I spoke with a dear friend and colleague just the other day about how we have so many incredible weddings to share here. 2021 was a year, to say the least. By now, we know the magnitude of what 2020 pushed into 2021 and how it affected weddings and life in other ways. Katy and Dan are among our many couples who were forced to postpone their wedding, but the way everything came together so beautifully is a testament to what these two deserve! Their Stone Acres Farm wedding was every ounce of perfection, and I truly believe that’s in large part to who they are.

A Stone Acres Farm Experience

Their wedding was set on the most incredible September day. You know, the kind where it’s right in between Summer and Fall. The ceremony was held in the garden, with the reception under a sailcloth Sperry Tent. If you’ve ever been to Stone Acres, then you know how quintessential their grounds are, not needing to be enhanced by much at all.

Having spent so much of their life on the Groton shoreline, it only made sense to incorporate some type of nautical nod. We accomplished this with classic tones of navy, slate, and serenity blue, softened with white, ivory, and touches of blush throughout the floral decor. Our favorite part of our designs is the incorporated personality; here, we did that by way of patterns and textures. From the playful blue, slate, and gray linens to the wildflower-like arrangements by the incredible Hana Floral Design. The wooden chargers and mismatched rattan lanterns suspended throughout the tent. It’s safe to say this wedding was all of our something blue! It’s a timeless design, something we’ll love for years and trends to come!

My favorite part of this Stone Acres Farm wedding was not a singular design detail. It was not Miss Maisy making her appearance for the ceremony with her sweet floral collar. It was the absolute outpouring of love we witnessed from everyone present! You can see this in the wedding party photos, years of friendship coming together to celebrate Katy and Dan. You could feel this in the toasts, which evoked the most heartfelt emotion that embraced everyone. We witnessed this in Katy and Dan’s brother performing a song for them and their guests to set off the liveliest dance crew we’ve seen down by the shore!

That and Katy’s reception and afterparty dress! That bow!!

Katy and Dan, thank you and your families so much for allowing us to be a part of such an exceptional weekend! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to create this setting for you and your loved ones. Most of all, thank you for the memories! I’m sure they can’t hold a flame to yours, but we will try. XOXO

For more of our tented, shoreline, and Stone Acres Farm weddings, visit our galleries here!

the A team!

Photography: Maggie Conley Photography
Ceremony + Reception Location: Stone Acres Farm
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Flowers: Hana Floral Design
Entertainment: Silver Arrow Band
Catering + Cake: A Thyme to Cook
Cinema: Henry Loves Hazel
Beauty: Erica Martell, Upstyle Co.
Tent Decor: Ryan Designs
Rentals: PEAK Event Services, La Tavola Linen
Stationery: Karri Lee Designs

The Best Connecticut Venues for your Fall Wedding!

Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog series have given you a glance at some of the magic Connecticut offers for your wedding day. Now, it’s time to cozy up to one of the best seasons Connecticut has to offer: Fall! A Fall Wedding in Connecticut is as anticipated as any combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

Despite what those holiday commercials say, Fall is the most wonderful time of the year! From the warm days and cool nights, right down to the foliage. It is, in my opinion, the best time of year to take advantage of the great outdoors.

Fall Wedding Venue Must-Haves and Considerations

• Indoor Options or Tenting Capabilities: You’ll see this noted on every venue list because Mother Nature is a finicky woman! While Fall tends to provide more expected weather circumstances, it’s the one thing none of us can control. If your venue lacks an indoor space (many unique locations do!), be sure there’s room to place a tent on the property. Even if your plan is to go alfresco, a rain plan is always a good idea!
• Exclusivity: Just like summer, this is a coveted time of year! Make sure you understand how many celebrations your venue hosts on any given weekend or per day!
• Noise ordinance: As we’ve said in the Spring and Summer wedding venue list, be sure to take the cutoff time for music into account, especially if your Fall wedding will be taking place outdoors in any capacity!
• Availability: The Fall is the most popular time of year for weddings here in Connecticut. Between the perfect temperatures, relative lack of destructive weather, and the foliage… Those scrumptious colors that dress our trees are quintessential postcard images and highly sought after! If a Fall wedding is what you’re after, the availability of your potential venue is something that can go quickly.
• Ways to keep your guests warm: This time of year is when we begin to see the nights get a little cooler. Infuse ways into your design to keep your guests warm. These things can include a hot cocoa bar, late-night bonfire, or custom blankets for guests to grab-and-go!

