ur. All communication leading up to the event was timely and professional. Vanessa set up an appointmen We recently booked our wedding for next October and we couldn't be happier with our decision! The way they described our day to us had Woodwinds has a great booking process. Ken answered all of our questions promptly and enthusiastically. If you plan for less than 200, you can really maximize the indoor space dancing in one room, cocktails in another and dining in anotherthe options are plenty! I SHOULD HAVE NOT EVEN WENT!! The patio and lawn are the best part of the venue so, if you can, maximize the time spent out there. They loved how everything was organized and put. We lucked out with the best weather and were able to have our ceremony outside on the lawn. Bill Miller's Castle was . 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 . When we first toured the venue, we loved how classy the facility was and their beautiful outdoor grounds/ceremony locations. My fianc and I knew we wanted to book our reception here as soon as we took our to Booking at Woodwinds was an absolute blessing! I had questions leading up to my big day, and all I had to do was call and got the answers I needed. the food was amazing, our guests had nothing but good things to say about the staff and food. The entire staff really worked hard to made our night perfect, and we could not be more grateful! So far so good! We highly recommend The Woodwinds as a venue to host anyones upcoming event. During our First Looks and throughout the entire night, the staff ensured I had champagne in my hand, my husband had a gin and tonic in his, and we were fed and happy. Randy was an excellent event planner. ! Their foresight came in handy throughout the night, and it was really great to be able to trust them so we could enjoy mingling with our guests. n centerpieces, I called the main office and Kristy put me in touch with their in-house florist, Joanna. Sergio and Kaytlin were with us all night making sure we had everything we needed. - The Lombardis. We booked 2 years in advance. much love, Josh and Savannah. They all make you feel important! Originally built in the 1880s as a barn, this structure features lofty ceilings, crystal chandeliers, a large dance floor area, and five antique. Ceremony + Reception Location: The Branford House Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events Flowers: Victorian Rose Florist Entertainment: CZone Entertainment Catering: Gourmet Galley Stationery: Coral Pheasant Stationery Beauty: Kiss + Makeup Lighting + Draping: Drape Art Designs {Branford House Wedding 7.17.21} Venue: Branford House Photographer: Love, Sunday Florist: Sayles Livingston Cake: Lovely Cakes String Trio: La Bella Musica. Scott was amazing throughout the whole wedding process. They were the only vendor we would've felt horrible saying "we've decided to go with someone else" to, mostly because they were extremely helpful, genuinely caring, and very accommodating. When you book with this venue, you immediately feel like a part of the WoodWinds fam. Highly recommended! d it was the complete opposite. Its not only one of the best wedding venues in Groton, CT, but one of the best wedding venues in Connecticut. guided us though the entire day. Thank you, Vanessa! They were so easy to work with and very responsive. 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. I cant say enough good things about the Branford House. 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. 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. Thank you woodwinds for all you have done so far!! Scott and his wife were unbelievable. The woodworking on the walls, large windows, lovely chandeliers and overall rich and glamorous interior made for a lovely ceremony and striking photos. Randy made sure everything went well throughout the entire event! Thank you so much to everyone at Woodwinds!! Everyone at The Woodwinds was absolutely phenomenal. From there, you can look out over the great lawn, lighthouse, and ocean. 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. Woodwinds was nothing short of amazing. Outside patio stones are a bit uneven, but it is a very old house so that is not unlikely. Everyone loved the Branford house and all it's grandness. We ended up having a ridiculously stormy day for our wedding and because of the beautiful architecture and features inside, we were still happy because it felt like we were in an old castle. The location provides for a unique experience and is not your typical wedding venue. Love love love this venue! Randy was an expert on our wedding day; he took care of everything and made sure that we hadn't a care in the world! Well, they were the only venue we physically looked at, thats how sold we were from the start. By clicking 'Send', I agree to WeddingWires Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. And it was all so delicious. And thats the truth! The food was also spectacular. If you are looking for a place to stay during your wedding weekend, there are some options for rent right here at HoliMont. We couldnt be happier with our choice of venue. Their communication was excellent & the whole day ran smoothly. We cant wait for our day there! From the impressive grand entrance with Austrian Crystal chandeliers to the majestic marble fireplace of the Firelight room, this venue exudes elegance. that we toured because we were sold! I can't wait to have another reason to go back! It is so clear that he loves what he does, and puts his heart into every event. My friends and family said this was hands-down the best wedding - most elegant, most fun, gorgeous venue they had ever seen! They all made themselves available to us for anything we needed. Next October cannot come soon enough! Sure enough, guidelines change and my reception was outside under the tent. Im so happy we chose this venue for our big day. Mr. & Mrs. Salato. We personally thank Joanna for her beautiful and delicate touch while making all center pieces and bouquets, Ana Brizuela and Randy Bensey, who are absolutely wonderful! The waterviews are