Because they kitchen is in the basement, they said it was very challenging. 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. Shooting Bridget and Thomas's wedding in the gothic Branford House Mansion was a lot of fun. Winter may secretly be our favorite season for the perfect venue setting! She was stunningand quirky as hell and I loved her! 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. Just outside the West Room is another smaller, brick patio. The outside and the inside of this venue are amazing! TAGS. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The only downside is you much use UConn catering for the bar. Due Everyone kept saying how beautiful our location was. 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. If you want to feel like royalty, this place will do just that. A notice of cancellation must be received by the Branford House Manager in writing no later than 12 months before the date . This venue does have it's challenges, as it's a broken up space and not an open ballroom type setting. Only complaint is that the event manager is not very responsive to emails/phone calls, but otherwise the space is great. 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. our cocktail hour and a half started at 5pm. 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. 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 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. 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 . Lastly is the West Room, an 860-square foot rectangle with several large windows. Off. 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. d looking out at the sound. 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. Katherine was great to work with from start to finish. We are still very happy that we found this place to have the wedding, even with it's challenges it was awesome. Overall would absolutely recommend the Branford House - you and your guests will without question have a day that you will never forget. I think this venue truly is a hidden gem in CT and such a timeless location for a wedding. Some other options that couples can avail of at The Branford House Mansion include: Wedding of our dreams at the Branford House! Clinton, CT 06413, P: (860)669.4596 Your email address will not be published. WoodWinds was bought by award-winning chef Antonio . They braved the cold in the most elegant way: with sparkle, laughter and lots of love that kept them warm. 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. But it worked! Thank you to Bethany and our vendors for making it such an incredible day! We had our wedding at the Branford House 9/21/13 and it was terrific! Enjoy the panoramic views of Long Island Sound from Eolia, the elegant summer mansion of the Harkness family set on over 230 seaside acres of sweeping lawns, with stately trees and spectacular gardens. I was not disappointed having heard so many great things about this Newport mansion wedding venue. The bridal party got ready on site, but it is good to note that no mirrors were provided and it was a good thing we had thought to bring our own. 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. Theres nothing better on a cold day than that perfect glass of red wine, and Jonathan Edwards has plenty to boot! We love a venue thats easy to get to, and travel to and from this one is a cinch! The people on hand were very friendly. Shane's family lives near UConn (the Branford House is on UConn campus) so it was a great location to not have them travel very far. 5.0 out of 5 rating. Content last updated April 2019. See more ideas about branford, wedding, house. I will forever have an emotional attachment to my cinderella castle. post brides helped us so much using school buses (christine cooper) for guest transportation from the Mystic marriott to the mansion. This was a winter wedding. The woodwork is incredibly intricate too, which makes for exceptional photo opportunities. A mixture of natural wood farm tables and plum dressed tables held a colorful array of . The . it's historical, it's going nowhere. 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. bride, CT, groom, photographer, Portraits, Tent, Tent Wedding, wedding, weddings. Groton, CT. . Everything else can truly be customized at the venue making it work this minor inconvenience. This space is perfect for an intimate winter wedding celebration, offering space for 30 50 guests! Speaking of being outside, the waterscape views of Long Island Sound are epic. I used the following references at different points in this post: I can help with that! Mortons architect wife, Nellie, designed the mansion, which was actually named after Branford, Connecticut. The staff actually did some decorating for us ahead of time which was very nice of them. I've been working as a professional wedding photographer for 5 years now, and this was my first OceanCliff wedding! on the patio and lawn. Eolia is available for weddings, private parties, seminars, conferences, luncheons and teas. 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 . Its an absolute dream to get married at a venue like this, and we were lucky enough to get to help one special bride find her dream wedding gown for her 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 . A beautiful venue that many people do not know about we would absolutely recommend! No. i'm sorry but it's a castle.. built in 1901 with gigantic marble fireplaces and wood walls carved by Italian artisans. Get Our Wedding Planner App On Your Mobile Device. Big thanks to Catering by Christine, Flowers from the Farm - Schulze Farm and Mike Orzell as the second photographer for all their great work! I also discovered when interviewing caterers for this venue, that most DO NOT WANT to do a seated, plated dinner at this location. The Grand Ballroom and East and West Wing rooms can accommodate up to 200 guests. Katherine was very easy to work with--she was responsive and helpful and very accommodating. n vendors. The Branford House was absolutely beautiful and we were able to get ready on site, making it a very smooth day. The wedding coordinator was always very responsive and easy to work with. They have a requirement that you hire UConn Catering for any alcohol, and their service is very overpriced and lacking in selection. Alex and