They were so easy to communicate with. Or, if preferred, you are welcome to invite your own desired vendors to this esteemed location. Just a bit further away is Downtown Mystic, which has many lodging options like the Whalers Inn, The Inn at Mystic, and the Hilton Mystic. We didn't bother looking at many more places after because we were very happy with what they offered. THEY ARE THE BEST!!! The wedding was beautiful and the guests were blown away by the location. love the newlyweds The Woodwinds was the PERFECT venue for our wedding. Hire good vendors (especially a day-of coordinator!) He kept us organized and he made sure the ceremony & reception was top tier! The Woodwinds exceeded our expectations. You will feel like royalty. Branford House has both indoor and outdoor event spaces where you can host your wedding celebrations. This venue is phenomenal, my guests cant stop talking about how delicious the food was and how gorgeous the atmosphere is! When we first toured the venue, we loved how classy the facility was and their beautiful outdoor grounds/ceremony locations. Sergio and his staff were at We had our wedding originally planned April 18 th 2020, but we had to postpone a few times during the year due to the circumstances, and Woodwinds was great to deal with during that time. s still raving about the food; people could not get enough of it!!! Plus, you can bring your own vendors/caterer in, which very few other sites in the area allow. t attendant. Woodwinds I was sold! The wrap-around terrace is amazing and affords a great view of sailboats. In-house catering is provided by a team of chefs who can work closely with clients to create a fully bespoke and customized menu. The venue also allows you to bring in all your own vendors - a blessing and a curse. I am so glad we picked the Branford House for our Fall wedding in CT. We also appreciated them quoting a single figure that included tax and gratuity so there were no hidden fees we didnt expect. We had snow on our wedding day, and the beautiful grounds made for some amazing pictures. We knew this was the place for us the moment we walked into the main room! If you are looking for a place to stay during your wedding weekend, there are some options for rent right here at HoliMont. If there ever was a must have location for a wedding venue, this is the spot. Scott is one of a kind and went to great lengths to ensure that the day went smoothly. went perfectly. Thank you, WoodWinds, for making our big day absolutely amazing! I cannot say enough good things. DJ: Entertainment Unlimited Makeup: Indigo Makeup Artistry Wedding Dress + Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: Melissa Ashley Bridal Wedding Dress Designer: Lillian West Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Classic Tuxedo of Boston We would highly recommend you look into the Woodwinds. The first wedding went until at least 5:10 pm, and we were told that our guests could arrive as early as 5 pm for our 5:30 pm ceremony time. Their leadership, kindness and attention to detail are incomparable. From start to finish, this team was nothing but amazing!! Most venues require a high minimum count. All communication leading up to the event was timely and professional. Everyone raved over it. I wish I could relive the night! The Branford House. :) My husband and I are still on cloud 9! Ana kept our drinks/food coming the entire night! Randy was our coordinator the day of the Wedding, and the two young ladies who stood by me alllll day, were phenomenal. My seating charts were a complete mess and I felt as though I worked at the venue instead of being the groom. They very attentive to everyones needs. Neka, was constantly by our side providing the best service and everything we needed. I didnt want my wedding night to be over. Open 12:00 PM - 1:00 AM (Next day) Hours updated 1 week ago. I would recommend verifying with the Woodwinds if there will be another ceremony taking place on the same day, so you can verify the times of the second wedding, and give yourself enough of a time cushion should the first wedding be running behind, and your wedding is the second of the day. tions we've had so far. It was a nice surprise because it looked absolutely beautiful, almost as if we were married in a magical garden! Our coordinator Randall was terrific and very easy to work with. Plan your wedding wherever and whenever you want on the WeddingWire App. The inside of the venue looks extremely chic as well, group shots on the staircase looked amazing! I can honestly say that while planning a wedding for 250 guests, I did not stress once, and this is all due to them. We had looked at nearly 20 venues and had it narrowed down to a few. Scott and his wife were unbelievable. ~Robert and Brittany Mcsweeney. t for us to come see everything and it was game over after that. Whether you . The venue is beautiful perfect for photos. I barely had to lift a finger thanks to the attention to detail of the entire wait staff and our bridal attendant, Marcella. Intimate Wedding in A Castle | Branford House Groton, CT | Connecticut Wedding Film - YouTube Ashley and Dylan's story was held at the incredible Branford House in Groton, CT. But from the minute we left our tour visit with Vanessa we knew we'd get