The Blair Wife Project: Venue Search (Part 2)

Ready for more venue details?? I know I am!

As a reminder, this was C&C's initial list of venues to visit:

The North House – Avon, CT
Stony Creek Brewery  – Branford, CT
The Packing House at the Mill Works – Willington, CT
The Pond House Café  – West Hartford, CT
Mill 1 at Open Square –  Holyoke, MA
The Haley Mansion  –  Mystic, CT
Latitude 41  – Mystic, CT
Wood Acres Farm –  Terryville, CT
The Mansion at Harkness State Park  – Waterford, CT *a Cody find!

Cate recapped the first three in this post, and is back to talk about the rest!

Round two of our venue tour is complete. I think it’s safe to say Cody and I had a little more swagger walking into the second half of our venues but it pales in comparison to my mother’s notoriously direct (cutthroat) approach which was on full display during our day in Mystic (love ya Deb).

Pond House Café

This was the venue that was suggested to us by several people so I had wicked high expectations walking in. We also run by it every year during the Hartford Half Marathon so it was excited to actually step inside the place I’ve frequently pointed to in a dehydrated delirium around mile 8.  They have years of experience doing weddings and recently added an outside patio that can accommodate cocktail hour and outdoor ceremonies (for a fee).  Prices varies on the day, time of day, and time of year (they have an separate winter wedding package). Catering in in-house and ranges from $72-$96 per person for plated dishes and $71-87 person for buffet. Both includes dessert  (custom cake) and coffee services. Bar is separate, and for 5 hours open bar there is, you guessed it, a range depending on the option you choose. $22-36 per person not including add-ons and upgrades.

What we Liked: Cody liked the look.  High ceiling, big windows, no painful carpet.  The patio overlooking the water would make a beautiful ceremony as well as their backup inclement weather/winter weather ceremony plan in front of a fireplace.

What we Didn’t Like:  I have to admit, it was more so me who walked away feeling a bit deflated. I felt, as we sat in the car and plugged in the address for lunch, that I had set myself to be disappointed. Dream venues are like Santa.  (spoiler children) They don’t really exist.  Cue the small violin. We would have to settle. This is what people have been warning you about. Pinterest isn’t real. GET READY TO SETTLE.  Welcome to the real world, Caitlin.

It’s beautiful, the event coordinator we met was charming and attentive…it just didn’t cut it for me.  First off, due to the number of guests we are anticipating, we can’t have a buffet style dinner. It’s the first time I’ve heard of this kinda of policy but plated dinners are so not our style.  I also felt the inside was too busy for the simple, minimal vision we have in mind. The general décor is determined by season (makes sense) but even though we are having a fall wedding, I don’t want to necessary go with leaves and mums and pumpkins. They allow you to bring in your own décor but they do not allow you to remove their decorations.   Another big turn off was it’s not exclusively yours for the day, they can have two events a day and have to turn over the space in between.  There was also a question of being able to have a rehearsal on a Friday if they have an event booked and being the type-A person I am…that just didn’t jive.

Mill 1 at Open Square

Needless to say, I was pretty grumpy and pessimistic when we rolled up to Mill 1. Well that evaporated within seconds when Maggie brought us inside the reception space.  I learned I have no poker face. Cody literally had to reach over and close my mouth. High ceilings, wood floors, exposed brick, NO CARPETS. I’m glad Cody was there to ask questions because I was a complete idiot the entire tour because, again, when I get excited my brain (and ears) shut off.  Maggie and her husband have owned the space for years and have been doing weddings for 6 years. They recently partnered with Electric Café & Catering and the menu looks amazing.  Various plated dinners and buffets are available and range in price from $46-$65. Bar is separate and has various tiers to select from.

They can accommodate ceremonies 90-150 and the location of ceremony depends on the number of guests. The space we would need, Mill 4, is located in a separate building from the reception space and is in a public area, however, Maggie ensured us there has never been an issue and the tenants are respectful and usually clear out by 4:30pm on Saturdays.  Rental fee for the space is up to nine hours and depends on day. There are fees associated with ad-on décor and use of ladder for hanging anything.  Generally speaking, both Mill 1 and Mill 4 are beautiful blank slates.

What we Liked: DREAM VENUES ARE LIKE SANTA. To be specific, Tim Allen “The Santa Claus” Santa. Believing is seeing!

The space is exactly what we were talking about. Simple, customizable, modern. INDUSTRIAL. Maggie was awesome. She recalled specifics of many different weddings by the couple’s name awhich made me feel like she really invested in the weddings at her venue. 

What we Didn’t Like: The only short falls we could figure with this place are the distance and no setup/clean up decor. For the first problem, Cody and I quickly rationalized it. Given how spread out our families and friends are, someone is always going to be traveling no matter where we had it.  The second is a topic Rachel had texted me the day before regarding: needing a day of coordinator. Mill 1 will set up/break down tables and chairs but the décor untouched. Per other brides, they have said their caterers have set up their décor, however, since Mill 1 has an exclusive caterer, that option is not there.  It opened up a whole new level of panic because DOC can get expensive, as a DIY bride I may or may not have trust issues when it comes to decorations and I don’t want to be setting up centerpieces the morning of my wedding.

