contact me for any advice. 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! The inside boasts three separate yet all ornately elegant rooms, so its easy to host your ceremony and reception with a more intimate guest count. 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 Branford House Mansion on the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut was built in the 19th century and modeled after the famous Newport mansions. These areas of the mansion are reminiscent of the old-school stylings of Lion Rock Farm in the opposite corner of the state. She also rented beautiful fur from us to complete her wedding day look and her bridal partys ensembles! Ready to start the conversation about your own wedding at Branford House? Kind of annoying about the specific rules. The views out to the ocean are stunning and you really feel as though you have stepped back in time. Everything else can truly be customized at the venue making it work this minor inconvenience. 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. So many people loved the outside parts of the venue that many people milled about outside, enjoyed the view and the ocean breeze. (Although you do have to bring in all your own vendors, which can add up). We had our wedding reception at the Branford House in November 2022, and it was absolutely stunning!! Required fields are marked *. The Branford Mansion's official Web Site is averypoint.uconn.edu/branford . Lockwood Matthews. Shane and Margarita traveled from North Dakota, as did the Maid of Honor, since they're all stationed there for the military. LOL. But there were also lots of smiles, like during the funny speeches delivered by Thomass family that made everyone laugh wholeheartedly. 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! Jubilee's Top 10 Winter Wedding Venues in Connecticut! the architecture and detail of this mansion are breathtaking! 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. There were multiple points in the evening when the bar refused to serve our guests; they told guests that they wouldn't serve drinks while speeches were being made, but the very reason our guests were at the bar were to acquire drinks to participate in toasts. Due Everyone kept saying how beautiful our location was. The Common Man Inn & Restaurant in Claremont would be honored to plan and host your special day. The views out to the ocean are stunning and you really feel as though you have stepped back in time. Branford House Wedding. Branford House. Don't forget to add a sprig of mistletoe here and there! I cannot stress this enough. school in Newport, RI and wanted the Newport feel without making our guests stay in hotels for Newport prices. Seeing it on the night of the wedding was amazing - it was filled with candles and even though it Everything worked out great! The Branford House has all of the beauty and elegance that you would see in Newport at a much more reasonable price. T: (860)552.2054, The White Dress by the Shore 2023 All Rights Reserved. Would we have chosen to use them? A great option for us and our wedding! A winter wedding at The Branford House at Avery Point UCONN in Groton CT where the Winters get married? If youre having your reception inside, there are some challenges as its separated into three rooms and is unlike many traditional venues. Bethany & Bailey were fabulous to work with! 295 West Ave. . Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos. Branford House. The Branford House was an absolutely stunning venue that wowed our guests and absolutely exceeded our vision! Their Branford House mansion wedding was beautiful, too, including everything from the dress to their dinner choice. It was gorgeous and so many of our guests commented on what an amazing venue it was. Traditionally, ceremonies are held outdoors. This venue has four rooms within the mansion, suitable for hosting 85- 100 guests if you were to have your cocktail hour in the grand foyer. 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. decided to go for a winter wonderland wedding and, even if it was freezing cold outside (think arctic cold, to get a feel of . Imagine getting ready for your wedding beside the fireplace while the snow falls down around you outside. "He had to ride back to his house 100 yards up the street, and he later told me it took two more tries to get through. We chose the Branford House because if it rained, we'd still have a stunning facility. Your email address will not be published. The Branford House is VERY beautiful and has an amazing location. They have a requirement that you hire UConn Catering for any alcohol, and their service is very overpriced and lacking in selection. They were there during the entire wedding and leading up to the wedding were so accessible and always available to answer questions or to allow us to visit just one last time. Imagine the sprawling lawn settled with snow around you! Would highly recommend this venue! The Grand Ballroom and East and West Wing rooms can accommodate up to 200 guests. the LI Sound and the backdrop of the stunning mansion. One of our favorite Connecticut wedding venues is the Branford House in Groton. You have to pay to use their wooden chairs if you decide that you'd rather use those instead of the free plastic ones. When we got engaged, I knew we needed to get married there! we got our $$ worth by