The Best Connecticut Wedding Venues

Farm weddings, mansion weddings, Connecticut has it all when it comes to beautiful wedding venues!

Connecticut is a beautiful place to get married. It has the charm of New England with historical buildings, vast farmland, and gorgeous ocean views. As a Connecticut wedding stationery in the business for over 12 years, I know the best wedding venues across New England.

There are a ton of venues I could gush about, but here are my top three…

Smith Farm & Gardens

Smith Farm & Gardens in East Haddam, Connecticut is relatively new on the scene, but they have sure made a splash! The home itself was built in 1778, but over time become a bit dilapidated. Once a family came in and purchased it, they put great time + love into restoring it to its original beauty. It is also very close to Chesire and Essex, which have great little shops + restaurants.

Setting the tone for your wedding begins with gorgeous paper–whether that first phase is save the dates or invitations, my custom stationery is often inspired by the venue itself: why you chose it, what it reflects in you as a couple, and the look you want to share with your guests. Sometimes the actual venue itself (often through custom watercolor illustrations) becomes a focal point of your wedding paper!

The house at Smith Farm itself allows for up to 11 guests, so it’s a nice choice for accommodations for family the night before, or to utilize it as a rehearsal dinner space. It also has a custom-built bridal suite, and plenty of room for the wedding party to get ready and mingle the morning of the wedding!

But what makes Smith Farm so special are all the gardens. They are meticulously cared for, and provide so much color + joy to the space. Walking through them is an experience for your guests, and make for a perfect ceremony backdrop! It has been a great source of inspiration for my custom invitation designs as well.

With a tented wedding in Connecticut, you can really make it your own. The sailcloth is a gorgeous detail, but inside it’s a blank canvas. And there is nothing more magical then string lights in a tent!

Smith Farm & Gardens is historical, but meticulously restored, and it will make you fall in love with New England all over again!

Photos: Jennifer Nichole Photography, Save the Date Photo: Peterson Design Photo

The Lace Factory

There is no other venue like The Lace Factory in Deep River, Connecticut. But before we get into the venue itself, we have to first talk about how guests often arrive there.

Because of their partnership with the Essex Steam Train, they can coordinate for your guests to hop on the train to arrive at The Factory. It is such a fun experience for your guests not only to build momentum for the wedding itself, but to get a taste of historical New England. I love creating custom koozies, napkins, and signage for a signature cocktail that guests can enjoy when they hop off the train.

The Lace Factory is in the heart of rustic Connecticut, where the grounds outside are lined with beautiful trees and other greenery. You can also have your ceremony outside in front of the beautiful historic brick building!

Now, to the indoor space. The Lace Factory was built as local shipbuilding yard in 1875, and was used for other logistics over the years. It is now a full-time rental space that hosts an array of events. They have in-house catering from Cloud 9 Catering, and a staff dedicated to weddings. The Riverview room (yes, water views are part of the experience!) is industrial chic. Though it has a character all its own, the space itself is pretty neutral so can be designed in many different ways. I’ve had couples stick to the rustic, natural feel, and others go really modern with bright colors.

If you’re looking for a unique space and a fun experience for guests, The Lace Factory should be at the top of your list!

Photos: Carla Ten Eyck, Brooke Allison Photo, Joanna Fisher

The Inn at Longshore

Now it’s onto Fairfield County, and to Westport, Connecticut specifically. Any venue in Fairfield County is great for couples who have guests coming from the city, as it’s a very easy + frequent train from Grand Central Station.

The Inn at Longshore holds a special place in my heart because it is in my hometown. I’ve attended school dances, mitzvahs and happy hours over my years as a longtime resident. The truth is, Longshore really has the market corned on this paired with an elegant space, delicious food, and breathtaking views. Of all the venues, I’ve done the most weddings here, so I like to think of myself as a Longshore expert :).

Originally built in 1890 as a private residence, Longshore became “the in place” in Southern Connecticut to get married or hold an important event by the early 20th century. Over the years, literary scholars began speculating that the historic Inn at Longshore, and not solely Long Island, had influenced F. Scott Fitzgerald, specifically with his most famous novel, The Great Gatsby.

Though most weddings are done with an outdoor ceremony on the water’s edge and a reception inside, they do offer tented weddings on the lawn as well! Lots of flexibility with locations + looks, and back-up plans when weather is not on your side.

And speaking of weather…though you may think of Longshore as a venue for spring + summer weddings, Longshore at the end of the day is a New England venue, and therefore is gorgeous all four seasons! I’ve designed for rustic snowy weddings as well as bright, colorful summer soirees.

The indoor space is really beautiful with open windows + chandeliers. You have an opportunity to welcome guests in through a lovely entrance area which can set the tone for the whole evening. I highly recommend utilizing that space for a seating chart display moment. (Insider tip: most weddings at Longshore need place cards as well, so you can do a seating chart instead of escort cards!)

Without a doubt, The Inn at Longshore is my most-requested venue illustration! I’ve commissioned it many times, and it’s been so fun to see over the years how one space can be painted many different ways. My rule is to never use an illustration a second time. Custom means custom, and that is your artwork to have for a lifetime!

Though you may have gone to Longshore for a cocktail or a round of golf, don’t overlook it when searching for your wedding space. It has so much to offer!

Photos: Shaina Lee Photography, Ashley Therese Photography, Brooke Allison Photo, Alexandra Blair Photography

Now I want to hear from you! What is your favorite CT wedding venue? The truth is I could name a dozen more, but I wanted to focus on three that illustrate what makes this state so special + diverse. I hope you enjoy all the beautiful images + insider tips!

Check out Eliza + Danny’s full Smith Farm Garden Wedding feature on the blog, and visit Caroline + John’s Watercolor Crest Longshore Wedding post, too!