Vanessa gave us the tour and hooked us right in with her bright smile. love the newlyweds at you are able to have make me feel I can have a wedding without it being cookie cutter. This venue can provide a long list of talented local vendors for your convenience. They even made a special order of food since my son was so picky. And thats the truth! All the staff was amazing. Scott is of course amazing, he en WoodWinds was phenomenal in every aspect of our reception. The grounds were gorgeous for pictures and the decor inside was very elegant. There is so much more that she did that I can share but it is just too much to make someone read. So many options with so many different price points. Get married here, you won't regret Woodwinds was the first and last venue I looked at I just felt a great vibe and good food was a must for me and I heard the chef was amazing. Sergio - thank you so much for al We couldn't have been happier with our choice to book Woodwinds for our wedding reception. Branford House Wedding Amanda + JohN . A special bit of recognition needs to go to Scott, the wedding planner. The woodwinds is a beautiful place from the elaborate fountain out front to the lavish gardens and waterfall in the back. Thank you to all staff from the bottom of our hearts! All my guests loved the architecture. During our initial meeting with Carmine, he made us feel so comfortable. Upon visiting Woodwinds for our tour we were given a jar along with a box of pasta, a really nice touch if you ask me. The food options are incredible and there will be something for everyone! Thank you, Vanessa! It took over a year for my fianc and I to even chose a location. The staff was beyond helpful and made us feel at home instantly. They really take your worries away and make the process stress-free. The price point was fair and their packages pack a great value. We received many compliments on the food, and the venue itself looked beautiful. Located on the UConn Avery Point Campus and just steps away from Long Island Sound, your photographer will absolutely love this spot. You will feel like royalty. 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! The food was also spectacular. tions we've had so far. 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. He made sure the everything went smoothly, was extremely friendly and on top of everything. She made the experience enjoyable and showed us everything the venue had to offer without making us feel obligated to make a decision r Me and my fianc have been working with Vanessa! We couldnt have asked for a more perfect day!! Something we needed for the ceremony was accidentally left at the hotel 5 minutes away from the venue but with the surprise blizzard it became a 30 minute drive there and back so seeing I was stressed out, she went and spoke with the wedding coordinator. The Branford House is a magical setting for your wedding or celebration. The WW did a great job for our 9.30.22 wedding. Thank you vanessa for working with us. We are looking forward to working with Vanessa and the Woodwinds team as our big day gets closer! We had the dance floor and uplighting and it was all just PERFECT! Bill Miller's Castle was . You all rock! We are very excited to have our wedding there is coming march! Ever since we booked with Woodwinds, any vendor we have contacted had nothing but good things to say about the exceptional staff. g to our needs. i wish i could relive my wedding day over and over again because of all of you! 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. This palatial estate has a lawn that sweeps right to the Long Island Sound and can be tented. We want to thank the staff for everything! It was so nice to finally re My husband and I got married on July 6th at The Woodwinds. We were given the opportuni My fianc and I want a small intimate wedding, and finding a venue for a party of 100 or less limits options. I love the mantle and the staircase inside and the way it looks like a castle. I cannot say enough about The Woodwinds and its staff!! My only wish is that it could have lasted longer! Thank You again! The Woodwinds staff works with weddings often and their knowledge is evident in how t Woodwinds was PERFECT!! The entire night was so blissful I could go on and on and on about how absolutely perfect everything turned out. From our first meeting with Vanessa to our wedding day last Sunday everything was smooth as silk. With a capacity of 200 guests you can spread out over three beautiful rooms or enjoy the expansive grounds. They were always quick to reply to any email questions and really accommodating with anything we needed/wanted (even creating a hot chocolate station!). 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. day one. 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. Wrong. had all the best things: a thoughtful + sweet getting ready time, a quintessential, new england church service + a historical venue with ocean views. I could not be happier with the venue! You'll notice that the grounds are very well maintained, the interior and exterior of the building are in excellent condition, and paint and carpets are maintained. Request pricing View 46 more photos 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. Very reassuring and understanding with the craziness of a pandemic wedding. Everything was exactly how we dreamed it would be. The staff have been extremely helpful and responsive to any ques Everything about the booking process at Woodwinds was wonderful! We couldn't be happier with everything. This wedding can accommodate up to 600 guests, presenting you and your loved ones with ample space for your elegant event. 