Weddingbee boards

Hi CT Brides, I need your help. We are getting married in July 2011 in the Mystic, Stonington, Ledyard area as my FI is from there. I however don't have a clue where to start. I would like to come up with a list of lovely venues, visit and narrow down. We are looking 150-200 guests. So far google has revealed Harkness State Park which looks absolutely amazing and is at the top of my list although I am worried about cost.

I have also had someone suggest Elmridge Golf course as an option. Does anyone know anything about Elmridge? Any reviews would be amazing. Plus any other venue suggestions would be mucho appreciated, I just don't have the slightest idea where to begin.

Wow you guys are so so awesome! I really appreciate all your suggestions, this is a wonderful starting point so thanks!

I'm getting married at the Branford House and my whole family and FI's family are all obsessed with it. Definitely take a look.

ETA: Their website kind of sucks - I almost didn't even look there. You really need to go there to really get a feel for it.

@kittyachi - I'm going to Mystic on Saturday for the long weekend and will be looking at Branford House. It is my first appointment so I am pretty excited. I almost didn't bother because you are right the website is pretty crappy. I'm really excited to hear your opinions on the place because a real life brides opinion is awesome. Also any tips on things to ask about? 

@plantains - When we went, we met with Katherine who is the house manager and she really was pretty thorough in her tour and all the major logistical stuff. She also has a bunch of books with photos of events they've done there in the past to give you a good idea of what you can do. I can't remember if I even had to ask her any specific questions but you'll find that certain questions will just come to mind when you're touring especially since you've been around WB and have some clue of what you're doing.

@kittyachi - I am so glad I went to Branford house, it was stunning. Ii went to two other venues, Harkness and Saltwater Farm Vineyard. All 3 were lovely, but their Saturdays were completely booked for wedding until October next year! It looks like I may be forced into a Sunday wedding :(

I was just curious as to what you were doing for catering. If I choose Branford house, I would love to have an idea of what the real cost will be once I factor in food etc.

@ missstella - I'm not too familiar with th earea, what is Lake of Isles?

Ooooh, thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely check them out!

@LovestheBear - How cool that you are getting married at Saltwater Farm Vineyard, that venue is incredible. Absolutely gorgeous, I was very impressed but it was a bit pricey for me.

@Kittyachi - I booked Branford House!!! Thanks for the rec, like you said Katherine was amazing!!!

Hmm, FMIL is now needling me to consider The Inn at Mystic or Saybrook Point Inn and Spa vs Branford House. Anyone who is familiar with all three venues have any thoughs on this?

No offense to anyone who likes this place but in my experience, I did NOT like The Inn at Mystic. The paint on the shutters was all kinds of flaking, it isn't on the water like the brochures/website makes it seem, and the garden/yard area is really uneven and when I went there there was broken glass and beer bottle caps and all kinds of garbagey stuff all over the place. We went there and walked around before our appointment and my dad just kept saying that it reminded him of the Bates Motel so we didn't even stay to meet with them (we told them we were leaving, though).

I can't speak for the Saybrook one because I didn't look there. Stick with Branford House! FMIL clearly has no clue what she's talking about.

@Kittyachi - You are a godsend. Seriously. She is making me all nervous about my choice. She seems to think we might save some money by going with a hotel but I am not convinced. I still think I might be able to find decently priced catering to do Branford House. I will stick to my guns!

Well Branford House will let you use any caterer. They have "suggested" ones but you don't HAVE to go with them. I'm using Coastal Gourmet, btw. They are pricey, but we are also having open bar and a LOT of food (Italian family - if people aren't constantly fed and boozed for hours on end it's like the apocalypse). I guess it depends what kind of food and drink situation you are looking for.

I love WB soooo much. Having you guys is invaluable. Julialimei, we also had Branford House and Saltwater Farm as our top 2. I so nearly went with Saltwater Farm because it is gorgeous, the bridal room is amazing and the bathrooms are so perfect and modern. I took a couple of pics there

I somehow after taking pictures at both Harkness and Saltwater Farm forgot to take some at Branford House. Strange. Anyway,  in the end the drama of Branford House won out. I'm glad to hear that pricing will work out simlar because that is my only concern when responding to FMIL.

The extras do sound amazing, but I don't know that I can be swayed from Branford House. We are having a weeding of around 125 hopefully if I can keep the guest list in check.

Yes please, that would be amazing!!! I should probably do the same to solve the catering headache. Get quotes from a bunch of places and multiply out by our number of guests. Thanks!

I also have a ton of Branford House pics on my home computer which I can post later. This is the only one I have on my work computer.

Woo, I get excited just looking at that one picture. It has to be Branford House or I will probably regret it on the day.

Sigh. I drooled over Orchard Cove Photography but they were booked on my date AND ridiculously expensive. Still, I knew that pic looked familiar.

Can I just say this is the most action the Connecticut board has seen maybe ever?

We are using a company (Ambiance Events, I think it's called) that works with Coastal Gourmet but they are a separate company. CG gave us the packages and the info and referred us to them. Depending on what kind of coordination you need, it may or may not be worth it for you. There are different packages that will fit different needs. We needed a LOT of coordination because we're having lots of different areas and stuff going on, so it made sense for us. They have been really great to work with so far.

Wow. That picture is stunning! I was just going to say how lovely the CT board is. It really is the most fun I have had since joining WB!