Liane had a brisk winter day as the setting for their long awaited wedding. they loved the separate rooms, another waste of stress i had. The beauty of such a large space, and one so unique, is that you can tailor it to your needs. T: (860)552.2054, The White Dress by the Shore 2023 All Rights Reserved. cancelling our concerns on the separate rooms, which was NOT A PROBLEM. She also rented beautiful fur from us to complete her wedding day look and her bridal partys ensembles! Styling and Day of Wedding Dressing Service: Beth Chapman Styling, 104 E Main Street Surrounded by her charming bridesmaids in floral robes, the bride-to-be was the image of Old Hollywood perfection. Back to Table of Contents. A quintessential winter wedding is cozy, warm (on the inside), and hopefully embraced by an enjoyable amount of snow. Sticking out into Eastern Point Bay (right next to Long Island Sound) is the regal Branford House. It brings us joy to help folks tie the knot, and we have wedding spaces that rise . The on-site coordinator was helpful and incredibly kind. All of that being said, Branford House was incredibly affordable and saved us a ton of money when it came to our wedding budget. Branford House Wedding Costs. The Branford House Mansion is the perfect location for couples and their guests' special day.Facilities and CapacityFrom the outside, amidst a sea of green spaces and clear skies, the main building stands out. The property around the house was just perfect for our outdoor ceremony and all of our our pictures. I highly recommend working with a coordinator and a caterer who are familiar with the BH due to its crazy layout and kitchen situation. I've gone back 3x in 4 weeks. the architecture and detail of this mansion are breathtaking! The complete look was incredibly sophisticated and luxurious, which was exactly what she Liane was going for. Please visit my Harkness Memorial State Park Weddings Page for more information and more pictures. Katie & Steve's Beach Engagement Session at Napatree Point. Nothing felt cramped, but at the same time it was very cozy. Rooms were clean but bathrooms could be a bit more upscale as the price of a night stay . The Branford House also doesn't allow you to use their chairs on the lawn, so you'll have to rent your own if you want an outdoor ceremony. By clicking 'Send', I agree to WeddingWires Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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. Once the temperatures drop below 60 degrees, an extra layer (or two) may be in order to knock down the chill. 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! Overall, I'd highly recommend this wedding venue to other couples! 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. Try for off season for a cheaper price. They are the absolute perfect way to stay warm on a chilly winter day - plus, they look stunning! This regal house was built in the nineteenth century in the style of the famous Newport mansions. There is very little flexibility or understanding on any front. It helps that our caterer and DJ had worked there many times before. Given how expensive the venue was and that they already owned the chairs, this extra charge was a little surprising. It has stunning views We held our September wedding at the Branford House, and everything worked out beautifully. Branford House Wedding. The venue is absolutely beautiful - three stone fireplaces (one for each room! Maternity ; Newborns ; Press ; About ; Contact ; April 10, 2020. We had a total of 85 guests attend our wedding which allowed for an indoor/outdoor event with no tents. The schoolhouse now features lodging and dining areas while the auditorium now serves as your wedding and reception area. The lower level of the house is home to a catering kitchen for your vendors to use. contact me for any advice. The inside of the mansion is beautiful and really doesn't need much additional decoration. 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. It has old world charm with amazing architecture and beautiful fireplaces. m for the bridal party to get dressed in, and the fireplaces are stunning. So, first things first: Branford House was built in 1903 by Morton Freeman Plant. Plus, you can bring your own vendors/caterer in, which very few other sites in the area allow. Just behind the mansion is a long patio which is great for mingling or even dancing. 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. We optimized use of the space by having our cocktail hour and first dance on the patio. A winter wedding at The Branford House at Avery Point UCONN in Groton CT where the Winters get married? Get cozy and read on to some of Connecticuts greatest Winter wedding venues! It was a Saturday in October, as most weddings are. These two have a bond like no other, Dylan's larger than life personality a. 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. Ballroom, Beach, Waterfront, Estate, Garden, Historic Venue, Tented, Food & Catering, Rentals & Equipment, Tents. . 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. The Grand Ballroom and East and West Wing rooms can accommodate up to 200 guests. They have a great deal with a beautiful location and all day rental (you will be the only group there on your day!) Our guests were completely wowed. Branford house wedding photos. We had 90 guests, so we were able to really make full use of the mansion rooms. Claim Your Profile. Instead of flowers, foliage make such a statement at a winter wedding and a hanging display is incredibly theatrical. 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! One thing to stress here is this: the Branford House backyard is huge. The mansion has rules for them, too, as well as a kitchen for them to use. We ended up using the bridal suite for many pictures, which came out so well. This is especially pleasant when its from another wedding vendor. 