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! They did an amazing job making our signature drink! Neka, was constantly by our side providing the best service and everything we needed. They have everything down from planning to executing! The Branford House is one of the most elegant seaside Connecticut wedding venues. I worked with Katherine who is responsive and kind and easy to work with. The closest hotel to The Branford House is the Mystic Marriott, which is a large modern hotel. Vanessa and Ken were so easy to contact and willing to meet with us whenever we had any questions. standing and was with me every step of the way, and never more than a few feet away for everything I needed. Thank you so much for the best day! We showed up with my daughter, and she didn't blink an eye. Everything went off without a hitch. we honestly could not have asked for a more perfect day! From start to finish not a single thing went wrong and that was completely due to the staff being absolutely wonderful to us. Seriously from the first visit until our wedding day, every single person we interacted with a we just had our wedding here last night and I have to say, it couldn't have been any more better! Even from afar, you can hear the wedding bells ring and the happy guests sing at Branford House Mansion. WoodWinds was bought by award-winning chef Antonio . Each and every one of you were fundamental to making our night fabulous! that was the most fun and best wedding they ever got to attend. Even after the wedding they were still so nice and so helpful.. We were SO HAPPY that we booked them. There was nothing like the views that the Branford House provided! When we first toured the venue, we loved how classy the facility was and their beautiful outdoor grounds/ceremony locations. t WoodWinds was phenomenal. Kathryn Pollard, Director of The Branford House at Avery Point, UCONN, Groton, CT - the most helpful persons I have ever dealt with while planning an event. They are also super affordable! They also gladly accommodated adjustments to our package. spring through fall), weekend weddings start from about $5000. Edit. 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. The wrap-around terrace is amazing and affords a great view of sailboats. The Branford House 1084 Shennecossett Rd, Groton, Connecticut 6340 visit their website Claim Your Profile Featured The Branford House Weddings A Classic Wedding for Amanda and John Groton, Connecticut Featured Articles BEHIND THE SCENES The Making of an Indian Fusion Wedding for Meredith and Eshaan NEW & NOTEWORTHY The Latest Wedding Venue News Food, decor and beyond my wildest dreams. After a few emails I finally spoke with Vanessa, who I understand couldn't compensate for all meals for those that didn't come, but was able to find a way to help me give my family member a little experience of the wedding that she missed. This classic + traditional wedding. Please check back in a few minutes. Our wedding was perfect thanks to everyone at Woodwinds!! Literally we were in awe the whole night. Their traditional Italian dishes offer a hearty banquet bursting with flavor. Would highly recommend this venue! It's natural wood, fireplaces and beauty make planning and decorating quite easy. We booked Woodwinds because we loved the environment, but I would recommend Woodwinds because they are professionals who will do anything and everything for you. Neka adjusted my dress and train before my procession and at the altar so I looked flawless. The name says Nicole, but this is Nathaniel, her fianc! Our guests cannot stop raving about it all! Thank you Woodwinds for a fabulous experience! It certainly helped that we had already experienced a great wedding as guests! Over the top! The inside is also amazing, with ornate wood walls, huge fireplaces, super tall ceilings and chandeliers. The ability to work with any vendor (beverage must be done through Uconn) and 10 hour venue rental timeframe are two of the many factors we loved. Not an understatement. Highly recommended! I didnt have to worry about anything because everything was taken care of. They are incredibly knowledgable and helpful throughout the entire process. She was so welcoming and knowledgeable. Have the wedding you have always dreamed about at Branford House Mansion. Just to the side of the lighthouse is a pretty rocky beach area that is perfect for romantic wedding pictures. Not just the dinnersbut also their many appetizers! 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! I thought I had odd requests during drop off but Randy didn't bat an eye, nothing affected him and he made me feel like I wasn't as crazy as I sounded to myself. This venue is the BEST around! It all made for such a magical day. We were married in April 2015 inside the mansion in front of their grand fireplace. 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. Highly highly recommended! The Woodwinds has an amazing team who decorated everything, kept us on schedule the whole night My husband and I recently got married on June 15th at Woodwinds!! The staff is very helpful and nice. Its a lovely nautical background for photos. They were the absolute best. thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. I received a huge number of comments regarding the excellence of the food. And it was all so delicious. What we enjoyed most about the Branford House was their flexibility. And Scott was the best!!! The timely,attentive responses to emails loaded with questions were noteably impeccable and we found the venue to be very flexible and accommodatin Booking our Wedding at the Woodwinds couldn't have gone easier. The wrap-around terrace is amazing and affords a great view of sailboats. They are true professionals. st tour to now you've been the kindest and helpful person. It is relatively inexpensive to rent and you can choose all the other vendors you want to work with. It was ideal. I always knew fall