This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/12/2018 02:58 PMSo you've finally gotten engaged and it's time to start planning the big day. When it comes to the wedding reception, where do you picture yourselves? Are you looking for a traditional reception in a banquet hall? Beautiful water views?
There are a plethora of traditional options in the area, many of which offer full packages with food and drinks. These venues also have local partners in photographers, videographers, hair and makeup stylists, florists, DJs, and more to help streamline the process.
Today, though, many couples are exploring other venues for more intimate affairs such as libraries or theaters, river cruises or train rides, and farms, breweries, and vineyards. While these venues may allow couples to showcase more of their story and personality, they often entail a bit more legwork as details from tents to dance floors, chairs to tables, catering to bar service, and more need to be arranged separately.
BANQUET FACILITIES
Bill Miller's Castle
A rustic, elegant venue with several ceremony sites available, a gazebo, and large deck.
billmillerscastle.com
834 E. Main St., Branford | 844-284-9965
Packages from $110 to $200 per person | 203-214-8383
East Creek Landing
This 225-seat banquet hall includes a wooden dance floor, central air conditioning, and more.
eastcreeklanding.com
390 South Union St., Guilford | 203-710-3928
Fantasia
Couples will find beautiful gardens and dining room, a large dance floor, and stunning chandeliers; on-site ceremonies are offered.
fantasiawedding.com
404 Washington Ave., North Haven | 203-239-6652
Packages start between $85 and $105 per person
La Mirage
There's no site fee for ceremonies at this facility, which prides itself on its gardens, lobby with winding staircase, and state of the art restrooms.
lamirageweddings.com
111 Scrub Oak Rd., North Haven | 203-239-1961
Packages from $46.95 to $115 per person
Seasons
Formerly The Country House, this newly remodeled banquet hall has a brand new entrance, wood floors, and lighting.
thecountryhousect.com
990 Foxon Rd., East Haven | 203-467-3088
Packages starting at $79.95 per person
The WoodWinds
This European-style manor in a country setting offers on-site ceremonies and has spacious outdoor patios, elegant ballrooms, oversized dance floor, and award-winning cuisine.
thewoodwinds.com
29 School Ground Rd., Branford | 203-481-6577
Packages start at $99.99 including tax and gratuity
ON THE WATER
Amarante's Sea Cliff
This venue has water view, decks and gardens, gazebo, a spacious ballroom, and a memorable dining room with a wall of windows.
amarantes.com
62 Cove St., New Haven
203-467-2531
Packages starting at $54.95 per person
Anthony's Ocean View
Find a unique waterfront vibe with live palm trees, sunsets over Long Island Sound, a boardwalk, tiki torches, and the same chef for more than 30 years.
anthonysoceanview.com
450 Lighthouse Rd., New Haven
203-469-9010
Packages begin at $89.95 per person
Connecticut River Museum
This Essex Village spot offers riverfront buildings, beautiful grounds and boardwalk, boathouse, and docks.
ctrivermuseum.org
67 Main St., Essex
860-767-8269
$5,000 venue fee
Essex Corinthian Yacht Club
This waterfront venue on the Connecticut River with deck offers an affordable BYOB option catered by Coastal Cooking Company.
essexcorinthian.org
19 Novelty Ln., Essex
860-501-5036
$300 venue fee and catering packages starting at $35 per person
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
Get your guests out on the Connecticut River with traditional and unique venue options, including the Becky Thatcher Riverboat.
essexsteamtrain.com
1 Railroad Ave., Essex
860-767-0103
Call for pricing info
Guilford Yacht Club Events by Gourmet Galley Catering
This private waterfront venue has light hardwood floors, lots of natural light, marina and marsh views, on-site ceremonies, and custom menus.
gourmet-galley.com
379 New Whitfield St., Guilford
203 453-8995
Call for pricing info
Madison Beach Hotel
A Four-Diamond Beach Resort, the hotel has access to a private beach, bonfires on the beach, and sunrise to sunset views and hosts only one wedding per day.
madisonbeachhotelweddings.com
94 West Wharf Rd., Madison
203-868-0943
Call for pricing info
Owenego
This private beach and tennis club has 500 feet of direct waterfront, beautiful gardens and lawns, and a deck and gazebo for ceremonies.