gorgeous and would recommend this venue when you can show the beauty outisde as well! All of our guests raved about the food and the bartenders. Our guests have not stopped raving about the food, the staff (even mentioning specific waiters names- shoutout to Carlos! She took my husband's tux jacket to clean a stain he didn't even notice. The stone terraces, stone verandas, and polished dance ballrooms are all reasons why your wedding day will be one for the books and an event that many will call the best festivity of the decade. Randy made our wedding day go exactly as planned. We had toured 8 venues before we toured The Woodwinds. Dina's at the Mont: 716.699.5330. I worked with Katherine who is responsive and kind and easy to work with. Very little decoration needed to make the interior & exterior presentable & "wedding ready". If you like boats and are up for a little walk, the edge of the campus overlooks the Shennecossett Yacht Club just across the water. I was blown away the first visit out there. From start to finish, Woodwinds was perfect. Everything went so smoothly, from the decoration dropoff, to rehearsal, to the big day. 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). With over 40 years experience in the restaurant business, Chef Silvio is also the author of a popular cookbook, Cooking with Chef Silvio, which contains classic recipes and stories from the Campania region of Italy. The Branford House is an absolutely stunning location! We attended another wedding there this past June - the grounds are fabulous, the food is even better. My fiance and I looked at several places alongside our budget and there just wasn't one we "loved". Randy, our coordinator, made the whole wedding go smoothly. Our guests loved the food, the ambience, and the whole experience. have to worry about anything! The backdrop of the house and the water view made our wedding breath taking. I am so glad we chose to get married here and am forever grateful for their hard work! I didnt want my wedding night to be over. I really liked the atmosphere! They made our evening stress-free. Request pricing View 46 more photos 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! Our ceremony in the Garden followed by our reception in the tent went flawlessly, and the lights in the tent and on the trees gave our night a magical vibe. Upon booking the venue they gave us a jar of Sunday sauce from the chef. They set up all my decor and made sure we had everything we needed. I would so do this again but only at the WOODWINDS!!!! The grounds were impeccably manicured, and the planting selections were simply beautiful. Randy, the wedding coordinator, was amazing as well. All my guests loved the architecture. went perfectly. Neka, was constantly by our side providing the best service and everything we needed. It was awesome!! All things one would expect of every establishment, but something we didn't find after touring several. three years and The Woodwinds has been nothing but helpful in making sure we were cared for as we work together from separate states. She even quickly and quietly dealt with a few guests from the other room who crashed our buffet. The food, AMAZING, although as a bride it was hard to eat, but every single person can't stop complimenting the food. The food was great. The house has everything you could hope for, from a great kitchen for the catering staff to a beautiful room for the bridal party to get dressed in, and the fireplaces are stunning. and the food is SO good! I don't know how I could have pulled off a wedding ceremony and reception if I didn't have someone like Randy to organize everything. 29 reviews. Everything was absolutely perfect! And the venue itself is SO pretty inside and outside. It was ideal. Vanessa made our tour fun and she was very helpful when we made our final decisi We visited Woodwinds as our first venue since we got engaged. A Branford House mansion wedding is truly in a class by itself. It was a Saturday in October, as most weddings are. The venue is absolutely beautiful and we ended up with a late-summer afternoon wedding on the lawn as the sun set and sail boats quietly coasted in the water. The evening went absolutely PERFECT. With a capacity of 200 guests you can spread out over three beautiful rooms or enjoy . Im happy with how everything was! 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 The Firelight Room is designed to present you and your guests with an open, luxurious setting filled with thoughtful touches of quality. Historic/Landmark Building, Mansion, Outdoor. 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! It may seem small to others but I remember saying to him right after how absolutely freaking wonderful everyone is. I would recommend verifying with the Woodwinds if there will be another ceremony taking place on the same day, so you can verify the times of the second wedding, and give yourself enough of a time cushion should the first wedding be running behind, and your wedding is the second of the day. Thank you everyone at Woodwinds for an AMAZING experience! I cannot say enough good things about the venue, food, and staff, incredible!! The bridal attendant Kaytlin was so sweet, I had an issue with the bustle of my dress and she got down on the ground and made it work. I am not kidding when I say she is a pro and a saint. They are also super affordable! So very helpful, making what a stressful time planning that much more exciting and a breeze! 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! This night was so special for us and they helped in making it that way!! We are looking forward to tasting the food on our wedding day. est experience we had visiting wedding venues, and would recommend this venue to anyone! 