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. This gentleman was apparently born into wealth, the son of Connecticut native rail and steamboat tycoon Henry Bradley Plant. I knew from the first moment I saw the Branford House from the Block Island Ferry that I wanted to have my wedding there. Winter Wedding at The Branford House Mansion | Liane & Alex. If it wasn't for the liquor caterer, this would be a 5 star venue! What a perfect mid September day for a Branford House wedding! The photos were exceptional; there were so many photo opportunities that it hard to narrow down our options to favorites. we took the suggestion of the bar underneath the Portico/stone patio and the dancing in the room right next to it. Guest can select the caterer, music, color scheme, and more to ensure the event is a reflection of their personality and taste. Ill respond with answers to your questions and well go from there. 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. Would highly recommend this venue! The texture and character of the building provided a beautiful backdrop without much need for decoration. you aren't locked into food choices or other weddings happening. Classic Wedding Inspiration: An Iconic, Monochromatic Look, Tips and Tricks: Hosting a Home Wedding in Connecticut. Definitely recommend! 70 Likes, 4 Comments - Wedding Photography & Film (@garyflomphotography) on Instagram: "Winter wonderland wedding at the Olde Mill Inn / Grain House. The patio and lawn are the best part of the venue so, if you can, maximize the time spent out there. Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings! Staff is very under developed from lack of training I expect. Oct 31, 2021. Website uses cookies to give you personalized shopping and marketing experiences. The house features six spacious guest rooms each with . 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. Available for Rent. My favorite modern wedding venue, located right in the heart of downtown Hartford! We had an outdoor ceremony overlooking the water and an indoor reception. The layout of the space is a little challenging to work with, especially for our chilly wedding day, which kept our 100 guests largely inside. 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. enue is a problem. There are plenty of bathrooms, a full kitchen for your caterer to use, high ceilings, and plenty of space for guests. With close proximity to accommodations and attractions, like historic Mystic Seaport, Foxwoods, and Mohegan Sun casinos. Plus, you can bring your own vendors/caterer in, which very few other sites in the area allow. The architectural details really shine and cannot be found at typical wedding venues. brilliant b/c guests mentioned they could still see the action when enjoying drinks outside and the cigars we put out :) the mansion speaks for itself. The interior, carved wooden walls and ceilings created an ambiance that was warm, classy and beautiful. The staff is responsive and helpful. These were minor details for all the wonderful benefits of this place. ng. 14. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 23, 1984. The Washington, D.C.-based duo opted for a wintry black-tie wedding harkening back to the grand affairs that transpired in their wedding venue's heyday. During prime wedding season (i.e. But there were also lots of smiles, like during the funny speeches delivered by Thomass family that made everyone laugh wholeheartedly. October 5, 2018 BrianAmbrosePhoto. Credit: Justin and Mary. Inside and outside, it is clean and beautiful. 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. Even with all the people, your occasion will be stress-free with the attention of the trustworthy . spring through fall), weekend weddings start from about $5000. If youre having your reception inside, there are some challenges as its separated into three rooms and is unlike many traditional venues. What youll see here is a real example of how the mansion wedding venue idea can play out. The Common Man Inn & Restaurant in Claremont would be honored to plan and host your special day. HUGE! ;You need to bring in EVERYTHING which makes for a lot more planning. Sep 9, 2017 - Explore A Thyme to Cook's board "Branford House Weddings", followed by 326 people on Pinterest. This flexibility allowed us to have exactly the wedding we wanted. Keep in mind that youre technically on one of UConns campuses, which helps with accessibility. If a waterfront wedding day complete with a mansion is one of your goals, you really cant go wrong here. The Branford House Mansion is a stunning building that captivates attention from afar. Branford house wedding pictures. Beyond the bar, Branford House was inflexible when it came to scheduling our rehearsal time. If youre interested in viewing our selection and renting a gorgeous fur stole for your wedding, click here for more information! Embrace the Season. September 7, 2018 by keith. The only thing provided is chairs and tables. 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. @oldemillinn @grainhouserestaurant" Staff were unresponsive and unhelpful. Branford House has both indoor and outdoor event spaces where you can host your wedding celebrations. 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. The views out to the ocean are stunning and you really feel as though you have stepped back in time. USE VENDORS WHO HAVE WORKED THE MANSION SEVERAL TIMES! it's very "busy" and authentic in itself. 1084 Shennecossett Rd., Groton, CT | New England and Beyond, Branford House - University of Connecticut, Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers & Parties, Flower Girl Dresses and Ring Bearer Outfits. . The Branford House Mansion chosen by Bridget and Thomas for their nuptials is a stunning location on the Connecticut shoreline which created the perfect ambience for a day to remember. The Lake House. ). Then we used the west wing for the dance floor and the east wing for the buffet and dessert tables. The Branford House wedding era began in 2001 when UConn renovated the mansion and started renting it out as an event space. no one cares. The three of us had a small world moment when I told Kristin and Rob that Marie married my wife and me. View This Issue. 5.0. We couldnt have asked for a more perfect day!! There were even fireworks across the sound from Ocean Beach Park that we watched from the patio! This was a super special experience for both Beth and Liane! Romantic Branford House Wedding in Groton, CT. 295 West Ave. . Bethany & Bailey were fabulous to work with! Alex and liane had a brisk winter day as the setting for their long awaited wedding. 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!!!!) 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.