Here we have it! Read on to begin falling in love with some of Connecticut’s greatest Fall wedding venues!

Smith Farm Gardens

Smith Farm Gardens is one of my favorite locations for a wedding in Connecticut, no less a fall wedding, because it’s comparable to having a home wedding without having to build the venue in your own backyard! Their well-manicured gardens and grounds are noticed the moment you step foot onto the property. It’s idyllic in every sense it can be!

Set on 15 acres, your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception can host within a list of beautiful corners of this property. The vegetable and flower garden, apple orchard, or the main house with its original posts and beams and massive fireplace inside! You can certainly toast with a large number of guests here as your event takes place 100% outdoors with the capacity for a tent! To top it off, there are stunning onsite accommodations in the house, which is perfect for getting ready and hanging with your favorite people once the last song has been played.

Audobon in Greenwich

The Audobon, specifically the Barn at Greenwich Audobon Center is idyllic for the lovers of a rustic aesthetic. This restored 1800s structure with its original exposed beams is perfect for a smaller, yet still lively guest group of 80 – 100 guests. Apple orchards and trails hug the property, offering unique opportunities to take advantage of the layout of your entire event!

For those with a philanthropic heart, the site fee goes to not only maintaining the inherent structure of the barn but also supporting a sanctuary for nature’s smallest creatures throughout the state!

Mayflower Inn & Spa

There is something picturesque about saying your vows with the colors in front of a pond filled with the reflection of the Fall foliage. Postcards couldn’t paint a better picture, though I’m sure a live painter could!

For smaller, more intimate celebrations, the Mayflower offers The Garden Room and The Tap Room which have been recently renovated to create a space you’ll never want to leave. For groups up to about 150, you can host your loved ones in their brand-new custom tent, tucked privately behind the spa alongside the property’s pond. Not only are onsite accommodations available, but this venue is also the perfect location for a full weekend buyout as there are personalized amenities to appeal to any type of adventurer! I love how easily this property lends itself to a destination wedding as the onsite offerings, most notably the spa and surrounding trails allow for enjoyable getaways no matter the interests of your guest group!

photo: Carla Ten Eyck // planning + design: Jubilee Events // floral: Blush Floral Design // tent decor: Drape Art Designs

Chatfield Hollow Inn

Also known as the Chatfield Hollow B+B, this natural oasis offers a variety of ceremony locations. Choose between their two ponds, fruit orchard, grassy meadows, or birch grove to start. Imagine being snuggled in among all the colorful foliage, or having a small breeze carry some leaves around you and your guests during your vows. Just like a pretty snowfall without the cold and wet!

Along with the clear top tent on-site for up to 150 guests, the property — including their charming inn — belongs to you the entire weekend. With fully functioning flower and food gardens, you have the opportunity to bring the freshest details to your menu or decor, found right on site. The amenities and care this location provides is unparalleled and ideal for a variety of design approaches for your fall wedding!

photo: Carla Ten Eyck Photography

Jonathan Edwards Winery

Located in North Stonington (not to be confused with the beautiful town of Stonington), Jonathan Edwards offers all the lush, rolling greens that a vineyard should. Hugged by trees that provide a colorful splash of Fall foliage vibrantly welcomes guests to the property. The winery includes a tent for dining and dancing all night long for up to 200 of your friends and family. Additionally, their rustic barrel room is perfect for a smaller affair – even that back up rain plan we mentioned! Their tasting room and the wrap-around porch are the best way to take in the views of your entire wedding day in addition to enjoying their wine that is produced during this season.

Entering the Fall season reintroduces you to those sinfully-favorite foods that we all love to indulge in! Surrounding Jonathan Edwards Winery are several local farms that your caterer can partner with to create a one-of-a-kind farm-to-table dining experience for you and your guests!

photo: Robert Norman Photography // planning + design: Jubilee Events // floral: Just For You Floral Design // lighting: Ryan Designs

Gallaher Mansion

Having enjoyed the most amazing Fall wedding at the Gallaher Mansion, it’s no wonder why this venue sits comfortably on our list! The Gallaher Mansion provides a timeless setting and romantic views indoors and out. Open to hosting 100 guests inside the gorgeous stone monument or 200+ on their tented terrace, the Gallaher offers some rentals and several other amenities to help make the day your own!

