Water Views
For couples planning a spring or summer wedding, there’s not much that can top a reception site overlooking the water. Fortunately, here in Connecticut we are blessed with a variety of unique sites that offer water views and then some. One of these may be perfect for your special day.
Branford House, Groton
A Gothic Renaissance “cottage,” Branford House (860/405-9072, branford.uconn.edu) cost $3 million to build—in 1903! Today it’s part of UConn’s Avery Point campus. The exterior is a granite tour de force, its interior a mélange of styles, with dozens of fireplaces, rococo ceilings, acres of marble and magnificently carved woodwork. Up to 200 seated guests can be accommodated, with more spilling out onto a bluestone patio facing the Sound.
Eolia, Waterford
Eolia (860/443-5725, dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/parks/eolia.htm), an Italian-style villa that was the summer home of the Harkness family, is, in a word, spectacular. Rental of the hilltop manse, now centerpiece of Harkness Memorial State Park, includes use of the first floor for up to 150 guests. Highlights include the morning room, painted in mother-of-pearl pastels, the music room, opening to the loggia and panoramic views of the Sound, and the “living hall,” with grand Palladian windows overlooking the water.
Guilford Yacht Club, Guilford
The Guilford Yacht Club (203/453-5651) is located at 41 degrees, 16 minutes, 15 seconds north latitude and 72 degrees, 40 minutes, 70 seconds west longitude. That translates into splendid views of the Sound—from the clubhouse you can see marshland, the 125-slip marina and Faulkner’s Island. Ceremonies are often held on the lawn, cocktails on the terrace. The ballroom has a cut-out ceiling that allows natural light to stream in.
Inn at Longshore, Westport
There’s an air of Gatsby about the Inn at Longshore (203/226-3316, innatlongshore.com). In fact, this stately Victorian fronting the Sound was once a private club frequented by Rockefellers, Roosevelts and Fitzgeralds (as in F. Scott). After your waterside ceremony, tables are set out on the lawn, while tents house the bar and hors d’oeuvres setups. For receptions, the inn offers the Grand Ballroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows on the water and seating for up to 200 guests, with space for another 80 on the adjacent L-shaped promenade.
The Inn at Mystic, Mystic
The landmark Inn at Mystic (860/536-9604, innatmystic.com) sits on 15 hilltop acres, with gorgeous views of Mystic Harbor and Fishers Island Sound. Most wedding activity centers around the gracious Colonial Revival mansion. The entire main floor of the manse (where ceilings soar 18 feet) is used for receptions, including a grand veranda overlooking the water. Al fresco receptions for up to 225 seated guests take place on the adjacent tented terrace.
Interlaken Inn, Lakeville
The 30-acre Interlaken Inn (860/435-9878, interlakeninn.com) is nestled between two lakes in the foothills of the Berkshires, so weddings on the water are a specialty here, and canoes, kayaks and paddleboats are all available for guests. Lakefront ceremonies are a big draw, as are cocktail hours at the water’s edge. Afterward, guests head to the pavilion and glassed-in atrium for dinner and dancing.
Lighthouse Point Park Carousel, New Haven
A reception at the Lighthouse Point Park Carousel (203/946-8327, cityofnewhaven.com/parks/parks/lighthousepoint.htm) is a fairy tale come true. The twirling beauty’s 69 prancing ponies, created in 1916, live happily ever after in a turn-of-the-century beachfront pavilion. Daylight offers unparalleled views of the Sound; at night hundreds of twinkling white lights reflect the glow of the carousel.
Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, Old Saybrook
Since 1870, there’s been a hotel on the spot that the luxurious 80-room Saybrook Point Inn & Spa (860/395-2000, saybrook.com) now occupies, where the Connecticut River meets the Sound. Ceremonies and cocktail hours take place on the Waterfront Terrace, just above the marina. Afterward, guests adjourn to the Grand Ballroom, which seats up to 200. Here, all eyes not fixed on the bride and groom are trained through the four bay windows on the water.
Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, Westbrook
Water’s Edge Resort & Spa (860/399-5901, watersedgeresortandspa.com) on Long Island Sound is one of the few Connecticut resorts with its own private beach. Ceremonies are often held on the resort’s sweeping lower lawn leading to the beach, and for the cocktail hour, and later dining and dancing, you won’t need to go far. There are two terraces surrounded by gardens where guests can mingle, as well as a number of ballrooms overlooking the water.
