Everything came out perfect. Randy made sure everything went well throughout the entire event! Unique, Philanthropic & Unforgettable. Woodwinds I was sold! We are in complete awe over how wonderful our wedding was. 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! For events hosting more than 200 guests, Branford House staff suggests a tent on the lawn. We invite you to visit and enjoy our property in the beauty of Clymer. I love the fact that we booked with The Woodwinds! Award Winning Wedding and Events Venue wedding packages and menus at WoodWinds My Bridal Attendant, Neka, was PHENOMENAL!! Branford House has SO many options for your photos. guests loved the food. Neka entered the scene and I can honestly say that I IMMEDIATELY felt relieved. Thank you again for such an amazing day. The food, AMAZING, although as a bride it was hard to eat, but every single person can't stop complimenting the food. 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! 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. ew exactly what she was doing and helped out in so many ways. Not only was the wedding staff amazing, but the entire front office was more than accommodating. I honestly cant wait to our 5 year anniversary to renew our vows at a different location. They are incredibly knowledgable and helpful throughout the entire process. All things one would expect of every establishment, but something we didn't find after touring several. The views out to the ocean are stunning and you really feel as though you have stepped back in time. Sergio and Kaytlin were with us all night making sure we had everything we needed. The food is out of this world! The staff was absolutely amazing and all of our guests were raving about the food and quality of service. For those looking to party, the casinos (Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods) are just 30 minutes away. 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. Anything I needed, she was on it. The woodworking on the walls, large windows, lovely chandeliers and overall rich and glamorous interior made for a lovely ceremony and striking photos. I would highly recommend booking your wedding here :). Facebook: Owenego Inn and Beach Club Its not only one of the best wedding venues in Groton, CT, but one of the best wedding venues in Connecticut. The whole staff was so great. It couldn't have gone better and we would like to thank the entire staff crew who helped us out through this entire process! It took over a year for my fianc and I to even chose a location. Going through the process to book, the whole time Vanessa was so responsive with the million questions I had and made it so much easier to book. The whole staff at Woodwinds is fantastic! Sergio you are fantastic at your job i cant say it enough! She also made sure the wedding party was holding up and that made us feel taken care off! Randy was awesome when we got down to the home stretch and did great running the event the day of. ob really shines. They have the best staff of any venue we have ever been to, everyone was unbelievably helpful. 18 Creative Personalized Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Love, How to Get the Perfect Wedding Photographs: 4 Easy Tips, Chat With Other Brides That Are Planning Their Connecticut Wedding. We look forward to working more and more closely with Vanessa and the entire staff as we approach our big day! Everyone raved over it. Once we saw the woodwinds and how they operated, it was a no brainer. Randy & Kim are amazing! We loved the option that people could go outside and down to the water if they wanted to. The Woodwinds has an amazing team who decorated everything, kept us on schedule the whole night My husband and I recently got married on June 15th at Woodwinds!! This was a wedding that won't soon be forgotten and a venue that should be number 1 on everyone's list. So many options with so many different price points. The wrap-around terrace is amazing and affords a great view of sailboats. Carisa Lockery CR Socials Event Planning, If there ever was a must have location for a wedding venue, this is the spot. Amanda was dressed in a timeless gown from White Dress by the Shore + her day was draped in exquisite florals from one of . The cake was amazing as well and served in the same manner. Vanessa has been so responsive and helpful throughout the process and we can't wait to work with the rest of the Woodwinds team for our wedding! Food, decor and beyond my wildest dreams. Me & my husband did not get to eat..no worries the team packed us food to go! He had gone to two other weddings at the Woodwinds and showed me the Woodwinds venue, and I instantly fell in love. It is perfectly situated in every way. From the impressive grand entrance with Austrian Crystal chandeliers to the majestic marble fireplace of the Firelight room, this venue exudes elegance. It it an absolutely beautiful setting. Everyone here knows what they are doing and my bridal attendant was amazing she was there for everything I needed even just holding my drink while I took pictures! Unclaimed. Neka even swapped out the pens for our guestbook to ones that would work better on canvas before we had a chance to ask, and she showed up at our table with cough drops for me