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. We got so many compliments on how beautiful the venue was, but also how amazing the food was as well! The venue is gorgeous inside and out. We originally booked the venue, pre-COVID, and were planning to Where do I begin? The staff at the Woodwinds are inc From start to finish our experience with the Woodwinds was top notch. ~Robert and Brittany Mcsweeney. From pictures to our cake cutting! The Branford House was the perfect wedding venue for us. There was nothing like the views that the Branford House provided! We met with Vanessa and were really blown away. I am SO EXCITED to be in the Garden room, and to have our ceremony in front of a waterfall. Plan your wedding wherever and whenever you want on the WeddingWire App. love the newlyweds ive & never got annoyed with my many questions. The woodwinds exceeded our expectations! They really take your worries away and make the process stress-free. For the entire year and a half of planning (during a pandemic nonetheless) Vanessa, Ken, and Randy were responsive, kind, SO FUN, and comforting. The wedding was beautiful and the guests were blown away by the location. get, the staff was so helpful, polite, even the chef was super nice! we might have had. Having been to weddings in the past, I know what a great job the Woodwinds does and how delicious their food is. Shooting Bridget and Thomas's wedding in the gothic Branford House Mansion was a lot of fun. There is so much more that she did that I can share but it is just too much to make someone read. She updated me on where the cake was, where the groomsmen were, brought our flowers to us, pinned all of the boutonnieres, and made sure everyone was prepared and lined up for the ceremony. From the moment we toured with Vanessa and Tony , to all my questions in between, to the day of with Randy and Neka. Our wedding was one of kind with the space and decor. Any questions I had they were answered within minutes! A big advantage of hosting a Branford House Wedding is the fact that it is not an all-inclusive wedding venue. The inside is also amazing, with ornate wood walls, huge fireplaces, super tall ceilings and chandeliers. I mean are you KIDDING?????? All of our guests loved it and said it was so unique! Handled everything!! 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. The setting was nothing short of romantic; big enough to fit all of our loved ones but also small enough to feel intimate. Hopefully soon we will be able to attend another event with there, but for now we will continue to spread the good word about The Woodwinds to all of our friends & family. Absolutely incredible! I got married a few days ago and was able to get ready on site. You all are the best and our night could not have been possible without you! Whether you . We know many people who have used the Woodwinds for their weddings and they were very happy with the service, food and helpful staff for their big day! My husband and Where do i even start? We want to thank the staff for everything! They worked with my budget, were incredible with the planning and the food was amazing. The terrace and lawn were recently renovated and look gorgeous. Thanks to the entire staff for all your work! However, that didn't deter us. From our first tour with Vanessa to the last dance everything was beyond perfect. Pricing was well worth what you get and they made payments easy. Our friends and family could not stop talking about how amazing the food was! My guests haven't stopped raving about the delicious food, the phenomenal service, and the gorgeous grounds. Everyone is still talking about the wedding and how amazing it was. I feel like thats not even the best word to use. 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. Highlyrecommend this. It is right on the water. They are so easy to work with. We couldnt have asked for a more perfect wedding! Prior to the day of, I had emailed Ken about 501 times with questions. We had our wedding at the Branford House in August and it was everything we could have asked for and more! Everything went off without a hitch. Neka entered the scene and I can honestly say that I IMMEDIATELY felt relieved. 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. You wont regret choosing this incredible venue! Walking into the venue and seeing the garden room and the flower centerpieces. Even stepped in when we had some trouble with the bustle of my dress. Gorgeous rooms, gorgeous grounds, gorgeous gardens. The Woodwinds was the PERFECT venue for our wedding. hey run the event. Unique, Philanthropic & Unforgettable. Branford House Wedding Amanda + JohN . When COVID forced us to cut down our headcount, the Woodwinds worked with us to set up a heated tent outside to allow for the maximum number of people to safely gather. It all made for such a magical day. I had guests raving about the different appetizers and our Venetian table!! THEY ARE THE BEST!!! From the timeless ballrooms to the exceptional cuisine, this manor is an ideal location for an event to remember. Every question/request and accommodation was followed through. Sergio was the bomb!!!! When we met with Vanessa to tour the venue and talk about everything they had, we were sold. 1st dance Toast I am looking forward to hosting other events at the woodwinds! Each room has an amazing fireplace which is perfect for those chilly New England evenings. Message this venue now to check their availability and receive more information. Our guest are still talking about how beautiful the venue was and how great the food was! Scott is the best - with him around there is no chance of anything going wrong. The Woodwinds is such an amazing place to get married! 