having a caterer who didn't rip us off and having the mansion until 12:30am. If you're looking for waterfront Wedding . It is a large space and we comfortably fit about 175 guests, although we were very lucky with beautiful weather and our guests spent a lot of time Branford House was the perfect venue for our reception. n vendors. . Though it rained on their wedding day, Kristin and Rob had a great time with each other and their guests. The Branford House Mansion is a stunning building that captivates attention from afar. Instead of having just the 1 hour cocktail hour on the patio, think about extending cocktail hour and doing intros and dances out there before heading inside for dinner. Branford House has both indoor and outdoor event spaces where you can host your wedding celebrations. The only downside is you much use UConn catering for the bar. es are the reasons why I was eager to book the venue, and they really shined on our wedding day. Overall would absolutely recommend the Branford House - you and your guests will without question have a day that you will never forget. I highly recommend working with a coordinator and a caterer who are familiar with the BH due to its crazy layout and kitchen situation. Just outside the West Room is another smaller, brick patio. You don't need to go overboard with holiday . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We had a beautiful Friday evening summer wedding, and our guests were absolutely floored. hence my beach theme going out the window. These two have a bond like no other, Dylan's larger than life personality a. THE BRANFORD HOUSE The Branford House at UConn Avery Point was built in the 19th century, modeled after the famous Newport mansions, and offers an elegant location on the Connecticut shore that creates the . I was told that they would not allow me to book any rehearsal time at the venue until 14 days before the wedding. hey knew the ins and outs and we had no trouble setting it all up. The mansion, which has panoramic views of Fishers Island and Long Island Sound, was designed by Plant's wife Nellie, who had . This new venue captured our attentions immediately when we heard the words "19 acres and a private lake.". (The third is New London Harbor, off to the right/west in this view.). We went with David Alan Hospitality Group, and they 100% nailed it. d looking out at the sound. Surrounded by her charming bridesmaids in floral robes, the bride-to-be was the image of Old Hollywood perfection. This space is perfect for an intimate winter wedding celebration, offering space for 30 50 guests! Overall we were extremely happy with the location and cannot wait to see the pictures. It is a unique venue if your looking for something more than your typical ballroom. 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. they're correct. enue is a problem. In the previous photo, you can see two of the three lighthouses (Avery Point on the left and New London Ledge on right, way off in the distance) which are viewable from Avery Point. Because they kitchen is in the basement, they said it was very challenging. the biggest tip i can give is don't overdo it! Indoor use of furniture is included, but extra and/or outdoor use of furniture costs extra. I knew from the first moment I saw the Branford House from the Block Island Ferry that I wanted to have my wedding there. Katherine was great to work with from start to finish. Getting Ready at OceanCliff Mansion. This beauty is located in the heart of downtown Fairfield right across from the train station. Credit: Justin and Mary. Thanks for helping make our wedding day so special! Located in Groton, CT, The Branford House is an elegant mansion wedding venue. The bride and groom truly have an opportunity to create that special wedding at Waveny House. Bethany Langenbachbethany.langenbach@uconn.edu. The Branford House is an absolutely stunning venue. if it rains, a good caterer will know what to do. The venue is BEAUTIFUL! It poured on our wedding day, but guests loved the venue and we received so many compliments on how gorgeous it was. However, I really did not have any issues with the venue itself. The wedding coordinator was always very responsive and easy to work with. 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). The venue and venue coordinator are amazing! Ballroom, Beach, Waterfront, Estate, Garden, Historic Venue, Tented, Food & Catering, Rentals & Equipment, Tents. Please visit my Harkness Memorial State Park Weddings Page for more information and more pictures. SCROLL TO DISCOVER . Branford House was built in 1902 for Morton Freeman Plant, a local financier and philanthropist, as his summer home; he named it after his hometown of Branford, Connecticut. With the assistance of the events coordinator, every couples' nuptials will be planned according to their liking, style, and preference. ), stunning wood-paneled walls, and an incredible stone portico with a great ocean view. A quintessential winter wedding is cozy, warm (on the inside), and hopefully embraced by an enjoyable amount of snow. ng. 