Branford House Weddings
You’re here reading because you two are looking for a beautiful, timeless wedding venue on the water in Connecticut. As you plan your wedding, lighthouses, history, and a nice mansion soiree fill your dreams.
Well, allow me to explain why a Branford House wedding might fit your bill.
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Vibe and Features |
Outdoor/indoor, waterfront historic mansion, three lighthouses on view |
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Guest Capacity |
500+ |
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Location |
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Similar Venues |
Lake of Isles, Eolia Mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park, Inn at Mystic, Lion Rock Farm, Lord Thompson Manor, Candlewood Inn |
Who It’s For
A wedding at Branford House should be at the top of your wedding planning list if:
A Quick History of Branford House
If you’re into New England history at all, this might be all the more reason to consider Branford House for your wedding.
So, first things first: Branford House was built in 1903 by Morton Freeman Plant. Conducive to modern-day love stories, it was Morton’s architect wife, Nellie, who designed the mansion. It’s actually named after Branford, Connecticut.
If you two lovebirds are history buffs at all, you’ll appreciate that like Inn at Mystic’s Haley Mansion at one time, Branford House is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Branford House and UConn
You might be wondering what the relationship between Branford House and the University of Connecticut. Well after Morton’s death in 1918, the mansion passed through his children to the State of Connecticut. The state bought it for about $50,000; it cost $3 million to build.
Then in the 1940s, when Avery Point Lighthouse was built, the United States Coast Guard used the property. They moved out in 1967, leaving the land to the state, which allowed UConn to establish its campus there.
The Branford House wedding era began in 2001 when UConn renovated this CT mansion wedding venue and started renting it out as an event space. As you’ll see in the Branford House wedding photos later, this venue should definitely be at the top of your list.
Branford House Mansion Layout
Branford House Mansion Floorplan
As you picture your possible wedding at Branford House, let’s take a look at the floorplan of this CT wedding venue, sourced from UConn Avery Point (click to enlarge):
The First Floor
When you and your guests get inside, you’ll be enthralled by the ornate interior of Branford House. It consists of three rooms on the first floor. As you’ll see in the linked floor plan, the L-shaped Main Room is about 1000 square feet. This ballroom-type area is super unique and fancy.
Next is the East Room, which is just about 850 square feet. Lastly is the West Room, an 860-square foot rectangle with several large windows. These areas of the mansion are reminiscent of the old-school stylings of Lion Rock Farm in the opposite corner of the state.
Parking is plentiful. Keep in mind that you’re technically on one of UConn’s campuses, which helps with accessibility.
Just behind the mansion is a long patio which is great for mingling or even dancing. Just outside the West Room is another smaller, brick patio.
This one is partially covered, making it a great location to exchange vows for more intimate weddings.
The Second Floor
The mansion’s second floor contains an art gallery and small seating area. This is a nice area for a few couple’s portraits on your wedding day.
Branford House Rear Grounds
In addition to the beautiful architecture, the reason you’d probably want an wedding at Branford House is to get outside.
Traditionally, ceremonies are held outdoors. Smaller gatherings can take place on the aforementioned west wing patio, which is covered.
Larger wedding ceremonies take place on the lawn behind the mansion, looking towards Long Island Sound.
Mansion Backyard and Lighthouses Galore
Now let’s talk about the grand waterscape views. Just behind Branford House is Long Island Sound; it looks epic from this viewpoint. Actually, in the previous photo, you can see two of the three lighthouses (Avery Point on the left and New London Ledge on right, way off in the distance) which are viewable from Avery Point. The third is New London Harbor, which isn’t pictured in this photo, but is located off to the right/west.
Branford House is reminiscent of The Towers in nearby Narragansett for this reason. One thing to stress here is this: the Branford House “backyard” is huge. Like a couple of acres huge, just wide open to water views directly behind the mansion. In some ways, it’s like getting married on a boat.
Take advantage of this space during your wedding! For example, your guests could have plenty of room to spread out during cocktail hour or after dinner.
