View Portfolio. Branford House Wedding Costs. The venue is BEAUTIFUL! Plan your wedding wherever and whenever you want on the WeddingWire App. HUGE! 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. Branford House forces you to book a bar through UConn Catering. Mortons architect wife, Nellie, designed the mansion, which was actually named after Branford, Connecticut. On a cold January day, they held their ceremony in the West Room overlooking the They moved out in 1967, leaving the land to the state, which allowed UConn to establish its campus there. we got our $$ worth by having a caterer who didn't rip us off and having the mansion until 12:30am. Only complaint is that the event manager is not very responsive to emails/phone calls, but otherwise the space is great. While summer is just around the corner, in our industry we are already working six months ahead! It is not a banquet hall or standard wedding mill, you have to get your own catering/florist/planner etc. When we drove up to the Branford House, we knew right away it was the perfect location for our special day. Alex and liane had a brisk winter day as the setting for their long awaited wedding. It was excellent having a longer reception time for even more fun since the day flies by so fast. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Food is a bit pricey for the quality and service. of the ocean and gives you various options for ceremony and picture spots. was wonderful to work with and answered all of my questions promptly. 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). On the other hand, every single other person had to travel from across the country. 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!!!!) This flexibility allowed us to have exactly the wedding we wanted. 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. 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. Images by wedding photographer Rachel Black of Rowanberry + Lavender. That window of time was too close for comfort, and we ended up scheduling our rehearsal at a separate venue to make everything work logistically. The woodwork is incredibly intricate too, which makes for exceptional photo opportunities. Liane wore a gorgeous silk crepe Hayley Paige wedding gown. There were even fireworks across the sound from Ocean Beach Park that we watched from the patio! 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! We lucked out with the best weather and were able to have our ceremony outside on the lawn. we took the advice of a bride and did candles EVERYWHERE. 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. Speaking of being outside, the waterscape views of Long Island Sound are epic. es are the reasons why I was eager to book the venue, and they really shined on our wedding day. So, first things first: Branford House was built in 1903 by Morton Freeman Plant. The bride and groom truly have an opportunity to create that special wedding at Waveny House. ng. This classic + traditional wedding. The Blanford House was a complete 2016 renovation of the old Oakland Elementary school that was originally built in 1926. And like Inn at Mystics Haley Mansion at one time, Branford House is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. they're correct. Imagine getting ready for your wedding beside the fireplace while the snow falls down around you outside. This venue offers services for wedding ceremonies, receptions, engagement parties, bridal parties, and rehearsal dinners. The Grand Ballroom and East and West Wing rooms can accommodate up to 200 guests. I simply booked vendors that had worked at the house before so they were familiar with the layout. 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. Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos. From the minute john and i met joe, we knew . king! 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. The inside and out side are both gorgeous so if it does rain on your big day you really aren't missing out! They have a requirement that you hire UConn Catering for any alcohol, and their service is very overpriced and lacking in selection. 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. Plus it was really inexpensive to rent! We had our wedding at the Branford House 9/21/13 and it was terrific! For example, your guests could have plenty of room to spread out during cocktail hour or after dinner. 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. We are still very happy that we found this place to have the wedding, even with it's challenges it was awesome. 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. Shane and Margarita traveled from North Dakota, as did the Maid of Honor, since they're all stationed there for the military. These areas of the mansion are reminiscent of the old-school stylings of Lion Rock Farm in the opposite corner of the state. So many people loved the outside parts of the venue that many people milled about outside, enjoyed the view and the ocean breeze. It has old world charm with amazing architecture and beautiful fireplaces. 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! T: (860)552.2054, The White Dress by the Shore 2023 All Rights Reserved. SCROLL TO DISCOVER . The rest of the night was beautiful and their guests enjoyed the ocean view out on the patio as the sunset. Madison . 274 reviews of The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark "Grand opening and as you would expect some operational flaws. We loved the intricacy of the interior and the wood work. They braved the cold in the most elegant way: with sparkle, laughter and lots of love that kept them warm. This venue is especially perfect for the more intimate guest counts, ranging from 25 75, which weve all come to love this past year! It was the perfect place to have a wedding and the staff at the Branford House were so helpful and kind. This historic venue is so beautiful, so affordable, and so easy to dress up. 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 don't know what i was worrying about. We did the ceremony outside with the dancing under a tent on the patio and the meals inside which was terrific. This boutique hotel is equipped with a healthy list of hotel rooms ranging in all sizes and styles. If your budget allows, looking into a custom frame tent that will warm guests for dancing and cocktail hour. As normal you will enjoy cocktail hour in the tasting room, overlooking the dinner scene hugged by actual walls of real wine barrels. Credit: Justin and Mary. The day was magical! Due Everyone kept saying how beautiful our location was. Learn more here. Winter in Connecticut is as cold as it is beautiful! Seeing it on the night of the wedding was amazing - it was filled with candles and even though it Everything worked out great! But it worked! This regal house was built in the nineteenth century in the style of the famous Newport mansions. 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. With the assistance of the events coordinator, every couples' nuptials will be planned according to their liking, style, and preference. The Branford House Mansion is a stunning building that captivates attention from afar. 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. Alexandra & Tyler's Winter Wedding at the Mystic Seaport Museum & Latitute 41. It was gorgeous and so many of our guests commented on what an amazing venue it was. . A winter Branford House wedding in Groton, Connecticut. ), stunning wood-paneled walls, and an incredible stone portico with a great ocean view. 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. 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. on the patio and lawn. ADDITIONAL RENTAL FEES: Rehearsal Fee (upon availability/2 hours) $250.00 CANCELLATION ALL CANCELLATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO A $500.00 CANCELLATION FEE. 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. She was stunningand quirky as hell and I loved her! The house has everything you could hope for, from a great kitchen for the catering staff to a beautiful room for the bridal party to get dressed in, and the fireplaces are stunning. and made the venue really shine and flow well. Lockwood Matthews. 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. October 5, 2018 BrianAmbrosePhoto. 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. The staff is responsive and helpful. Then in the 1940s, when Avery Point Lighthouse was built, the United States Coast Guard used the property.