married at The Woodwinds just as my sister did My experience with the Woodwinds was EVERYTHING!!!! The day of our wedding everything was executed perfectly, the food, decor and flow of the night was great. I had my wedding here last night and cant even begin to express my appreciation for the wonderful staff who made my wedding so amazing. Everyone made sure myself and my groom had not questions or needs at any point. The property is very well cared for. I cannot say enough good things about the venue, food, and staff, incredible!! You wont regret choosing this incredible venue! They even made a special order of food since my son was so picky. much love, Josh and Savannah. The staff is very helpful and nice. was impeccable. It's a gorgeous stone mansion that rivals those you'd see in Newport. What better place to say I Do than on the rocky shores of the Long Island Sound! Neka was the most amazing and swee Our guests keep telling us how our wedding was the best they have been to in years or ever! They do a great job keeping things up. Scott is the best - with him around there is no chance of anything going wrong. ding going on the day of our wedding on the other side of the venue. The booking process was fun and easy. During our First Looks and throughout the entire night, the staff ensured I had champagne in my hand, my husband had a gin and tonic in his, and we were fed and happy. They made every thing perfect for our wedding! Randy makes sure that your wedding day is fun instead of stressful and he absolutely is responsible for our wedding going off without a hitch! With over 40 years experience in the restaurant business, Chef Silvio is also the author of a popular cookbook, Cooking with Chef Silvio, which contains classic recipes and stories from the Campania region of Italy. It was so nice to finally re My husband and I got married on July 6th at The Woodwinds. I would highly recommend booking your wedding here :). 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. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for an indoor/outdoor venue with a beautiful view of the ocean!! was amazing. When you're a kid, you dream outlandish ideas of what your wedding will look like. The in-office coordinator was so patient in answering my many questions over the last 2 years of planning (& postponing) and we are so grateful for all of his help and the detailed notes he kept to ensure our wishes were met! And Scott was the best!!! The staff was absolutely amazing and all of our guests were raving about the food and quality of service. We met Vanessa, who was friendly and organized, to show us the venue. Her bubbly personality and caring heart definitely shined through within minutes of us meeting her. The management was amazing and helped us plan every step of the way. So, if you are planning a Connecticut mansion wedding and you want water views and a shoreline vibe, I highly recommend the Branford House. Even with all the people, your occasion will be stress-free with the attention of the trustworthy even staff whose job is to take care of all details. - Amplified music OK indoors and outdoors, - Alcohol must be served by licensed bartender/caterer, Price this venue to get your customized estimate, no strings attached. Deborah Dempsey A Gala Affair, Please fill out email, subject and message, #5 best wedding venue in Connecticut by the experts, Wedding at Home: Main Points You Should Know About, 17 Great Small Party Venues in Connecticut. Our guests couldnt say enough great things about the food and drinks, you know its good when people get up for seconds and thirds everything was delicious! They were right by our side making sure my husband and I had all of our needs met. We are surrounded by luscious greenery which turns beautifully colorful in our fall season. Minimal decor is needed at this venue due to the amazing architecture. From the event planners, Vanessa, Ken, and Randy, to the chefs and wait/bar staff, they are all so invested in making your wedding day so easy going, memorable and special. Everyone loved the food from the hors d'oeuvres to the main course to the ice cream bar. For events hosting more than 200 guests, Branford House staff suggests a tent on the lawn. We liked it so much, we booked our wedding there for next year! Katherine was great to work with from start to finish. A ceremony inside will be nothing less than grand as you step down the oak-carved staircase and take everyone's breath away. We couldnt be happier with our choice of venue. to reach even after the booking process. This venue is the BEST around! telling all of my soon to be married friends to book with the woodwinds. , prepared delicious food (everyone raved about), made sure we had enough food and drinks, assisted us (and the vendors) with anything that we (they) needed, and packed everything for us. Its not only one of the best wedding venues in Groton, CT, but one of the best wedding venues in Connecticut. Most have been with Woodwinds for years; a very good sign. I feel like thats not even the best word to use. The entire night was spectacular! They are incredibly knowledgable and helpful throughout the entire process. My Take As a CT Wedding Photographer for over 10 years, I've had the pleasure of photographing