Id always heard you never eat at your wedding but when we came back to our table there was so much food on our table it was amazing! The patio is amazing too! Neka was the most amazing and swee Our guests keep telling us how our wedding was the best they have been to in years or ever! I couldn't speak higher of the staff and service we received the day of. 4 years ago. My seating charts were a complete mess and I felt as though I worked at the venue instead of being the groom. easy. They did an amazing job with everything from Woodwinds made us feel like our wedding was as special to them as it was to us. The staff is amazing and accommodating! Absolutely incredible! Everyone loved the food from the hors d'oeuvres to the main course to the ice cream bar. I received a huge number of comments regarding the excellence of the food. This venue is timeless and the food is excellent! It is relatively inexpensive to rent and you can choose all the other vendors you want to work with. Very reassuring and understanding with the craziness of a pandemic wedding. hedule, but the woodwinds made the process very pleasant! Thank you, Vanessa! I would love to go back to my special day it was without flaw! I can't wait to have another reason to go back! They have everything down from planning to executing! Vanessa, Ken, Randy, and the entire day of staff provided exceptional service to make our wedding day the best. tions we've had so far. had picked an incredible place. questions and emails, making the process seamless. They set up all my decor and made sure we had everything we needed. I cant tell you the amount of compliments our family and friends gave the next day about this venue, the food, the people, everything was perfect! we honestly could not have asked for a more perfect day! My train was constantly fluffed, everyone was smiling in all pictures, and he made sure we got to eat! 5 Gorgeous Wedding Venues in Branford, CT (2023) When you book with this venue, you immediately feel like a part of the WoodWinds fam. Between the award winning food, cost per person, immaculate grounds, and the beautiful ballroom, the venue harmonized with our We are so happy we made the decision to book with the Woodwinds! He made every bit of the planning process SO much easier. I feel like thats not even the best word to use. I am so glad we chose to get married here and am forever grateful for their hard work! We were all made to feel like royalty by Woodwinds. Woodwinds was absolutely FANTASTIC and we are so thrilled we picked this venue to host such a special day for my husband and I. Everyone raved over it. They were SO flexible when it came to meeting with us. It was truly breathtaking. *it wouldnt allow me to change the date of the wedding on the second page of this review but it was 10/25/19. The most amazing wedding venue! Located on the University of Connecticut Avery Point Campus and just steps away from Long Island Sound, your wedding photographer will absolutely love this spot. Our wedding was the most beautiful day thanks to the staff at Woodwinds. Ken made the planning process super easy and was always prompt with answers to any questions We had the most amazing wedding here! Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos. The Woodwinds was the PERFECT venue for our wedding. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for an indoor/outdoor venue with a beautiful view of the ocean!! We had a winter wedding so the beauty of the inside was critical for us. She is quick to respond to any My fianc and I absolutely love Vanessa from the Woodwinds. You can have your ceremony inside in the East Room, the center Grand Ballroom, or outside on the patio off of the West Room. We absolutely have no doubts on having gone with different venue. Vanessa was so thorough and answered every question we could think of! Vanessa has been so responsive and helpful throughout the process and we can't wait to work with the rest of the Woodwinds team for our wedding! When my now husband & I locked in this venue, we worked with Vanessa. The day was perfect. We were able to fit everyone in the main room and one of the wings, giving us another room empty for the dancing, which was perfect! See all 35 photos. They worked with my budget, were incredible with the planning and the food was amazing. {Branford House Wedding 7.17.21} Venue: Branford House Photographer: Love, Sunday Florist: Sayles Livingston Cake: Lovely Cakes String Trio: La Bella Musica. It was so nice to finally re My husband and I got married on July 6th at The Woodwinds. The woodwinds was able to make my dream wedding come to life! All vendors recommended were 5 star! I'm only upset that there weren't any appetizers included in the leftovers because I was having too much fun to eat any. Kevin Kelley Kevin Kelley Photography, Another gem that captivates guests with granite, mahogany and marble. I can't thank everyone enough. Around the side of the mansion is a terrace area with stone columns that is great for family or bridal portraits when the light is good. Carisa Lockery CR Socials Event Planning, If there ever was a must have location for a wedding venue, this is the spot. who know the space and you wont have any issues. But I think well worth it in the end because the even will truly be "you". need for such a reasonable price. Its also a great place for wedding portraits if you have a special vehicle to arrive in! and the food is SO good! I SHOULD HAVE NOT EVEN WENT!! We look forward to working with the rest of the team as we count down the days! Our friends and family could not stop talking about how amazing the food was! They were very flexible and accommodating. Open 12:00 PM - 1:00 AM (Next day) Hours updated 1 week ago. Even with all the people, your occasion will be stress-free with the attention of the trustworthy even staff whose job is to take care of all details. The gazebo itself and the trees behind it were decorated with lights, something we didn't know they would do Amazing place to have any