I highly suggest The Woodwinds are your wedding venue :). Love love love this venue! Our ceremony was set up for outside on the lawn facing the water, but the storm that rolled through forced us to re-evaluate our plans and we moved everything inside. 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! A month later and I still get comments how spectacular everything was. I highly recommend it. They very attentive to everyones needs. Overview: Branford House is a historic mansion located on the University of Connecticuts Avery Point Campus in Groton, CT. We wish we could relive that day over and over again. I am so proud to be a Woodwinds bride! The only reason I am giving a 4/5 is because there was a another wed Woodwinds is amazing! Vanessa was so thorough and answered every question we could think of! Historic/Landmark Building, Mansion, Outdoor. Situated on Uconn's Avery Point campus in Groton CT, Branford House Weddings enjoy panoramic views of the ocean. From there, you can look out over the great lawn, lighthouse, and ocean. She guided us through all that we needed to know and more. We know it was a difficult task because there was construction going on, but she got it done! Vanessa met us and gave us a tour of the venue and then went over the options for the reception. Upon visiting Woodwinds for our tour we were given a jar along with a box of pasta, a really nice touch if you ask me. This rental fee drops to about $3000 for weddings after Thanksgiving up to spring. European Country Manor Setting in Branford, Connecticut is the recipient of numerous awards each year for their excellence in food and service. The terrace and lawn were recently renovated and look gorgeous. ur. My husband and I couldn't have chosen a more perfect venue. I cannot wait for my wedding day to arrive :). The woodwork is incredibly intricate too, which makes for exceptional photo opportunities. I was blown away the first visit out there. ornate woodwork and amazing exterior architecture make this location stand out in a grand elegance. The venue is great for stations, sit-down or a cocktail reception. Once we saw the woodwinds and how they operated, it was a no brainer. 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! So I would suggest booking early because this venue will not be available its too breath taking. 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. 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. Everyone I know says how stressful wedding planning is, and I honestly have to say mine wasnt bad because of the wonderful team at WoodWinds. The house manager is most helpful, and she helped ensure that the planning and big day went smoothly. We had an unexpected blizzard which caused a few glitches that caused the wedding to start about 45 minutes late and I was beginning to stress out. Scott is one of a kind and went to great lengths to ensure that the day went smoothly. I can't thank everyone enough. This is just the beginning! rgeous fireplace, had a lovely cocktail hour by a master staircase, and enjoyed our dinner and dancing in the entire ballroom. I couldn't speak higher of the staff and service we received the day of. We couldnt have asked for a more perfect wedding! 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. Branford House Wedding Cost The peak season rental rate (May 1 to Oct 31) for Branford House for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, is $5600. What an absolute pleasure to have worked with a team who works so flawlessly. The staff were so attentive to our needs and our guests', and Randy and Ana were amazing! My fianc and I both had so much relief after we booked. and Ken were 5 star with helping us all the way up to our special day. The Branford House offers an elegant location on the Connecticut shoreline that creates the perfect ambience for a memorable special event. 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. An ideal setting for special moments, beneath a tent billowing with sea breezes as your guests look on and sailboats glide by. This wedding can accommodate up to 600 guests, presenting you and your loved ones with ample space for your elegant event. We also appreciated them quoting a single figure that included tax and gratuity so there were no hidden fees we didnt expect. We booked 2 years in advance. 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. The staff was beyond helpful and made us feel at home instantly. All Around great day! We had our ceremony outside and the venue was beautiful. The Branford House is one of the most elegant seaside Connecticut wedding venues. Each and every one of you were fundamental to making our night fabulous! Everyone we have spoken with has been so friendly and willing to answer all of our questions. Vanessa gave us a great tour and overview of what their options include. Scott was so helpful the entire night and really made us feel like we didn't have to worry about a thing! They even made a special order of food since my son was so picky. The day was perfect. He did such an amazing job with everything. Thank you, Vanessa! It's a gorgeous stone mansion that rivals those you'd see in Newport. I cannot say enough about Woodwinds. We received many compliments on the food, and the venue itself looked beautiful. The bridal attendant Kaytlin was so sweet, I had an issue with the bustle of my dress and she got down on the ground and made it work. With a few flowers and a couple of candles, our event was in the most beautiful of settings! Shooting Bridget and Thomas's wedding in the gothic Branford House Mansion was a lot of fun. We showed up with my daughter, and she didn't blink an eye. Thank you guys for making our dream day a reality! We couldnt be more happy with our wedding day! Not only was the wedding staff amazing, but the entire front office was more than accommodating. 