Pro tip: take advantage of the side garden and sprawling lawn for photos or other moments of your wedding day to create a big impact for your guests!

photo: Anaise Prince Photography

South Farms

One of the most iconic farm venues in Connecticut, exclusively reserved for weddings and celebrations taking place onsite! Set a little more inland in Morris, South Farms is one of our favorite family-run farm venues! Once you step foot on the property, you’ll know exactly why! Not only do they offer the parlor, hayloft, bull room, and stone barn, plus their brand new Garage, opening the opportunity to their couples to host just under 50 guests all the way up to 175. Whether rustic, natural, or industrial, this space offers so much to its clients and exceeds your wildest dreams!

Graybarns on the Silvermine River

Where luxury meets comfort! The Graybarns is the first venue I think of for the perfect intimate wedding. Able to accommodate up to 75 guests, you and your guests can enjoy a variety of settings throughout the property, including their courtyard, the barn, the tavern, and the porch. I anticipate seeing a surplus of more intimate events with our couples this year and beyond. This venue is the perfect location to make it your own for the weekend!

As if the venue wasn’t enough to love as is, they have the most flavorful and memorable menus to enjoy, something that certainly impacts the overall experience imparted on you and your guests! Their onsite accommodations make getting ready and other weekend events seamless and relaxing.

Winvian Farm

This storied estate offers multiple sites and venues on its unique property, prepared to host you and your loved ones with their onsite accommodations. This charming site is 113 acres of rolling lawns, stone walls, wildflower meadows and enchanted woodlands, all of which are in their full, lush, colorful state during the Fall, making an impactful statement for your wedding weekend experience!

With the level of opportunity of Winvian Farm, you can host more intimate celebrations to grander affairs with larger guest counts. I love how easily this property lends itself to a destination wedding as the amenities, most notably the spa and surrounding trails allow for enjoyable getaways no matter the interests of your guest group!

Chamard Vineyards

Another popular vineyard, but this time located right in Clinton. Whether you’re hosting an intimate celebration of 30 guests up to a bash of 150 of your loved ones, the vineyard has several outdoor and indoor locations for your ceremony or reception. As an added bonus to the local wine you can enjoy, Chamard is responsible for your fresh culinary experience. While quiet and set back, the vineyard is not far from the center of town, so some noise ordinance rules may apply!

The Best Venues for Your Connecticut Spring Wedding!

It’s that time of year again… engagement season! Hundreds of thousands of couples are taking that exciting step forward in their story to make their union officially official. After the champagne has been had, the confetti tossed, and the cheeks back to normal after the palpable smiling, you get ready to dive into planning. First up: your Spring wedding venue!

The real first and most important step is mulling over the ideas in your head to determine where exactly you would like to host this monumental day. Once you’ve had the opportunity to explore options granted to you, you will have a better idea of just WHEN you should notify your friends and family to break out their dancing shoes to come to celebrate with you. Connecticut has quite a list of exceptional venues set in a variety of locations to fit your personality and needs. We are here to give you, our faithful readers, a list of the best of the best. Since many of our Spring wedding couples are gearing up for their day, we’ll start there!

Spring Wedding Venue Must-Haves and Considerations

• Tenting Capabilities: Every year, it seems like winter creeps further and further into what should be the warmer months. April showers should bring May flowers, but often times we are still seeing snow showers in April and we haven’t wrapped our minds around it yet. The reality is: a Connecticut wedding can impose unexpected weather! Even with a light drizzle, rain can put a damper on some big plans you’ve made. Make sure your space can accommodate a tent if your guest count is on the larger side and you’re aiming for any aspect of your ceremony or reception to be outdoors. This makes Plan B is just as perfect as Plan A.
• Indoor Rain Plan for Small Guest Counts: If you’re hosting a more intimate celebration, you may feel comfortable shifting part or all of your event indoors in the case of inclement weather. Consider what this plan might look like at your potential venue, and whether or not that’s something you would enjoy or be able to customize with your design team!
• Availability: Many locations have a strict season, particularly May (think Memorial Day Weekend, which is the unofficial start to summer) through November, so be sure to double-check you can host your wedding during the time frame you most desire.
• Noise ordinance: Because a portion, if not all of your event can take place outdoors, it’s important to note the noise ordinance of that town to coordinate the end of the event time appropriately. While getting shut down due to noise is a sign of a great party, we’d rather you be dancing until the very last song!

