The Barns at Wesleyan Hills Weddings
There’s a quiet moment that defines a Barns at Wesleyan Hills wedding; it often happens before anything officially begins.
Guests arrive, maybe not knowing what to expect. From the outside, it doesn’t look like a barn. But they’re greeted by refreshments and big smiles. Maybe they see the sweeping willow trees, then they probably end up letting out some “oohs” and “ahhs” in the Middle Barn, noticing its ambiance.
Then as the hours pass, the environment of this venue shifts without losing its warmth. Light moves across wood beams, string lights glow as evening settles in, and the barn becomes a place of comfort. And by the way, the food and service at top notch, not to mention the dance floor.
Here’s how your very own wedding at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills could go and why it’s subtly one of CT’s best luxury wedding venues.
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Vibe and Features |
Outdoor/indoor, rustic elegance, beautiful indoor barn aesthetic, willow trees |
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Guest Capacity |
225 |
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Location |
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Similar Venues |
Webb Barn, Salem Herbarm, Newport Vineyards, Allen Hill Farm, The Lace Factory, StoneHurst at Hampton Valley, South Farms |
The Three Best Features of The Barns at Wesleyan Hills
Willow Trees
On display year round, the willow trees make for a beautiful backdrop at The Barns.
String Lights
Adorning the inside of the Big Barn, the string lights add a great feel to the aesthetic.
Add-Ons
The Barns has a whole list of customizations and add-ons to really make your wedding day yours.
Video Tour of The Barns at Wesleyan Hills
Click the link below to view my video tour of The Barns at Wesleyan Hills, complete with moments from a real wedding at this excellent venue.
History of The Barns
The Barns at Wesleyan Hills didn’t begin as an event space. Its history (PDF warning) of goes all the way back to the mid-17th century, when the Hubbard family purchased 66 acres of land here.
What’s now known as the venue’s Big Barn was originally a dairy barn. The Little Barn (bar area and getting ready wedding suite) was literally picked up and relocated to connect the two.
Connecticut Wedding Group
In the early 1980s, Tom McDowell and Connecticut Wedding Group came along.
You’ve probably heard of them before, as they own and operate a few Connecticut wedding venues, including Lyman Orchards and The Pavilion on Crystal Lake.
Eventually, in 2006, they annexed the old Hubbard property and turned into The Barns at Wesleyan Hills.
Rustic, But Not Overly So
Yes, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills is a CT barn wedding venue. Therefore, there’s wood. The rustic-ness, however, really stops there.
Between enjoying the outside (including a beautiful hill, willow trees, and patio), making food and drink choices as part of your catering package, and decorating The Barns, you won’t necessarily feel like you’re getting married in a barn. It’s really a great venue for just about anybody.
Vibe and Features of The Barns at Wesleyan Hills
As you go through wedding planning and consider venues, here’s what you need to know about the vibe and features of The Barns at Wesleyan Hills:
Getting Ready Space
Your wedding at The Barns will be fully supported from start to finish. An example of this: one partner gets a great getting ready space in the Little Barn.
- Convenient getting ready area with enough space for larger wedding parties
- During your wedding, this private area can be used to store belongings, get a beauty touch-up, or take a break and relax
- Includes private bathrooms which are separate from the ones that guests use
Rustic and Chic Aesthetic
You get a rustic barn aesthetic and an elegant touch with a Barns wedding.
- Beautiful grounds, complete with weeping willow trees, a small pond, and a footbridge
- You can have a cocktail hour and reception inside with a cozy, moody feel (á la The Society Room of Hartford or The Lace Factory)
- While The Barns is an elegant and rustic venue (like Lion Rock Farm), it’s the anti-banquet hall; the rustic, chic charm and wide open outdoor setting make sure of that
The String Lights
The string lights at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills are a polarizing feature. Guests (and couples) are really drawn to them and they photograph really well.