numerous CT wedding venues and, for a mansion wedding, Branford House is my top recommendation. Beautiful setting, gorgeous building, wonderful House Manager & staff. After we started touring venues my husband knew this would be the place right away. Your Wedding Dreams Come True at WoodWinds, Civil Union, Commitment Ceremony, Elopement, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding , Vow Renewal Ceremony. Overview: Branford House is a historic mansion located on the University of Connecticuts Avery Point Campus in Groton, CT. Within 5 days we booked and we could not be happier!! ight away. She went above and beyond all night! Our guests cannot stop raving about it all! WoodWinds was bought by award-winning chef Antonio . He hit the highs and Lows of our day with such grace I felt safe and ready to enjoy the long awaited day! My fianc and I knew right away when walking in that this was the place! Scott was amazing throughout the whole wedding process. Vanessa is accommodating and genuinely excited about each wedding. Everyone we worked with from sales, to day of coordinator, to servers, to the bridal attendant was absolutely f Our wedding was perfect. There were times we even felt like she might be a mind reader because she would get us things before we even asked for them! With a few flowers and a couple of candles, our event was in the most beautiful of settings! They were there for our every need. She was easy to get along with, flexible, accommodating and just plain nice. The price point was fair and their packages pack a great value. It seemed that the wedding next door was interfering with our own which is why I believe thing were so disorganized.I did not feel this venue made our special day worth while. of the process with last minute RSVP cancellations, they were extremely diligent in making sure the presence of any food my husband was allergic to was completely non-existent and the day of the wedding they truly went above and beyond. The Branford House offers an elegant location on the Connecticut shoreline that creates the perfect ambience for a memorable special event. ing for. Located on the UConn Avery Point Campus and just steps away from Long Island Sound, your photographer will absolutely love this spot. We could use any vendor we liked, and as the bride, we were able to get ready right at the house. She is seriously a fairy godmother!! Well, they were the only venue we physically looked at, thats how sold we were from the start. It flowed perfectly and the venue was the perfect size for our 135 person wedding. The Woodwinds was so accommodating and professional when having to postpone our wedding. We know many people who have used the Woodwinds for their weddings and they were very happy with the service, food and helpful staff for their big day! Vanessa was so thorough and answered every question we could think of! We had the ceremony outside on the lawn by the water, cocktail hour on the patio, and dinner and dancing inside. Our guests are still talking about the food, and how delicious it was! It's great for a summer wedding (like hours), but we did see gorgeous photos of inside weddings during the winter holidays. The Branford House is one of the most elegant seaside Connecticut wedding venues. Id always heard you never eat at your wedding but when we came back to our table there was so much food on our table it was amazing! We loved the option that people could go outside and down to the water if they wanted to. When COVID forced us to cut down our headcount, the Woodwinds worked with us to set up a heated tent outside to allow for the maximum number of people to safely gather. The end of my wedding planning, I was getting very nervous because I didnt want last minute changes. Randy was there every step of the way answering endless emails and countless phone calls and he never once was annoyed by it. We can not thank them enough!! Whether it was bustling my dress or making sure my drink was never empty. It it an absolutely beautiful setting. Can we just stop for a moment to talk about how beautiful it is? From start to finish not a single thing went wrong and that was completely due to the staff being absolutely wonderful to us. Thank you so much Woodwinds, over. Vanessa is always happy to answer questions no matter how big or small. The day came out better David and I got married on New Years Eve. We were so pleased to be able to have our wedding at the Woodwinds. I thought I had odd requests during drop off but Randy didn't bat an eye, nothing affected him and he made me feel like I wasn't as crazy as I sounded to myself. We couldnt have asked for a more perfect day!! I SHOULD HAVE NOT EVEN WENT!! at you are able to have make me feel I can have a wedding without it being cookie cutter. After a few emails I finally spoke with Vanessa, who I understand couldn't compensate for all meals for those that didn't come, but was able to find a way to help me give my family member a little experience of the wedding that she missed. Very reassuring and understanding with the craziness of a pandemic wedding. Fast forward to March of 2020 our big day ended in a reschedule. I love the fact that we booked with The Woodwinds! Upon booking the venue they gave us a jar of Sunday sauce from the