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. We had snow on our wedding day, and the beautiful grounds made for some amazing pictures. The Branford House is a beautiful location for a wedding. I am so grateful to you , Randy, Ken and Tony. You all are the best and our night could not have been possible without you! If this continues to be an issue, please let us know how you landed on this page and we will look into it. I wish I could relive the night! Branford House features a bridal suite so you can have your hair and makeup done onsite as well as store away any of your personal items during the day. Neka, was constantly by our side providing the best service and everything we needed. Vanessa, Ken, and Michael were constantly keeping me in the loop of timelines and due dates, answering any and all questions I had. The food was incredible, communication was fantastic every step of the way, last minute changes were never an issue for the staff; they just know what theyre doing. The reception space is beautiful, with high ceilings, neutral colored walls, and a lot of space so it doesn't feel over-crowded which is exactly what I was look WoodWinds helped make all our wedding dreams come true. We appreciate how smoothly rehearsal was, Scotts attention to detail and overall professionalism, and more importantly the staff on site were definitely paying attention to refilling our guests water glasses. Thank You again! Any detail, or whoops, or time adjustment in the day, Woodwinds knew how to smooth the wrinkles out. Bill Miller's Castle - Venue - Branford, CT - WeddingWire Weddings Wedding Venues Mansion Weddings Connecticut Hartford Branford Bill Miller's Castle in Bill Miller's Castle Branford, CT View map Phone number Visit website Request pricing 4.9 122 $18k - $22k For 100 Guests Up to 250 Check your date Gallery 44 About FAQs Reviews 122 Real Weddings 1 Address: 1084 Shennecossett Road Groton, Connecticut 06340. I cannot say enough good things about them. We were able to fit everyone in the main room and one of the wings, giving us another room empty for the dancing, which was perfect! She made the experience enjoyable and showed us everything the venue had to offer without making us feel obligated to make a decision r Me and my fianc have been working with Vanessa! We had a winter wedding so the beauty of the inside was critical for us. 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! though we were bummed we knew we were in good hands. First, they were so responsive to all of our phone calls and emails throughout the year and a half of our planning process. *All of our catering is done through Dina's at the Mont. Ken was very reassuring during the peak of everything and was helpful! We ended up having a ridiculously stormy day for our wedding and because of the beautiful architecture and features inside, we were still happy because it felt like we were in an old castle. I am looking forward to hosting other events at the woodwinds! She was so helpful along the way, answering all of my My fianc and are so excited to get married here next year! They took care of everything! It was awesome!! They were SO flexible when it came to meeting with us. We didn't bother looking at many more places after because we were very happy with what they offered. My wedding was beyond flawless, I would recommend Woodwinds and Scott to any and everyone! Upon booking the venue they gave us a jar of Sunday sauce from the chef. Randy was there every step of the way answering endless emails and countless phone calls and he never once was annoyed by it. This classic + traditional wedding. Find wedding inspiration that fits your style with photos from real couples, Sit back and relax with travel info + exclusive deals for the hottest honeymoon destinations. We got so many compliments on how beautiful the venue was, but also how amazing the food was as well! We got married on June 16, 2017 and it was the happiest day of our lives. You simply cant beat its shoreline location and its grand aesthetic. Having an on-site getting ready option is really nice convenience for brides and their bridal party making your logistics of the day much simpler and less stressful. I had questions leading up to my big day, and all I had to do was call and got the answers I needed. I cannot say enough good things about the venue, food, and staff, incredible!! Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings! But Id like to end this with the feed back we got back from our wedding guest and this has to do with the food! Vanessa gave us the tour and hooked us right in with her bright smile. The gazebo itself and the trees behind it were decorated with lights, something we didn't know they would do Amazing place to have any event. Thank y We are beyond happy that we chose The WoodWinds as our ceremony/reception 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. This flexibility allowed us to have exactly the wedding we wanted. t. Our wedding day was great and went too quickly. ything went smoothly. They are so easy to work with. We are currently working together with her to pull our Christmastime wedding off! Branford House Wedding Amanda + JohN . During prime wedding season (i.e. The food was amazing and the cost was very reasonable. She goes above and beyond to try and fulfill the needs of all the couples and is very easy Booking this as our venue was the best decision we made! Inside ceremonies tend to be more intimate with smaller guest counts. It truly is