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). It flowed perfectly and the venue was the perfect size for our 135 person wedding. The amphitheater at Harkness Park is one of couples' favorites places to take wedding pictures in Connecticut. Your email address will not be published. The beauty of such a large space, and one so unique, is that you can tailor it to your needs. This flexibility allowed us to have exactly the wedding we wanted. This boutique hotel is equipped with a healthy list of hotel rooms ranging in all sizes and styles. Some other options that couples can avail of at The Branford House Mansion include: Wedding of our dreams at the Branford House! It was a Saturday in October, as most weddings are. Blog . we paid for EVERYTHING ourselves so we had to watch our $$. But they were very nice to work with and did an excellent job. The state bought it for about $50,000; it cost $3 million to build. Our guests were completely wowed. In addition to the beautiful architecture, the reason youd probably want an wedding at Branford House is to get outside. If it wasn't for the liquor caterer, this would be a 5 star venue! However, the place is very self serve. The painting was stolen from the Ward family's Indianapolis, Indiana, home in the mid-1950s, and his descendants seek its return. 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! Katherine who runs the house can be tough to get a hold of at times and a few days before my wedding we had some miscommunication but everything went off without a hitch. If your budget allows, looking into a custom frame tent that will warm guests for dancing and cocktail hour. My family is still talking about how gorgeous this place is. Katherine, the venue manager, was very responsive and helpful through the planning process. It sits on the Connecticut shoreline and offers a sophisticated setting for milestone celebrations. The three of us had a small world moment when I told Kristin and Rob that Marie married my wife and me. m for the bridal party to get dressed in, and the fireplaces are stunning. they loved the separate rooms, another waste of stress i had. Smaller gatherings can take place on the aforementioned west wing patio, which is covered. It has old world charm with amazing architecture and beautiful fireplaces. 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. I was nervous about the three different rooms but we used the large main room and one smaller room for a sit down dinner. Thank you to Bethany and our vendors for making it such an incredible day! This classic + traditional wedding. This one is partially covered, making it a great location to exchange vows for more intimate weddings. like my husband said, we can bring our children back here. The outside and the inside of this venue are amazing! One last item of note, if you are going to have your wedding at the Branford House, make sure you get a good photographer. Learn more here. The patio works well for a cocktail hour and the photo-ops are amazing. Ashley and Dylan's story was held at the incredible Branford House in Groton, CT. The Warner House at 265 Pine Orchard . 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. The property around the house was just perfect for our outdoor ceremony and all of our our pictures. Bridgetand Thomas, thank you for choosing meto document your oh-so sweet wedding! In the weeks leading up to the wedding, the Branford House manager told us that she would be present for the wedding to help answer questions as vendors were setting up. Although it was more expensive for our May wedding, it was well worth it for such a beautiful and memorable place. If you havent gauged through this list by now, Connecticut offers some of the best estates and manors for your winter wedding venues! We used the other smaller room (near the portico) for our dance floor and it all flowed well. 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 ballroom-type area is super unique and fancy. One of the coolest venues with the most unique personality by far is this one! The space is gorgeous and speaks for itself. Staff is very under developed from lack of training I expect. Given how expensive the venue was and that they already owned the chairs, this extra charge was a little surprising. Stephanie & Billy's Branford House wedding in Groton, CT / Avery Point! Tara & Eric were married out on the grass in front of The Branford House in Groton CT as a light rain came down. There is such beautiful architectural detail that having a great photographer is really worth the cost (we hired Joshua Behan and the pictures are terrific). cancelling our concerns on the separate rooms, which was NOT A PROBLEM. we loved how customizable our wedding was. You do need to hire UCONN for bar services and we did have a few issues working with them but that really isn't a reflection of the venue itself or of the venue coordinator. So, first things first: Branford House was built in 1903 by Morton Freeman Plant. What a perfect mid September day for a Branford House wedding! Call . 