Other Branford House Considerations
Here are some more things to consider about your potential Branford House wedding:
High-Level Factors
- As it’s owned by the State of Connecticut, Branford House’s staff are generally UConn employees or hired contractors
- One of the better mansion wedding venues in the state, it offers year-round weddings, with outdoor covered and outdoor open-air ceremony options
- Weddings can run until midnight
- The property is suitable for small and big weddings, with a maximum of about 500 people (that’s not a typo; Bethany Lagenbach, Branford House’s event space manager, let me know that they’ve hosted that many guests for an all-outdoor wedding in the past)
- If you’re open to an outdoor dance floor (the venue has two sizable, paved patios), then 200 guests can fit inside for a Branford House wedding reception
- Reasonably speaking, a little under 200 guests can be seated inside the mansion’s first floor for a reception meal (it’s a good idea to speak with your wedding or event planner about seating logistics)
Branford House Wedding Catering Options
- You can choose your own caterer, subject to the venue’s rules
- You can also go with one of the preferred caterers, such as 85th Day
- This includes a tasting for the two of you to check things out before you decide on food
- Current policy dictates that you’re locked into UConn’s Department of Dining Services for your bar/alcohol service (so your caterer can’t serve alcohol nor can you hire a bartending service)
Other Things to Think About
- Since Branford House is on Connecticut state property, the public is technically allowed to be on the wedding venue grounds (but not in the mansion)
- Regarding overnight accommodations, there are several hotels in Groton, Connecticut that would probably require some Uber rides (and don’t forget nearby Mystic for hotel options)
- Branford House isn’t technically in Mystic, it’s located in Groton (downtown Mystic is 15 minutes away, Stonington Borough is 20 minutes away)
- Lovers of small-band live music will love Branford House; this wedding venue is conducive to musicians and even has a piano on hand
Hotels Near Branford House
Groton, Connecticut is a great town with plenty of nearby hotels for visitors. Therefore, Branford House is a convenient destination wedding venue.
Hotels near Branford House include Hilton Garden Inn Mystic/Groton, Hilton Mystic, Holiday Inn Express Mystic-Groton, Mystic Marriott, and Inn at Mystic.
Things to Do Near Branford House
Since Branford House is located in Groton, there’s plenty to do in this part of Connecticut. Maybe at the top of everyone’s mind is Mystic, where you and your guests (there are also lots of rehearsal dinner restaurant options.
Branford House Wedding Pricing
While planning your wedding, here are some Branford House financial factors to consider:
- Despite how glamorous your Branford House wedding can be, it’s actually an affordable CT wedding venue. During prime wedding season (i.e. spring through fall), weekend weddings start from about $6000. This rental fee drops to about $3500 for weddings between December and March.
- Weddings can occur on any day of the week (and Monday through Thursday weddings at Branford House are significantly cheaper).
- Included in the venue fee are tables and indoor and outdoor chairs (including Chivari chairs for indoor use) for up to 200 people.
- UConn can provide tent service, too, for additional fees. Indoor use of furniture is included, but extra and/or outdoor use of furniture costs extra.
- There’s also a small rehearsal fee, if you elect to have one.
- Oh, and don’t forget to choose your caterer. The mansion has rules for them, too, as well as a kitchen for them to use.
I’m Terrence and I’m a wedding photographer. Let’s talk about your wedding plans. Just click the button to visit my contact page.
A Real Wedding at Branford House
It’s always great to receive a word-of-mouth referral. This is especially pleasant when it’s from another wedding vendor.
So, when Kristin and Rob reached out to me based on my own JP’s, Marie Tyler Wiley’s, recommendation, it was awesome! The three of us had a “small world” moment when I told Kristin and Rob that Marie married my wife and me.
Though it rained on their wedding day, Kristin and Rob had a great time with each other and their guests. Their Branford House mansion wedding was beautiful, too, including everything from the dress to their dinner choice.
What you’ll see here is a real example of how the mansion wedding venue idea can play out.
Wedding Vendor Team
- Venue: Branford House (Groton, Connecticut)
- Justice of the Peace: Marie Tyler Wiley
- Makeup Artist: Face the Day Artistry
- Florist: Ladybug Designs Wedding and Event Florals
- DJ: The Music Department
- Caterer and Baker: Blue Rocks Catering
- Dress Shop: Lovebird Bridal Shop
- Invitations: Zazzle
Their Branford House Wedding Photos
In addition to many of images you’ve already seen throughout this post, here are some more of my favorite photos from Kristin and Rob’s beautiful Branford House wedding.
About the Author
Learn More About Branford House
Start your conversation with the venue using the links below.
Citations
I used the following references at different points in this post:
- Branford House, Wikipedia
- University of Connecticut | Avery Point
- “Avery Point’s History and Timeline,” UConn
- “Branford House (1903),” Historic Buildings of Connecticut
- “Morton Freeman Plant,” Wikipedia
- “Plant’s Southern Empire,” Henry B. Plant Museum
- “History Around the Corner: UConn-Avery Point campus turns half a century old,” Phil Houk, The Day
- First floor plan sketch, UConn