The Barns at Wesleyan Hills | Everyone’s Favorite Wedding Venue

Video Tour

Here’s a video tour of The Barns on my YouTube channel.

History and Other Info

The history (PDF warning) of The Barns at Wesleyan Hills 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.

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.

Venue Vibe and Features

Any wedding at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills takes two popular feels and combines them for an awesome experience. That is, you get a rustic barn aesthetic and an elegant touch. On top of a great experience during your big day, you can end up with awesome wedding photos.

Here are some things to know about this beautiful venue:

Chic, Rustic Aesthetic

• Beautiful grounds, complete with weeping willow trees, a small pond, and a footbridge
• Dark, moody cocktail hours and receptions inside (á la The Society Room of Hartford or The Lace Factory).
• While The Barns is an elegant venue (like Lion Rock Farm, which also comes to mind), it’s the anti-banquet hall; the rustic, chic charm and wide open outdoor setting make sure of that

The String Lights

• Beautiful Edison lightbulb string lights adorn the inside of the Big Barn, creating the signature look of this venue (there are also some outside on the patio)
• At The Barns, they’re on the wall opposite the DJ booth and hanging up from wall to wall the short way
• 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 and willow tree
• Indoor ceremonies and receptions can take place inside The Barns (in between, 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)

Excellent In-house Catering and DJ

• Connecticut Wedding Group deals with farm to table foods whenever possible. There are lots of good menu options available for your big day at The Barns.
• You’ll have to use their exclusive wedding venue DJ partner, Powerstation Events.

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

• The charges for the The Barns venue itself (varies based on season, like many other Connecticut wedding venues)
• 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

Pre-ceremony Perks

• Pre-ceremony comfort upgrades, such as a champagne station or signature cocktails available as refreshments for your guests
• Depending on the season, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills has other offers, like popsicles

Reception Upgrades at The Barns

• Bar add-ons (every time I’ve photographed a wedding here, the couples have had signature drinks)
• Snacks and deserts, such as pretzels, hot dogs, and donuts
• Cigars and whiskey

Flaming Donuts

An offering of The Barns at Wesleyan Hills that I learned about recently is the flaming donut presentation. It’s pretty spectacular to watch and the results are delicious. I believe these treats are sourced from Lyman Orchards (which CT Wedding Group also owns).

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. 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).