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. all the staff has been super communicative and helpful in any way. They have no way of tracking who does not attend the wedding even with all the paperwork you have to turn in stating who sits where, and the food options. European Country Manor Setting in Branford, Connecticut is the recipient of numerous awards each year for their excellence in food and service. By chance, we toured the day of a Halloween themed wedding And I am terrified of clowns. This was a wedding that won't soon be forgotten and a venue that should be number 1 on everyone's list. Chef Silvio Suppa & his family are the proud owners of Caf Allegre, a fine dining Italian fare restaurant in Madison and WoodWinds, an award-winning wedding & banquet facility in Branford. Beautiful place and outside area. It certainly helped that we had already experienced a great wedding as guests! They were friendly, understanding, affordable, and made the most magical day happen! This rental fee drops to about $3000 for weddings after Thanksgiving up to spring. We dont have any complaints about the whole evening. Our coordinator Randall was terrific and very easy to work with. So despite being assured multiple times before hand that we would get the food, we never did because everything was sent out. ess and easy! Everyone made sure myself and my groom had not questions or needs at any point. Ken made the planning process super easy and was always prompt with answers to any questions We had the most amazing wedding here! I HIGHLY recommend Woodwinds! My wife went to school in Newport, RI and wanted the Newport feel without making our guests stay in hotels for Newport prices. WoodWinds was bought by award-winning chef Antonio Suppa with his father Silvio in 2007. Each and every one of you were fundamental to making our night fabulous! The food was absolutely delicious, and the staff was always making sure we were fed, happy and had something to drink! - Amplified music OK indoors and outdoors, - Alcohol must be served by licensed bartender/caterer, Price this venue to get your customized estimate, no strings attached. Bringing their world-renowned talents to this location, they have created a welcoming, open venue filled with charm. rgeous fireplace, had a lovely cocktail hour by a master staircase, and enjoyed our dinner and dancing in the entire ballroom. The best thing is that the place looks so good on its own that expensive/elaborate decorations are not needed :) Katherine and the day of coordinator were wonderful to work with and kept everything running smoothly. Ken was always helpful and responsive and had all the answers to our questions! (If you have a sweet tooth, the Venetian table is it). Fast forward to March of 2020 our big day ended in a reschedule. Not only was the wedding staff amazing, but the entire front office was more than accommodating. Thank you guys for making our dream day a reality! Randy was our coordinator the day of the Wedding, and the two young ladies who stood by me alllll day, were phenomenal. The Woodwinds was so accommodating and professional when having to postpone our wedding. have 300+ attending. It's not the cheapest of venues, but it's worth every dollar. Please see our, Get Our Wedding Planner App On Your Mobile Device. The rental fee is $5,000 for a reception and ceremony and includes 10 hours of event time including set up and clean up time. Curse because it's a lot of work! If there ever was a must have location for a wedding venue, this is the spot. Joanna did my flowers, let me just say SHE HAS TALENT! if i could give more than 5 stars i would! 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. I couldn't be happier on our decision and have no doubt my wedding will be "The Wedding" to be at. We got married on June 16, 2017 and it was the happiest day of our lives. The staff at woodwinds made everything so easy and simple for us. Located on the Connecticut shoreline, the venue offers panoramic ocean views, sprawling grounds, and elegant event space, making it the ideal setting. We had a wonderful winter wedding here and walking down the staircase to get married in front of the main fireplace was like something out of a fairytale. When Scott heard about my dress, he contacted his wife and she was there fixing it within minutes. This venue is the BEST around! We had an unexpected blizzard which caused a few glitches that caused the wedding to start about 45 minutes late and I was beginning to stress out. The management was amazing and helped us plan every step of the way. 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! 4 years ago. Me & my husband did not get to eat..no worries the team packed us food to go! When I arrived at the venue before our ceremony, I was rattled and stressed not knowing the status of everyone/everything. Most venues require a high minimum count. Thank you so much for all you do woodwinds team! I would highly recommend booking your wedding here :). We had a winter wedding so the beauty of the inside was critical for us. A little tricky for some guests to get to, but an overall convenient location for those craving pics of oceanside nuptuals (like we were). The price is affordable compared to other venues and you get a bang for your buck! Or, if preferred, you are welcome to invite your own desired vendors to this esteemed location. The service was impeccable. The entire night was so blissful I could go on and on and on about how absolutely perfect everything turned out. Whether it was bustling my dress or making sure my drink was never empty. Address: 40 Linden Ave Branford, CT 06405. Her flexibility in scheduling is great as well as her response time. We were SOOO happy that we chose the Branford House for our venue! We also loved being able to drop off our decorations before the day of the wedding and how the crew set them up perfectly. 18 Creative Personalized Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Love, How to Get the Perfect Wedding Photographs: 4 Easy Tips, Chat With Other Brides That Are Planning Their Connecticut Wedding. Our wedding day was a dream come true thanks to the entire Woodwinds team! Amanda was dressed in a timeless gown from White Dress by the Shore + her day was draped in exquisite florals from one of . The price point was fair and their packages pack a great value. They are a team like no other and move as a well oiled machine. We had an amazing day. The only negative was that they tell you, you can take home food for those that dont attend. Really cannot say enough good things about this venue. Vanessa gave us the tour and hooked us right in with her bright smile. Inside the house, you can take advantage of the intimate decore and design with its grand staircases, fireplaces, and ballrooms. Thank you so much for the best day!