event. A little tricky for some guests to get to, but an overall convenient location for those craving pics of oceanside nuptuals (like we were). Vanessa set up an appointmen We recently booked our wedding for next October and we couldn't be happier with our decision! The terrace and lawn were recently renovated and look gorgeous. Our wedding was perfect thanks to everyone at Woodwinds!! Having an on-site getting ready option is really nice convenience for brides and their bridal party making your logistics of the day much simpler and less stressful. *All of our catering is done through Dina's at the Mont. You will feel like royalty. She was always so responsive to my emails, always answered any questions and was so extremely helpful when we worked with her. in everything and is so helpful with the planning. We appreciate how smoothly rehearsal was, Scotts attention to detail and overall professionalism, and more importantly the staff on site were definitely paying attention to refilling our guests water glasses. We had a smaller guest list, and Woodwinds made it still such a special day for us! Branford House features a bridal suite so you can have your hair and makeup done onsite as well as store away any of your personal items during the day. Plan your wedding wherever and whenever you want on the WeddingWire App. Vanessa gave us a tour of the grounds and informed us of every single detail we needed to know. We showed up with my daughter, and she didn't blink an eye. Not just the dinnersbut also their many appetizers! The Branford House was voted the #5 best wedding venue in Connecticut by the experts. Even stepped in when we had some trouble with the bustle of my dress. After going to several venues, we didn't have to look any further after visiting the woodwins, I'd get married here every year if i could But Id like to end this with the feed back we got back from our wedding guest and this has to do with the food! Your email address will not be published. Either the first wedding (ours was the second of the day) was running behind schedule, or there was an issue with/lack of planning on the Woodwinds part, because our guests started arriving before the first wedding was even over, and our guests thought they missed our wedding! We are in complete awe over how wonderful our wedding was. From the meeting to the rehearsal and the wedding. I cannot imagine what other venues must be like since they don't have Randy or Ken in their office--both of these men went above and beyond for us! The views out to the ocean are stunning and you really feel as though you have stepped back in time. Thank you so much for everything! We're down for a bit but the team is working hard to fix this! Your email address will not be published. The Branford House will let you select your own caterer, DJ, florist, etc. The Woodwinds Wedding & Events Venue - Branford, CT A picturesque cocktail hour and reception meal can be held on the stone patio and adjacent grass, perfect for those who have envisioned a waterfront mansion wedding. Find a venue The packages were amazing. If you are looking for a place to stay during your wedding weekend, there are some options for rent right here at HoliMont. to reach even after the booking process. We were married in April 2015 inside the mansion in front of their grand fireplace. Ever since we booked with Woodwinds, any vendor we have contacted had nothing but good things to say about the exceptional staff. Went. much love, Josh and Savannah. The staff were so attentive to our needs and our guests', and Randy and Ana were amazing! he entire crew for the great care we received, and a special thanks to the two lovely ladies that helped me bustle my dress on two separate occasions. Sincerely Jae & Eddie. I never dreamed all those ideas would come to life thanks to the talented people who work at the Woodwinds. Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings! The venue and grounds are absolutely beautiful, it truly reflects the TLC that the staff have put into it. lastly, being very detailed, and a control freak to wanting everything to look just right, after meeting up a few days before the wedding to drop off: favors, and gifts, Ken gave my maid of honor and myself permission to come the morning day of the wedding to make sure everything was set up and right. The uplighting, the tables, the decor, every little detail was done just as we had planned and discussed. Caitlyn was my maitre d and she too was very attentive of my husband and I she kept us fed and hydrated in between all the pictures and video takes. The Branford House. The Branford House Mansion is a historic mansion and wedding venue on the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut in Groton, Connecticut. Branford House Exterior The woodwinds exceeded our expectations! We had our ceremony on-site and had to be indoors due to weather, but it was so easy to make the last-minute change and we were happy there was a pretty room with a fireplace to use as our backdrop. Creating heartfelt, moment-driven photographs for relaxed, laid-back couples who want to enjoy their wedding day. So far so good! The venue is beautiful, especially for a winter theme in which I am having! If you're on the fence about the Woodwinds, I hope this steers you in the right direction. ornate woodwork and amazing exterior architecture make this location stand out in a grand elegance. The grounds were gorgeous for pictures and the decor inside was very elegant. A spiral stairwell and stunning marble fireplace. The price is affordable compared to other venues and you get a bang for your buck! We were SOOO happy that we chose the Branford House for our venue! I cannot say enough about The Woodwinds and its staff!! The location provides for a unique experience and is not your typical wedding venue. This one-of-a-kind setting is ideal for couples that want that fairytale aesthetic for their special day. Neka entered the scene and I can honestly say that I IMMEDIATELY felt relieved. Vanessa has