Top 10 Locations Perfect for Your Connecticut Spring Wedding Venue!

Penfield Pavilion

Located in Fairfield and set right on the beach, this venue features a covered patio overlooking the water, creating the perfect backdrop to your event — I mean PERFECT. It’s even better for those cozy, outdoor dinners with your nearest and dearest. Set for up to 180 or 300 guests depending on event style, the venue offers some rentals and heat or AC depending on the time of year!

The Lace Factory

Centrally located between New York and Boston in the quaint, quiet town of Deep River, the Lace Factory is the most beautiful industrial location in the state. There are a few settings within the venue perfect for every moment of your wedding day, including the courtyard just outside for a ceremony. Guests can even enjoy scenes of the Connecticut River when arriving by the Essex Steam Train (oh yes!!), adding further to the charm of this venue. Ideal for up to 200 guests to celebrate all night long or the opportunity to design distinct spaces in the main space for your ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dance floor for a small guest count!

Mine Hill Distillery

Roxbury is one of those small towns of Connecticut filled with plenty of history and the nicest people! It also has a special venue in the Mine Hill Distillery, a location boasting four different buildings and riverfront scenery ideal for small intimate dinner parties up to large weddings under a tent. Elliott, the man behind this idea will be one of your dearest friends by the end of your time with this venue. An 1872 train station that has been given some love brings the right level of history and design together in one place.

Eolia Mansion

Located right in Waterford, this may be one of our favorite mansions in Connecticut (there are a few to brag about!) because of it’s exquisite drive up. The estate is surrounded by perfectly cared for gardens and shrubbery at every turn, including its two picturesque ceremony settings. Between the venue’s stained glass and floor to ceiling windows are acres of lawn that lead to the Long Island Sound. Perfect for smaller guests, but no more than 150 and offering few tables and chairs and a covered stone patio for even more entertaining opportunities. A few of our favorite Eolia Wedding galleries are located right here, but be sure to check out the blog to see the versatility of this sweet spot!

photos: Katie Slater Photography

Wadsworth Mansion

Built in 1900 as a country summer residence, the historic mansion in Middletown has been sustained for elegant, personalized weddings. Their doors are open to intimate celebrations throughout their multiple rooms or large weddings for up to 200 guests. If all your friends and family will be joining you, their rolling green lawns and the postcard-worthy backdrop of the mansion make for the perfect tent setting. You can check out all the ways we’ve loved on the Wadsworth Mansion here!

photos: Brigham & Co. Photography

Audobon Greenwich

One of the best Fairfield County venues with 360 degrees of immaculate views. Their picturesque barn is perfect for an intimate crowd of up to 90 guests, accompanied by an idyllic lawn perfect for cocktail hour or a ceremony. As if the Audobon Greenwich in’t perfect enough, they are also exclusively catered by On the Marc, a Connecticut and New York staple for creative, flavorful food! Nothing says farm to table quite like this Connecticut wedding venue!

Mayflower Grace Hotel

Perfect for the more intimate event with your nearest and dearest, this Washington space boasts charming settings throughout their hotel. We’re thrilled to revisit this venue, and will surely include it on some lists aside from our Spring wedding selections as they’ve just added a gorgeous custom Sperry Tent to their back lawn overlooking the pond!

There isn’t one area of this entire property that isn’t dripping in natural beauty, especially when it comes to their gardens! The lush Shakespeare Garden is the most perfect ceremony backdrop, but this can be your backdrop should you opt to host a grander wedding with more of your loved ones. Set for a more intimate affair, treat your guests to a scrumptious and memorable menu in their Garden Room, set perfectly for up to 40 guests. For a slightly heartier guest list, their tent is the perfect location, and if I may say so, one of our favorite tents ever. You know how much we love a good tented wedding! You can see it here!

photos: carla ten eyck photography

J House

While Connecticut houses some of the most natural settings perfect for any aesthetic or vision, it also has some modern spaces up its sleeves. The J House in Greenwich is one of the newer, more contemporary locations that offer the coolest settings for your ceremony and reception for up to 150 guests. From open terraces completely untouched by any surrounding buildings or skylines to their open-air patio specked with greenery and soft lighting. With all the outdoor possibilities, J House mirrors the number of opportunities to host your event indoors in one of their upscale restaurants or dining spaces! The beauty here is the flexibility to make it your own. The different moments of your day are 10x more memorable with a venue as unique as this one here!