- Beautiful Edison lightbulb string lights adorn the inside of the Big Barn, creating the venue’s signature cinematic look
- (There are also more string lights at The Barns outside on the patio)
- They’re present for dinner and dancing in the Big Barn, on the wall opposite the DJ booth and hanging up wall to wall
- (If you have a winter wedding at The Barns, the ceremony will typically take place right here)
- Make sure your photographer knows how to compliment this with their own lighting
Spaces for Weddings Year Round
- The Barns at Wesleyan Hills is suitable for big events, with a maximum of 225 people on your guest list
- Outdoor ceremonies at this wedding venue take place on the big field above the pond, against the largest willow tree
- Indoor ceremonies and receptions can take place inside The Barns
- Your indoor wedding ceremony would take place in The Big Barn against the string light wall
- After, your guests are led to the Little Barn for cocktail hour while the larger space is set up for your reception
- (Tip: have your wedding planner help with ushering guests to where they need to be; you might want portraits in the Big Barn)
- Connecticut Wedding Group serves farm to table foods for weddings at The Barns
- Party the night away with their great DJ partner, Powerstation Events (or pay a fee to bring your own DJ)
Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding Costs
To help you with your wedding planning process, here are some Barns at Wesleyan Hills wedding cost factors to keep in mind:
Standard Items for a Wedding at The Barns
- The charges for the The Barns venue itself (varies based on season, like many other Connecticut wedding venues)
- You get five hours of use of the getting ready suite in the Little Barn are included in your ceremony fee
- Use of The Barns at Wesleyan Hills’ open bar also comes with your booking
Pre-Ceremony Perks
- Pre-ceremony comfort upgrades, such as a champagne station or signature cocktails available as refreshments for your guests
- Snacks while getting ready
- Depending on the season, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills has other offers, like popsicles
Reception Upgrades at The Barns
- Bar add-ons (signature drinks are immensely popular at The Barns)
- Snacks and deserts, such as pretzels, hot dogs, and donuts (including a flaming donuts display by a CT Wedding Group chef)
- Cigars and whiskey
Hotels Near The Barns at Wesleyan Hills
Naturally, you may be wondering about hotel options for yourselves and your guests when getting married at The Barns. Accommodations are pretty convenient given that the venue is located in Greater Hartford. Here are some, all within 15 minutes:
- Inn at Middletown (Middletown, CT): With rooms starting at around $215/night, it’s a very popular getting ready hotel for weddings in the area.
- The Spirit of 76 House (Higganum, CT): A bed and breakfast requiring a two-night stay and starts at about $120/night.
- Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Cromwell (Cromwell, CT): Rooms run from about $160/night.
- Courtyard by Marriott (Wallingford, CT): One of several options in nearby Wallingford. Comes in around $135/night.
- Fairfield (Wallingford, CT): Next door to the Wallingford Marriott, this hotel has rooms starting around $140/night.
- Homewood Suites (Wallingford, CT): Right next to the Fairfield. Rooms start at about $160/night.
- Hilton Garden Inn (Wallingford, CT): Yet a fourth hotel in this area, this one is down the road from the Homewood Suites. Rooms start at $134/night.
- If folks don’t mind a drive (i.e. within 25 minutes) and would prefer smaller hotels near The Barns at Wesleyan Hills: The Bevin House (East Hampton, CT), Boardman House (East Haddam, CT), and The Chester Bulkley House (Wethersfield, CT).
Wedding Photos from The Barns at Wesleyan Hills
From a photographer’s perspective, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills offers something rare: consistency without sameness. Every wedding I photograph here is different, even though the venue is the same.
Honestly, it’s a venue that supports both candid moments and intentional portraits, without forcing either. The environment does a lot of the work, from being conducive to real moments to providing great spots for creative work.
With that said, here are even more photos from weddings at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills:
About the Author
My name is Terrence and I’m a wedding photographer based in Connecticut. I like to provide helpful info to engaged couples.
Given the opportunity, I photograph each wedding at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills weddings with the same intention the venue itself was designed with.
If this resonates with you, then feel free to use the links below to learn more.
Learn More About The Barns at Wesleyan Hills
Here’s the story of a winter Wesleyan Hills wedding. And here’s a spring wedding at The Barns.
Then when you’re ready, start your conversation with the venue using the links below.