Connecticut is one of the oldest states in the U.S; an important pillar of our country’s early triumphs and success as a growing nation.
It is this rich history and stunning natural landscape that makes it a great place to find beautiful and interesting outdoor wedding venues!
According to the Wedding Report, the average Connecticut wedding costs about $34,205. That’s a tad more expensive than the national average, but the extra money is certainly worth it when you take the state’s unique charm and splendor into account.
Still interested? Wonderful! Here are 10 of the best outdoor wedding venues in Connecticut!
Serafina at the IC – Stanford
Nestled deep in the bustling city of Stanford, Connecticut, Serafina at the IC exudes a quiet elegance that will make for a truly magical wedding day.
This dream wedding venue sits on 28 acres of lush land and borrows its style from Italian architecture.
Outside, the Rose Garden radiates fairytale perfection. Venture deeper and you’ll find a superbly styled gazebo, flanked on all sides by gorgeous white roses and other greenery.
Inside, you’ll find a grand ballroom with vaulted ceilings and white decor that you can dress up or down to your taste.
Price range: Contact the venue for a quote.
Capacity: Up to 600 guests.
Find Serafina at the IC at Serafina at the IC or check out Instagram.
Roseland Cottage – Woodstock
Roseland Cottage’s striking pink exterior makes the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos, but the rest of the property is just as interesting.
Dating back to 1846, the 176-year-old Victorian-style house was the vacation home of the prominent Bowen family before transitioning into lodging for the public. Several notable public figures – including four U.S. presidents – used the property’s unique facilities in its heyday.
While you can utilize the home’s indoor ballroom, most couples host their wedding on the property’s south lawn, which is surrounded by old-growth trees, native plants, and a pergola.
Price range: $1,800 – $2.200 for venue rental; add-ons extra.
Capacity: 60 – 150 guests.
Find Roseland Cottage at Roseland Cottage or check out Facebook.
The Glastonbury Boathouse – Glastonbury
You can’t talk about a coastal state without including a waterfront venue!
The Glastonbury Boathouse sits right on the edge of the Connecticut River, offering several spaces with breathtaking views of the water.
If you exchange your vows on the home’s front lawn, you’ll be so close to the water you can reach out and touch it! The observation deck offers 360- degree views of the river and the property.
Plus, the Glastonbury Boathouse is located near Riverfront Park, where you can utilize various boats for pre/post-wedding festivities.
Price range: $750- $4,700 for venue rental; add-ons extra.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests.
Find the Glastonbury Boathouse at Glastonbury Boathouse or check out Instagram.
Lord Thompson Manor – Thompson
If you’re looking for a venue that makes your wedding a weekend-long affair, then consider Lord Thompson Manor.
Unlike other venues, manor rentals include two full days of services that includes a rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour, ceremony, reception, and even an after-party.
The dreamy English-style manor comes with several outdoor venues, including the Side Garden Balcony, an outside terrace covered with trees and flowers, and the front lawn overlooking the land.
Amid all of your various festivities, you can also utilize premium spa and relaxation services. Plus, If you purchase the “After Party,” you and your guests can end the night feasting around a fire pit under the stars.
Price range: $30,000 and up.
Capacity: Up to 220 people.
Find Lord Thompson Manor at Lord Thompson Manor or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Meadows – Stonington
No wedding is complete without beautiful flowers, which The Meadows has in droves! But it offers so much more than just blooms.
Located in Stonington, Connecticut, The Meadows provides acres of gorgeous flowers, surrounded by a saltwater marsh.
This dreamy venue has several outdoor spaces that can serve your needs:
A stoned path, flanked on both sides by wooden benches, leads to a dreamy white arch that you can say your vows under. Afterward, you can use the covered patio or stone terrace as the site of your reception.
Plus, Lighthouse Point provides panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and makes a wonderful spot to take wedding photos.
Price range: $110 per guest; add-ons extra.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find The Meadows at The Meadows or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Stone Acres Farm – Stonington
Stone Acres Farm is a 65-acre farm that serves Stonington, Connecticut, and surrounding communities.
The family-owned farm prioritizes sustainable farming to ensure that generations to come can enjoy its harvests, but it also offers gorgeous venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Couples can choose from three outdoor spaces to exchange their vows:
The croquet course is a wonderful spot to have pre-wedding appetizers and drinks. You can say “I do” inside of the formal garden, which includes a white arch decorated with local flowers.
For the reception, head on to one of the several covered tents to mingle and toast you and your spouse’s new life together.
Price range: $8500 and up.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests.
Find Stone Acres Farm at Stone Acres Farm or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Nathaniel Clark House – Saybrook
If you’re looking to host a small, intimate wedding then Nathaniel Clark might be perfect for you!
Located in Old Saybrook, this historic bed and breakfast exudes an old-world New England charm that’s so fitting for a small ceremony.
The main house, built in 1795, features a classic wrap-around porch that nods to its storied past. It makes a perfect spot for wedding photos.
You can exchange your vows in front of the greenhouse or one of the property’s gardens. Then, as the sun sets, you and your wedding party can lounge around on the outdoor swing or the decorative furniture and trade stories in front of the fire pit.
Price range: Contact the venue for a quote.
Capacity: Up to 100 guests.
Find Nathaniel Clark House at Nathaniel Clark House or check out Facebook.
Harrybrooke Park and Harden House Museum
Previously the home of Frank and Elizabeth Harden, Harrybrooke Park and Harden House Museum is now a museum and wedding venue in New Milford, Connecticut.
The 48-acre estate is filled to the brim with natural beauty which will give your wedding an air of romantic charm. Seriously, it has everything, including duck ponds, trails, wetlands, a river, and even a waterfall!
A pathway, made up of bricks with you and your spouse’s name on them, leads to Gated Garden, where you can exchange your vows. There is also a pavilion, terrace, and tented options available for a reception.
The best part is that the venue takes care of everything from planning to catering cleanup, leaving you more time to focus on your special day.
Price range: Contact the venue for a quote.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests.
Find Harrybrooke Park and Harden House Museum at Harrybrooke Park or check out Facebook or Instagram.
Saint Clements Castle & Marina – Portland
Spanning just over 90 acres, Saint Clements Castle is about as close as you can get to a 16th-century European castle on the East coast.
Originally the home of the Taylor Family, the French-style chateau offers gorgeous views of the water and surrounding property.
Of the three main spaces available, there are two outdoor spaces for you to hold your wedding and/or reception.
While the Waterford Ballroom is an indoor venue, it leads outside to a dreamy courtyard perfect for wedding photos or a cocktail hour.
Meanwhile, Rivers Edge Marina sits just off of the Connecticut River and features a charming cottage and stone path running adjacent to the water.
Price range: $11,935 and up.
Capacity: Up to 260 guests.
Find Saint Clements Castle and Marina at Saint Clement’s Castle or check out Facebook or Instagram.
The Inn at Mystic – Mystic
Spanning 14 acres, The Inn at Mystic has served as Mystic’s coziest little hideaway since 1904. These days, it serves as a popular venue for intimate weddings.
Nearly every inch of the property offers views of Mystic Harbor and Fishers Island Sound.
The grounds include lush lawns, manicured gardens, and even a waterfall that you can use as the site of your vows or wedding pictures.
Lastly, there is also a private garden equipped with white wooden arches and the natural luster of Mystic.
Price range: $20,000 and up.
Capacity: Up to 225 guests.
Find The Inn at Mystic at Inn at Mystic or check out Facebook.