would be featured prominently, s Where do I even start with my review about WoodWinds? September 7, 2018. sonality. Randy even fanned me when I started sweating. All our guests were absolutely blown away by the interior and Katherine is so professional and helpful. The stress blew out the window, and my excitement for the day took over. The most amazing wedding venue! JEFF LUNDSTROM PHOTOGRAPHY 203.585.3643 INFO@JEFFLUNDSTROMPHOTOGRAPHY.COM. See hours. She was so helpful and down to earth throughout the whole tour. all the staff has been super communicative and helpful in any way. We are so glad we chose Woodwinds for our special day! THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of WoodWinds staff for helping making Devon and my day an incredible day to never forget. Our We had such an amazing time! This is just the beginning! My bridal attendant was amazing, kind and so helpful! If youre having your reception inside, there are some challenges as its separated into three rooms and is unlike many traditional venues. When we first saw the Branford House, we knew we wanted to get married there, and it turned out to be the most perfect day. Weve gotten so many compliments on how beautiful the wedding was, thanks in large part to the wonderful holiday decorations; how great the food was--from cocktail hour and dinner to our late-night donut bar; and how wonderful the wait staff and bartenders were. It was a small intimate wedding but it felt so full. us almost in tears. I have never been to a venue more beautiful. The staff was absolutely amazing and all of our guests were raving about the food and quality of service. Everyone loved the food from the hors d'oeuvres to the main course to the ice cream bar. Really cannot say enough good things about this venue. $18k - $22k 250 Request pricing View 102 more photos Absolutely incredible! ked through the doors. The venue is great for stations, sit-down or a cocktail reception. When renting the mansion guests will be treated to an amazing granite balcony and gorgeous rooms with rich dark wood. So many places to take gorgeous pictures. - The Lombardis. I think I sent Ken at least 40 emails leading up to our wedding date but he was always so pleasant, and answered every question quickly! Our wedding was the most beautiful day thanks to the staff at Woodwinds. We had our wedding at the Woodwinds in Feb. '21 and it was spectacular. I couldn't be happier on our decision and have no doubt my wedding will be "The Wedding" to be at. Everyone loved the Branford house and all it's grandness. Not to mention affordable! Nika our bridal attendant was always there to take care of anything we could possibly think of, as well as spoiling our bridal party with drinks and appetizers during our pictures. Planning while theres a pandemic going on wasnt easy and I stressed a lot! My guests are still talking about the food didnt miss a beat! Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings! We looked at other venues but it did not take us long to call Vanessa back to book Woodwinds. The food was phenomenal and the venetian table was amazing!! Woodwinds however, can accommodate both the small and the large wedding. Vanessa was wonderful to tour and book with. They made every thing perfect for our wedding! HoliMont Main Office: 716.699.2320. We knew this was the place for us the moment we walked into the main room! Well, they were the only venue we physically looked at, thats how sold we were from the start. I cannot wait for our wedding next October. Branford House has SO many options for your photos. They were so easy to communicate with. The mansion backdrop combined with ocean views make the Branford House a win win. Within 5 days we booked and we could not be happier!! He truly knows this business, and goes out of his way to meet any special needs you may have. The price was right, their staff was kind and helpful, the food was delicious, and the grounds and inside were beautiful! I genuinely can't say enough good things about the entire staff at woodwinds, I wish I wasn't so in love with my husband so I could do it all over again! The food was incredible the drinks were great the staff made you feel welcome all around an amazing time had by all. The bar staff was so friendly and attentive. From the timeless ballrooms to the exceptional cuisine, this manor is an ideal location for an event to remember. Everyone we dealt with throughout the entire planning process was great. Everything came out perfect. My husband and I remarked on the fact that we did not have to think much on the day of because everything was covered! Whether it was bustling my dress or making sure my drink was never empty. Neka even swapped out the pens for our guestbook to ones that would work better on canvas before we had a chance to ask, and she showed up at our table with cough drops for me because she noticed I was getting over a cold. Thank you so much guys!! 