Saint Clements Castle Weddings | A Cut Above Ballroom Venues

History of Saint Clements Castle

St. Clements Castle was built for Howard and Gertrude Taylor; construction ended in 1902. Architect Sidney Algernon Bell conceived the design, modeling it after 16th-centruy European castles. Unsurprisingly, the name is after Pope Clement I, supposedly the patron saint of sailors in the Christian religion.

In 1969, the property came under the ownership of Wesleyan University. Then in 1993, Saint Clements Castle came under the ownership of a nonprofit foundation, which continues to maintain it to this day.

Much more recently, a revitalized feature of Saint Clements Castle weddings has come into play. As of 2022, the property’s new Rivers Edge at Saint Clements Marina is now available for events.

Saint Clements Castle Venue Vibe and Features

Obviously, we should start with the main aesthetic of this venue: it looks like a small castle. It has a very distinct tower visible from the front. Markedly, the property is huge at about 90 acres. Here are some details on how the property is broken up:

Outside

In many ways, the exterior details of St. Clements Castle are similar to those of Lion Rock Farm. There are statues, courtyards, gardens, and wide-open grassy spaces. The grounds are very well maintained and make for great photos.

Of course, weddings at the Rivers Edge at Saint Clements Marina portion of the property are right on the Connecticut River. The main property, however, does give you water views from the outdoor ceremony site.

Inside

As far as Saint Clements Castle wedding receptions go, the venue features its Waterford and Prince Edward Ballrooms. The former is the larger of the two, accommodating up to 250 guests. It includes a bar, a good-sized dancefloor, and plenty of room for tables. Plated catering is handled in house.

Note that with the two reception spaces, St. Clements castle sometimes has two concurrent weddings. It’s also important to realize, however, that you can book the entire venue for your wedding day.

Upstairs is a suite where one partner and their attendants can get ready. Downstairs (like the ballrooms), as the art gallery, a beautiful room for portraits. Surprisingly, this space can also be configured with two rows of 12 seats and standing room for another 100 people for an indoor ceremony.

Saint Clements Castle Cost

Here are some considerations regarding the cost of a St. Clements Castle wedding:

• A signed contract, deposit of 2000, and a preservation fee of 550 are required to book the venue. Accordingly, the remainder of the fee is due in two payments before your date. The venue also charges an “administrative service charge” of 22%.
• There are strict arrival and departure times for the getting ready suite, depending on the day of the week. You’ll want to factor this in while planning your wedding. If you have a planner, ask them to help you work on timing (venue access can make a big impact on your photography plans, for example).
• On-site ceremony rehearsals generally aren’t allowed. What’s more, neither are fireworks, sparklers, or smoke machines.

Hotels Close to Saint Clements Castle and Marina

Always consider accommodations when coming up with your wedding plan! Here are some hotels close to St. Clements Castle:

1. Inn at Middletown (Middletown, CT)
2. The Bevin House Bed & Breakfast (East Hampton, CT)
3. Holiday Inn Express Hartford South (Rocky Hill, CT)
4. Sheraton Hartford South Hotel (Rocky Hill, CT)
5. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hartford Cromwell (Cromwell, CT)