Haley Mansion at the Inn at Mystic

Quite possibly the most elegant place we looked at. Holy cow. Events are 5 hours long and the site fee for onsite ceremony and reception is $3000.   The food and beverage package is currently quoted at $145 per person plus a 21% house charge and CT tax. With the site fee and food/beverage package, you are getting four hours open bar, champagne toast, linens, napkins, event coordinator, complimentary menu tasting, complimentary overnight accommodations for bridge and groom, preferred room rates for guests, and a farewell breakfast. Additional options included rental of the Haley mansion guest suites ($2,500 per night LOL) or “VIP” rental of the Haley mansion suites with breakfast, lunch, personal housekeeper, host, and a welcome bottle of champagne in each room ($3,500 per night LOLLLL). 

What we Liked:  My mom graciously set up this venue tour. We hadn’t looked into it much and I was pleasantly surprised at how much we LIKED the space when we got there. Exclusive use of the mansion, available rooms for guests at the Inn and in the Haley Mansion, a bar at Harbor House within walking distance for the after party.  Climate controlled tent included, unique dance space (a gazebo!), ceremony with a beautiful natural backdrop. Completely unexpected but I actually loved this venue and started to question the industrial theme and whether or not we needed to add more mansions to our list.  The mansion is simple and elegant  (little need to add more)and has experience doing weddings (I think they boasted over 70 wedding last summer…don’t quote me).

What we Didn’t Like:  The price made us die a little on the inside. Yes, you get a lot, but it leaves little room for us to have anything more. Cody has also developed this thing about fearing outside ceremonies due to the uncertainly of the weather so that was a turn off for him.  The plan for inclement weather does not sound terrible though so I feel like we could live with it.

**We made a “freestyle” pit stop (remember when I said my mom was cutthroat?) at Red 36 which is a BEAUTIFUL restaurant by the water than can accommodate events of 40-150.  For a brief moment, we considered looking into it but its just too small for us and what we want at our wedding. Might be a cool spot for someone who wants a much less formal wedding though! **

Latitude 41 – Mystic Seaport

“Tall ships, fresh air, and beautiful water views…” Welcome to Mystic Seaport. There are several locations for receptions but the one we looked at specifically was the River Room. It can seat up to 220 guests and has both indoor and outdoor spaces for guests to wander.  Cody and I loved the patio and the North Lawn, which would be the ceremony site. It overlooks the Mystic River which is another breathtaking natural backdrop. For ceremonies at the North Lawn, the price ranges from $2,500-$1000 depending on the time of day and day of the week.   There is no fee for the reception space as long as you hit and food and beverage minimum of anywhere from $1500 to $12500 again depending on day and time of year.  They have plated and buffet style packages that range $111-132 per person and plenty of neat add-ons (hello smores station and late night pizza station). The packages include linens and napkins, hurricane lantern centerpieces, wedding coordinator, complimentary use of Morgan suites for rehearsal dinner,  discounted admission to Mystic Seaport for all guests over the wedding weekend, and a one year membership to the seaport for the bride and groom.

What we Liked:  The North Lawn.  We did not love the River Room. It was too nautical for us, but the North Lawn was breathtaking. We found out you can rent a tent and have an outdoor wedding there but, of course, it is by far the most expensive option of all the locations.  Jenna, one of the coordinators, was great for answering questions. She also let us know about a cool option we might be looking into for our wedding – live paintings!

What we Didn’t Like: I thought I fell in love with this venue back when I attended Rachel’s Bridal shower…funny story, I actually was pretty sick that day and spent the better part of the time it took for her to open her gifts puking in the bathroom.  After checking it out, I think it might have been the sickness.  And you have to rent pretty much EVERYTHING. The standard chairs that come with the River Room are ugly as sin so it basically sets you up to either need to rent separate chairs through them or buy covers.   Chairs are not included in the site fee for a ceremony for the North Lawn so you have to rent them as well. And a tent if it rains.   It adds up quick.  Cody, my Mom and I walked to the car wondering what is included in the amount of money you spend to have a wedding there.

The Mansion at Harkness Park

A Cody find! Eoilia the Mansion at Harkness State Park rental fee of $4,450 includes exclusive use of the first floor of the mansion and south courtyard tent for 5 hours, on-site wedding ceremony, bridal suite, staff parking,  table/chairs and can accommodate 150 people.   They have a list of approved caterers to select from.  

Why so little written? Well, when I spoke with the coordinator she told me she was unavailable for a tour the day we were in Mystic but encouraged us to come by to check out the mansion anyway. So we roll up and discover there is a WEDDING going on. My mom was ready to pay the parking fee and walk in but I ultimately said no. I know if I was my wedding day and there was a complete stranger poking around the grounds during set up, I wouldn’t be happy. I don’t want to accrue any bad bridal karma this early in the game.

What happened to Wood Acres Farm, you ask?  We decided not to check it out. Any guesses why? (:

Ah! I bet I know why :) :)

**As a side note, every picture on these two posts has come directly from the venue's own website.  So bear with me, some of these venues clearly need to go in and update their photos!  I've been thinking about posting some "real weddings" from the different venues as a separate post.  If you're considering any of these options there are some stunning wedding out there for you that might help you better understand what venue is a fit for you!  The ones on these sites don't always do them justice.

Anyway.  I can't wait to C&C to finalize their venue details (including their DATE).

xoxo

If you aren't up to date, you can read the rest of "The Blair Wife Project" here!
-Meet C&C

-Venue Search (Part 1)