked out great. We took warm summer colors of mauve, blush, and plum and added in pops of serenity and navy, to honor the sea. Instead of flowers, foliage make such a statement at a winter wedding and a hanging display is incredibly theatrical. A mixture of natural wood farm tables and plum dressed tables held a colorful array of . HUGE! We lucked out with the best weather and were able to have our ceremony outside on the lawn. enue is a problem. 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. We got so many compliments from our guests. . One of our favorite Connecticut wedding venues is the Branford House in Groton. It has old world charm with amazing architecture and beautiful fireplaces. Another industrial wedding venue favorite! I contacted them twice after the fact- the first time the coordinator didnt know & would check, the second time she was no longer working there. This classic + traditional wedding. They don't let you swap selections. Connecticut is home to a list of notable vineyards, and Chamard in Clinton is one of the best. hey knew the ins and outs and we had no trouble setting it all up. It was excellent having a longer reception time for even more fun since the day flies by so fast. Beyond the bar, Branford House was inflexible when it came to scheduling our rehearsal time. Should you opt to celebrate with a few more loved ones (around 100), then one room is perfect for cocktail hour and dancing while the other two comfortably seat your guest tables! Also, sometimes it was hard to get in contact with the main point person regarding questions. Mar 3, 2022 - Beautiful winter wedding at the epic Branford House in Groton CT with Hana Floral of Mystic CT and CT photographer Carla Ten Eyck. I liked that the couple followed this fun wedding tradition giving their guests one more reason to smile and joke. It's great for a summer wedding (like hours), but we did see gorgeous photos of inside weddings during the winter holidays. they know the electrical outlets, how to do lighting, where to do the first dances, how to maneuver the kitchen downstairs and how to make flowers flow. The views out to the ocean are stunning and you really feel as though you have stepped back in time. They allowed me to customize the premium bar package to include additional brands of liquor and beer which was appreciated. The interior of Branford House consists of three rooms (PDF warning) on the first floor. Theres nothing better on a cold day than that perfect glass of red wine, and Jonathan Edwards has plenty to boot! Mark Clifton: Always Prepared to Help, Scout's Honor. The venue and venue coordinator are amazing! Katie & Steve's Beach Engagement Session at Napatree Point. Romantic Branford House Wedding in Groton, CT. Images by wedding photographer Rachel Black of Rowanberry + Lavender. Overall we were extremely happy with the location and cannot wait to see the pictures. Madison . The woodwork is incredibly intricate too, which makes for exceptional photo opportunities. They moved out in 1967, leaving the land to the state, which allowed UConn to establish its campus there. *Chefs kiss*. One last item of note, if you are going to have your wedding at the Branford House, make sure you get a good photographer. Given how expensive the venue was and that they already owned the chairs, this extra charge was a little surprising. Thanks for helping make our wedding day so special! Winter may secretly be our favorite season for the perfect venue setting! I met Liane years ago way back in 2012 for a photoshoot for Bliss Celebrations Magazine. had so many complements from our guests! A winter Branford House wedding in Groton, Connecticut. Thank you! 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. This venue does have it's challenges, as it's a broken up space and not an open ballroom type setting. Click below to read more about my offerings or to head directly over to my contact page. The on-site coordinator was helpful and incredibly kind. We loved the venue the first time we visited. They were troopers and made it through the 15-minute ceremony - AND THEN IT STOPPED RAINING. Alex and Liane had a brisk winter day as the setting for their long awaited wedding. USE VENDORS WHO HAVE WORKED THE MANSION SEVERAL TIMES! Even with all the people, your occasion will be stress-free with the attention of the trustworthy . Credit: Justin and Mary. Branford House was originally a 31-room mansion that rivaled those found in Newport. We used UCONN catering and guests STILL talk about how good the food was. Hosted on the coast at the Branford House in Groton, Connecticut, we constructed a tent on what started out as the rainiest day of the month. The Lake House. Maura & Eamonn's winter beach engagement session at Weekapaug. Katherine, the venue manager, was very responsive and helpful through the planning process. You don't need to go overboard with holiday . Shoutout to Blue Rocks Catering, Drape Art Designs, Constance Schiano Photography and Elements Flowers. The property around the house was just perfect for our outdoor ceremony and all of our our pictures. The only downside is you much use UConn catering for the bar. Kenny and rebecca were married on august 4th, with a ceremony at saint patrick church and a reception at the branford house in groton, ct. See more ideas about branford, house, wedding. wedding photographer, wedding photography, wedding planning, yale university, winter wedding, december bride, yale winter wedding, yale university vows, yale graduate club, yale courtyard . . Sep 9, 2017 - Explore A Thyme to Cook's board "Branford House Weddings", followed by 326 people on Pinterest.