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. The house is so elegant and beautiful it needed little decoration. Your email address will not be published. every nook we could find and it looked romantic and accented the natural beauty vs. changing it into some trendy theme. These prices are available for the months of. Modeled after the famous Newport mansions, it was named after Plant's hometown of Branford, Conn. Madison . king! The . For an indoor gathering, you can choose between the Grand Ballroom and East and West Wing rooms. I do recommend calling her with most needs and then following up with an email if it is urgent and you are unable to get in touch. We were able to fit 100 guests in the main room; 10 round tables that were 5', and a 16' rectangular table as the head table. Although they provided excellent service, it did add on quite a bit to our budget. "Use your wintery date as an opportunity to embrace seasonal vegetables, wines, and maybe even a hot soup for your first course. The state bought it for about $50,000; it cost $3 million to build. The Branford House wedding era began in 2001 when UConn renovated the mansion and started renting it out as an event space. We had 90 guests, so we were able to really make full use of the mansion rooms. Rachel Girouard Photography has been documenting love and creating timeless memories since she picked up a camera. I have only seen a few pictures from my wedding so far as it was almost only 3 weeks ago but they are amazing thanks to this beautiful property inside and out! The Branford House is located in Groton, Connecticut on the campus of UConn Avery Point, which rents it out for events. Website uses cookies to give you personalized shopping and marketing experiences. We optimized use of the space by having our cocktail hour and first dance on the patio. She was stunningand quirky as hell and I loved her! Located on the Connecticut shoreline, the venue offers panoramic ocean views, sprawling grounds, and elegant event space, making it the ideal setting for every couple's wedding day. 5.0 out of 5 rating. The two exchanged heartfelt vows and shared a first kiss under the . The Loading Dock, with catering by the esteemed Abigail Kirsch, is the perfect setup for your modern winter wedding! The complete look was incredibly sophisticated and luxurious, which was exactly what she Liane was going for. The Branford House is absolutely gorgeous! The Branford House at UConn's Avery Point campus was built at the turn of the 20th century as a summer home for local financier and philanthropist Morton Plant. our cocktail hour and a half started at 5pm. Below are some favorites from the seaside wedding day. As other reviewers have mentioned, you rent the space and then bring in outside vendors. Enjoy an intimate number of guests or up to 150+ for your celebration. and couldn't wait for her and Alan to get married! some people wandered around and watched our cake cutting from upstairs. The views of the water are amazing and the photographers love shooting there. 5.0. As youll see in the Branford House wedding photos later, this venue should definitely be at the top of your list. Just click below to head to my contact page and drop me a line. . Check out my gear. With close proximity to accommodations and attractions, like historic Mystic Seaport, Foxwoods, and Mohegan Sun casinos. nly receive the location, tables, and cheap chairs. See more ideas about branford, wedding, house. This venue is beautiful and very reasonably priced! It sits on the Connecticut shoreline and offers a sophisticated setting for milestone celebrations. Nicole & Eric's Gorgeous Wedding at the Branford House Mansion. These were minor details for all the wonderful benefits of this place. 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! Branford house wedding pictures. Another industrial wedding venue favorite! While winter drags its feet and keeps Connecticut residents bundled in coats and blankets, the Nutmeg State has plenty of authors penning new books to keep you distracted.. Our Weddings Team is ready to help you plan your special day. It's a great idea for a high-ceilinged room as it makes the space feel so much cosier. It can truly not be beat! East Haven Ready for Winter Storm North Branford Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited New Police Facility . Get Our Wedding Planner App On Your Mobile Device. Rooms were clean but bathrooms could be a bit more upscale as the price of a night stay . The only minor inconvenience was the bar. 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 architectural details really shine and cannot be found at typical wedding venues. It was excellent having a longer reception time for even more fun since the day flies by so fast. THE BRANFORD HOUSEGroton, CT. David Alan Hospitality Group is a preferred caterer at the Branford House. It is smaller inside than it appears outside, so it's not great for a wedding larger than 125ish (I had 100). Though there are ceremony options outdoors, in the event of a normally brisk day, youll want something to warm your bones. So, you know the wine will never run out! Branford House Wedding Amanda + JohN . Off. Cathy and Dan's winter wedding took place on a sunny but brisk day in mid December. The Gray Barns on the Silvermine River is a haven set in Fairfield County. Did you know they also have a Barrel Room set in the lower level of the tasting room? The inside of the mansion is beautiful and really doesn't need much additional decoration. The guests loved it and most importantly so did we!! And like Inn at Mystics Haley Mansion at one time, Branford House is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Here are some more factors to consider about your potential Branford House wedding: While planning your wedding, here are some Branford House financial factors to consider: Groton, Connecticut is a great town with plenty of nearby hotels for visitors. The Branford House manager also scolded my mother-in-law and wedding party for bringing drinks to the bridal suite. It was the perfect place to have a wedding and the staff at the Branford House were so helpful and kind. ;You need to bring in EVERYTHING which makes for a lot more planning. So if you're heart is set on a seated, plated dinner, this is probably not the best venue, unless you do the tent. In the end, our wedding day was very representative of us because of what this venue had to offer. The Branford House wedding venue can accommodate up to 200 guests. 