5 Stunning Wedding Venues in Connecticut
Please note that you should always do your research before booking any venue. Anything that is stated that is not factual and readily available in a google search is completely subjective opinion provided by Redline Photography. Overviews provided with personal research, experience, and the assistance of AI.
Connecticut is home to very unique areas. It varies wildly depending on what part of the state you travel to. You could drive into a city setting, and then fifteen minutes away is farm land all over the place! That being said, it also creates a unique opportunity to place some stunning wedding venues! So, let’s talk about some of them!
Candlewood Inn - Brookfield, CT
1 - Candlewood Inn
Location - Brookfield, CT
Overview - Situated on the serene shores of Candlewood Lake, Candlewood Inn offers a waterfront experience like no other. The venue boasts a modern, elegant ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase stunning lake views.
Why it's great for photography - The sunset over the lake provides great golden hour colors, with the sun also peeking over the mountainside on the westside of the venue, which helps with limiting overblown highlights during golden hour. The gardens and dock also provide versatile backdrops for couples portraits and bridal party photos.
Behind the Lens - When my wife and I first started looking at venues, Candlewood Inn was th first venue we looked at. I was bored and raised in Brookfield. so I would always pass by the venue when driving around Cadigan park. Unfortunately, the venue is a bit expensive. Do not let that deter you from booking this venue though. The price is absolutely worth what you get. The service is amazing, and the photo ops are even better. My personal preference is to have a bit of overcast no matter what venue I am shooting at, but the golden hour photos you can obtain from this venue are to die for! With the sun setting in the west, it’s easy to get some nice artistic sun glare in the background. All in all, highly recommend this venue!
2 - The Waterview
Location - Monroe, CT
Overview - Nestled along the shores of Lake Zoar, The Waterview combines modern elegance with breathtaking water views (wow, it’s almost like they named the venue after the view). This sophisticated venue offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions, making it a versatile choice for any season
Why it's great for photography - The lakefront setting provides stunning backdrops for romantic couples portraits, the well-manicured gardens offer vibrant colors and textures during spring and summer weddings (fall weddings are pretty great too), and the ballroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows let in natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere for photos.
Behind the Lens - I am ABSOLUTELY biased towards this venue. This is where I got married. And all I will say is WOW. The service was top notch; the way I describe it to people is that we were treated like royalty. We ended up choosing The Waterview due to the cost of the Candlewood Inn, but the service matched what Candlewood Inn gave us. On top of that, they have in house cake service!! On a more photo centric level - they have a west and east side option. The west side option provides you a nice open field with a tree line bordering the property. This option is great for larger ceremonies and the need for an emphasis on lighting. The east side option is the gardens (this is what we chose). My personal preference is overcast and lower lighting with no overblown highlights. If this is also your preference, go with the east side. 1000/10, would recommend to everybody I meet who wants to host a wedding.
The Society Room of Hartford (taken by youth truly)
3 - The Society Room of Hartford
Location - Hartford, CT
Overview - This venue brings timeless elegance with its historic architecture and grand ballroom. With dramatic vaulted ceilings, a marble staircase, and opulent chandeliers, it’s ideal for a glamorous, classic wedding.
Why it's great for photography - The staircase is perfect for dramatic couple portraits, chandeliers provide soft, romantic lighting indoors, and the buildings architecture offers a sophisticated urban backdrop for exterior shots
Behind the Lens - All in all, the food was great, the service was great, but the lighting isn’t much to write home about (in my opinion). I had two cameras with me with flashes attached on both. The main lobby areas is nice and provides a nice cross over into the bar area, which almost feels like a pseudo speak easy. If you have some off camera lighting, this place will definitely do well to provide stylistic opportunities.
Wadsworth Mansion - Middletown, CT (photo by Idlewild photo co)
Location - Middletown, CT
Overview - Nestled on 103 acres of parkland, Wadsworth Manson is a historic estate perfect for couples wanting an elegant outdoor wedding. The mansion’s grand columns and sprawling gardens create a timeless, luxurious atmosphere.
Why it's great for photography - The front lawn and gardens are perfect for capturing sweeping outdoor shots, the mansions architecture provides a classic backdrop for formal portraits, and sunset shots on the lawn are breathtaking.
Behind the Lens - I personally have never been here before. But now that I have seen it, I very much hope I get the opportunity to serve a client and provide coverage here. The spacious front lawn leading up to the mansion gives an intense backdrop for photo ops, and it is situation in the woods in a way that the lighting isn’t completely overblown. My preference is to full service venues, but it is a great setting is you value the glitz and glamour it has to offer.
The Riverview - Simsbury, CT
5 - The Riverview
Location - Simsbury, CT
Overview - Located in the heart of the Farmington Valley, the Riverview is a luxurious and elegant venue with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Its grand ballroom features high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and large windows that flood the space with natural light.
Why it's great for photography - The large windows in the ballroom create soft, natural light perfect for timeless indoor shots, the patio and gardens offer a romantic outdoor setting for portraits and ceremonies, and the venue’s classic architecture adds sophistication to bridal and couples portraits.
Behind the Lens - I have been to the Riverview for a friends wedding. Just like its sister locations (Candlewood Inn and The Waterview), the service was amazing! Funny enough, I recall having a conversation with my friend who was the groom at the time, and he said he actually chose The Riverview because of how well my wedding was run. Service speaks for itself, it seems! Aside from service, the large windows certainly provide an immense about of natural light to bleed through. During the day and golden hour, there is plenty go lighting indoors. Obviously, make sure to bring flashes for the reception, photographers. But the uplighting at The Riverview is great as well. Not too much glare, not too overbearing. Just right.
It’s important to keep in mind that most of this is opinion based on personal experience, so PLEASE do your research when searching for your venue. Choosing your venue is the absolute most important choice you will make for your wedding. Click the link below to reach out by submitting a contact form, or feel free to visit my socials, my DMs are always open!
Got a pressing questions or ideas for other venues to review? Leave them in the comments below!