because she noticed I was getting over a cold. Neeka is the SH*T. That woman holds a smile and grace and a helping hand when you dont even realize you need her. ess and easy! Thank you to all staff from the bottom of our hearts! Im not positive but I believe the snowman might have even been his idea when Neka went to talk to him to try and figure out a way to help relax me. Very little decoration needed to make the interior & exterior presentable & "wedding ready". We are surrounded by luscious greenery which turns beautifully colorful in our fall season. Overview: Branford House is a historic mansion located on the University of Connecticuts Avery Point Campus in Groton, CT. lax! JEFF LUNDSTROM PHOTOGRAPHY 203.585.3643 [email protected]. Any questions we had were answered in email or over the phone right away. In-house event planning services can also be provided with wedding bookings at this magnificent venue. We lucked out with the best weather and were able to have our ceremony outside on the lawn. ty to sample some of the food at Cafe' Allegre prior to selecting meals for the wedding. Book your wedding here, my friends and family are still raving about it. Every Branford House Wedding centers around the Grand Ballroom with its massive fireplace, ornately carved wood walls, and a two-story ceiling. Thank you, Vanessa! Everything they do is professional and perfect. By chance, we toured the day of a Halloween themed wedding And I am terrified of clowns. When our day finally arrived. Randy and Neka were on top of everything. I had questions leading up to my big day, and all I had to do was call and got the answers I needed. Our private estate property can hold more than 275 guests for weddings and various private events. Located in picturesque Branford, Connecticut, Bill Miller's Castle is an extravagant family-owned banquet facility near the Connecticut shoreline. Randy even fanned me when I started sweating. I cant tell you the amount of compliments our family and friends gave the next day about this venue, the food, the people, everything was perfect! I cannot wait for my wedding day to arrive :). She is seriously a fairy godmother!! UConn can provide tent service, too, for additional fees. Unfortunately it is hard to find what you are looking for when your'e planning a wedding on a budget, but luckily Vanessa was able to work with me and we ended up booking our wedding that same day! Katherine always got back to us quickly with answers to any questions we had and was very helpful when we decided last minute to put a tent up on the patio. The staff at Ocean Blue Catering and Branford House are very gracious and wonderful to work with. We had our wedding at the Branford House in August and it was everything we could have asked for and more! Whether you . I highly suggest The Woodwinds are your wedding venue :). Vanessa made my fianc and I feel very confident about booking with them, offering her expertise about weddings in general, which was very helpful. They even made a special order of food since my son was so picky. We personally thank Joanna for her beautiful and delicate touch while making all center pieces and bouquets, Ana Brizuela and Randy Bensey, who are absolutely wonderful! From the planning stages with JoAnna to the execution of Scott and Antonella. Randy, our coordinator, made the whole wedding go smoothly. The mansion backdrop combined with ocean views make the Branford House a win win. The Firelight Room is designed to present you and your guests with an open, luxurious setting filled with thoughtful touches of quality. So I would suggest booking early because this venue will not be available its too breath taking. I am so excited that I'll marry my best friend next summer here! 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! day one. The food was amazing and the cost was very reasonable. The grounds were gorgeous for pictures and the decor inside was very elegant. Get married here, you won't regret Woodwinds was the first and last venue I looked at I just felt a great vibe and good food was a must for me and I heard the chef was amazing. The terrace and lawn were recently renovated and look gorgeous. She is quick to respond to any My fianc and I absolutely love Vanessa from the Woodwinds. He kept us organized and he made sure the ceremony & reception was top tier! The Woodwinds exceeded our expectations. THEY ARE THE BEST!!! Ken answered all of our questions promptly and enthusiastically. It's a gorgeous stone mansion that rivals those you'd see in Newport. Randy made our wedding day go exactly as planned. 