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. A Banford House wedding located in Groton, Connecticut. it's historical, it's going nowhere. Clinton, CT 06413, P: (860)669.4596 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!!!!) 1084 Shennecossett Rd, Groton, Connecticut 6340. visit their website. Check out this years best local pros, chosen by couples like you. 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 . We had our wedding at the Branford House 9/21/13 and it was terrific! A picturesque cocktail hour and reception meal . We had about 75 people, and the tables were tight in the main room, so 75 was a good number. We were able to do our ceremony on the lawn, cocktail hour on the patio, and dinner and dancing inside the Branford House. 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. The reception was inside the mansion and it is a beautiful, unique option. 70 Likes, 4 Comments - Wedding Photography & Film (@garyflomphotography) on Instagram: "Winter wonderland wedding at the Olde Mill Inn / Grain House. On the other hand, every single other person had to travel from across the country. I went to a wedding there years ago and it absolutely blew my mind. It is not a banquet hall or standard wedding mill, you have to get your own catering/florist/planner etc. View This Issue. Winter in Connecticut is as cold as it is beautiful! View Portfolio. Katie & Steve's Beach Engagement Session at Napatree Point. We did the ceremony outside with the dancing under a tent on the patio and the meals inside which was terrific. There are multiple locations on the property to host your event, including the Inn, Tavern, and Barn, allowing your guests to immerse themselves in the experience youve created! They have a great deal with a beautiful location and all day rental (you will be the only group there on your day!) A Branford House wedding by the sea, complete with a live painter, live music, and fireworks made this mansion wedding an experience to remember. Claim Your Profile. We fell in love with this venue the second we stepped inside, and We got married at the Branford House in October. ADDITIONAL RENTAL FEES: Rehearsal Fee (upon availability/2 hours) $250.00 CANCELLATION ALL CANCELLATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO A $500.00 CANCELLATION FEE. We loved the venue the first time we visited. It has stunning views We held our September wedding at the Branford House, and everything worked out beautifully. We love a venue thats easy to get to, and travel to and from this one is a cinch! The house, the lawn, the water view, the wrap around patio - everything at the Branford House is picturesque. 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! on the patio and lawn. Get creative with draping and decor to create distinctive spaces for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and the dance floor! These spaces can comfortably accommodate up to 200 people and are ideal for a formal seated meal or buffet. 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. They put the bottles behind the bar and didnt tell us. On a cold January day, they held their ceremony in the West Room overlooking the of the mansion (compared to surrounding places) we were able to stay within budget. Parking can be a bit tight. 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. Back to Table of Contents. We are still very happy that we found this place to have the wedding, even with it's challenges it was awesome. If you use the house properly then you can really create such an intimate and exquisite wedding. MICHIGAN FEAR FINDER Halloween Newspaper HAUNTED HOUSE GUIDE Prop LIMITED PRINT, Mudkip Pokemon Center Pokedoll Mini Plush 5" Toy Doll . Also, sometimes it was hard to get in contact with the main point person regarding questions. 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. Sep 9, 2017 - Explore A Thyme to Cook's board "Branford House Weddings", followed by 333 people on Pinterest. If you get a good day as far as weather, which we did, it makes for the most gorgeous and relaxing wedding experience you can imagine. My guests left happy and all had an opportunity to get plenty of drinks. . we took the advice of a bride and did candles EVERYWHERE. 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. Beautiful place to get married with wonderful staff. This regal house was built in the nineteenth century in the style of the famous Newport mansions. So beware- if you pay for a champagne toast they may change the plan and not tell you. ides have mentioned. Woodrow Wilson spent several weeks in the summers of 1913 through 1915 at Harlakenden, a country estate in Cornish, N.H. Wilson leased his summer White House from Winston Churchill - the American Winston Churchill, a writer who lost a race for governor of New Hampshire in 1906.