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. You'll also notice that the quality and attentiveness of employees and organizers is top notch. Vanessa was just beyond amazing. All Around great day! The location provides for a unique experience and is not your typical wedding venue. The Branford House has a beautiful wood-paneled bridal suite with several large windows. If you are thinking of getting married in a mansion in New England, this is the best choice for you. Highlyrecommend this. With room for up to 240 guests, it can be adjusted to suit your partys size. Branford House Wedding Cost The peak season rental rate (May 1 to Oct 31) for Branford House for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, is $5600. We had looked at nearly 20 venues and had it narrowed down to a few. The Woodwinds is a wonderful venue, gorgeous in appearance and efficient in throwing a magnificent party! Unique, Philanthropic & Unforgettable. It was nothing short of amazing, and we could not thank the entire staff enough for their hard-work and kindness throughout the entire event. If you don't know what that is.. it's a huge buffet of desserts! She is quick to respond to any My fianc and I absolutely love Vanessa from the Woodwinds. Ken and Tony helped make us feel very comfortable, even with the uncertainty of a COVID wedding looming in the background. The Branford House offers an elegant location on the Connecticut shoreline that creates the perfect ambience for a memorable special event. My bridal attendant, Kim, fanned me while wearing long sleeves and long pants under the hot sun! I sent her a few photos of some ideas that I liked and she managed to incorporate everything that I wanted! WoodWinds is an esteemed wedding venue located in Branford, CT. A much sought-after location, this luxurious estate presents couples with an elegant setting for their special day. She is so awesome! They couldn't believe how good everything was! I would definitely recommend Woodwinds to other couples and we will be having more events here as well! Thank you for making our day the best day ever!! The inside of the venue looks extremely chic as well, group shots on the staircase looked amazing! Message this venue now to check their availability and receive more information. The Branford House is an absolutely stunning venue. From start to finish, this team was nothing but amazing!! Their service and booking process was exceptionally impressive! The amount of attention to detail was fantastic. Don't miss out! ), and how smoothly the night went. Thank you so much to everyone at Woodwinds!! sured my husband and I ate a full delicious meal, he kept me updated on the plans for the night, and even had a compact mirror so I could check my teeth after cutting the cake. 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! Any detail, or whoops, or time adjustment in the day, Woodwinds knew how to smooth the wrinkles out. venue and owners have great attention to detail. After the ceremony with all of the ups and downs of my emotions, I was feeling a little nauseated so she got me ginger-ale to help settle my stomach. ob really shines. Shooting Bridget and Thomas's wedding in the gothic Branford House Mansion was a lot of fun. The staff was amazing, food was beyond perfect, and there are no words for Scott! 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! $5,600 starting price Get a personalized quote Bar $25 starting price Get a personalized quote About The Branford House Mansion is a historic mansion and wedding venue on the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut in Groton, Connecticut. All vendors recommended were 5 star! The only complaint I have is that it's Let me start off by WOW. My bridal attendant, Daleska, was extremely helpful. in everything and is so helpful with the planning. Working with you, they can create a personalized menu tailored to your desired tastes. Built in the 19th century, this mansion has stood the test of time and proudly boasts the design of the Newport Mansions while displaying a perfect ambiance that is ideal for an unforgettable and one of a kind celebration. (If you have a sweet tooth, the Venetian table is it). When we had first taken a trip to WoodWinds 2 years ago while we were searching for a venue, we couldn't find one thing we disliked! This is such a stunning site for a wedding. The cake was amazing as well and served in the same manner. Thank you! We couldnt be more happy with our wedding day! I also highly recommend sneaking out for a few sunset photos if at all possible! The staff were so attentive to our needs and our guests', and Randy and Ana were amazing! I really liked the atmosphere! We chose the Renaissance 3 package and oh.my.gosh. Unclaimed. Bridget and Thomas, a radiant and very chic couple, decided to go for a winter wonderland wedding and, even if it was freezing cold outside (think Arctic cold, to get a feel of it), they did not really seem to mind. We are so happy to be married and thank you so much! I HIGHLY recommend Woodwinds! Neka entered the scene and I can honestly say that I IMMEDIATELY felt relieved. For the entire year and a half of planning (during a pandemic nonetheless) Vanessa, Ken, and Randy were responsive, kind, SO FUN, and comforting. 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. Vanessa met us and gave us a tour of the venue and then went over the options for the reception. 100% reccomend this venue! Sure enough, guidelines change and my reception was outside under the tent. Bringing their world-renowned talents to this location, they have created a welcoming, open venue filled with charm. My friends and family said this was hands-down the best wedding - most elegant, most fun, gorgeous venue they had ever seen! We had our wedding at the Branford house on Saturday, 4/23. But from the minute we left our tour visit with Vanessa we knew we'd get married at The Woodwinds just as my sister did My experience with the Woodwinds was EVERYTHING!!!! 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. me how much they loved the food and that they were stuffed by the amount of food there was! This was a wedding that won't soon be forgotten and a venue that should be number 1 on everyone's list. The Woodwinds was beyond amazing! We had our ceremony in a New Haven church in the afternoon and our reception at the Woodwinds in the evening. More importantly the QUALITY of the venue, food, beverages, services, etc. Thank you for making this process ao easy! employee of the venue, owner of the venue, photographer). Katherine was very easy to work with--she was responsive and helpful and very accommodating. Mr. & Mrs. Salato.