The Hickories

The Hickories is a gem of a venue and for many reasons one that we like to assimilate ourselves with. As a working farm growing fresh, organic vegetables, fruits, and flowers, The Hickories is dedicated to sustainability, all of which can be used in some capacity for your event. Farm to table was never so literal (or delicious)! Choose from their rustic 1800s barn, the farmhouse lawn, or their one-acre trout pond as the perfect setting for one of your life’s biggest memories!

Florence Griswold Museum

Home to a variety of Impressionist and contemporary artists, this Old Lyme museum offers many perfect choices for your event. You have the option to enjoy the indoor atmosphere surrounded by classic art and well-curated exhibits or the views of the Lieutenant River from the stone patio or Miss Florence’s charming garden — or both! It is a Spring wedding, after all, and Mother Nature can be unruly. One of our favorite weddings was set at the FloGris on Hurricane Irene back in the day. We’d love to tell you about it sometime or you can check it out here! photos: carla ten eyck photography

Though the list stops at 10 there are many, many venues throughout the state that would be perfect for a Spring wedding. You may seem them again in future seasonal posts because they lend the perfect level of personality and unique opportunity for couples to bring their story to life for their wedding day! And don’t think this is where it all ends in our beautiful New England state. Keep reading for more venues based on your season. You never know where you might fall in love!

There is something to love about each season in New England. Even if you hate the cold, you have to admit the magic found in the way the snow falls. It’s so peacefully quiet. And clean!! I don’t enjoy the Summer humidity one bit but being able to enjoy the warm sunlight hitting your skin or dipping your toes in the ocean can’t really be beaten. In the end, though, I am a Fall girl. I cannot get enough of the vibrantly colored leaves or the smell of wood stoves turning on to heat up the house. Needless to say, finding inspiration for Fall is a hobby! Designing Fall wedding color palettes sends our hearts soaring!

Lucky for us, Connecticut boasts a number of gorgeous venues to host your celebration, and, boy, do we adore a good Fall wedding! As we’ve been busy preparing for the rest of our 2020 (and 2021!) weddings, I want to give you all some ideas for building the perfect Fall color palette for your Connecticut wedding!

The Fall is the time for deep, romantic, saturated shades that you’ll find in that favorite sweater or Fall dish you’d prepare. If you would like to prepare the ultimate Fall fete, check out some of our fav autumn dishes here!

Fall Wedding Color Palettes: Earthy and Organic

beige // mustard // sage // evergreen // lipstick // deep plum // bronze

photographer: carla ten eyck // floral: sweet talk floral // beauty: catie bane // fashion: made with love, valentino tailors from the white dress by the shore

Fall Wedding Color Palettes: Wine Tones

taupe // ivory // blush // vintage pink // wine // chestnut

   photographer: robert norman photography // floral: blush floral design // rentals: peak event services

Fall Wedding Color Palettes: Moody and Dramatic

vintage ivory // gold // blush // wine // marsala // forest green

  photography: katie slater photography // floral: jakkelyn iris

Fall Wedding Color Palettes: Color Soaked and Whimsical

ivory // gold // vintage pink // magenta // lipstick red // thistle blue // plum

photography: laura dee // floral: just for you floral design // bridesmaids dresses: bella bridesmaids

Fall Wedding Color Palettes: Autumn Harvest

ivory // sunshine // peach // pumpkin // serenity // periwinkle // rattan

photography: robert & kathleen photography // floral: blush floral design // rentals: party rental ltd. // linens: la tavola linen

When it comes to your color palette and design, don’t hesitate to include the tones that speak to you. You can fit your beloved shades into any season and venue!

**all designs created by Jubilee Events

We are facing strange times in our world right now. This pandemic has certainly shifted the nature of weddings and celebrations, though not all of it is negative. While it’s unclear the amount of people we might be able to hug at our gatherings in the near future, I’m adamant that that was never the only measure of how loved my couples and their families are! Still, it’s likely that we will see an influx in couples opting for a micro wedding or elopement in the months and years to come!