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. Randy and Ana were absolutely wonderful. We got married in the Garden Room Saturday and every moment of our reception was perfect. The Woodwinds was the PERFECT venue for our wedding. They handled every call, email and question I had with enthusiasm, they accommodated every unexpected change we needed at the end We got married at The Woodwinds on 12/22/18, and it couldnt have been a more perfect day! We had a winter wedding so the beauty of the inside was critical for us. Having our wedding at The Woodwinds was the best decision my husband and I made. Joanna created the most gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces, adding another ease to planning and coordination because she works for Woodwinds. My husband and Where do i even start? Vanessa is awesome! We can't wait for our wedding in the Spring to spend time with our loved ones in such a welcoming and beautiful place! For the entire year and a half of planning (during a pandemic nonetheless) Vanessa, Ken, and Randy were responsive, kind, SO FUN, and comforting. all the staff has been super communicative and helpful in any way. The staff was beyond helpful and made us feel at home instantly. The Branford House is an absolutely stunning location! See all 35 photos. This is hands down the best value for your money! We had snow on our wedding day, and the beautiful grounds made for some amazing pictures. The front door to the mansion is a great place for family photos as its shaded and cooler in the afternoon and easy to get to for grandparents. After going to several venues, we didn't have to look any further after visiting the woodwins, I'd get married here every year if i could Randy then took over and it was so smooth! did sell us on choosing The Woodwinds as the best place to start our forever. You're guaranteed to get beautiful photos on this site. From the timeless ballrooms to the exceptional cuisine, this manor is an ideal location for an event to remember. They were on top of everything at every moment. 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! See hours. I highly recommend it. When Scott heard about my dress, he contacted his wife and she was there fixing it within minutes. This was clearly not the case. Vanessa gave us a tour of the grounds and informed us of every single detail we needed to know. l you did for us! three years and The Woodwinds has been nothing but helpful in making sure we were cared for as we work together from separate states. The venue is beautiful, especially for a winter theme in which I am having! It was a nice surprise because it looked absolutely beautiful, almost as if we were married in a magical garden! The building itself is gorgeous, and the views are breathtaking! OH and I cannot forget the amazingly delicious venetian table!! This venue is timeless and the food is excellent! The ability to work with any vendor (beverage must be done through Uconn) and 10 hour venue rental timeframe are two of the many factors we loved. They were so quick to get me and my husband whatever we needed. have to worry about anything! It is relatively inexpensive to rent and you can choose all the other vendors you want to work with. Highly recommend. My bridal attendant the day of, Neka, was AMAZING. need for such a reasonable price. Shooting Bridget and Thomas's wedding in the gothic Branford House Mansion was a lot of fun. Like most of the mansions, there were some restrictions on decorations and expectations on the time that we would be in and the time we'd be out, but they were more than reasonable and we never ran into any issues. The grounds are spectacular, so many great places for photos. The venue can be rented for 10 hours. The service was impeccable. During the wedding my dress broke. We couldnt be more happy with our wedding day! Perfect food, perfect drinks, and perfectly happy (and full) guests! We showed up with my daughter, and she didn't blink an eye. wedding setting. Branford House Wedding Amanda + JohN . Would highly recommend this venue! The Branford House. ou all for making the wedding of our dreams come true and for making me want to relive the day over and over! If there ever was a must have location for a wedding venue, this is the spot. Its a lovely nautical background for photos. After we started touring venues my husband knew this would be the place right away. and the food is SO good! The staff at woodwinds made everything so easy and simple for us. They were SO flexible when it came to meeting with us. We are very excited to have our wedding there is coming march! The price is affordable compared to other venues and you get a bang for your buck! --Stephanie & Andrew. The inside is also amazing, with ornate wood walls, huge fireplaces, super tall ceilings and chandeliers. They have several large suites available for getting ready. And it was all so delicious. ding going on the day of our wedding on the other side of the venue. We highly recommend The Woodwinds as a venue to host anyones upcoming event. Vanessa is accommodating and genuinely excited about each wedding. From there, you can look out over the great lawn, lighthouse, and ocean. Plus, you can bring your own vendors/caterer in, which very few other sites in the area allow. Branford House Wedding Cost The peak season rental rate (May 1 to Oct 31) for Branford House for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, is $5600. The staff is amazing, friendly, low-key and flexible. Heidi Hanson Always & Forever Weddings, Gorgeous inside and out. The staff was amazing, food was beyond perfect, and there are no words for Scott! Everyone loved the Branford house and all it's grandness. Caitlyn was my maitre d and she too was very attentive of my husband and I she kept us fed and hydrated in between all the pictures and video takes. We had our ceremony by the waterfall and it was perfect. You will feel like royalty. You guys did that! At