owenego.com
40 Linden Ave., Branford
203-488-3805
Packages start at $146 per person
Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club
Guests can enjoy panoramic views of Long Island Sound, large ballrooms with a nautical theme, and a lawn and decks.
poycc.org
294 Pine Orchard Rd., Branford
203-488-2575
Packages starting at $170 per person
The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station
Nestled next to the opera house, this spot offers celebrations overlooking the historic Haddam Swing Bridge.
theriverhouse.com
55 Bridge Rd., Haddam
860-345-4100
Packages start at $99 per person
Saybrook Point Inn and Spa
Seaside charm, several ceremony locations, sweeping Long Island Sound views, multiple lodging options, and local food commitment are at the tip of Saybrook Point.
saybrook.com
2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook
860-388-4809
Call for pricing info
Stony Creek Brewery
Mix it up with craft beers on draft in a private celebration room overlooking brew house, with views of the Branford River and a large deck.
stonycreekbeer.com
5 Indian Neck Ave., Branford
203-433-4545
Venue fees start at $4,000
Water's Edge Resort & Spa
Parties have many options, including outdoor ceremonies and cocktail receptions by the Connecticut shoreline , three ballrooms, newly renovated guest rooms and suites, and a dedicated chef and waitstaff.
watersedgeresortandspa.com
1525 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook
860-399-5901
Packages from $109 - $149 per person
NON-TRADITIONAL
Barberry Hill Farm
barberryhillfarm.com
353 Boston Post Rd., Madison
203-245-2373
Captain Stannard House Bed & Breakfast Country Inn
stannardhouse.com
138 S. Main St., Westbrook
860-399-4634
Chamard Vineyards
chamard.com
115 Cow Hill Rd., Clinton
860-664-0299
Chatfield Hollow Farm and Inn
chfbandb.com
10 Firetower Rd., Killingworth
860-452-4147
Clinton Country Club
clintoncc.org
128 Old Post Rd., Clinton
860-669-6587
The Copper Beech Inn
copperbeachinn.com
46 Main St., Ivoryton
860-767-0330
The Dudley Farm
dudleyfarm.com
2351 Durham Rd., Guilford
203-457-0770
Field House Farm
fieldhousefarm.net
623 Green Hill Rd., Madison
203-779-9187
The Deacon – Timothy Pratt Bed & Breakfast
jamespharmacybnb.com
2 Pennywise Ln., Old Saybrook
860-395-1229
Packages start at $120 per person
The Lace Factory
thelacefactory.com
161 River St., Deep River
860-526-4445
Lady Katharine Cruises
ladykatecruises.com
26 Channelside Dr., Old Saybrook
866-867-4837
Madison Winter Club
madisonwinterclub.org
251 Boston Post Rd.
203-245-9377
Parmelee Farm
parmaleefarm.org
465 CT 81, Killingworth
203-641-2341
Sweetwater Farm
sweetwaterct.com
78 Killingworth Tpke., Clinton
860-669-9473
LOCAL FAVOR IDEAS
Bevin Bros., East Hampton
Bells
bevinbells.com
Bitty Bliss Bakeshop, North Haven
Hand-dipped cake balls and cake pops
BittyBlissBakeshop on Etsy
Just Buttons and Stickers, Branford
Custom stickers, labels, magnets
JustStickerButtons on Etsy
Painted By the Shore, Branford
Custom painted glassware and sand keepsake bottles
PaintedbytheShore on Etsy
Red Rooster Gourmet Cookies, Guilford
Cookies
redroosterbaking.com
The Roxy Grace Company, Guilford
All natural Handmade bath & body products
TheRoxyGraceCompany on Etsy
Silly Ollie, Deep River
Personalized name banners, felt flower art, hand-sewn ornaments
SillyOllie on Etsy
Three Sisters Farm, Essex
Local honey and beeswax candles
threesistersfarms.com
Treefort Naturals Soap Company, Colchester
Soap and lip balms
treefortnaturals.com
Willoughby's Coffee & Tea, Madison and Branford
Coffee and tea
willoughbyscoffee.com