At Jubilee Events, the number of guests that our couples have celebrated with has ranged over the years from 8 people to 300+. No matter who’s in attendance, we’ve always created an experience — memories that will last our couples and their loved ones for eternity. When you look back, that’s what’s most important to our couples and investing in them and what is essential to their story is what’s most important to us!

What’s the Difference Between a Micro Wedding and Elopement?

There are three wedding variations that we are seeing more and more of today! Below is a better description of each:

• Elopement: Just you and your person tying the knot in a location that means something to you. This could be a courthouse, backyard, or mountainside — wherever your soul is tied to!
• Micro Wedding: A celebration with 30 or fewer people. A micro wedding kicks off with your ceremony and ends with a scaled down reception
• Mini Wedding: A ceremony and reception with 50 or fewer guests, but still holds all the traditional elements of a larger wedding

Though weddings are categorized in a new fashion these days, the purpose behind it has not changed. No matter the occasion, we believe life’s moments are worth celebrating! We strive to create parties that are not only fun, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind, but also celebrate the moments in your life that truly matter with the ones who matter most.

Alyssa & John’s Micro Wedding at Chamard Vineyards

The reason we’re here! Alyssa and John, two of the most beautiful souls I know started planning with the intentions to celebrate with over 200 dear friends and family. Unfortunately, life had other plans and threw the greatest plot twist into Alyssa and John’s story.

Prior to their wedding year, Alyssa’s father started undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. His treatments and disease were being well managed so the thought of anything drastic happening was far from everyone’s thoughts. As spring approached, nearly five months away from our original wedding date, we learned that the cancer had metastasized. He was given 3 – 4 months to live.

After confronting what was in front of us, we made the decision to pivot our plans to a micro wedding. This wedding was a moment in Alyssa and John’s history, but also in that of everyone who joined them that day. The celebration and experience would not be diminished! Surrounded by 30 of their closest friends and family, Alyssa and John tied the knot and gave us all a lifetime of memories!

Alyssa & John <3

I’m a firm believer that there is always a silver lining bred out of the more disappointing situations in life, and this one is no different. Like I said, Alyssa and John are two of the most amazing humans I know! They opened up their hearts to all of us, becoming part of our families and us their own. I can’t think of two more deserving people to have all the love in the world showered upon them, as that is exactly what they do to everyone they meet!

The Big Day

Setting the foundation of our day was our venue — a rustic, natural vibe and design, and a clean palette of white and green with modern pops of gold. One of the elements I find myself so drawn to is the draping and chandeliers that frame the barn doorways. Not overly stated, but certainly transformative!

Some of my most beloved elements include the organic moments, captured by Robert Norman. I find myself looking at each, laughing along or reminiscing about the thoughtful words being shared by siblings and parents. I can hear Dad’s reaction to a story about Alyssa sneaking out of the house with her friends as a teenager or the comedic wit possessed by a groomsman that had the whole crowd in tears! Lucky doesn’t even begin to cover how we felt being in the presence of so much joy and admiration!

Find a few of my favorites below:

1. Alyssa’s first look with her Dad — have your tissues at the ready!
2. The bridesmaids reaction to Alyssa opening their champagne — I cannot stop giggling!
3. The Dads exchanging a candid high five just after the ceremony
4. Alyssa and John celebrating just after they’ve officially become husband and wife, laughing so joyously
5. Alyssa and John sharing their Milk Bar wedding cake together. John’s reaction gives us ALL the vibes!

Alyssa and John: thank you for sharing these moments with all of us and for allowing us the opportunity to experience all the celebration of your day with you! Though this first year of marriage looks unlike what we all may have supposed, I am confident your love and bond will be on your side! Love you both!!! XOXO

To see more of our large celebrations, micro weddings, and elopements, check out our galleries here!

credit reel

Photography: Robert Norman Photography
Reception Location: Chamard Vineyards
Event Planning + Design: Diana of Jubilee Events
Ceremony Location: private beach – Madison, CT
Flowers: Hana Floral Design
Catering: Chamard Vineyards
Ceremony + Reception Entertainment: ETA Music
Stationery: Coral Pheasant Stationery
Beauty: Erica Martell + J. Kinford Beauty Group
Lighting + Draping: Ryan Designs
Cake: Milk Bar
Rentals: PEAK Event Services
Cinema: DMO Films

Erica and Jacob’s Classic Home Wedding Inspired by the Water

We love a good home wedding! Logistics are what we thrive on and there is really no better design than the one we derive from learning about our couple. What makes it better is when that couple is as cool and thoughtful as Erica and Jacob. We’re saying it now, but Erica is going to save the world one day!! She comes from a family of kick-assers so I knew I was standing in front of greatness the first time I met her and Jacob, who always had a way of making you feel like good times were at hand.