the end of the night, the staff had everything boxed and ready to go so we didnt Michael and I are extremely satisfied and content with the Woodwinds for our wedding on 9/30/17. Our wedding was the most beautiful day thanks to the staff at Woodwinds. They made our evening stress-free. The venue is spectacular - beautiful stone mansion on the water with a gorgeous lawn and stone patio. We are looking forward to working with Vanessa and the Woodwinds team as our big day gets closer! I couldn't be happier on our decision and have no doubt my wedding will be "The Wedding" to be at. The Woodwinds staff works with weddings often and their knowledge is evident in how t Woodwinds was PERFECT!! Our guests cant stop complimenting the food, the views, the EVERYTHING! Weve gotten so many compliments on how beautiful the wedding was, thanks in large part to the wonderful holiday decorations; how great the food was--from cocktail hour and dinner to our late-night donut bar; and how wonderful the wait staff and bartenders were. My bridal attendants were amazing as well and made she we got food and drinks and everything went well. , 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. Every one of our guests mentioned how wonderful the evening was and it was one of the best weddings they have been to! Experienced and accommodating servers and bartenders will also be available to cater to you throughout your event. 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. Guests are stillreeling over the place! The Woodwinds is such an amazing place to get married! Scott the wedding coordinator from start to finish, We had the most amazing wedding at the Woodwinds. nt where I was like crap, day is ruined the entire team at Woodwinds is incredible. If you don't know what that is.. it's a huge buffet of desserts! No where elsewill you enjoy this muchoceanfront property with grandeur. As a former caterer, I noticed the little details and am happy to return for future events. I am so glad that we could have a backup plan work out so well. This is just the beginning! My wife went to school in Newport, RI and wanted the Newport feel without making our guests stay in hotels for Newport prices. We looked at other venues but it did not take us long to call Vanessa back to book Woodwinds. We received many compliments on the food, and the venue itself looked beautiful. They are so easy to work with. tentive and helpful. The venue and grounds are absolutely beautiful, it truly reflects the TLC that the staff have put into it. We had our wedding at the Branford House Mansion on 7/17/15 and it was absolutely perfect. Highly recommended (already). I can't thank everyone enough. Our entire day ran smoothly, no bumps at all. Katherine was very easy to work with--she was responsive and helpful and very accommodating. The Branford House is a magical setting for your wedding or celebration. Our guests are still raving about the food, drinks, and service. Spectacular Cake time Pamper Coffee rose I do S'more? Thank you so much Woodwinds, over. 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! This wont be the last time we use Woodwinds! The woodwinds exceeded our expectations! Literally we were in awe the whole night. Kevin Kelley Kevin Kelley Photography, Another gem that captivates guests with granite, mahogany and marble. I worked with Katherine who is responsive and kind and easy to work with. We booked a little over a year early and was able to get the 2nd Saturday in August. Flanking the ballroom are the equally exquisite East Wing and West Wing rooms. *it wouldnt allow me to change the date of the wedding on the second page of this review but it was 10/25/19. All the staff was amazing. $18k - $22k 250 Request pricing View 102 more photos I would recommend this venue to anyone. 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 was perfect. Vanessa has been more than helpful throughout our process so far, and I'm confident that my wedding will go great when i My fiance and I have been to multiple weddings at Woodwinds and it is by far the best venue around! The Branford House will let you select your own caterer, DJ, florist, etc. I would highly recommend this venue to get married and have your ceremony. Thank you for making this process ao easy! They all make you feel important! Thank you Woodwinds!!!! Joanna did my flowers, let me just say SHE HAS TALENT! Your email address will not be published. When you book with this venue, you immediately feel like a part of the WoodWinds fam. As someone who had one picture in my head of what the ceremony would look like for 2 years, I was a little upset about not being able to use the waterfall outside. Thank you all so much!! employee of the venue, owner of the venue, photographer). From start to finish, Woodwinds was perfect. A little tricky for some guests to get to, but an overall convenient location for those craving pics of oceanside nuptuals (like we were). Scott is of course amazing, he en WoodWinds was phenomenal in every aspect of our reception. The Branford House has all of the beauty and elegance that you would see in Newport at a much more reasonable price. 