Top 5 Places to Get Married in Connecticut

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you understandably want the event to be flawless and romantic. Now that you have set a wedding date, you may be ready to start actively planning the event and making firm decisions to bring the details to life.

One of the most important big decisions that you will need to make after selecting the date relates to the location of the ceremony and reception. Are you going to have a local wedding or a destination wedding in Connecticut?

With Connecticut’s stunning natural beauty and incredible history, you may find that this is the ideal place to tie the knot. In fact, there are several exceptional ceremony and reception sites that may be absolutely stunning settings for your big event.

If you are looking for a great place to get married in Connecticut, take a closer look at some of these top destinations today as you explore the many options available. Make sure you are getting the best rate for the coverage you need above! Just enter your zip code and start comparing rates for free today! 

The 5 Top Places to Get Married in Connecticut

#1 – Candlelight Farms Inn

Cost: $5,500 to $15,000
Setting: A country house with mountain views
Accommodates: Up to 300 guests

Candlelight Farms Inn is located in a quiet country area close to New Milford. You can enjoy incredible views of Candlewood Mountain from many vantage points on this 600-acre estate, and you can also enjoy ponds, stables, patios, meadows, and a host of other country views that will make your day memorable.

Several wedding packages are available to help you control the cost of your wedding and that can make planning your big day faster and easier to do.

One of the packages gives you access to the entire estate for the entire weekend. The couple will typically need to provide their own entertainment, catering, and other related services regardless of the package that they select.

#2 – Wadsworth Mansion

Cost: $2,500-$16,000, season dependant
Setting: A colonial mansion with well-manicured grounds
Accommodates: Varies

Situated in Middletown, Wadsworth Mansion was originally constructed in 1900 and has an incredible history that will make your wedding day even more magical. Ceremonies can take place on the sprawling grounds when weather permits or indoors in the beautifully decorated grand rooms throughout the year.

The availability of space varies depending on whether you will host an indoor or outdoor event.

The elaborate décor in the dining room, ballroom, and other rooms can also be used to add spectacular flair to your special day.

You can also choose to tie the knot in the Parklands, which is a beautifully maintained natural area adjacent to the mansion that boasts trees, wildflowers, and many other natural features. Altogether, there are 15 miles of trails that wrap around the perimeter of the Wadsworth Estate.

#3 – Lord Thompson Manor

Cost: Contact for a customized quote
Setting: A luxurious manor and spa
Accommodates: Sleeps 12 guests in the main house

Lord Thompson Manor is located in the far northeastern corner of the state in Thompson, Connecticut, and it is equidistant between Hartford and Boston.

When you book your wedding and reception at the stunning Lord Thompson Manor, you are not simply reserving the space for only a few hours. Instead, you are making a reservation for the space for the entire weekend.

You will have access to the six luxurious guests rooms inside the main house, and each guest room can sleep two guests comfortably.

There is an on-site spa area that is ideal for pampering the wedding party before the big event.

The rehearsal dinner, reception meal, and all other meals and snacks can be prepared by the renowned chefs on-site and can be customized to meet your needs and budget.

Altogether, you will find that this is a venue that strives to take a significant amount of the fuss associated with wedding planning out of the equation.

#4 – Waveny House

Cost: $13,000 average base cost
Setting: Historic home
Accommodates: More than 300 guests

The Waveny House in New Canaan is a truly historic and unique estate that will take your breath away with its decadence. Its interior décor is luxurious and extraordinary, and its blissful elegance carries to the well-manicured grounds. You can host your event indoors or outdoors, but be aware that this old home does not have air conditioning.

The library and billiard rooms cannot be used by guests but there are two bridal suites that you can use to prepare for the event and to change clothes in between your wedding and reception as needed.

You will need to contract with outside or third-party vendors for catering, entertainment, and more when planning your wedding and reception.

#5 – Eolia Mansion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAAWXf3gjC4

Cost: $25,000
Setting: Beautiful mansion and seaside amphitheater
Accommodates: 125 guests

The Eolia Mansion is a beautiful home that was built by the Harkness family, a wealthy family once closely affiliated with the Rockefellers. The home sits on 230 acres and overlooks the Long Island Sound, and it is now a publicly-maintained park.

Typically, mansion’s grounds are used to used to host an event during the warmer months of the year, and a tent is provided by the venue for this purpose. Keep in mind that this is a public park, so all guests must leave the area before sundown.

Catering is only available through one of six approved catering companies, and you should reasonably expect to pay approximately $76 to $100 per person for both dinner and bar services through these approved vendors

Traveling Safely in Connecticut

If you plan to do any driving in Connecticut, it is important that you understand the state’s car insurance laws. Remember that you must be properly insured per state laws at all times regardless of whether you are driving your own vehicle or a rental car.

– Know CT’s Car Insurance Laws

The state law requires you to have minimum coverage that includes at least:

• $20,000 per person for bodily injury coverage
• $40,000 per accident for bodily injury coverage
• $10,000 per accident for damage

You could face legal penalties if you are caught driving without the proper amount of car insurance. This could include a monetary fine and other consequences. It is best to obtain coverage at all times rather than risk facing the potential consequences.

Connecticut is an at-fault or tort state. This means that if you cause an accident while driving in this state, the other party may personally seek damages from you to the full extent allowed by the law.

With this in mind, it may be helpful or beneficial to purchase additional liability car insurance beyond what is required by law. Remember that you are still required to pay for any additional expenses that are not covered by your auto insurance policy.

In addition, you may also need to purchase another type of coverage other than liability coverage. For example, comprehensive insurance will pay for additional expenses that liability coverage will not pay for.

This type of coverage will pay for your own expenses if your car is damaged or destroyed because of fire, an accident, or another type of event.

–Have the Right Coverage

It is imperative that you have the right auto insurance coverage before your big day arrives. Therefore, spend time shopping around for the car insurance coverage that you need well ahead of your wedding day.

Make plans to compare at least three or four different policy options. While you understandably want to save money on your coverage, keep in mind that you also need to review the financial strength of the provider to make the best decision about which provider to buy coverage from.

Getting married can change your car insurance rates. This is because you may qualify for a married couples discount.

You may also qualify for a discount if you bundle your vehicles together. If you plan to consolidate your coverage together, consider requesting quotes for this now so that you can identify potential savings and start taking advantage of the savings as soon as possible.

– Prepare Your Vehicle

If you plan to drive your own car through the state for your wedding, take a few steps now to keep your car in great shape.

In addition to reviewing your auto insurance requirements, consider getting a tune-up. You can also review your car’s emergency kit to ensure that it is properly stocked, and make any updates as needed.

– Consider a Rental

Some couples will rent a car for their wedding rather than drive their own car. A vintage rental is a great way to add flair and personality to your wedding. Keep in mind that you may need specialized insurance for this type of vehicle.

Regardless of the type of rental car you choose, you need to understand the risks that you take when you drive another car, and you should follow safe driving tips to reduce the risk of an accident. Don’t miss out on our free insurance comparison tool below! Just enter your zip code and start comparing rates now!