chef. Compared to another similar location also owned by the State of Connecticut, and also located right on Long Island Sound - we absolutely hit the jackpot with The Branford House. Scott, Antonella and the entire Woodwinds staff went above and beyond for our December 9, 2017 wedding. o when looking for venues, we needed a place surrounded by trees. All my guests loved the architecture. We fell in love with the place. Every person we worked with from booking through the day of our wedding was organized, happy, helpful, and professional. Food, decor and beyond my wildest dreams. Since the venue itself is so beautiful, you really don't need to do much in terms of decoration and you can still have a beautiful wedding! Not an understatement. ! Highly recommended! We are so excited for our big day and feel 100% comfortable with the massive told Woodwinds will be playing in it! all the staff has been super communicative and helpful in any way. They took care of everything! The grounds are spectacular, so many great places for photos. We are so happy to be married and thank you so much! If you are thinking of getting married in a mansion in New England, this is the best choice for you. So much delicious food!!! I HIGHLY recommend Woodwinds! My only wish is that it could have lasted longer! They were always quick to reply to any email questions and really accommodating with anything we needed/wanted (even creating a hot chocolate station!). It was nothing short of amazing, and we could not thank the entire staff enough for their hard-work and kindness throughout the entire event. re going to the Woodwinds, and just when I thought I lost hope, this venue was everything I could have imagined. I am still overwhelmed with joy knowing everyone there will make our day extra special. Originally built in the 1880s as a barn, this structure features lofty ceilings, crystal chandeliers, a large dance floor area, and five antique. I knew when we first toured that The Woodwinds was my first choice, and only choice really. Along with the amazing packages they offer, she really Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers & Parties, Flower Girl Dresses and Ring Bearer Outfits. The backdrop of the house and the water view made our wedding breath taking. I can't wait to have another reason to go back! The most amazing wedding venue! After the ceremony with all of the ups and downs of my emotions, I was feeling a little nauseated so she got me ginger-ale to help settle my stomach. Candice Milliard Candis Floral Creations, Beautiful setting on the water. The whole staff at Woodwinds is fantastic! If you are planning a larger wedding (100+ guests) then you may want to consider having your ceremony outside on Branford Houses sprawling lawn. Thank you for making this process ao easy! I went to a wedding there years ago and it absolutely blew my mind. My fiance, parents, and I met with Vanessa to take a tour of the venue on 9/16/17 . Ken was very reassuring during the peak of everything and was helpful! Address: 40 Linden Ave Branford, CT 06405. I will be telling everyone to use the Woodwinds! WoodWinds was the first place we looked at after getting engaged and we knew right then and there we were going to book there. Required fields are marked *. Our wedding there was all I had imagined & more. My husband and I couldn't have chosen a more perfect venue. I don't know how I could have pulled off a wedding ceremony and reception if I didn't have someone like Randy to organize everything. We had our wedding at the Woodwinds in Feb. '21 and it was spectacular. Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos. It was exactly what we envisioned and when I tell you that nothing went wrong. . The first venue my fiance and I went to tour was Woodwinds. We showed up with my daughter, and she didn't blink an eye. I was blown away the first visit out there. Its a gorgeous stone mansion that rivals those youd see in Newport. From the first day we met with the Woodwinds (Vanessa who is a pleasure) However, that didn't deter us. Its also a great place for wedding portraits if you have a special vehicle to arrive in! Randy made sure everything went well throughout the entire event! The staff was amazing, food was beyond perfect, and there are no words for Scott! They have no way of tracking who does not attend the wedding even with all the paperwork you have to turn in stating who sits where, and the food options. The rental fee is $5,000 for a reception and ceremony and includes 10 hours of event time including set up and clean up time. It was a Saturday in October, as most weddings are. g to our needs. The outside ceremony space was gorgeous and intimate. We highly recommend the Branford House (plus, the cost of renting the mansion goes towards the university's educational programs, so that was a nice added bonus). I love the mantle and the staircase inside and the way it looks like a castle. Sergio who is our day of coordinator helped us rehearse and laid out my decor for me the exact way that I wanted it he also helped me to enjoy my wedding by letting me know when things needed to be done (cake cutting, toasts etc). The food is something to rave about. They are true professionals. 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.