Wedding Venue Feature: Lion Rock Farm
Vibe and Features | Large private estate, rolling hills, farmland elegance |
Guest Capacity | Varies |
Location | 30 Hosier Rd. Sharon, CT 06069 |
Similar Venues | Lord Thompson Manor, Inn at Mystic, Branford House |
So for your wedding, you adore the idea of getting married in southern New England. Or maybe youโd just like to have your wedding right over the border from New York. Regardless, you also love the idea of a secluded farm setting with top-notch service. It could be that a Lion Rock Farm wedding is what youโre dreaming of.
This hidden gem of an all-inclusive, rustic barn wedding venue is tucked away in Litchfield County. Lion Rock Farm (also called “LionRock Farm”) is a great option if a high-end farm wedding is what youโre into.
Lion Rock Farm Video Tour
If watching and listening is your preference, please check out this video from my YouTube channel on Lion Rock Farm:
The photos youโll see in this post were all taken by me while working as the second photographer for my friend Allie Dearie Photography. Sheโs now based in California so be sure to check her out if youโre on the west coast!
History and Other Info
Lion Rock Farm is Located 10 minutes from Millerton, NY and about 30 minutes from Great Barrington, MA. The property itself is about 600 acres large and is located in Sharon Connecticut, part of Litchfield County.
This part of Connecticut is known for its sprawling greenery and Sharen itself is well known for estate properties. Kevin Bacon is also from there.
LionRock Farm’s founder is Elaine La Roche, a Wall Street businesswoman and New York native. She purchased the property in the 1990s and operated it as a working farm (which continues today).
Events, multi-year elite gardening mainstay Trade Secrets, followed. Sadly, Elaine passed away in 2019.
Lion Rock Farm weddings continue to take place on the property under the ownership of her daughter, Eve.
Venue Vibe and Features
Simply put, Lion Rock Farm is a high-end, farmland wedding venue. Though the property has multiple gorgeous buildings on it, a wedding at Lion Rock Farm really shines when you use the outdoors, too. This venue is perfect for you if you like luxury, but also love a good farm feel.
Ironically, Lion Rock Farm looks like it was always supposed to be a wedding venue. All of the farm’s features, from the barns to the cottage-style buildings to the tents, are immaculate and tasteful. The aesthetic is classic but chic, like a larger Stone Acres Farm.
Lion Rock Farm’s Layout and Features
Here’s a summary of this Lion Rock Farm’s different areas and facilities.
The Guest Houses
One of the coolest things about a Lion Rock Farm wedding is that you two and your wedding party can sleep there. The venue has four guest houses on the property. It’s similar to Inn at Mystic in this regard, ideal for destination weddings.
The one pictured above is the Lower Guest House, located nearest the main road, just as you enter the property. It’s fully functional, complete with two bedrooms and a kitchen. There’s also a sizable driveway outside, making it great for one side of your wedding party to stay in.
The Upper Guest House which is much larger and sits at the heart of the property. The rear of this one opens into a large field where ceremonies are usually held.
While not quite a Newport mansion, the house is definitely very nice and makes for photographs with character. It’s reminiscent of the manor at Stone Acres Farm.
It goes without saying, but the ability to spend the night makes LionRock Farm ideal for destination weddings.
The Ceremony Field
Just behind the Upper Guest House and Grey Barn is a large, flat field which hosts Lion Rock Farm’s ceremonies.
Adding to LionRock Farm’s ceremony landscape is a large tree that looms over the altar. It’s really beautiful.
The Barns
The Red Barn sits at the upper edge of the property, across the street from the parking lot field. If I understand correctly, this one is part of Lion Rock Farm’s actual farm operations, which is why it’s off limits during weddings. It makes for a great backdrop though.
The Grey Barn is a big, weathered structure at the center of the Lion Rock Farm property, between the Upper Guest House and Red Barn. It has a cool driveway out front with string lights hanging from the roof to some nearby trees.
The interior has restrooms and is also available for small, indoor Lion Rock Farm wedding ceremonies.
The outside of the Potting Shed is perfect for couple’s portraits. (I believe the staff will allow you go inside with your wedding photographer, though we didn’t have the chance when I helped with this wedding.)
The Tents
Lion Rock Farm has a couple of very nice tent setups, among the best I’ve seen at any Connecticut wedding venue. These are perfect for cocktail hour and receptions. The tented cocktail hour area offered some welcome shade during the summer wedding I photographed here.
The Grounds
In addition to all of buildings, Lion Rock Farm features some awesome grounds. One of my personal favorite spots is the large green field across the road from the barns.
Lion Rock Farm Wedding Photos
Here are even more photos of a Lion Rock Farm wedding for your viewing pleasure.
Learn More
Undoubtedly, you can see that Lion Rock Farm is one of the best wedding venues in CT. If you’re thinking that a Lion Rock Farm wedding is for you, then use the links below to get in touch with the venue!
Citations
I used the following references at different points in this post:
- “The Farm,” LionRock Farm
- “Elaine La Roche Headed Crucial China Venture for Morgan Stanley,” James R. Hagerty, The Wall Street Journal
- “Next to Normal: Trade Secrets Is Back, But in a New Location,” Lisa Green, Rural Intelligence
- “Town of Sharon,” Connecticut Tourism Office
- “Elaine La Roche, a Power on Wall Street Despite Its Barriers, Dies at 70,” Glenn Rifkin, The New York Times
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