Just a short two hours’ drive from Manhattan lies an area renowned for its exquisite beauty, rolling green hills, and sprawling agricultural estates. I often find myself working and vacationing in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and am never left wanting for the peace and connection with nature that can be found there. With no shortage of luxurious country homesteads and working farms that supply our area with much-needed agriculture, many couples from Manhattan and surrounding areas choose a Litchfield County wedding venue to bring a luxurious, down-to-earth atmosphere to their wedding.
Many couples opt to have a full buyout of these locations and create a “mini-destination” weekend away for their guests. The party begins Friday night, with the festivities, ceremony and reception on Saturday, and a relaxing brunch on Sunday before guests checkout and say their goodbyes.
Over my years of photographing here, three venues stand out in my mind and in the experiences of my couples as being truly unmatched in service, accommodations, and beauty. Read on to learn about each one:
The Mayflower Inn
The stately and elegant Mayflower Inn, founded in 1919, was completely renovated in 2020 to bring charming English and Scandinavian influence to their lodgings. The historic estate stands on 58 acres, offering several distinguished buildings that host wedding parties of all sizes.
Say your vows in front of a grand oak tree just beyond the Shakespeare Garden, surrounded by the natural beauty of Connecticut. The evening light filters through the trees and spills over your ceremony in such a beautiful way!
Guests seeking a relaxing getaway are welcomed to stroll around the grounds or enjoy all the comforts offered by the Mayflower Inn by visiting the 20,000 square foot spa house. Those who feel at home outdoors may enjoy flyfishing, wine tasting, poetry in the Shakespeare Garden, forest bathing, and many other activities in the open air.
Spacious suites appointed with details reminiscent of English country manors offer the full bridal party private and serene spaces to get ready. Guests are welcomed to relax before the ceremony in one of 35 rooms across four buildings, with 3 of those buildings being comfortable standalone residences. All charmingly-designed rooms boast four-poster beds, soaking tubs, and breathtaking views of the grounds, with fireplaces and private balconies available in some residences.
Exquisite meals are offered from the chef-in-residence and tailored to match your vision exactly. Dine with guests in the spectacular Sperry Tent; a 4,200 square foot tent made of sailcloth and lit with romantic string lights. Having tried these meals myself, I fully understand this young guest’s look of total focus as he fills his plate!
On nights not filled with wedding activities, guests are welcomed to enjoy a meal from the chef-in-residence in the private dining room, followed by a nightcap in the tap room featuring spirits made at the resort’s distillery.
The entire estate transforms beautifully for evening celebrations, coming alive with a warm glow from cozy bonfires and state-of-the-art entertainment equipment to really ramp the party — and the after-party — up!
Couples and their closest guests are sure to enjoy a weekend full of comforts, seclusion, serenity, and invigoration between wedding events. A wedding at this Litchfield County wedding venue is promised to be truly unique to each couple’s vision, and the staff and grounds are renowned for their ability to deliver a superb experience from the moment you step on the grounds.
To learn more about wedding options at The Mayfower Inn, inquire here.
Lion Rock Farm
Known as the “gateway to the Berkshires”, 600 acres of truly blank slate beauty can be found at LionRock Farm. This fully-operational farm was purchased by a Wall Street powerhouse in the nineties and is still run by her daughter, able to accommodate 200 wedding guests and offering four guest residences that can house up to 28 overnight guests.
For couples who are searching for the secluded, rustic, farm-style atmosphere to ground their wedding, the sprawling green farmland will feel like coming home.
Several beautiful and spacious buildings can host weddings of all sizes. The Grey Barn is perfect for intimate indoor ceremonies, while a large, open field and towering trees offer a beautiful backdrop for outdoor ceremonies, with or without a tent.
The pergola is perfect for seated rehearsal or welcome dinners and creates a cozy, romantic atmosphere without removing you from the spacious outdoors.
A refined wedding at this venue can only be served with the most exquisite meals, and LionRock Farm’s servings are certainly no exception. Dinner, drinks, and celebration are sure to be to the highest standard in any of this venue’s locations.
If you’re searching for a grounded, country, Litchfield County wedding venue, LionRock Farm is sure to welcome you with open arms and go above and beyond to bring your wedding vision to life.
To explore wedding options at LionRock Farm, inquire here.
Winvian Farm
Quite possibly one of the most exciting and unique destination wedding venues in Litchfield County is Winvian Farm. The main house stands on 113 acres and was constructed in 1775, then purchased and operated as a family farm in 1948 by Winthrop and Vivian Smith — hence, the name Winvian. This estate remains in the family, adding 18 incredible cottages and converting the top floor of the original house to a spacious suite.
Couples who want a true getaway experience for themselves and their guests can book the Hadley Suite (the top floor of the main house) or a unique, themed cottage such as the Treehouse, the Greenhouse, the Artist, the Library, the Stable, or the Helicopter, which has an actual helicopter serving as the main living space and wet bar.
Bikes are available outside every door for guests to use on their way to many outdoor activities offered on the grounds. Those who prefer to recline and relax can do so in the 40 foot swimming pool, the luxurious spa house, or the five-diamond seed-to-table restaurant that pulls ingredients from an on-site, self-sustaining garden.
Past guests and couples rave about the professional and accommodating staff, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking grounds. Winvian Farm also offers an on-site wedding planner who will work with your own planner and vendors to ensure every detail is perfect.
Winvian Farm is a Relais & Chateuax resort so you can rest assured that every minute of your stay and your wedding will be exactly to your standards, bringing all your wedding dreams to life.
To stay or be wed at Winvian Farm, inquire here.
Choosing Mayflower Inn, LionRock Farm, or Winvian Farm to be your Litchfield County wedding venue would deliver a luxurious wedding weekend getaway that couples and guests alike would swoon over. Former couples continue to rave about the beauty of the grounds, the caliber of the accommodations and dining, and the wonderful staff. If you’re looking for a low-key, elegant, countryside wedding, trust that these Litchfield County wedding venues are unmatched in quality, beauty, and luxurious accommodations.
To learn more or to book me for your wedding weekend getaway, contact my agent at janelle@pairwedco.com. To book or learn more about my favorite Litchfield County wedding venues, visit the links below:
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