The Signature Details

Our design was inspired by no better place than our surroundings! With Erica’s family home set waterside, we brought in the colors we’d find throughout the scenery like blues and greens, mixed with some seasonal inspiration, like blush and plum. Being waterside always has a way of making you feel fresh and relaxed and that was a vibe we maintained at this shoreline wedding, up to the very last dance under string lights.

With a raw bar brimming to the top with fresh oysters, scallops, shrimp and more as well as a full pie bar from A Thyme to Cook, guests were in for a literal treat. We couldn’t get enough of Erica and Jacob cutting their pie. Not the biggest fans of cake, they brought in their own personal twist on tradition, which guests are still talking about today! The menu is always one of the most exciting parts to develop because there are so many avenues to travel down based on your season, background, and wedding setting. It’s the unspoken language of love!

One of my favorite details?! Our guest book featuring messages in a bottle. Guests wrote sweet love notes to the beautiful couple to uncover and revisit long after their momentous day! How fun!

Erica and Jacob, thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your magic, experiencing such a breathtaking space, and for being a part of such priceless moments with your family. We look forward to seeing all you amazing souls accomplish!! XOXO

For more information and inspiration for your home wedding, be sure to visit our helpful tips and tricks here!

You’ve had an introductory peek at the Chatfield Hollow Inn, but now it’s time to see just how perfectly this is set up for a wedding or event! Right before we spent the evening with some of our industry friends, we played in the clusters of ferns and BEAUTIFUL birch trees to highlight the property in all its glory.

If words and photos could do this space justice, then we would write about it and share images all day long! Every part of the property has been so meticulously cared for and designed, making it one of the most unique wedding venues our state has to offer. The owner and designer of Chatfield Hollow B and B, Ken, knows how unique each of his couples are and wants to be sure his space offers the same opportunity for customization. So much so that he has a variety of spaces for your ceremony or reception based on your guest count. Each one has been hand built so each of your guests are able to fully experience the beauty behind this location.

As a working farm, this special Connecticut wedding venue offers its couples and vendors the chance to use pieces of the property as part of your day. Their fully operational mushroom garden, peach and apple trees can be enjoyed through your food and beverage menu no matter the season. My favorite part? The peony garden gushing with bright pink and purple peonies that don’t just make a beautiful photo, but an even more stunning aspect of your design!

Our girl Chelsea from Everthine Bridal Boutique with a little behind-the-scenes touch ups. Sometimes all the pieces are just as easy to love as the final product.

Those.FERNS!! They are everywhere around the property, creating the perfect nooks for photos, a first look, or even your ceremony. Even some texture for a bouquet!

And this is Chelsea in all that ferny glory!!

Say hi to Danielle from Gather and Lounge, who has the best collection of vintage furniture and accent decor.

Besides the yards of ferns lining the property, Chatfield Hollow Inn offers an array of ceremony locations, all which have been carefully designed for beautiful views, guest comfortability, and timeless memories. Take a peek at the photos below (thank you, Carla Ten Eyck!!) to get an idea of the magic behind this space!!

This “house” below is the gym at Chatfield Hollow Inn — nicest gym you’ve ever seen right?! It’s also a perfect area for some of your wedding party to get ready!

Chatfield Hollow Inn: A New Connecticut Wedding Venue

Connecticut is home to a variety of unique wedding locations, many of which we’ve been sharing on the blog lately — check a few out here! This state proudly boasts lush vineyards, historic landmarks, and natural barn settings. One of the newest venues is Chatfield Hollow Inn, a one-of-a-kind lodge set on acres of a working farm. Not to be confused with Chatfield Hollow State Park (about 10 minutes away), this charming bed and breakfast is anything but ordinary — lovingly described as “mid century modern meets Daniel Boone” — a very subtle way to say rustic modern eye candy. It’s impossible to take it all in properly during your first visit!