the BEST of the BEST! We had two drinks waiting for us when we were done with our ceremony. Kim made sure I didn't want for anything all night. Blessing because you can choose anything you want and find cheaper options. It is so clear that he loves what he does, and puts his heart into every event. The evening went absolutely PERFECT. The day of, Randy was a master at running the show, honestly, not one thing went wrong. The patio is amazing too! Perfect food, perfect drinks, and perfectly happy (and full) guests! Sure enough, guidelines change and my reception was outside under the tent. I would love to go back to my special day it was without flaw! Whether it was bustling my dress or making sure my drink was never empty. I cannot wait until my wedding and I will definitely write a review after ward. By clicking 'Request Quote', you agree that your information will be shared with the vendor and used to create an account on TheKnot.com. It is right on the water. Mr. & Mrs. Homar 7.3.21. abulous and answered every question and fulfilled every request. 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! During the wedding my dress broke. I cannot thank Woodwinds enough for how perfect our wedding day was. The venue is gorgeous inside and out. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our special day so magical Flanking the ballroom are the equally exquisite East Wing and West Wing rooms. 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! Both the great lawn, and the large boulders that stick out of the great lawn are the best spots for the quintessential photo with the mansion in the background. I barely had to lift a finger thanks to the attention to detail of the entire wait staff and our bridal attendant, Marcella. n Vanessas office signing our contract the next week. They were there for our every need. I honestly cant wait to our 5 year anniversary to renew our vows at a different location. We are surrounded by luscious greenery which turns beautifully colorful in our fall season. Prior to the day of, I had emailed Ken about 501 times with questions. Carisa Lockery CR Socials Event Planning, If there ever was a must have location for a wedding venue, this is the spot. The price is affordable compared to other venues and you get a bang for your buck! This palatial estate has a lawn that sweeps right to the Long Island Sound and can be tented. They have everything down from planning to executing! Open 12:00 PM - 1:00 AM (Next day) Hours updated 1 week ago. We are very excited to be working with Woodwinds for our wedding. Below is some of what Connecticut wedding professionals had to say about this wedding venue: GORGEOUS! Really Vanessa from our fir We LOVED the Woodwinds!! For a more outdoor feel, the Garden Room presents stunning views of the grounds, with three elegant patios available to you. 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! The grounds are spectacular, so many great places for photos. Booking Woodwinds was an easy decision for us and we couldnt be happier! If you plan for less than 200, you can really maximize the indoor space dancing in one room, cocktails in another and dining in anotherthe options are plenty! She held my shoes, bouquet, bustled my dress, and helped me relax and just enjoy the day. in everything and is so helpful with the planning. You guys did that! Our wedding was perfect thanks to everyone at Woodwinds!! Or, if preferred, you are welcome to invite your own desired vendors to this esteemed location. My wife went to school in Newport, RI and wanted the Newport feel without making our guests stay in hotels for Newport prices. day one. Each room has an amazing fireplace which is perfect for those chilly Connecticut evenings. You can dress this venue to the max or you can leave it as is and it will stand on it's own. Our guests have not stopped raving about the food, the staff (even mentioning specific waiters names- shoutout to Carlos! Thank you, WoodWinds, for making our big day absolutely amazing! A spiral stairwell and stunning marble fireplace. So far our experience has been great. Hire good vendors (especially a day-of coordinator!) employee of the venue, owner of the venue, photographer). From start to finish, this team was nothing but amazing!! Vanessa was just beyond amazing. The woodworking on the walls, large windows, lovely chandeliers and overall rich and glamorous interior made for a lovely ceremony and striking photos. Randy was an expert on our wedding day; he took care of everything and made sure that we hadn't a care in the world! We were married in April 2015 inside the mansion in front of their grand fireplace. Ken and Randy made planning a breeze! The staff was amazing, food was beyond perfect, and there are no words for Scott! I worked with Katherine who is responsive and kind and easy to work with. Randy, our coordinator, made the whole wedding go smoothly. 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. Plus, you can bring your own vendors/caterer in, which very few other sites in the area allow. It certainly helped that we had already experienced a great wedding as guests! I cant wait to see our professional pictures! - 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. Our wedding was one of kind with the space and decor. And thats the truth! The mangers of the After a long process of going through venues in our area and having trouble making a decision, my fiance suggested I visit the Woodwinds based on their stellar reviews and I'm so glad he did! They were friendly, understanding, affordable, and made the most magical day happen! They worked with my budget, were incredible with the planning and the food was amazing.