been very helpful in making our upcoming day both elegant and affordable which we really appreciate. Randy was an excellent event planner. The staff is amazing and the food is superb! We received many compliments on the food, and the venue itself looked beautiful. She guided us through all that we needed to know and more. The venue is gorgeous inside and out. Don't miss out! From start to finish not a single thing went wrong and that was completely due to the staff being absolutely wonderful to us. Deborah Dempsey A Gala Affair, Please fill out email, subject and message, #5 best wedding venue in Connecticut by the experts, Wedding at Home: Main Points You Should Know About, 17 Great Small Party Venues in Connecticut. The in-office coordinator was so patient in answering my many questions over the last 2 years of planning (& postponing) and we are so grateful for all of his help and the detailed notes he kept to ensure our wishes were met! From our initial tour with Vanessa, beginning our planning with Kenneth, to our final plans with Randy- ever We just had our wedding at Woodwinds on 11.18.21 and Im so glad we did! It was a huge help having a caterer that had worked the venue, as the kitchen is in the basement so when making our seating arrangement, I knew in advance where there would be extra traffic coming in and out. Every question/request and accommodation was followed through. Both the great lawn, and the large boulders that stick out of the great lawn are the best spots for the quintessential photo with the mansion in the background. The Woodwinds was beyond amazing! The woodwinds has wonderful packages we went with one that offered a cake from a local bakery and a Venetian table first off our cake was amazing and our guests raved about the food and the extra desserts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We invite you to visit and enjoy our property in the beauty of Clymer. ding going on the day of our wedding on the other side of the venue. THEY ARE THE BEST!!! By chance, we toured the day of a Halloween themed wedding And I am terrified of clowns. A large bluestone patio stretches the entire length of the mansion. ded and kept a watchful eye on us the whole night making sure we were taken care of and making sure everything ran smoothly! There was never any pressure to book them or spend money on a pricier package. The Branford House offers an elegant location on the Connecticut shoreline that creates the perfect ambience for a memorable special event. The Branford House in Connecticut - Wedding Reports Compared to another similar location also owned by the State of Connecticut, and also located right on Long Island Sound - we absolutely hit the jackpot with The Branford House. You can't beat the beautiful stately exterior, stunning dark woodwork inside, and those ocean views - all of our guests loved it and it had the classic romantic ambience that we were looking for. There was a slight chill in the air, because summer had put its' warm self down for a rest until next year, yet the sun still cast a glow around . My bridal attendant was amazing, kind and so helpful! When I arrived at the venue before our ceremony, I was rattled and stressed not knowing the status of everyone/everything. 100% reccomend this venue! Thank you vanessa for working with us. So despite being assured multiple times before hand that we would get the food, we never did because everything was sent out. They were friendly, understanding, affordable, and made the most magical day happen! Everyone here knows what they are doing and my bridal attendant was amazing she was there for everything I needed even just holding my drink while I took pictures! The venue can be rented for 10 hours. I had just heard great things and it seemed like a beautiful place where ev We loved woodwinds for our wedding! - The Lombardis. Wedding of our dreams at the Branford House! When renting the mansion guests will be treated to an amazing granite balcony and gorgeous rooms with rich dark wood. Vanessa was wonderful to tour and book with. When we met with Vanessa to tour the venue and talk about everything they had, we were sold. The entire staff at the Woodwinds immediately impressed us with their open attitudes, positive energy, and professional service. Before the night arrived, we found that the Woodwinds offered a great value package compared to other local venue spaces. Italian. Our guests cant stop complimenting the food, the views, the EVERYTHING! They all make you feel important! Im not positive but I believe the snowman might have even been his idea when Neka went to talk to him to try and figure out a way to help relax me. Thanks again! The booking process was painless and we would recommend it to anyone!!! Sergio who is our day of coordinator helped us rehearse and laid out my decor for me the exact way that I wanted it he also helped me to enjoy my wedding by letting me know when things needed to be done (cake cutting, toasts etc). The staff was amazing, food was beyond perfect, and there are no words for Scott! Perfect food, perfect drinks, and perfectly happy (and full) guests! though we were bummed we knew we were in good hands. ight away. I was upset but Ill say on the day of, seeing it all come together, Im happy everything was outside! It was extra for my package but SO WORTH IT. had all the best things: a thoughtful + sweet getting ready time, a quintessential, new england church service + a historical venue with ocean views. It's great for a summer wedding (like hours), but we did see gorgeous photos of inside weddings during the winter holidays. There is a myriad of excellent locations for Branford House Mansion wedding photos. We also appreciated them quoting a single figure that included tax and gratuity so there were no hidden fees we didnt expect. Our guests cannot stop raving about it all! Our private estate property can hold more than 275 guests for weddings and various private events. I am so glad that we could have a backup plan work out so well.