As you pull into this well kept property, you’ll drive through a long, tree-lined driveway, past the fern groves and peony gardens up to the koi pond set right in front of the house. Greenhouses growing assorted veggies and hand built homes to wild birds are just a few of the other things that make this venue stand out. Check out more on their farm here!

The most notable element of Chatfield Hollow Inn is their team. The owner, Ken, is a creative soul whose eye developed the property from the ground up. His team is unlike any other we’ve had the chance to know. Mitch, Tema, and Keith are so inviting and such warm personalities that you’ll find any reason to come spend a weekend at this property!

Chatfield Hollow Inn’s Intro to the Event Industry

Last Spring, we had the opportunity to partner with this venue and fellow vendors to showcase the space to close friends and colleagues, giving a mere taste of what this location is capable of. Set under the clear top tent, we treated ourselves to fresh fare from Riverhouse Catering — much of which was grown on site at the farm. Guests were able to immerse themselves in tours around the inn’s surroundings, some of which include rows of apple trees, rose gardens, and wild mushrooms. Understanding the process of how they grow each is outstanding and they would love to share the story with you at any time!

We start by sharing that evening with you! Our next post provides some inspiration, an introduction of sorts, to what the venue offers its visitors, because there’s no wedding like a Chatfield Hollow Wedding!

VENDOR REEL

Design and Planning: Jubilee Events
Catering: Riverhouse Catering
Tent Decor + Lighting: Drape Art Designs
Furniture: Gather and Lounge
Floral Goodness: Jakkelyn Iris Flowers
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck

Home weddings are.our.JAM! We know the ins and outs, we love planning in such sacred locations, and we adore that it strongly requires a design, which means we get to know our couples even better! I was first introduced to Alicia and Corey through Mae, our dear mother of the bride who, we are certain, we could not adore any more! Alicia and Corey lived out of state and while Mae was holding it down in Connecticut, she opened her home for us to design and plan her only daughter’s outdoor wedding, a day we will never forget.

A tented, outdoor wedding allows us to build a home, for our couple and guests. A place where they create memories with one another and share moments of laughter that they won’t soon forget! The best part? Our backyard wedding can truly be anything we want it to be! The story in that tent reflects our couple, and every piece of this classic, beautiful, and inviting aesthetic mirrored Alicia, Corey, and their family!

We are beyond grateful that Mae brought us together because we were treated to the warmest, most hospitable and appreciative group of people! By the end of this wedding, we were looking for any excuse to hang out with this family. Our interest in Bridgewater Chocolate, the hometown delight certainly increased, but you won’t hear any soreness over this out of us!

The Outdoor Wedding Experience

Alicia knew she wanted their day to be memorable… to deliver an experience to their nearest friends and family. This is what we are all about at Jubilee Events, so we knew it was a match made in heaven! An outdoor wedding requires you to plan for a variety of pivotal moments, all that the guests and couple will form a memory around. Beyond the space, you have to consider all the elements that can contribute to everyone’s comfort, like temperature and terrain. Above that, it’s the seamless moments we don’t consciously take note of, but truly impact the moment.

You know the feeling you get when you intend to go out for a cozy dinner with your loved one? You enjoy your time, you soak in the ambiance, and you eat every last morsel of a carefully prepared menu. A well thought out cocktail and glass of wine certainly helps, too, but at the end of the evening, you leave feeling happy and full — in more than one way, as it should be! While it may just be the two of you, this experience can easily be transformed into a larger celebration and that’s exactly what we did.

Our home property was inherently blessed with a natural view that still, to this day, cannot be beat. It set the scene for guests to take in and be present in their surroundings. Yumiko and the girl power team at Hana Floral Design only added to the beauty. Just you wait and see!

From cocktail hour with freshly prepared and local fare (thanks, Gourmet Galley!) to the reception with an equally exciting menu and a band that flat out knocked our socks off! We made sure our couple and all guests were on the dance floor until the very last song. A big shout out to The Party Shop for ALWAYS bringing some serious heat. We love you and your musical stylings from the bottom of our hearts!

We hope everyone enjoys these photos as much as we did living through it! To Alicia, Corey, Mae, and your amazing family, thank you for giving us the opportunity to create magic for you and to see you experience it all! Cheers to many more decades of celebration and happiness! XOXOXO

To learn a little more about our love for home weddings, check us out here and here!