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! My day of coordinator Randy was a dream, his time and coordination was impeccable he checked in with me through out the whole night and we also had beauty check ins in between major events within the wedding he made sure I look my best! Not just the dinnersbut also their many appetizers! The Woodwinds was so accommodating and professional when having to postpone our wedding. From the timeless ballrooms to the exceptional cuisine, this manor is an ideal location for an event to remember. Your email address will not be published. My bridal attendant, Daleska, was extremely helpful. questions or inquiries you may have, and spent a lot of time with my mom and I during the initial meeting to ensure that we were comfortable and happy with the package she we were choosing. You'll notice that the grounds are very well maintained, the interior and exterior of the building are in excellent condition, and paint and carpets are maintained. When you're a kid, you dream outlandish ideas of what your wedding will look like. We couldnt have asked for a more perfect day!! Thank you vanessa for working with us. The staff is great and have been very helpful with all of our questions! 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). Working with you, they can create a personalized menu tailored to your desired tastes. I cannot say enough good things about the venue, food, and staff, incredible!! Whether it was bustling my dress or making sure my drink was never empty. The staff is amazing and accommodating! Im so happy we chose this venue for our big day. The Woodwinds was beyond amazing! We could use any vendor we liked, and as the bride, we were able to get ready right at the house. The Branford House has a beautiful wood-paneled bridal suite with several large windows. Highly recommended! I cannot wait until my wedding and I will definitely write a review after ward. We were able to do our ceremony on the lawn, cocktail hour on the patio, and dinner and dancing inside the Branford House. My fianc and I knew we wanted to book our reception here as soon as we took our to Booking at Woodwinds was an absolute blessing! Prior to the day of, I had emailed Ken about 501 times with questions. Katherine was very easy to work with, and we loved that we could work with any vendors we wanted. Branford House weddings are special because the house has so much to offer couples who are looking for wedding venues in CT. Branford House offers a few options for your on-site ceremony. Thank you everyone at Woodwinds for an AMAZING experience! From our first meeting with Vanessa to our wedding day last Sunday everything was smooth as silk. They also gladly accommodated adjustments to our package. ked through the doors. This one-of-a-kind setting is ideal for couples that want that fairytale aesthetic for their special day. September 7, 2018. sonality. 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. The staff was wonderful and we thank them all: Everyone went above and beyond and made it so we didnt even have to think. We sincerely thank everyone that helped make our day so special! When we had first taken a trip to WoodWinds 2 years ago while we were searching for a venue, we couldn't find one thing we disliked! 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. You all are the best and our night could not have been possible without you! I can't wait to have another reason to go back! From start to finish, this team was nothing but amazing!! Vanessa, Ken, Randy, and the entire day of staff provided exceptional service to make our wedding day the best. It flowed perfectly and the venue was the perfect size for our 135 person wedding. The name says Nicole, but this is Nathaniel, her fianc! I was blown away the first visit out there. Sergio - thank you so much for al We couldn't have been happier with our choice to book Woodwinds for our wedding reception. 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. Our wedding was perfect thanks to everyone at Woodwinds!! The staff that worked our event made our experience a dream and for that I am thankful! The night was flawless. The Woodwinds made our day so special and we cannot thank the staff enough the entire planning process all the way through the event! The Branford House Mansion is a historic mansion and wedding venue on the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut in Groton, Connecticut. My bridal attendant, Kim, fanned me while wearing long sleeves and long pants under the hot sun! Menu options are fantastic and so reasonable, good quality for a fair price. You will not be disappointed choosing to have your special day here. 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. I cant say enough good things. You wont regret choosing this incredible venue! ! I am not kidding when I say she is a pro and a saint. We had looked at nearly 20 venues and had it narrowed down to a few. It was so nice to finally re My husband and I got married on July 6th at The Woodwinds. Highlyrecommend this. ing for. Thanks to the entire staff for all your work! With so much uncertainty for our special day, We were fi Im not sure there are any words that can even begin to describe how perfect the entire Woodwinds staff made our wedding day celebration! Choosing Your Honeymoon Package: Should You Go All-inclusive? They were the absolute best.